|
|
NewsletterContents:Blackerby Violin Shop gets amped!  Joseph Shuffield test drives the new NS CR4 Violin, retail price $2650. We're now the exclusive dealer for NS Design violins, violas, and cellos in central Texas! For our first foray into the electronic world, we're going with the best. NS Design was founded in 1990 by renowned instrument designer Ned Steinberger. His unique designs and state of the art electronics combine to meet the needs of an evolving musical community. Now available in the affordable CR Series, this breathtaking instrument is available in four and five string models. The NS Violin has a remarkable tonal range due to its innovative Polar™ pickup system, which is able to selectively capture the string vibration favored for both bow and pizzicato technique with stunning brilliance and sensitivity. The violinist who prefers the elegant tone of a fine acoustic will not be disappointed, and for those who wish to explore new sonic territory, the sky is the limit. The solid-body NS Violin incorporates the familiar performance features of an acoustic instrument, including a removable body segment to provide the left-hand reference position of a traditional instrument. Traditional string spacing and scale length facilitate the transition from the acoustic instrument to the world of electronic music. Direct amplification and recording capabilities allow the violinist to experience something totally new, yet savor something very special... the timeless magic of the violin.
Blackerby Violin Shop does not pay a commission or “finder’s fee” You may already be aware that many stringed instrument dealers pay a percentage of an instrument’s sale to teachers when their students make a purchase. This is done to encourage teachers to steer their students to a particular shop. Though this practice occasionally receives attention in the trade journals, it is still considered something of a “dirty little secret” by many in the industry. Some legal experts think this practice could be potentially fraudulent in the event the student is unaware of the payments (which are often times made in cash). At the very least, we believe it creates a conflict of interest for the teacher, who has been engaged to help a student find the best instrument and best value. The practice also raises the price of instruments to allow a significant amount of the sales price to go to the teacher. In our view, the major question is this: Does the student (or student’s parents) know the payments are being made to the teacher? If so, then at least everyone is in full knowledge of the facts. The student has the necessary information to decide if a teacher’s dealer recommendation is based on the quality and trustworthiness of that particular dealer…or if there might be other reasons the teacher is sending the student there. In any event, if our store has been recommended to you, you can be certain it is because that person has been pleased with the quality of our merchandise and service—not because of a quid pro quo. Blackerby Violin Shop is owned by a violinist who has been teaching for twenty years. Many of our employees have their own teaching studios. We know how valuable—indeed indispensable—a teacher’s advice is to a student who is buying an instrument or bow. And surely most teachers understand the enormous influence and control they have in this matter. Many teachers offer their help in a student’s instrument search at no charge. However, we feel it is entirely appropriate for a student to offer to pay the teacher the hourly lesson rate for any time the teacher spends assisting in the search. We hope you agree that the teacher’s advice should be a service to the student and not an act of salesmanship on behalf of a dealer. For more information:
|
