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Who we are

Leihinstrumente.com is a unique combination of a guitar and string instruments specialized shop with an online store as well as a professionally equipped workshop. As skilled luthiers and musicians we have been specializing in making, repairing and reselling top-quality instrumens. Our shop in Freiburg and our online shop offer a wide selection of guitars, amps and related equipment for beginners up to professional musicians, children up to grownups. When deciding our suppliers for our instruments we first focus on the highest possible standards. Then each instrument goes through our in-house quality check both when entering and leaving our storage. Each instrument is tested according to playability and fine-tuning is performed, since intonation is crucial to all string instruments. This has become our standard procedure and has guaranteed a maximum of reliability. For the musician it simply means effortless playing and more enjoyment.

'Rhino' Robert Kirch
“Rhino” Robert Kirch (managing director / sales / advice / shipping)

Born in Kansas City, USA in the conservative heartland. He grew up devouring all kinds of books on the dusty, school library shelves. His musical beginnings were playing saxophone and upright bass in several jazz bands. Rhino defined himself early as a “Hippie,” who advocates peace, love and nature. This nurtured the long-haired hedonist through numerous part-time jobs, intense romances, road trips and concerts.

His life had a significant turning point when he immigrated to Germany and started playing guitar in his early 30s. Music, especially Rock n’ Roll, Bluegrass and Jazz, has always been the best remedy for him to treat the everyday pains and hassles. After playing just a couple of songs, he experiences a magical release of every problem - at least for a while.

Unlike lots of German people in his generation, he did not stay in one job for decades. He was literally a shapeshifter in this modern job market. He has worked as a carpenter, hospital researcher, pizza chef, translator, delivery truck driver, and so on. He eventually became a music store owner in 2018 (!) This fresh, new job shows him how beautiful and hopeful people’s faces look when they find their new fitting guitars. He loves to witness it as long as possible.

Erik Krause
Erik Krause (Repairs / Guitar making / Web development)

was born in 1961. Inspired by Tibor Ehlers he started making instruments in 1979. Since 1980 he was responsible for the repairs in a small music shop in Pforzheim. In 1983 he met Rolf Eichinger, who taught him the basics of Spanish guitar making. Shortly afterwards he met Franz Butscher and founded the guitar workshop in Freiburg with him. Franz Butscher now lives in Orgiva, near Granada, where he builds beautiful guitars in his own workshop.

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Our Rooms (more images >>)

are located in the Kulturpark-Freiburg. The building also houses the international music college and several artists' studios as well as gastronomy.