Many years ago (2001), I worked at Stamell Strings in Amherst, MA. I learned a lot about the violin business back then. One thing I learned was that violin shops will buy unfinished instruments, put their own label inside, and finish them with their own choice of varnish, strings, fittings (pegs, chin rests, bridges), and sell them as if they build them. I know that sounds unfair and dishonest, but it's been going on like this for decades. Not just Stamell Strings does this, other violin shops you might think of as beyond repute do it as well. It's accepted practice by the industry. I don't stock these as they are one of a kind, but I provide this as a service to my customers. I travel to China once or twice a year and bring instructions from customers as to the quality and quantity of instruments they would like and have them drop shipped from the factory direct.
If you would like to make arrangements for me to acquire unfinished instruments for your business, please contact me to make arrangements! I always travel to Shanghai in October for the MusikMesse trade show. If there's incentive to make an additional trip, I can do that for you.
When I started my own business selling luthier supplies, I began importing unfinished instruments and selling them to small violin shops and luthiers. These violins and violas are made in China at the factory that makes my 5 string violins and violas. Very high quality workmanship, but these are not Italian-trained luthiers. Mostly they are young men and women who receive very basic woodworking training on the job. They work under master craftsmen and luthiers who train them and direct them. Here are some pictures of some of the workers:
