Lease to Own Program
Fine string instruments and bows are often very hard to afford, especially for the young professionals and college or high school students. Many of these very talented musicians are caught in a vicious cycle: You need a high quality instrument to be compatible in auditions, enroll in competitions, make a living as a performer but in order to procure the funds for a sufficient quality instrument and bow you need to have the money that could sometimes only be generated as a result of successful auditions, competitions and gigging. We’re presenting you the unique lease-buy program created by two brothers, violinists Hrayr and Henrik Karapetyans, founders of Karapetyan Violins and both professional players.
The idea behind the program stems from the individual experience. Both Henrik and Hrayr started their respective professional careers abroad, leaving their homeland with violins and bows that would hardly be suitable for an average high schooler in the USA or Europe. While they managed to win multiple scholarships and competitions, even positions in lead orchestras using these instruments, at some point it was clear that any serious attempt in forging a career as a performer would have to involve something better than a beaten up Markneurkirkhen fiddle with a fingerboard that, as they often joked, resembled the mountain ranges of their homeland. And nothing was available to an international student with limited rights to work and a single high-interest credit card. While both were eventually able to find ways to beat the odds and acquire appropriate instruments and bows, the process was not an easy one and it made them think that there may be many more aspiring professionals in the world just a step away from a successful career and that they may be able to help them cross that threshold.
What’s unique about our program?
In a couple words, we rent out/lease a professional quality instrument to a client for a manageable monthly payment and then give them the possibility to use the rental credit towards the purchase of the violin they are leasing or any other violin from our collection! Not just the part of the rental credit, but ALL OF IT. No need for a high interest loan, no interest payments to us.
For example:
You can lease one of our beautiful signature Karapetyan Violins series modern instruments for two years, paying as little as $200 per month and use the full amount of $4800 later to buy the instrument or any other fine instrument or bow from our collection. In some cases, we will require an initial investment, accounting to approximately 25-35 percent of the value of the instrument, after which you can pay the monthly lease. If you decide to not buy any item from us after leasing the instrument for a period of time, this initial investment amount (the down payment of 25-35 per cent) will be fully reimbursed to you. If you do purchase one, then, obviously, every penny paid towards the monthly lease and the initial investment will go towards your final purchase. As simple as that. And we will work with you on an individually crafted contract to meet your needs, so feel free to ask and negotiate with us to get the best possible plan for yourself.
You can browse the instruments available for this program here.
NOTE: Our rental program also features a short term (minimum 3 months) instrument or bow lease option which gives you the possibility of using a fine instrument or a bow for a professional audition or competition.