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Enrollment Open Until September 7th, 2025
In recent years, the internet has become flooded with substandard instruments. These "instrument shaped objects", or ISO's, come disguised with good consumer reviews, fake teacher testimonials, alluring fashion colors, and an attractive low price point. DO NOT BE DECEIVED! These instruments often arrive unplayable, or cost so much to repair that the low introductory price is negated. Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim:
How to avoid being scammed!
How to avoid being scammed!
Use the CCPS approved vendor and approved brands list. CLICK HERE!
If you are not buying from this list, did you email your child's teacher requesting information about this instrument?
Does the website or vendor specialize in musical instruments? This is also called the "toilet paper test". If you can buy toilet paper the same place you're buying your instrument, you may want to look elsewhere.
Does this instrument come in fashion colors? Sparkly Blue? NO! Leopard Print? NO! This might seem like a fun way to personalize your instrument, but these instruments rarely play well, if at all. (See picture!)
Does the instrument come with white gloves? If so, no go. For some reason, this seems to be a common "accessory" with ISOs.
Check the description for typos and poor grammar.
Consumer Reviews can be fake or misleading. Email the link to your child's teacher.
Does the store offer repairs? A warranty? A return period? You should be able to answer YES to all three.
Does the seller offer COVID-19 mitigation protocols like the ones HERE?
Video Testimonials
Video Testimonials
ISO Sax Unboxing
ISO Sax Unboxing
Jay Metcalf unboxes the cheapest (at the time) saxophone from a popular website. It arrives in pieces.
ISO Violin Unboxing
ISO Violin Unboxing
Alison Sparrow, a popular Youtube violinist, unboxes a cheap violin. It comes unadjusted, disassembled, untunable, and unplayable. As a side note, it took 15 minutes to tune this instrument. In a class of 5 students, that would take two weeks of lessons just to tune the instruments.
ISO Flute Unboxing
ISO Flute Unboxing
Katie, who runs a very successful and popular YouTube page for flutists, opens a flute that comes broken.
Cheap Violin Issues
Cheap Violin Issues
A strings expert at SHAR music unboxes violins from several online discount stores. Each one had missing or damaged parts.
ISO Violin Unboxing
ISO Violin Unboxing
2 Set Violin unboxes two violins. Neither arrived in playing condition, nor could they get them into playing condition.
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