Don’t Be Taken In

As people who sell and buy violins for a living, and also help other people do the same, one thing we warn others about more than anything is getting scammed. And not just by people calling about your car’s extended warranty or to convince you that you need better life insurance. Which I mean, joke’s on you buddy…we’re classical musicians, we can’t afford life insurance!

Seriously though, while the classical musical world is a small one, and string sellers like us tend to be a close-knit community, scammers are out there and they try to get away with things all the time.

Whether it’s falsifying paperwork, covering up (and then lying) about previous damage and repairs, overpricing instruments, to flat out creating fake labels and papers to convince you that $100 Temu is actually a 1674 Stradivarius, complete with state of the art plastic pegs…we hear stories and even unfortunately run into people trying to pull a fast one more than we should.

Fortunately for you, our clients, there are some things you can do straight away to know if you’re being scammed or even prevent it before it happens. Here are some tips we tell everyone, whether they are shopping with us or someone else, to avoid being taken.

1) Ask questions. We get it-you walk into a shop or a one-on-one appointment with this person who has all these beautiful instruments, and they are telling you how they sold a guy this rare, one-of-a-kind, mint condition Del Jesus for below market value, and it can be intimidating. Don’t let it stop you from asking any and all questions you have. No question is too obvious, nor too stupid, and want to know something? More than likely, the same question you’re asking, the person selling you the instrument once asked someone else the same exact question. So ask questions, lots of them, and demand answers. An honest seller will be upfront, blunt, and if they don’t know the answer, they will tell you.

2) Check the paperwork. Now, not all instruments will carry certificates of authenticity. Those are usually reserved for the rare and higher valued violins and violas. However, most people will carry insurance policies on their gear, and insurance policies usually require appraisals. So ask to see the policy or appraisal, proof of ownership, anything in writing pertaining to whatever you’re looking for. Even if it’s just a bow…because higher quality and antique bows are just like the instruments they are used on. Some people may not have anything (students, for instance, rarely worry about such things), but it never hurts to ask.

3) Search, Research, and search again. We live in an age where information is available with a simple prompt into our smartphones, laptops, tablets, or, if you’re really tech savvy (like our Director of Operations), a push of a button in your car or on your watch. So do not be afraid to Google what you want before you buy it, and make sure you look for recent sales and prices. A little trade secret? Most shops (ours included) do this so often that if a high-value violin ever went missing and Interpol could access our search histories, we’d be questioned for sure. We’re not criminals, we’re just obsessed with making sure no one pays more than they should. Another resource? You’re favorite teacher, mentor, or another shop. We don’t mind you checking up on us…we welcome it. And any honest seller should do the same.

And finally…

4) Trust your gut. The number of times we’ve heard “Well, I had a funny feeling, but I ignored it” is too many. And if we’re being truly honest, we’ve said it ourselves more than once, and not just about whether the Browns are going to win the Super Bowl (our gut says no, but our hearts say “please!”). So trust your gut. As a player, parent, or someone who just really loves music, you know more than you think, and your gut twinging is your brain’s way of reminding you of that. So if your gut says “walk away”, then walk away. After all, who knows you better than you’re own stomach?!?

We hope these tips help you out the next time you’re searching for your new violin, viola, bow, or accessory. And following our own advice, if you do have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We truly want to see the right instrument go to the right person, so we would love to help you out.

Go Brownies! (A girl can dream…)

~Written by Jennifer Ford Fayette, Director of Operations and disappointed football fan (she also roots for the Dolphins).

Back to School Shopping, String Style

It’s that time of year-Pumpkin Spice everything is back! Oh yeah, and schools are back in session too, which means regular rehearsals are starting up as well, as the world prepares for a new Fall concert session.

If you’re like most musicians, you are probably pulling your instrument out of the case after taking a well-deserved break. Not that we are condoning not practicing every day, but even the most talented and disciplined musicians deserve a break, and the late summer tends to provide it as festivals have come to an end and most people take vacations, or in our case-staycations.

And if you are like most musicians, you pull your instrument out only to realize…it’s time. You can’t ignore it anymore. You need a new instrument, and you need it now. New strings, a post adjustment, and even a fancy new bow can’t help anymore. Besides, if the small kids riding the bus can get new backpacks and lunchboxes, why can’t you get a new instrument?

Believe it or not, early Fall is one of the busier times for students and young musicians looking for good-quality instruments. The problem most of them face? They haven’t played a gig in several weeks (or months), and aren’t quite sure how to pay for it.

This is where our team of experts can help. Did you know there are several ways to finance an instrument?

Credit unions just for musicians, financial aid through universities and conservatories, and even buy-now-pay-later options are great ways to break up payments into something affordable, while giving players a chance to get a new violin or viola before the first concert of the season.

Often, these options require little to no down payment and can be easily obtained if you know how. Contact us today and let us help you figure out how to get a new instrument just in time to attend the first rehearsal, ready to make beautiful music with a beautiful new instrument.

-written by Jennifer Ford Fayette, Director of Operations and that one kid with a calculator watch in school you thought was a nerd.

Summer Festivals-A Great Way to Find New Music

Classical music and the organizations within the classical music industry follow a predictable yearly schedule.  Christmas and Easter will invariably involve varying productions of Handel’s Messiah, and the Wedding Season tends to run from late spring to early fall.  The annual Holiday concert that we all either love or hate, and finally, the inevitable clang of a patriotic July 4th Celebration.  However, unlike other industries that tend to go dark or quiet in the summer months, classical music educational organizations view the summer as an opportunity to put in work, a time to push personal development, and experience new things.  

The organizations to which I am referring are commonly referred to in the classical vernacular interchangeably as either festivals or camps (please check the bandcamp jokes at the door).  These are serious festivals with very real implications for serious students and aspiring professionals.  For anywhere from two to ten weeks, musicians will be mentored by professionals, practice hours that would be impossible to accomplish during the regular season, create new relationships with other like-minded musicians, and most importantly, showcase their talents in performances, many of which are free to attend and open to the public.  So, where can you, as an audience member, go to see some of these free performances?  

You might be surprised to learn how many of these festivals are out there and how welcoming they are to concertgoers.  Some seem to be concentrated regionally, like in the Northeast United States, which hosts anywhere from 10 to 15 of the most important music festivals in the United States, between New York, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts alone.  Others are destination festivals hidden within resort areas, such as Aspen, CO, or exist in scenic locations, such as Santa Barbara, CA.  And then there are the oddball festivals that seemingly pop up out of nowhere, such as Artosphere Festival in Fayetteville, AR, or Charlie Castleman’s Quartet Program, which holds a dual residency in Fredonia, NY, and McMinnville, OR.  While there is no official national database, ask around in the classical music industry long enough, and someone will no doubt direct you towards one of these festivals.  

When attending, remember that most of the performers are students, but unlike the students performing at your local high school, these are the musical equivalent of AAA baseball players just waiting for their time to be called up.  Also, understand that different cultures and traditions permeate these institutions, especially the oldest festivals, such as the singing of Randall Thompson’s Alleluia at Tanglewood’s opening ceremonies, lawn picnics at Ravinia’s main grounds, or the tradition of pop-up concerts in Fredonia, NY.  

But most of all, take it all in, for you never know what superstar of tomorrow you may be watching today.  Enjoy the time spent being able to get up close and see how these musicians work.  The opportunity to see a young generational talent like Leonard Bernstein or Yo-Yo Ma is a rarity for sure, and a rarity to be treasured. 

-written by Amos Fayette, Director of Sales and summer festival veteran