Buying a new violin

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Buying a new violin, Swaying towards stentor...

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ViolinClarinetQueen	Feb 9 2012, 10:02 PM Post #16
Member Group: Members Posts: 92 Joined: 4-January 12 Member No.: 382272	QUOTE(ffliwt @ Feb 9 2012, 07:41 PM) I'd stay away... 'Moondog' violins?! Never heard of it. Though it does say that you can get your money back if youre not happy. I don't for 1 minute believe it's suitable for beyond grade 8 though, and that kind of lying makes me hesitant as to what else they're lying about! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STENTOR-CONSERVA...=item1c238fde5a ? True, but I could TRY it, I didnt believe it either, and I'm a beginner! I liked it's back though! QUOTE(fiddlesticks @ Feb 9 2012, 07:46 PM) It is impossible really to comment on that, on the ebay page they say they have 10 available and there is no guarantee that the bridge photo is even one of those. A lot of ebay sellers use stock pictures, rather than pictures of the individual instruments. It is easy to talk something up on ebay, but at least if you do buy one they have a return policy so you can send it back. I think I might TRY it... QUOTE(Blackbird77 @ Feb 9 2012, 09:03 PM) I don't know anything about Moondog acoustic violins but I have one of their electric violins - it's ok for what I paid for it (cheap as chips) but it's very heavy and cumbersome which is why it's largely neglected now. I've seen and tried several Yita violins - the ones I've seen are ok and are quite bright in tone but from what I have heard they can be hit and miss and if it's not what you want you have the return postage costs to consider. Just a thought - have you asked your teacher if they know anyone selling a violin that would be suitable for you? Also, is there a possibility that your teacher would be able to come with you to try out some violins. No, He can't come 'violin shopping'... I've asked, he doesnt know anyone that sells violins but tells me to think about 'German makes' (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Maybe the Yita's aren't that suitable... I might by that COnservatoire, ffliwt (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

ffliwt	Feb 9 2012, 10:09 PM Post #17
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1580 Joined: 17-February 07 Member No.: 9572	QUOTE(ViolinClarinetQueen @ Feb 9 2012, 10:02 PM) No, He can't come 'violin shopping'... I've asked, he doesnt know anyone that sells violins but tells me to think about 'German makes' (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Maybe the Yita's aren't that suitable... I might by that COnservatoire, ffliwt (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Good idea (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Probably what he meant was that, you might be able to find an old german violin, rather than buying a brand new student violin http://www.caswells-strings.co.uk/shop/vio...ian-violin.html http://www.caswells-strings.co.uk/shop/66-...s-overture.html I'm more inclined to something that has been set up in a workshop like the overture above or the cardiff violins one i suggested, as you know everything will be as it should be - working pegs right bridge height and the suchlikes!

elidatrading	Feb 10 2012, 09:45 AM Post #18
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1938 Joined: 6-September 04 From: Huddersfield Member No.: 2043	QUOTE(ViolinClarinetQueen @ Feb 9 2012, 10:02 PM) No, He can't come 'violin shopping'... I've asked, he doesnt know anyone that sells violins but tells me to think about 'German makes' (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Maybe the Yita's aren't that suitable... I might by that COnservatoire, ffliwt (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) New German violins just don't compete very well, at least not at that end of the market. It's all a matter of labour costs, cheap in China and in Eastern Europe, expensive in Germany. Just one thing to be aware of if you are ebay shopping: just because a name sounds German it doesn't mean the violin is German. Liz

jessy	Feb 10 2012, 07:39 PM Post #19
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 233 Joined: 16-February 10 Member No.: 90795	QUOTE(elidatrading @ Feb 10 2012, 09:45 AM) QUOTE(ViolinClarinetQueen @ Feb 9 2012, 10:02 PM) No, He can't come 'violin shopping'... I've asked, he doesnt know anyone that sells violins but tells me to think about 'German makes' (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Maybe the Yita's aren't that suitable... I might by that COnservatoire, ffliwt (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) New German violins just don't compete very well, at least not at that end of the market. It's all a matter of labour costs, cheap in China and in Eastern Europe, expensive in Germany. Just one thing to be aware of if you are ebay shopping: just because a name sounds German it doesn't mean the violin is German. Liz I'd avoid the Yita's - definitely hit and miss. I have a Yita viola which is lovely and a Yita violin which, not matter what has been done to it, still sounds brash - only suitable for primary school teaching, in fact! Actually, I restrung mine as a viola, for when I had to swop between the two in the primaries, so that I was on the same size instrument, so it's not completely useless.

ViolinClarinetQueen	Feb 10 2012, 08:08 PM Post #20
Member Group: Members Posts: 92 Joined: 4-January 12 Member No.: 382272	~~Andreas Zeller~~ Stentor Conservatoire Soundpost concertante ~~Antoni Premier~~ Stentor Messina ~~Yitamusic violin~~ Gliga Genial Has anyone got a soundpost violin and can you comment on it please? -Thanks Also, would you recommend to get a stentor conservatoire now, upgrade to gliga gama (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) later, or get the soundpost/Messina and hope for the best? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) PS: If you havent noticed... I LOVE the sound of the Gligas... makes me think of WARMTH! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

2childmum	Feb 10 2012, 08:19 PM Post #21
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 392 Joined: 6-July 07 From: London Member No.: 12833	Messinas are a step up from conservertoires. My daughter has had a 1/4 and a 1/2 size messina, both of which we have been more than happy with - one was second hand and one new and they both sounded nice and rich for instruments of their size.A 3/4 we have tried hasn't been so good - very brash sounding even with a change of strings and a fiddle about with the soundpost and bridge (not by us I hasten to add!) As with all instruments, nothing beats playing a few as they all seem so different. It's hard work though, especially when changing size - my poor daughter has to keep switching between 1/2 and 3/4 size as we try an instrument, take it back, try another etc!

ViolinClarinetQueen	Feb 13 2012, 10:09 AM Post #22
Member Group: Members Posts: 92 Joined: 4-January 12 Member No.: 382272	QUOTE(2childmum @ Feb 10 2012, 08:19 PM) Messinas are a step up from conservertoires. Does that mean they might be able to go to grade 8 with a good set up? Because I have heard that the conservatoire goes up to grade 5/6 ish with a good set up and bow change... Stentor ConservatoireDefinitely is a good idea. Any last minute comments on them? x-Thanks-x (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

ffliwt	Feb 13 2012, 04:49 PM Post #23
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1580 Joined: 17-February 07 Member No.: 9572	I think that's a good choice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I wouldn't use it above grade 4/5 though, it's essentially just a beginner factory made instrument, it's only about ?50 more than the stentor 2 but i do think it is good for the money

delicato	Feb 13 2012, 04:59 PM Post #24
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 818 Joined: 20-January 11 Member No.: 196289	Factory made - yes, but they are also hand made. As long as you change the strings they are a good "cheap" violin which will go further than grade 5, i find. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) QUOTE(ViolinClarinetQueen @ Feb 13 2012, 10:09 AM) QUOTE(2childmum @ Feb 10 2012, 08:19 PM) Messinas are a step up from conservertoires. Does that mean they might be able to go to grade 8 with a good set up? Because I have heard that the conservatoire goes up to grade 5/6 ish with a good set up and bow change... Stentor ConservatoireDefinitely is a good idea. Any last minute comments on them? x-Thanks-x (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Yes. But must be set up properly. Excellent choice!

elidatrading	Feb 13 2012, 07:16 PM Post #25
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1938 Joined: 6-September 04 From: Huddersfield Member No.: 2043	Did you get it then? Liz

ViolinClarinetQueen	Feb 13 2012, 07:35 PM Post #26
Member Group: Members Posts: 92 Joined: 4-January 12 Member No.: 382272	QUOTE(elidatrading @ Feb 13 2012, 07:16 PM) Did you get it then? Liz No... needed a 'PayPal' account, apparently to buy it... I'll watch out for another one though!

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