We use Bethesda Violins. Highly recommend them if you're in the area. They deliver and pick up which has been really helpful when we've had to swap sizes a few times as my DS grows!

Anonymous wrote:
To all the posters who decide solely based on price, you might not realize that you're getting a lower quality instrument. Or, as my kid's violin teacher puts it, "a violin-shaped box". String instruments have a challenging-enough learning curve without your kid getting an even worse sound from their instrument

So if you can swing it, it's wise to go with the best quality you can afford.

This is 4-5 grade music.

To all the posters who decide solely based on price, you might not realize that you're getting a lower quality instrument. Or, as my kid's violin teacher puts it, "a violin-shaped box". String instruments have a challenging-enough learning curve without your kid getting an even worse sound from their instrument

So if you can swing it, it's wise to go with the best quality you can afford.

We had a great experience with Lashof Violin and their prices were cheaper than Potters.

One other option, closer than Fox and cheaper than Potter, is Gailes Violin Shop in College Park.

They are a serious outfit, but just more approachable and friendly than Potter's, which seems to have a stick up their butts despite relocating from Bethesda to Georgia Avenue.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. A few pp here mentions Potters is bad, are you all referring to the one off muddy branch road in Gaithersburg? I think they have 2 locations in Montgomery county. Is Lashof Violins in Gaithersburg better?

We've had nothing but wonderful experiences with Lashoff, but haven't rented there.

We were paying about $37/month from music and arts in rockville. That included a case with some supplies and they let you upgrade to bigger sizes for no extra charge when needed and service if something happened IIRC. If your kid sticks with it and you decide to buy one, music and arts will credit you a lot of what you paid towards buying one (from a list of select new models but not all they offer). You might want to do the math though as after three years (4th-6th grade) we had spent over $600 in rental fees - but that covered two different violin sizes. I have friends who play violin that say get a cheap one on Facebook marketplace at this age. Entering 7th grade, we finally bought a full size violin recently from Weavers in Bethesda but our kid's really into it so we spent more.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. We went to potters at Gaithersburg, and it was a good experience. We know nothing about musical instrument, but staff patiently explained to us and tuned the violin for is. We did the standard rental plus insurance and taxes totaled around $45 a month. I know there are some places maybe with better price, but I need service to help us as a newbie. I don't want to drive far in case anything happens as well.

That sounds crazy high. Buy one, buy a warranty and sell it when done. Over 10 months that’s $450.

Op here. We went to potters at Gaithersburg, and it was a good experience. We know nothing about musical instrument, but staff patiently explained to us and tuned the violin for is. We did the standard rental plus insurance and taxes totaled around $45 a month. I know there are some places maybe with better price, but I need service to help us as a newbie. I don't want to drive far in case anything happens as well.

Agree that Potter’s in Takoma Park is great. We have been renting woth no problems for several years.

Anonymous wrote:Potter's violin in Takoma Park is by far the best luthier for strings students in MD. Fox provides a similar level of service in NoVa.

I believe we pay about $65 (?) monthly for renting the "premium" level for my daughter at Potter's. They are excellent at sizing fractionals and giving all kinds of advice, and will do string changes on the spot, but bow rehairs can take a week. If you want a 24hr turnaround on rehairs, you can go to Weaver's in Bethesda.

We've been renting violins at Potter's for years because DD's elementary, middle and high schools generally reserve their violins for families who can't afford to rent elsewhere; and because we want to avoid bringing her expensive, professional grade violin to her high school (she brings her own violin to her private lessons and to concerts, recitals and auditions).

Potter’s is $45 for the premium violin rental (plus insurance if you get that).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. A few pp here mentions Potters is bad, are you all referring to the one off muddy branch road in Gaithersburg? I think they have 2 locations in Montgomery county. Is Lashof Violins in Gaithersburg better?

I’m the previous poster. My experience was at the Takoma Park location. I actually thought of making a complaint to the BBB. Sleazy guy in the rental dept who is a master at extortion, and when I complained to him, he threatened to charge me more! And I had bought insurance! I would avoid any place with the name “Potters”, regardless of location.
I then rented another instrument from Foxes in Falls Church and had zero problems. Welcoming and informative staff who just have a love for music and try to get your child fitted with the best sized instrument for them. And at a fraction of the price of the rental fees at Potters. The only problem at Foxes is that you can end up waiting awhile for your turn. Although if you go on off-peak days and times, this may not be an issue.

PP, when an instrument is damaged, you need to pay your share of the repair. Yes, repairs are expensive, what did you expect? Potter's is highly respected. I've been in the area for decades, and all the string teachers and professionals trust Mr. Potter, the owner, and his business associates. He's not for the most high-end soloists, who usually get their instruments repaired in NYC, but he's honest and focuses on students, mid-range professionals and enlightened adult amateurs. At worst, this was a bad hire and the person you dealt with has been fired. Maybe you could have sought confirmation of the price with a manager.

Foxes is also good and focuses on students as well. The instruments are of slightly lower quality, hence the price differential.

But please don't criticize Potter's so harshly. It's making you look like an uninformed customer, such is their stellar reputation in the DC region.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. A few pp here mentions Potters is bad, are you all referring to the one off muddy branch road in Gaithersburg? I think they have 2 locations in Montgomery county. Is Lashof Violins in Gaithersburg better?

I’m the previous poster. My experience was at the Takoma Park location. I actually thought of making a complaint to the BBB. Sleazy guy in the rental dept who is a master at extortion, and when I complained to him, he threatened to charge me more! And I had bought insurance! I would avoid any place with the name “Potters”, regardless of location.
I then rented another instrument from Foxes in Falls Church and had zero problems. Welcoming and informative staff who just have a love for music and try to get your child fitted with the best sized instrument for them. And at a fraction of the price of the rental fees at Potters. The only problem at Foxes is that you can end up waiting awhile for your turn. Although if you go on off-peak days and times, this may not be an issue.

We've had a great experience at Potter's Takoma Park. And definitely get the insurance. A case fell out of a locker onto my DD's violin, rendering it unplayable. Took the broken one in and had a replacement immediately

Op here. A few pp here mentions Potters is bad, are you all referring to the one off muddy branch road in Gaithersburg? I think they have 2 locations in Montgomery county. Is Lashof Violins in Gaithersburg better?