Sinfonica Violins, Has anybody had any experience with these? Options

[LoopyLoz]

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year

Sorry I haven't posted on here for a while, but I've been really busy recently.

I'm thinking of buying a Sinfonica violin next year and I just wanted to know has anybody had any experience in using these violins.

At the moment it's strung with Dominants, but I was thinking of restringing it with Pirastro Gold strings.

I've tried the violin and it sounds really nice, as well as being really smooth on the neck. The neck itself is longer and more slimline than the one I'm using at the moment. It's also looks easier to play due to the fingerboard being really smooth.

I would be really grateful for any help and advice

Loz xx

[lottie]

Hiya Loz

I've not heard of Sinfonica violins but I googled it and they look nice. I don't know how they sound though. From the way you describe the neck being slimmer it sounds like it is a more sophisticated violin than you are playing at the moment so would probably be a good thing for your playing.


If you do get it - enjoy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[elidatrading]

You mean the model from The Soundpost?

Liz

[ffliwt]

If you're spending anything over ?300 you really have to go into a shop and just try all the violins in your price range to choose your favourite (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It's great fun! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[LoopyLoz]

I have tried it and it's lovely to play.

The Sonfinca range is the top, top end of the Primevera range.

The shop owner has offered me either ?250 with part exchange with my current violin, or ?450 as my second violin.

The violin itself usually retails for around the ?1000 mark.

I'm not to bothered about buying a bow to with at the moment, as will need to save up for one.

Does anyone know where I could buy a decent double violin case for not a lot of money?

Loz xx

[ffliwt]

Glad you like it and that sounds like a good offer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
I was just suggesting because I work for a violin shop and we have a huge amount in that price range (?200-?600) and they are all very different sounding with their own qualities so it's always worth trying several!

http://www.alangregory.co.uk/music/Hidersi...iolin_Case.html
Probably the cheapest double case you'll find looks quite swish too!

[elidatrading]

Well that is certainly a very good price. As for a double case, why? Double cases are for when you need to take two instruments, this isn't a position many of us are ever in as amateurs.

Liz

[LoopyLoz]

I need a double violin case, as I really don't want to get rid of my Ayanna just yet.

There's also a nice contrast between the two violins. My current violin is gutsy, whereas the Sinfonica is sweet sounding, but I think she may need toning down a little with different strings. I've also found that double stops are easier to play on the Sinfonica.

Loz xx

[ffliwt]

I need a double violin case, as I really don't want to get rid of my Ayanna just yet.

I'd say just get another case for your new violin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) You'll probably never need both of them together so you'll find it such a pain carrying a giant case around just to use one (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

When will you be getting the new fiddle? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[jojo]

I need a double violin case, as I really don't want to get rid of my Ayanna just yet.

I'd say just get another case for your new violin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) You'll probably never need both of them together so you'll find it such a pain carrying a giant case around just to use one (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

When will you be getting the new fiddle? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I think Liz and Ffliwt are right, buy another 'single case'. I also have 2 violins but NEVER take both of them with me, it's always one or the other (actually it's always only ONE I take with me, the other ALWAYS stays home (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) but still has a case). You really DON'T want to be forced to take both of them everywhere every time you go places...

think about it....carefully....on the other side of the coin...if you already have a single case then it might be 'useful' to have a double too.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) then you can use either the single or double when going out (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[elidatrading]

I need a double violin case, as I really don't want to get rid of my Ayanna just yet.

There's also a nice contrast between the two violins. My current violin is gutsy, whereas the Sinfonica is sweet sounding, but I think she may need toning down a little with different strings. I've also found that double stops are easier to play on the Sinfonica.

Loz xx

OK, you won't want to hear this, adult beginners never do, but I will say it anyway. You are working for Grade 1. You do not NEED a better violin, you do not NEED to be playing double stops, you do not yet have the experience to judge between violins when playing them yourself, except at the most basic level (ie. this one feels eaiser to play than that one, or I like the sound of this one better than that one). Your description of your present violin and the Sinfonica tells me you have tried very few violins. And an extra single violin case for the Sinfonica would cost you a lot less than a double case for which you have no use. You may think now that you will be taking both violins to lessons but I can assure you that you will not. You will take the one you and your teacher like best (hopefully the Sinfonica, if you buy that!). If you start upgrading now, in a year's time you are going to want to upgrade again, and a year after that you will want to upgrade again, and you are going to end up (if you have the money) spending thousands of pounds on an instrument that is far far better than you actually need or can do justice too.

My advice would be to save your money, but at the end of the day if everyone saved their money I'd be bankrupt so perhaps I am just a prize hypocrite (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

There, now everyone can shoot me down in flames.

Liz

[DiscoPants]

OK, you won't want to hear this, adult beginners never do, but I will say it anyway. You are working for Grade 1. You do not NEED a better violin, you do not NEED to be playing double stops, you do not yet have the experience to judge between violins when playing them yourself, except at the most basic level (ie. this one feels eaiser to play than that one, or I like the sound of this one better than that one). Your description of your present violin and the Sinfonica tells me you have tried very few violins. And an extra single violin case for the Sinfonica would cost you a lot less than a double case for which you have no use. You may think now that you will be taking both violins to lessons but I can assure you that you will not. You will take the one you and your teacher like best (hopefully the Sinfonica, if you buy that!). If you start upgrading now, in a year's time you are going to want to upgrade again, and a year after that you will want to upgrade again, and you are going to end up (if you have the money) spending thousands of pounds on an instrument that is far far better than you actually need or can do justice too.

My advice would be to save your money, but at the end of the day if everyone saved their money I'd be bankrupt so perhaps I am just a prize hypocrite (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

There, now everyone can shoot me down in flames.

Liz

Well, I certainly won't shoot you down in flames; you have a very good point.
On the other hand, apart from the essentials of life, the things we buy with whatever disposable income we have tend to be things we fancy rather than actually need (although we do the best we can to convince ourselves that we really, really need the current object of lust....).

[ffliwt]

OK, you won't want to hear this, adult beginners never do, but I will say it anyway. You are working for Grade 1. You do not NEED a better violin, you do not NEED to be playing double stops, you do not yet have the experience to judge between violins when playing them yourself, except at the most basic level (ie. this one feels eaiser to play than that one, or I like the sound of this one better than that one). Your description of your present violin and the Sinfonica tells me you have tried very few violins. And an extra single violin case for the Sinfonica would cost you a lot less than a double case for which you have no use. You may think now that you will be taking both violins to lessons but I can assure you that you will not. You will take the one you and your teacher like best (hopefully the Sinfonica, if you buy that!). If you start upgrading now, in a year's time you are going to want to upgrade again, and a year after that you will want to upgrade again, and you are going to end up (if you have the money) spending thousands of pounds on an instrument that is far far better than you actually need or can do justice too.

I was also thinking 'save your money' - wait until you need a better violin and then you might have more money to spend on a 'proper' violin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (considering the sinfonica retails at ?850 and its a mass-produced student instrument - you could get a decent handmade old instrument that could take you to grade 8 for that price)
It's one thing thinking 'i'll get it now even though its more than i need at the moment because it will last me ages' but fast forwards 6 months and you might think the sinfonica is rubbish and you wished you tried lots of violins, got a 'proper' violin etc (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I'm guilty of 'see a violin its nice wanna buy it now dont care about trying others' syndrome, even when spending 5-8000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) of course i did make sure i tried plenty, about 50 infact, but the first one i decided i liked i was adamant i wanted it and wouldnt find anything else and it was great. i went to try others and quickly dismissed it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) you may think the sinfonica is great but please dont buy it without trying plenty of others, take someone with you who can play them for you or ask a shop assistant to play them for you and give you an opinion.
my final opinion: wait a bit, maybe till youre grade 3 or 4 and then go try as many as you can find (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Or if you really would like one sooner (its always nice to have something nice to play on right?) go for something in between - maybe a stentor conservatoire or something, that you can trade in towards another one further on. A stentor conservatoire will be absolutely plenty up to grade 4 and im sure you'd enjoy playing it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) what do you currently play?

[Blackbird77]

I've heard of the sinfonica but have no experience with it. Price wise, it does sound like a good deal but it would be a good idea to compare with other violins in your price range. Best advice I can offer is if you are interested in it, ask to take it on approval and get your teacher's opinion.

[elidatrading]

This Strad or not? is well worth a read.