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• Ask the Maestro  :: How to Choose an Instrument ... 
  • It's the most common question parents and students ask

Feature
Instrument Ripoffs... 
    Yep - Buyer Beware Alert

Not long ago, one of our instrument providers published an open letter to parents concerning low-quality instruments. These instruments are becoming an unfortunate standard commonly found among music instruments in today's marketplace. We share that concern, not just as a Veritas Music Network affiliate, but as a music education company comprised of parents as well ... parents who like you well understand the investment parents make.

It's important to protect that investment -- the first musical experiences really do influence those that come later -- if they do come, since chances are slim if the first instrument fails the student.

• Fact: First instruments -- those that are designed for beginning students -- cost less whether renting or buying.
  Fiction: All instrument have warranties and all warranties are good.
• Fact: First instruments -- those that are designed for learning students often need repairs, because of the student's level of handling and performance, the student's age, caretaking and maturity, and because the instrument lacks the higher quality of more expensive instruments.
  Fiction: All instruments can be repaired.

In a nutshell, be discerning when selecting any instrument. And understand the warranty, as well as the instument provider. Before buying or renting, make sure you're familiar with the instrument brands that are music education approved and recommened. 

All that being said,

Veritas' Open Letter to Parents on Instrument Quality

Because we have always considered our repair facility to be an integral part of our school service offerings, the purpose of this letter is to bring your attention to a service issue we’re now facing.
 
Our repair technicians are receiving an increased number of poorly manufactured instruments. In general, these products are often sold by retailers who do not specialize in musical instruments. While the price tags on these instruments are irresistible to parents at times, keeping them in proper playing condition (if possible) is a costly challenge.

Low quality instruments are commonly manufactured from "pot metal," which is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as:

1. A copper and lead alloy, formerly used in making plumbing fixtures;
2. A cast iron used especially in making pots;
3. An inexpensive alloy of poor quality, usually containing lead, used especially in making castings: cheap jewelry is made from plated pot metal.

Due to the comparatively low melting temperature of "pot metal," it is very difficult, often impossible to perform repairs that include solder work. Further, the craftsmanship of poor quality instruments do not respond to adjustments for any reasonable length of time.

The disappointment of costly repair bills and pervasive performance problems remains long after the sweetness of low price. While we will try to meet the service needs of every customer, we continue to stand behind the brands and models offered by our business as well as others that can be repaired by normal practices.

Should you have any questions, comments, concerns or would like more information regarding our standard of instrument quality, please talk with your band or music director or a reputable music instrument provider in your community.