VCQ's new-violin hunt :D, ...and anyone else's Options

[willobie]

I took my grade 8 on a violin costing ?70 with metal strings. I don't remember any adverse comments about the tone... This was a last-minute upgrade from the previous one which cost ?16 and which kept coming apart at the seams. As you said, if that's all you can afford...

W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

SInce when could you get a violin for 16 pounds?! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

It was a long time ago - but it was sold by a private seller/repairer in the local paper. My friend bought one from the same people for ?12 - it lasted her up to grade 6 and she later went on to music college.

W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[ViolinClarinetQueen]

Quick update... took violin to teacher (the violin sounds 'tinny' though the sound is sweet on the upper registers)... I'll take the Czech one out next week, but please can anyone recommend a good shop in South-East/central London?

[barry-clari]

Quick update... took violin to teacher (the violin sounds 'tinny' though the sound is sweet on the upper registers)... I'll take the Czech one out next week, but please can anyone recommend a good shop in South-East/central London?

Malcolm Tysoe, in Farnborough (the one near Orpington, not the one in North Hampshire) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[elidatrading]

I did grade 8 viola on a Poller and I know someone else who did it on a Zeller.

Liz

[ViolinClarinetQueen]

Update (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
The ?250 that I really liked has SOLD! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
On a second note though... I found a Yamaha V5SC (I think) that was quite nice! I found this at Chappells but no approval service so I couldn't take it out. Also found a Paesold (I think?) one for ?500 but for that money I might as well get a Gliga Gama!

Retried the violin that was ?350 at the first shop...The shop re-set it up and gave it a new tailpiece, bridge, soundpost, tuning pegs and adjusted the fingerboard - It instantly became warmer and had a rounder sound than everything I have tried so far, one thing is that because of a slight cosmetic damage, its been lowered down to ?350 otherwise it would have been MUCH more expensive. It has a W. Thompson label (which was the previous dealer's name) but is a German violin approximately 80 years old.
^Seems like I really like that violin!

Next (And final) step is to call Elida and ask for a Gliga Gem outfit and a Gama fo approval (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Also, if I was to get either the German violin (?350) or the Gama (?450) Approximately how much should I spend on a bow? I have heard it is a third of the price? Anyone use a Glasser bow - how is it? And does anyone know when I can call Elidatrading - has it got an 'opening hours' where Liz answers the calls or is it any time (obviously not too early/late)?

Boy this is exciting!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Sunrise]

Update (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
The ?250 that I really liked has SOLD! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
On a second note though... I found a Yamaha V5SC (I think) that was quite nice! I found this at Chappells but no approval service so I couldn't take it out. Also found a Paesold (I think?) one for ?500 but for that money I might as well get a Gliga Gama!

Retried the violin that was ?350 at the first shop...The shop re-set it up and gave it a new tailpiece, bridge, soundpost, tuning pegs and adjusted the fingerboard - It instantly became warmer and had a rounder sound than everything I have tried so far, one thing is that because of a slight cosmetic damage, its been lowered down to ?350 otherwise it would have been MUCH more expensive. It has a W. Thompson label (which was the previous dealer's name) but is a German violin approximately 80 years old.
^Seems like I really like that violin!

Next (And final) step is to call Elida and ask for a Gliga Gem outfit and a Gama fo approval (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Also, if I was to get either the German violin (?350) or the Gama (?450) Approximately how much should I spend on a bow? I have heard it is a third of the price? Anyone use a Glasser bow - how is it? And does anyone know when I can call Elidatrading - has it got an 'opening hours' where Liz answers the calls or is it any time (obviously not too early/late)?

Boy this is exciting!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Elida are generally around in office hours, and they have the Glasser bows so they could include one on approval with the Gligas. I've tried a glasser, and would be happy to recommend them to my students upgrading at your level. Better to get the middle range one, the cheapest are a little light.

Have fun!!

[jessy]

Update (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
The ?250 that I really liked has SOLD! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
On a second note though... I found a Yamaha V5SC (I think) that was quite nice! I found this at Chappells but no approval service so I couldn't take it out. Also found a Paesold (I think?) one for ?500 but for that money I might as well get a Gliga Gama!

Retried the violin that was ?350 at the first shop...The shop re-set it up and gave it a new tailpiece, bridge, soundpost, tuning pegs and adjusted the fingerboard - It instantly became warmer and had a rounder sound than everything I have tried so far, one thing is that because of a slight cosmetic damage, its been lowered down to ?350 otherwise it would have been MUCH more expensive. It has a W. Thompson label (which was the previous dealer's name) but is a German violin approximately 80 years old.
^Seems like I really like that violin!

Next (And final) step is to call Elida and ask for a Gliga Gem outfit and a Gama fo approval (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Also, if I was to get either the German violin (?350) or the Gama (?450) Approximately how much should I spend on a bow? I have heard it is a third of the price? Anyone use a Glasser bow - how is it? And does anyone know when I can call Elidatrading - has it got an 'opening hours' where Liz answers the calls or is it any time (obviously not too early/late)?

Boy this is exciting!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Elida are generally around in office hours, and they have the Glasser bows so they could include one on approval with the Gligas. I've tried a glasser, and would be happy to recommend them to my students upgrading at your level. Better to get the middle range one, the cheapest are a little light.

Have fun!!

I'd go for the middle Glasser bow too. I have a pupil with the cheapest Glasser and it has a tendency to tighten itself rather a lot while she is playing it - I know that (some) carbon composite and fibreglass bows do tighten noticeably in warm weather, as the material of the sticks expands, but this happens with her bow even during a lesson on a less than warm day and she doesn't play with a huge amount of vigour! Perhaps it is only a one-off with her bow, but you never know. I have a basic Col Legno which doesn't do this.

[Hubicka]

im super impressed with col legno bows, i have one as my spare bow and i wouldnt be worried if i had to use it for any performance (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Keithnewbieviolin]

I talked to my tutor about the col legno bow and she said that describing a bow as 'a col legno bow' was a perjorative term for a cheap bow that was no good for anything except hitting the violin with!

I guess the makers of this brand had a sense of humour!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Hubicka]

I talked to my tutor about the col legno bow and she said that describing a bow as 'a col legno bow' was a perjorative term for a cheap bow that was no good for anything except hitting the violin with!

I guess the makers of this brand had a sense of humour!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Funnily enough, if i'm ever playing col legno i put down my expensive bow and pick up the col legno bow... !!

Some composers say 'never put col legno in your pieces, all the violinists will be playing with their worst bows'

I wouldnt reccommend them as a main bow for anyone over grade 5/6 but as a spare bow they are pretty reliable! Like I mentioned somewhere else, i work in a violin shop and the closest supply of bows is a cupboard of col legnos, when i need to play i grab one and never think 'ugh cheap bow' or think it cant do what im trying to get it to do (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[ViolinClarinetQueen]

Funnily enough, if i'm ever playing col legno i put down my expensive bow and pick up te col legno bow... !!

Some composers say 'never put col legno in your pieces, allthe violinists will be playing with their worst bows'
I wouldnt reccommend them as a main bow for anyone over grade 5/6 but as a spare bow they are pretty reliable! Like I mentioned somewhere else, i work in a violin shop and the closest supply of bows is a cupboard of col legnos, when i need to play i grab one and never think 'ugh cheap bow' or think it cant do what im trying to get it to do (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

What does col legno even mean?
Anyways - teacher felt that the 350 violin cod be better for its price... I liked it but I also thought it could be mellower in the lower registers and louder and more resonant.
Going to call gligas... Please tell me that elida answers the phone on sundays!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Sunrise]

Funnily enough, if i'm ever playing col legno i put down my expensive bow and pick up te col legno bow... !!

Some composers say 'never put col legno in your pieces, allthe violinists will be playing with their worst bows'
I wouldnt reccommend them as a main bow for anyone over grade 5/6 but as a spare bow they are pretty reliable! Like I mentioned somewhere else, i work in a violin shop and the closest supply of bows is a cupboard of col legnos, when i need to play i grab one and never think 'ugh cheap bow' or think it cant do what im trying to get it to do (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

What does col legno even mean?
Anyways - teacher felt that the 350 violin cod be better for its price... I liked it but I also thought it could be mellower in the lower registers and louder and more resonant.
Going to call gligas... Please tell me that elida answers the phone on sundays!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

LOL probably not!

Col legno...with the wood. YOu turn the bow on its side and use the stick and a tiny bit of hair - hence why people don't like to use their best bow as it chips the varnish!!