Purchase and hire an instrument
On this page you’ll find information about:
- Buying an instrument without VAT
- Instrument hire scheme
- Instrument size guide
- Returning a hire instrument
- Instrument hire policy
Buy an instrument without VAT (AIPS)
The Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme, known as AIPS, enables pupils at Local Authority (LA) Schools to purchase new instruments without paying VAT and is approved by HM Revenue & Customs.
Terms and conditions include:
- students must be in full-time education at a Local Authority (LA) school.
- students must receive regular (weekly) music lessons.
- instruments must be delivered to the student in school not to a home address.
- VAT free applies to purchases of a new instrument not second-hand or ex-hire.
How do I start the process for buying an instrument without VAT?
- Seek guidance on the appropriate make/size of instrument from a teacher.
- Shop around and consider all outlets for buying a new instrument and confirm they are aware of AIPS.
- Check the availability of the instrument but don’t make any payment to the retailer.
How do I apply for buying an instrument without VAT?
- Please print off and complete this form AIPS application form
- Return either by email to musichub@essex.gov.uk or by post with a cheque made payable to Essex County Council.
Important information
- Payment is for the net amount (the ex-VAT price) plus a £10 admin.
- Once the application has been approved and payment received, an order will be sent to the retail outlet with delivery of the instrument being sent to the specified school.
Any questions, please telephone 0333 0138953 or email musichub@essex.gov.uk
Essex Music Service Instrument Hire Scheme
We have a stock of over 2000 high quality instruments which are available to hire for anyone up to age 21 living or studying in Essex. Our hire rates are competitively priced and we offer most common orchestral instruments in addition to electric guitars and keyboards.
Please note that this service gets busy at the beginning of term and extra time should be allowed for delivery. We do not guarantee availability of instruments or delivery dates. There is a £11.50 per instrument delivery charge for instruments delivered to schools.
Apply for an instrument hire | Ask a question
Below is a list of the instruments which are available to hire:
| Instrument | Hire (Per Term) |
| Flute | £33.50 |
| Oboe | £37.50 |
| Clarinet | £33.50 |
| Soprano Sax | £50 |
| Alto Sax | £50 |
| Tenor Sax | £50 |
| Baritone Sax | £50 |
| Bassoon/Mini Bassoon | £42.50 |
| Trumpet/Cornet | £33.50 |
| French Horn | £37.50 |
| Tenor Horn | £42.50 |
| Bari/Euphonium | £45 |
| Trombone (tenor only) | £33.50 |
| Tuba | £37.50 |
| Violin (all sizes) | £18.50 |
| Viola | £18.50 |
| Cello (all sizes) | £23.00 |
| Double Bass (all sizes) | £37.50 |
| Guitar (all sizes) | £12.75 |
| Electric/Bass Guitar & Amp | £42.50 |
| Keyboard / Digital Folding Piano | £23.00 |
| Music Tech Pack | £23.00 |
| DJ Decks | £23.00 |
Find out more about our financial assistance package offering tuition and instrument hire discount.
If you need an instrument not listed above please get in touch.
Instrument Size Guide
Several instruments are available in a range of sizes to suit children of different ages and height. Listed on the pages for each instrument are the recommended sizes of string instruments for various age groups and heights as appropriate. These are rough estimates and based on typical sizes for heights for ages. If you have any doubts in sizing please speak with your child’s tutor.
We also hire smaller models of Bassoons, Trombones, French Horns, and several other instruments. As these are often in different keys, or are more simplified versions of larger instruments, it is always worthwhile checking with a tutor first.
Returning the instrument at the end of hire
- Please fill in our Instrument Return form
- If you a returning a very large instrument, please call or email us to let us know
- You should return the instrument by dropping it with staff at your local Essex library.
- Send a photo of the instrument in the library to musichub@essex.gov.uk, to confirm it has been dropped off.
Instrument hire policy
Definitions and Conditions of Hire
The Owner: Essex Music Service, a traded service of Essex County Council.
The Hirer: Usually the parent or guardian, or the student if over 18.
The Instrument: Any instrument offered for hire, including the case and any accessories (bow, cleaning rods etc).
- Instruments can be reserved for 5 working days. If no application form is received after this time, the reservation will lapse.
- The minimum hire period is one term, except for hires starting mid-term.
- Fees will be invoiced termly. If the hire starts after half term, and the full termly fee is over £10, the fee will be halved for the first term only.
- The hire can be terminated at any time by returning the Instrument to the Owner, but any fees already paid are non-refundable.
- The Owner does not guarantee to provide any particular Instrument at any time. Students taking lessons from Essex Music Service tutors will take priority.
- The Owner reserves the right to refuse a hire without giving a reason, and to terminate an agreement with one month’s notice. Fees will only be refundable if less than half a term has elapsed.
- The Hirer is liable for the loss of, or any damage to, the Instrument. The Hirer should procure adequate insurance cover for the Instrument.
- The Owner may request evidence of insurance cover before issuing the Instrument. In such cases, the hire will commence upon issue.
- The Hirer must seek the Owner’s approval before any repairs are undertake and the Hirer will be responsible for any costs incurred.
- The Instrument will remain the property of the Owner at all times, and the Hirer enjoys no right to buy the Instrument at any time.
- The Hirer must notify the Owner of any change of address.
- The Hirer will be responsible for any costs incurred in the event of defaulting payments and/or non-compliance with this agreement.
- Any dispute over this agreement will be referred to arbitration.
Maintenance and upkeep of the instrument
- Beyond the first month of hire, hirers are responsible for maintenance, upkeep and repair.
- Please inform us before having a repair made to an instrument.
- Hirers are also responsible for replacement of lost, stolen or damaged instruments.
- As certain instruments can be very costly (Bassoons, Tubas, Euphoniums, French Horns, Oboes, Double Basses) we would recommend taking insurance out to cover your hired instrument.
- Please ask us for a valuation for your instrument if you are looking to take out insurance. For all queries, email: musichub@essex.gov.uk
Important information for hires beginning in September
If the instrument is to be used for lessons starting in September, you will be contacted in August once stock availability has been confirmed.
- Please allow at least 2 weeks for us to get your instrument ready.
- At present you will not be able to collect your instrument from our office, your instrument will be delivered to your school.
- Please be aware that as September is the busiest time of year for hires, register for your instrument as soon as you are notified that your child has been assigned lessons.
Please note that:
- Instruments are billed termly
- Delivery is not available throughout the school holidays.
- At the beginning of term (our busiest time) extra time should be allowed for delivery.
- Instruments are not dispatched until payment is received.
- We are unable to guarantee availability of instruments, or delivery dates.
- Instrument hire for the first term is paid in advance.
- You can view size guides and further information.
Please read our conditions of hire above before signing up: by continuing with your application, you must agree to these conditions.