The next questions will be answered below in the sequence:
*Which size children’s violin is suitable for my child?
*What do the A B C and D class indication mean in relation to instruments?
*Could I trade in old instruments?
*Does Brouwer rent out instruments?
*What’s the most recent status of my order?
*Is it safe to deliver instruments on my (outside-NL) address?
*Where can I find more information about the string collection?
*What’s the difference between an electric instrument and a silent instrument?
*What’s the advantage of an electric/silent instrument above an acoustic instrument?
*What’s the advantage of a carbon fiber bow above a wooden bow?
*Why should I purchase an amplifier with my electric instrument?
*Why are the prices at Brouwer’s that low?
*Could I try out instruments?
*What if my order isn’t what I expected it to be?
*How long does it take for an order to be delivered?
*Can my order be sent in parts?
*Do you send to countries outside the Netherlands?
*Do you have a shop that I can visit?
*I have got specific demands regarding my instrument. Could you help me?
*Do you sell left handed instruments?
*Do you provide music lessons?
*Do you sell children’s violins and other small sized instruments?
*What are the arrangements around sending and receiving of orders?
*Is guarantee included with my instrument?
*Why can’t I pay later instead of in advance or at delivery?

Which size children’s violin is suitable for my child?
If you visit me in Hilversum I can advise about the right size. If you consider ordering online, please consider the following guidelines:
If your child can easily hold the scroll of the violin while the violin is on his or her shoulder and his or her arm is stretched, the violin is around the right size.
The size of the violin relates to the arm length of your child. Please consider the following guidelines about the relation of age, arm length and violin size:
4/4 violin - arm length from 60 cm - 9 years old to adults
3/4 violin - arm length 56-60 cm - 7-10 years old
1/2 violin - arm length 50-56 cm - 6-8 years old
1/4 violin - arm length 45-50 cm - 5-7 years old
1/8 violin - arm length 43-45 cm - 4-6 years old
1/10 violin - arm length 40-43 cm - 3-6 years old
1/16 violin - arm length 35-40 cm - 3-5 years old

What do the A B C and D class indication mean in relation to instruments?
The classes are a system that Zlata Strijkinstrumenten uses to divide the instruments in categories and create more overview in the collection to costumers.
A class: student instruments for beginning to advanced musicians.
B class: low priced hand made instruments for beginning to advanced musicians.
C class: hand made instruments for advanced and professional musicians.
D class: our best hand made instruments for the professional market, also suitable for demanding advanced amateurs.

Could I trade in old instruments?
Yes, this is possible after discussion and my check of the instrument. You will receive a discount on you new instrument, which cannot be higher that the purchase price of your new instrument. I cannot determine the value of your instrument on distance or based on photo’s.

Does Brouwer rent out instruments?
Yes! Rental is possible for instruments and accessoiries. If you would like to purchase the instrument later, you will receive a discount with a maximum of one year rent. You can pick up the instrument to rent or let it be sent to you. You will pay at 6 months rent as a guarantee and a minimum of 1 month rent in advance. The rent prices are as follows per month:
Violin acoustic complete set all sizes available € 10
Violin electric complete set 4/4 € 15
Viola acoustic complete set all sizes € 15
Viola electric complete set 4/4 € 20
Cello acoustic complete set all sizes € 30
Cello electric complete set € 35
Double bass acoustic complete set all sizes € 40
Double bass electric complete set € 45
Amplifier 15 W € 5

What’s the most recent status of my order?
After order confirmation you will receive automated update e-mails until the order is delivered. After the proces of ordering the status will be "Pending". At the moment we are processing the order for you the status will be "Processing". At the moment the order is delivered to TNT post the status will be "Delivered". If you have received the message with the order status "Delivered" you can expect to receive the order soon (within one office day in the Netherlands). If you have questions about your order status, please contact us.

Is it safe to deliver instruments on my (outside-NL) address?
TNT post transfers my enveloppe post as well as my packages. Damage during transport is for Brouwer’s account. You will have no risk.

Where can I find more information about the string collection?
Please visit the official websites of Warchal Strings and Thomastik Infeld Strings for more information. If you have questions, please contact us.

What’s the difference between an electric instrument and a silent instrument?
Some electric instruments have a sound box, which makes silent practise impossible. A silent instrument doesn’t have a sound box, so is ideal for silent practise. Both instruments produce a lot less sound than an acoustic instrument (even with a mute). The silent violin produces unamplified less sound than an electric instrument.

What’s the advantage of an electric/silent instrument above an acoustic instrument?
Amplifying is easy and without risk with electric instruments in the contrary of acoustic instruments. Electric instruments have a nice sound and tone on the earphones or amplifier, so nobody can find trouble of your practicing. Electric instruments are less venerable than acoustic instruments. Electric instruments are factory produced for a big part, so they cost relatively less for a nice sound and tone.

What’s the advantage of a carbon fiber bow above a wooden bow?
A carbon fiber bow is less sensible for wheather conditions and falling. A carbon fiber bow goes very well together with your electric instrument. A carbon fiber bow is as comfortable as a wooden bow, even in comparison with expensive Pernambuco bows.

Why should I purchase an amplifier with my electric instrument?
The earphones that go together with your electric instrument take care that you can enjoy the sound. An amplifier is the sound box of your electric instruments and takes care that also your environment can enjoy your play. Also for use at home we recomment amplifiers together with electric instruments.

Why are the prices at Brouwer’s that low?
For some my prices are surprisingly low. How do I do this? In the first place I order big quantities at factories that produce directly for me. We also purchase large quantities at violin builders around the globe. We arrange lots of quantity discount. Most violin builders pay a lot for wholesaling companies, which causes that products are sold for eight times the cost price. I don’t do that. I don’t have employies, I am a one woman business, I don’t have an expensive shop at an expensive location and my margins are relatively low. Pay purely for your instrument, buy at Brouwer’s!

Could I try out instruments?
Yes, certainly. You can visit me in Hilversum on appointment or on an open house day.

What if my order isn’t what I expected it to be?
You can send your order back to me within 7 office days and your money will be returned on your account. Is the article after these 7 office days, but within a years defect, the guarantee arrangement will be applicable. For details, please view our general conditions.

How long does it take for an order to be delivered?
If the article is in stock 1 to 3 office days within the Netherlands. If you article is not in stock I will inform you about the delivery time. If it takes longer than a month you can choose to cancel your order and order something else or get your money back.

Can my order be sent in parts?
If part of your order is in stock and part is not, we will send first the articles that are in stock and send the other articles as soon as they are in stock. In this way you don’t have to wait for all your articles, if only one is out of stock.

Do you send to countries outside the Netherlands?
Yes, but extra freight will be charged. We will contact you about the details.

Do you have a shop that I can visit?
You can visit me in Hilversum on appointment or on an open house day.

I have got specific demands regarding my instrument. Could you help me?
Yes, in most cases we can, because my builders can make instruments on demand. Please contact me about the details and the costs.

Do you sell left handed instruments?
Yes, for most instruments this is possible, but in some cases extra costs will be charged. Please contact me about the details and the costs.

Do you provide music lessons?
No, but in our links page you will see different links to professional musician’s databases.

Do you sell children’s violins and other small sized instruments?
Yes, please see our collection for the available instruments in stock. Outside this stock we can order every acoustic instrument in small sizes.

What are the arrangements around sending and receiving of orders?
Please refer to our general conditions.

Is guarantee included with my instrument?
Yes, one year standard. If your instrument is defect, we will repair it quickly or replace it by a new one. Please refer to our general conditions.

Why can’t I pay later instead of in advance or at delivery?
We offer instruments and accessories at very low prices. This is possible because all our clients pay their bills and we don’t make costs for cash management. There is no risk for you, because if you return your order within 7 days you get your money back no matter what the reason for the return is.