We are writing this article since we are disgusted about music shops making bogus claims to parents and individuals about violins. Here are just some of the claims we have heard:
You need to get a German or Italian violin to learn to play the violin. That is completely bogus. For someone starting out, a student can’t tell the difference between a violin made in China (i.e. Our Model 12 series) or a German made violin. Please read the article we wrote for more information: Is buying a Chinese-made violin bad?
You need to buy a better sounding bow for $30. For beginners, a basic bow will suffice. It can be compared to learning to drive a car. There’s no reason to get a Ferrari to learn to drive a car when a Ford will due.
You need to buy an extra set of violin strings for $50. An extra set of violin strings are critical, but paying $50 for them is not especially as a beginner. Our basic beginner violin string set for $17 will do.
We also recommend you to try to get a list of prices for their services. Some shops may charge up to $50 just to help you resize a new bridge.