Frequently Asked Questions

We keep a database of musicians who are looking for a better instrument. If you are interested in taking a PODtriangle instrument on loan then tell us about you - what level are you at? What instrument are you currently playing? Why do you need a better one? What are your musical goals? Have a look at our 'instruments' page and see if there are any which might suit you. If so, complete the EOI. You can also contact us via info@podtriangle.com.au to discuss your needs and any upcoming instruments we might have.

Please contact us at info@podtriangle.com.au and send some photographs and a description of your instrument. Our mission is to provide talented musicians, who aspire to a career as a professional player, with an instrument that will match and enhance their potential. Therefore, it is possible that we won't be able to find a match for your instrument. We do however have links with other charities who support classical music programs and they are always looking for instruments.

There are lots of ways that you can help us so being interested in what we do is fantastic! 

Please talk to us if you

· know someone who has an instrument under the bed that might be available for loan, 

· know a talented musician who is looking for a better instrument

· have an interest in donating an instrument or funds(we provide receipts for tax purposes)

· can help us build our community/network

· would like to host a PODtriangle concert.

Send your details to info@podtriangle.com.au if you would like to be added to our database for mailouts. Follow us on Facebook and explore our website www.podtriangle.com.au for updates on what's been happening and up coming events. 

That is an excellent question and basically the answer is “not always”. It is a complex subject as it depends on the sound that the player is looking for. As an example, if a player is looking for a loud affordable sound, then a modern instrument may be more suitable. Alternatively, if a player is interested in provenance and a wide tonal range then an older instrument may be more appropriate. A player in a string quartet needs an instrument to blend with the other three members. Historically musicians have preferred older instruments however over the last hundred years or so there has been a resurgence in the quality and popularity of modern instruments.

We have an expert instrument committee with significant experience in assessing instruments. We can undertake an initial assessment and, if the instrument is considered of interest to PODtriangle, the instrument committee will investigate it further.

We access quality stringed instruments in three ways; people who own an instrument but are not currently playing it can either lend us their instrument, or they can donate it to us as a gift for future generations of players. As we grow our funds, we plan to purchase our own collection of fine instruments to be left to Australian musicians in perpetuity. 

Much like the Australian real estate market where prices have increased at a much higher rate than buyer or renter income, good stringed instruments have significantly increased in value. Most musicians today can no longer afford an instrument to match their talent.

We can help you understand the quality of your instrument. You can send us photos and notes via our info@podtriangle.com.au address and it may be possible to meet you to examine the instrument. We have an expert instrument committee with significant experience in assessing instruments. Our founder, Stuart Riley, can undertake an initial assessment and possibly refer it to our instrument committee who will investigate it further.  Finally, keep an eye on our donor events. We use some of them to compare instruments. It's not often that you actually get a chance to compare two instruments side by side, however in the same way that a $5 bottle of wine is vastly inferior to a bottle of Grange, once you hear two violins side by side you will appreciate the difference. 

It is possible that we could help you in a couple of ways so please come and talk to us.

You could loan the instrument to us and therefore keep it as an appreciating asset. If the instrument hasn't been played for a while then putting it out on loan through PODtriangle can help 'play it in' - they close up if not played often. We can loan your instrument out to a young and talented musician who will play (and love) it for you, enhance its’ value and expose it to peers and colleagues. At some time in the future the player may even be interested and able to purchase it themselves. Lastly, if your instrument fits our criteria, we may be able to purchase it for our PODtriangle collection. And we know the trade well - if you need to talk to a dealer we can make a recommendation.

Any donation is very gratefully received. Smaller donations help us to run our charity; at present we cover all operating costs ourselves. Our musicians give their time and skill for free and our Board and Committee members do likewise. Our first major goal is to raise $100,000 to allow us to purchase instruments as they become available. Like a piece of art or a classical car, instruments become available on an ad hoc basis. We need to be able to access funds as and when a suitable instrument becomes available. This will also mean that PODtriangle is sustainable; instrument donations will come and go whereas our own instruments will be available to players for ever.

We have spent significant time ensuring that our Governance meets contemporary standards. In recognition of this, and with support from Piper Alderman, PODtriangle is a Private Company Limited by Guarantee, registered with ASIC. We are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) and have Deductible Gift Recipient Type 1 status (DGR). This means you can claim a tax deduction for a cash or instrument donation to our charity.