Atelier for Fine Stringed Instruments — Cos Cob & Norwalk, CT
Violin, Viola, Cello & Bass Rentals for Fairfield County & Westchester County Students
Atelier rents professionally set up violins, violas, cellos, and basses for students across Fairfield County and Westchester. Every rental is prepared by our in-house string specialists, so your child starts with an instrument that is properly sized, adjusted, tuned, and ready for school orchestra.
Families choose Atelier because our rental program is built around the student's success, not just the transaction. We offer clear annual pricing, free size exchanges for growing students, optional damage and theft coverage, local support in Cos Cob and Norwalk, and rental credit that can be applied toward a future instrument purchase.
Whether your child is starting violin for the first time or needs a larger cello for the new school year, our team will help you choose the right size, explain the rental terms, and make sure the instrument leaves our shop ready to play.
Who We Are
At Atelier for Fine Stringed Instruments, we provide high-quality violin, viola, cello, and bass rentals for school orchestra students throughout Fairfield County and Westchester County.
With over 40 years of experience working directly with local school music programs, our instruments are professionally set up by real luthiers, teacher-approved, and ready to support students from their very first note.
The Process
How Our Rental Program Works
Getting started is straightforward, and we handle the details so families can focus on the music. Rentals are structured as annual agreements, paid upfront, which keeps the process simple and ensures your child has their instrument secured for the full school year without monthly billing interruptions.
Once you complete the rental form, our team confirms your child's correct instrument size — based on arm length, age, height, and any teacher input — and prepares the instrument in our workshop. We deliver instruments across Fairfield County and Westchester, and families can also pick up directly from our Cos Cob or Norwalk locations. During the busy back-to-school season, we recommend getting started early; in most cases, instruments are ready within a few business days. Outside of peak season, turnaround is often faster.
Select violin, viola, cello, or bass. We confirm the right size based on your child's measurements and teacher guidance.
Our online rental process takes only a few minutes. Annual rental, paid upfront — no monthly billing surprises.
Every instrument is adjusted in our workshop — bridge, strings, pegs, and playability — before it leaves our hands.
We deliver across Fairfield County and Westchester, or families pick up at our Cos Cob or Norwalk locations.
Every Rental Includes
Fully Prepared. No Hidden Add-ons.
Every instrument that leaves our shop has been personally set up by one of our professional luthiers. This matters more than most parents realize. A violin or cello that hasn't been properly adjusted — with a poorly fitted bridge, stiff pegs, or wrong string height — is significantly harder to play. For a beginner, that friction is often what causes a child to give up. We eliminate that problem before it starts.
Our rental fleet consists primarily of European-made instruments, with select Eastman Strings models — the area's largest Eastman dealer — offering an exceptional quality tier above the typical mass-produced rental stock you'll find from national chains. Every outfit includes everything your child needs to walk into their first rehearsal ready to play.
- Fully set up instrument — violin, viola, cello, or bass
- Quality bow, properly rosined, inspected and ready to play!
- Protective fitted case for safe daily transport
- Properly fitted bridge with appropriate strings
- Pegs adjusted for smooth, reliable tuning
- School-ready playability verified by a luthier in our shop
If something needs attention during the rental period — a slipped peg, a broken string, a fallen bridge — simply walk into either our Cos Cob or Norwalk location. No appointment, no phone call required. There is always a highly skilled luthier on site who will get your instrument back up and playing perfectly, fast. No shipping, no waiting on a mail-in service center, no runaround.
We strongly recommend adding our Damage & Theft (DT) coverage to your rental. With the DT waiver, every accidental mishap is fully covered — you pay nothing. Without it, repair costs fall to the customer. It's a small addition that 97% of our rental families choose, and virtually all of them are glad they did. For complete peace of mind throughout the school year, the DT is the right call.
What We Rent
Renting the Right Instrument for Your Child
Atelier rents all four orchestral string instruments, each available in multiple sizes to fit students at every stage. Not sure which instrument your child's school program requires, or which size they need? Our team helps families navigate that decision — and our instrument sizing guide covers every instrument in detail.
Violin Rentals
Sizes 1/16 through 4/4The most common starting instrument for school orchestra students. Available in fractional sizes to fit the youngest beginners all the way through full-size. Every rental violin is set up with proper string height and a fitted bridge for easy playability from day one.
Viola Rentals
Fractional & Full SizesViola players need careful sizing — an instrument that's even slightly too large creates tension and bad technique quickly. We size viola students based on arm length and teacher guidance, ensuring a comfortable, productive fit throughout their development.
Cello Rentals
Sizes 1/8 through 4/4Cellos require more adjustment work than smaller instruments — endpin height, string action, and bridge curvature all affect playability significantly. Our luthiers ensure every rental cello is prepared to the standard a real student instrument demands.
Bass Rentals
Fractional & Full SizesDouble bass rentals for school orchestra programs, sized appropriately for younger students. Bass students in Fairfield County and Westchester programs can count on instruments that arrive properly set up and school-ready — not needing adjustment the moment they're unboxed.
Making the Right Choice
Should You Rent or Buy?
For most beginners, renting is the smarter choice — and not just for financial reasons. String students grow through multiple instrument sizes, often needing a new size every one to two years. Purchasing an instrument that your child will outgrow in twelve months is money poorly spent. Renting keeps your child on a properly sized instrument at every stage without repeated purchasing costs.
There's also the commitment question. It takes time to know whether a student will stick with an instrument. Renting lets families explore music without pressure, and if a student does commit, up to two years of rental payments can apply toward a purchase when the time is right.
We've covered this in depth on our blog: Renting vs. Buying a School Instrument — What Every Parent Should Know →
Also worth reading: Teacher-Trusted Violin Rentals — Why Local Music Educators Recommend Atelier →
Why Renting Makes Sense
- Upgrade sizes as your child grows — no wasted investment
- No large upfront cost at the start
- Stay on a properly fitted instrument throughout
- Try the instrument without long-term commitment
- Up to two years of payments apply toward purchase
- Return at any time — no penalty, no pressure
When Buying Is Right
- Student is committed and has played for 2+ years
- Child has reached a stable, full instrument size
- Advancing student needs a step-up quality instrument
- Ready to invest in ownership with confidence
When that moment comes, our team guides you toward the right instrument — with full transparency on quality, origin, and value. No upsell pressure. Just honest guidance from people who know strings.
Getting the Fit Right
Choosing the Right Size Instrument
Proper sizing is one of the most important factors in a young musician's success — and one of the most overlooked. Playing on an instrument that's too large causes physical tension, reinforces poor technique, and makes the learning process unnecessarily hard. Playing one that's too small limits tone development and bow movement. Either way, the student suffers.
We determine correct sizing based on arm length, age, height, and teacher input. The process is quick, and when there's any question, we involve your child's music teacher directly. Every student who rents from Atelier gets an instrument that fits correctly from the first day of school.
View Our Instrument Sizing Guide
Not sure which size your child needs? Our guide covers violin, viola, cello, and bass sizing with clear measurement guidance for parents and students.
A Common Concern
What Happens If My Child Quits?
This is the question almost every parent asks, and it's a completely valid one. Music takes time to click. Not every student falls in love with the violin in the first month. Our rental program is specifically designed to remove the financial risk that comes with that uncertainty.
There is no long-term commitment. You can return the instrument at any time without penalty. No fees, no pressure, no obligation to continue. We believe the best thing we can do for music education is make it easy for families to try — and equally easy to step away if it's not the right fit. That policy has never changed in over 40 years of serving Fairfield County schools.
- No long-term commitment — annual structure, return at any time
- No penalty fees for early return
- No pressure to continue if your child changes direction
- Explore music with confidence, not financial anxiety
Why Families Choose Us
Why Families Choose Atelier for String Instrument Rentals
National rental chains offer volume and convenience. What they cannot offer is what we've spent four decades building: direct relationships with the schools and teachers in this community, luthiers who personally set up every instrument before it reaches a student, and European-quality instruments that are measurably better than the standard rental fleet.
We are the area's largest Eastman Strings dealer — a brand trusted by music educators nationwide for consistent quality at the student and step-up level. When you rent from Atelier, your child's instrument has been touched by a real luthier, adjusted to play correctly, and prepared with the care that the first experience with an instrument deserves. See why local music educators recommend us: Teacher-Trusted Violin Rentals →
40+ Years of Local Service
We've worked directly with Fairfield County and Westchester school music programs for over four decades — long before national chains entered this market.
In-House Luthiers
Every instrument is set up and inspected by our professional luthiers — not shipped from a warehouse to your door unchecked. Our Norwalk shop has four luthiers; Cos Cob has two.
Direct School Relationships
We work directly with music teachers across Greenwich, Westport, Norwalk, Darien, New Canaan, Stamford, and beyond to ensure students have the right instrument when school starts.
European & Eastman Quality
Our fleet is primarily European-made, and we are the area's largest Eastman Strings dealer — a meaningful step above the mass-produced instruments typical rental programs use.
County-Wide Delivery
We deliver instruments across all of Fairfield County and Westchester County — no trip to a store required if pickup isn't convenient for your family.
Real People. Real Help.
You'll speak with a musician who knows instruments — not navigate a call center. Our team answers questions and solves problems the way a local business should.
We are not a national chain. We are a dedicated string shop — built on four decades of relationships with the schools, teachers, and families of Fairfield County and Westchester — and we are committed to doing this the right way, every time.
Where We Serve
Proudly Serving Fairfield County & Westchester
We deliver string instrument rentals across all of Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York — directly to families, and coordinated with local school music programs throughout the region. Families in Greenwich, Westport, Darien, New Canaan, Stamford, and Norwalk are served by our Cos Cob location at 403 East Putnam Avenue. Our Norwalk shop at 20 Fitch Street serves students across central and eastern Fairfield County, from Fairfield and Trumbull to Wilton, Weston, and Ridgefield.
For Westchester families in Bronxville, Rye, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Harrison, Scarsdale, White Plains, and Port Chester, we work directly with local orchestra programs and coordinate delivery to keep the process seamless — especially during the busy start of the school year when timing matters most.
What Families Are Saying
Real Experiences from Real Customers
Don't take our word for it. Here's what customers who've visited our shop and worked with our team have shared.
"I visited several shops in the area, and nothing came close in terms of quality or value. The owner personally helped guide me through the selection process, taking the time to understand exactly what I was looking for. His knowledge, patience, and genuine passion for string instruments were immediately evident. Atelier's instruments are on an entirely different level."
"Amazing job repairing my violin. I had my bow re-haired and my bridge lowered. Showma was so patient with me and answered all my questions. They charged a very fair price, and everyone was so professional. I love the work they did and I'm so happy to have found this place for all my violin needs. I will definitely be a repeat customer."
"Atelier has been great. The service is the best I've come across — friendly and knowledgeable. The prices are very competitive and they even recommended some companies that can insure the bow I bought from them. That kind of honest, helpful service is rare."
Transparent Pricing
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass?
This is one of the most common questions parents search for — and one most rental programs bury or avoid answering directly. We don't. Here is exactly what our string instrument rentals cost, by instrument and size.
All Atelier rentals are priced on a monthly basis and paid in full annually at the time of rental. This structure is straightforward: you know the exact cost upfront, there are no monthly billing surprises mid-year, and your child's instrument is secured for the entire school year from day one. Pricing varies by instrument type and size — larger, more complex instruments involve more luthier setup time and higher-quality components, which is reflected in the rate.
We strongly recommend adding Damage & Theft (D&T) coverage to every rental. With D&T, every accidental mishap is fully covered — you pay nothing for repairs. Without it, repair costs are the customer's responsibility. Ninety-seven percent of our rental families add D&T, and virtually all are glad they did. The total with D&T is what we consider the true all-in monthly rate, and it's what's shown below.
Violin Rental Pricing
Sizes 1/16 through 4/4 available| Size | Monthly Rental | D&T Coverage | Total with D&T |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/4 or 7/8 Full / Near-Full Size | $35.00 | $8.50 | $43.50 |
| 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16 Fractional Sizes | $24.00 | $8.50 | $32.50 |
Viola Rental Pricing
Fractional through full sizes available| Size | Monthly Rental | D&T Coverage | Total with D&T |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16″ or 16.5″ Full Size | $45.00 | $10.50 | $55.50 |
| 14″, 15″ or 15.5″ Medium | $40.00 | $10.50 | $50.50 |
| 11″, 12″ or 13″ Smaller Sizes | $30.00 | $8.50 | $38.50 |
Cello Rental Pricing
Sizes 1/16 through 4/4 available| Size | Monthly Rental | D&T Coverage | Total with D&T |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/4 or 7/8 Full / Near-Full Size | $55.00 | $10.50 | $65.50 |
| 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10 or 1/16 Fractional Sizes | $40.00 | $10.50 | $50.50 |
Double Bass Rental Pricing
Fractional through 3/4 sizes available| Size | Monthly Rental | D&T Coverage | Total with D&T |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8 or 3/4 | $75.00 | $17.00 | $92.00 |
| 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 or 1/10 Fractional Sizes | $60.00 | $17.00 | $77.00 |
All rentals are priced monthly and paid in full annually at time of rental. D&T coverage is priced additionally and strongly recommended. Up to two years of rental payments may be applied toward the purchase of an instrument. Start your rental here or contact our team with questions.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the questions parents ask us most often. Still have something specific? Our team is available by phone, email, or through our on-site chat — where you can get answers instantly or ask to speak directly with one of our musicians.
How much does it cost to rent a violin, viola, cello, or bass?+
Pricing varies by instrument and size. Violin fractional sizes start at $24/month ($32.50 with D&T). Full-size violins are $35/month ($43.50 with D&T). Cellos range from $40–$55/month, violas from $30–$45/month, and double bass from $60–$75/month. All rentals are paid annually in full at time of rental. See the full pricing breakdown in the section above, or start your rental here.
Can I upgrade to a larger size as my child grows?+
Yes — and this is one of the biggest advantages of renting over buying. String students typically move through several sizes as they grow. When your child is ready for the next size, we make the transition simple: we fit them into the correct new size, set it up properly, and get them back to playing quickly.
See our instrument sizing guide for a full breakdown of size ranges by instrument.
What if the instrument is damaged — a broken string, fallen bridge, or slipped peg?+
Walk in to either our Cos Cob or Norwalk location — no appointment, no phone call needed. There is always a highly skilled luthier on site who will get your instrument back up and playing perfectly, fast. We handle everything in-house, on the spot.
Whether you pay anything depends on your coverage. With our Damage & Theft (DT) waiver, every accidental mishap is fully covered — you pay nothing, no questions asked. Without the DT, repair costs are the customer's responsibility. We strongly recommend adding DT coverage when you start your rental. Ninety-seven percent of our rental families do, and virtually all of them are glad they did.
Can rental payments apply toward purchasing an instrument?+
Yes. Our program allows up to two years of rental payments to apply toward the purchase of an instrument when your student is ready to make that transition. We'll guide that decision honestly — letting you know when ownership makes sense and recommending the right instrument for your child's level and goals.
How quickly can we get started?+
In most cases, we can have an instrument prepared and ready within a few business days. During the back-to-school rush in late August and September, demand is high and we strongly recommend getting started as early as possible. Outside of peak season, turnaround is often faster. Begin your rental here.
Is there a long-term commitment?+
No. Rentals are annual agreements, but you can return the instrument at any time without a penalty fee. We understand that students' interests evolve, and our program is designed to give families full flexibility — not lock them into something that no longer makes sense.
Do you deliver, or do we need to pick up in person?+
Both options are available. We deliver instruments across all of Fairfield County, CT and Westchester County, NY. Families can also pick up directly from our Cos Cob location at 403 East Putnam Avenue or our Norwalk location at 20 Fitch Street. Contact us to arrange delivery or confirm the best option for your area.
Should I rent or buy? Where can I learn more?+
We've written a detailed guide covering this exact question — from why renting makes sense for beginners, to how to know when purchasing is the right move. Read it here: Renting vs. Buying a School Instrument — What Every Parent Should Know.
Visit Us
Atelier Locations & Hours
Atelier in Cos Cob (Greenwich)
403 East Putnam Avenue
Cos Cob, CT 06807
Telephone: 203-661-9500
Email: atelierstringshop@gmail.com
Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (May 15 – Oct 15 only)
Sunday: Closed
Atelier in Norwalk
20 Fitch Street
Norwalk, CT 06855
Telephone: 475-317-1275
Email: atelierstringshop@gmail.com
Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Ready to Get Started?
Starting your rental takes just a few minutes. Our team is here to guide you through instrument selection, sizing, and delivery — so your child walks into their first rehearsal ready to play.
