Well, I'll go first but I'm sure there are lots of us out there!

So, in the end after much deliberation I bought the German violin. It's absolutely amazing.
The sound is so rich and clear and it's hard to describe but it's so easy to play it because the strings are so effortless to press down? It's my first proper, grown up violin that didnt come as part of an outfit and it feels very individual. I named it George - no idea why It's an orangey-brown, and the flaming is pretty subtle but it's a bit shimmery in the light and the ribs are beautiful.

At the moment it has a horribly shiny plastic chinrest (it's really comfortable actually, but the violin deserves better) and a black metal tailpiece (ewww - I know they're good for tuning but I'd rather get a wooden one).
I'm thinking of changing the pegs and tailpiece etc to boxwood, but need to find a workshop who will do it for a reasonable price first I really like these pegs etc: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...T#ht_500wt_1156

Who else wants to share their excitement of a new instrument?

Due to not playing a bowed string instrument I only want to send my congratulations. Have fun with your new Violin. Congratulations!

I don't have a new instrument just now but my viola has just come back from the luthier and sounds much better, so nearly a new one . Really sonorous rich sound, but it's been so long since I played it that it feels like trying to play a chest of drawers.

Have lots of fun with your new violin, it sounds lovely!

Aurora, I am SOOOOOOO happy for you!

Ffliwt and I want to join in the party as I only bought Eowyn at the beginning of last November and as you know Ffliwt bought Anastasia just recently, so we are still 'fresh parents'

Let's all celebrate

It does feel like having a new baby
I'm really happy (and relieved) - it was such a gamble to buy this violin but I had a "feeling" about it that it would be good but it's not good, it's great

I just compared my violins side by side, and I have to admit that even though the Westbury looks older due to all of its antiquing and big flaming, I wonder if it actually looks a bit fake? George is very plain by comparison but the sound and feel of the instruments are poles apart. Just goes to show, it's impossible to judge by looks

*aurora goes into party mode* (They're going to think I'm mad at work! )

Congratulations!

It's so great when you get an instrument that feels sorted and sings nicely.

I bought my new violin about 6 weeks ago and I'm also really happy. It's a modern English copy of a Vinaccia and it just feels right. It also is very pretty (I think) and I spend lots of time just looking at it.

Still have a few payments to go so it isn't exactly mine yet... also have to get a proper bow to go with it. This is an expensive pursuit sometimes, isn't it?

I'm not going to give it a name although I understand why someone would... for me giving it a name makes a barrier in my mind - I suppose I like the idea of a "oneness" with the instrument rather than a relationship with it.

I bought my new violin in March - does that count? I've kept my German violin as a "travelling companion" ie for playing outdoors and so on where I wouldn't necessarily want my more expensive Calypso to be.

Aurora we wanna see a pic!!
And meee MEEEE!! I got Anastasia about 3 or 4 weeks ago I lovelovelove her. She was made by Julius Hubicka in Prague in 1925 so not very old as far as violins go. She has a bright and clear but smooth tone, and is quite an unusual looking violin Unusual coloured varnish (cant really show through a pic as it looks different), hasn't been antiqued whatsoever (it wouldnt suit her anyway) and has decoration in the purfling on the back similar to Maggini violins, and the scroll has been carved out beautiful with flowers and stuff


Her scroll http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/sere...10520-00157.jpg
It's the same pattern carved into the sides of it aswell
Her back http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/sere...10520-00155.jpg

That's beautiful. Love the carving!

Picture of my new one here - some good photos in the work in progress section too.

http://www.ianhighfield.com/gallery-9.html

How lovely for you AuroraViolin!!!

I've had Hannah for a couple of months now (don't remember the date ) and I love her to bits. I'm still learning about her and she is changing all the time. She was tight and closed down when I got her to the extent I thought I had actually done the wrong thing by buying her but her sound has 'opened up' and is huge, rich and sonorous

I bought her on the basis of the sound at her lower end (I had to make a quick decision - I couldn't 'trial' her) which was instantly richer and more jaw-dropping than ANY of the others I tried. But what has happened up the A string is really exciting and she sings up there now!

She has a 'big' sound so I tend to practice with chamois on the chin-rest which soothes things for me. I have bought a beautiful rosewood tailpiece with inlaid mother-of-pearl but I haven't changed out her plastic Wittner one yet. The rosewood tailpiece would need individual adjusters and I'm worried they might look clumsy. Also the rosewood tailpiece is rather long so perhaps would be better without adjusters at all because they may be too close to the bridge... actually I think the pretty tailpiece is really for a much bigger viola

I just feel 'complete' now I have Hannah.. I also feel she's still 'ahead of me' in this game and we have a lot of learning to do together - each new thing I learn she's already able to do beautifully sound-wise


It reminds me of training a young horse - Hannah has all the ability and it's ME doing all the learning

erm: reminder to add photos in the photos thread everyone please

Hamish joined the family last December, followed by Oriana in March (she was due to auction fever). Hamish is the violin equivalent of a teddy bear, so cuddly and lovely to snuggle up to plus he's absolutely rock steady. He got the OH seal of approval as he said that he knew as soon as he saw Hamish that he was the violin I was coming home with

Oriana is a diva. I can't quite make up my mind about her but she can sure belt out a tune. She got a new bow last week - now just saving up for a new case.

So exciting to hear about everyone's instruments
Ffliwt your violin is AMAZING! you must love her to bits
String Thing - it must be fab to see your violin being created!!!
I'll have to figure out how to post photos and then I will show you all!
Hoping to hear back from a different violin shop about fitting new pegs soon!
I played George again tonight - he has an enormous sound but it's less brash and more refined loud, if there even is such a thing

Okay....I have two new violins. I have been learning on a cheap factory violin, which to be fair is actually a really good violin. However I wanted something to grow with - to inspire me to practice when I didn't want to.

They are complete polar opposites. I have a Stainer copy, which I currently hug each time I pass him (Herbie he has been named - never named a violin before, but he really is a Herbie). He is loud, but sings and dances around the music. I just want to run and play him now. He dates to approx 1880. He has so much character. Whoever owned him played him like crazy because there are dips in the fingerboard where the fingers have come down time and time again.

The other is an unlabelled French violin. It - see, no name (yet) is deep, mature and mellow and is comforting and says, yes you can do it! It dates back to about 1920.

They are both going off to the luthier for new set up. I want Herbie back in time for my exam in November so that I can be loud and proud!

I will take some photos of both over the weekend.

Very very happy violin owner!!

Wow, TWO new violins! How fantastic! Looking forward to pics of all the lovely new instruments (or newly spruced/set up instruments) announced in this thread. I hope to join in the fun tomorrow and announce the arrival of a new cello.

Ah, but cheap as chips so nothing uber exciting -only to moi.

Please put up a picture of your cello. I shall add mine too - just so that yours is not lonely.