What to look for in a violin? Options

[DiscoPants]

If you're buying a violin for a young player, don't spend too much money too soon, and make sure that there's nothing "odd" about the violin (such as unconventional measurements) that would make it hard to sell on. It's quite likely that this won't be your daughter's final violin.

No, it's totally conventional, in very good condition (checked out by a reputable luthier) and recommended by two professional violinists who have tried it out so far. I am going to ask a third.

It is the last violin that I am paying for (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I didn't spend enough last time because progress was quicker than everyone expected so don't want to have the same problem again.

Sounds like you're sorted, then!

[PianissiMole]

Woodworm?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/hides.gif)

[miffy]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thereThere.gif)

Woodworm?

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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rofl.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rofl.gif)

[viola-mad]

Actually the test was to pick a preferred instrument from old (but not set up) instruments and modern (probably well set up) instruments, not to pick out the Strad or Guin.

http://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/20121/13039/ has a little more reading from one of the violinists involved. Maybe trying to save face after the headlines, but if what she describes is what happened then it wasn't a "pick the strad" test.

Off topic I know - but thought it was of interest.

Thanks for posting that link, it's really interesting to read about what was actually involved in the test; in fact, more interesting than the original article I read. It's a little disappointing to hear that the old instruments weren't set up to sound their best, but still.

Even though the first article summarises the test inadequately, the following quotation from the second article sums up what I was trying to get at in my previous post:

I think we can conclude that, with a very limited amount of playing time and under circumstances that are a lot like those in a violin shop (a dry room, lots of testing), we are just as impressed with the tonality of great new instruments as with the tonality of great old ones.

[michael N]

There was nothing to suggest that the old instruments were set up badly. That's a rather large assumption by the writer. What the owners of the old instruments stipulated was that their Violins were not to be adjusted. That's quite different to saying that they were not set up to sound their best. Quite understandable given that Strads and Guaneri's tend to be well looked after and adjusted by the very best in the business.

[BadStrad]

There was nothing to suggest that the old instruments were set up badly. That's a rather large assumption by the writer. What the owners of the old instruments stipulated was that their Violins were not to be adjusted. That's quite different to saying that they were not set up to sound their best. Quite understandable given that Strads and Guaneri's tend to be well looked after and adjusted by the very best in the business.

Sorry - I was typing in a rush - you're right - I meant to say not (necessarily) set up at their optimum (after the flight, change of humidity etc).

Also if I'm honest I think that there are probably some strads that really aren't that great and only have value through their maker's name. Maybe the old violins in the test were run of the mill strads? Who knows?