Seed pods from a Pernambuco (Pau Brasil) tree. Pernambuco wood is currently the only wood used to make top quality bows.  This is primarily due to the resonating qualities of Pernambuco.  Currently efforts are being made to protect this tree for generations of future bowmakers and players.  Pernambuco was originally used as a dye and many of the forests and growing areas were cut centuries ago.  Currently Pernambuco is grown only in Brazil in the mid atlantic area around the state of Espritu Santo.  Valley of the Sun Violins buys bows from a variety of bow companies, but we only buy Pernambuco bows from legitimate Brazilian bow manufacturers.  Most of these companies are currently involved in planting and sustaining the Pernambuco trees of Brazil and in these efforts we support them wholeheartedly.

Commissions are a question in this industry that each shop and each teacher needs to have a clear policy on.  At Valley of the Sun Violins we have chosen to pay teacher's a sales commission when the teacher is involved in the sales process.  Since the teacher is most aware of what level player the student is, what their needs are, and what book/music they will be playing, a teacher can be very helpful in the instrument and bow selection process.  The teacher also (typically) has more experience with instruments and is helpful in verifying the playing quality of an instrument.  For this effort we believe they should receive some compensation.  This commission does not affect the selling price which remains the same to the student whether a teacher is involved in the selection process and receives a commission or not.