any music teachers out there? want to buy a first violin

[wheelsonthebus]

can someone give me some advice on buying a violin for a five year old - not expensive but something that she can effectively play with/on. Is there a second hand music shop or something online? Any ideas welcome.

[MadBadandDangerousToKnow]

We've just bought a quarter size violin for dd, who's having lessons at school.

I spoke to both local music shops. Neither hires violins, because they run buy-back schemes; you buy the violin and then get about 60-70% back when you return it/trade it in for a bigger size. They both said that any hire arrangement would work out more expensive than that.

Agree that you need to speak to your local music shop.

[MintyCane]

Cheaper to do they buy back thing here as well. A first violin is about 59 pounds including case bow and rosin and the music shop will buy it back 70% if you change your mind. It costs 50 pounds a year to hire anyway where we are.

[MadBadandDangerousToKnow]

Where do you live Minty? DD's violin costs about double that. If that's what your local shop charges, I'm willing to travel to buy the next one!

[MintyCane]

Devon it was a Stentor Standard outfit had a look online you can still get them for that much. Perfectly ok to start with.

[MadBadandDangerousToKnow]

Gah! Ours is a Stentor too. So much for supporting local businesses.

[Elk]

You will need to check with her teacher what size violin they like them to use. As some teachers like them to start on a slightly smaller size than they actually measure at (if that makes sense).

There is a healthy secondhand market on ebay for Stentor violins. (got dd's for £30)

[madamearcati]

Violins are very cheap.Better to buy one