4/4 Violin hunting

well know = well known
No one really shouldn't = No one really should

Gosh, I wrote a lot, but very slowly, as I've been packing for holiday at the same time. Also I have already had some wine (to cope with the stress of the packing!) so my writing would be terrible, sorry. There were more things happened but it's too late and anyway probably I told plenty so will stop talking about this issue for now. Good night!

Luthier 5 advised me to sort out the varnish sooner than later. No one really shouldn't touch the varnish without knowing the exact ingredients used for the violin, so it has to be done by the maker, then usually it should be fine.

So, I went back to the dealer. I apologised for my panicky phone calls, which was warmly accepted. They said it must have been very hard for someone like me who was not an expert to see what wrong and right. They reassured me the quality of the violin, and they would give me 100% pay-back for part exchange in future because they would love to have the violin back rather than me selling to someone else.

I also received an email from the maker himself explaining pros and cons of re-varnishing and that he was very confident to handle the process.

The dealer knew how much DS liked the maker's violin, so they said they would let DS have another violin of the same maker while DS's violin is in service for re-varnishing. We also agreed to wait till DS's exam is finished so no re-varnishing is happening just yet.

I just popped in, hoping to hear some knowledgeable advice, but I didn't dream of receiving such extended help. Luthier 5 said he felt anger while he was listening to me. He couldn't believe there were still those people running such a bad business - bad mouthing someone else's violin by just giving a glance at it, then trying to sell their violin instead. All the while he and the fellow dealers/makers were working hard to protect the reputation in the violin business. He was also very much confident with the maker. He maintained he was a good maker from the beginning to the end.

For your reference, I must add that Luthier 5 didn't gain anything by doing this. I didn't buy a violin from him, and I didn't pay for the health check. He certainly gained my trust though.

He brought an experienced luthier from his workshop and asked him to give the violin a proper health check and suggested I should watch the whole process as it would be educational and interesting.

Three of us sat down in a room upstairs. The luthier explained what healthy thickness would be, then by using a magnetic equipment, he started checking everywhere on the back, the side and the front, and each time he showed me the measurement and reassured me it's within the expected thickness. The luthier removed the strings, bridge, the little part near the chin rest (donno the name) to carry on the thorough examination.

It proved that the violin didn't have thin panels...

He also checked the neck angle and all that. Then happily announced there was nothing wrong with the violin and in fact it's a very well made, lovely violin.

I told him everything I was told by other luthiers.

• The panel is apparently too thin.
• The varnish is not good.
• It could be a production of the bad practice of modern violin makers making the panel deliberately very thin to attract buyers however the sound wouldn't last.
• No one would be interested in Irish violin so it would be a financial suicide.
• It shouldn't cost more than £xxxx, I paid too much.

Luthier 5 was quietly listening, and started explaining one by one.

• The panel looks fine, anyway I would be very surprised if the maker produced such a poor violin. He is a good maker.
• Yes, the varnish seems a bit of problem. But it's not uncommon for makers to experiment their ingredients and sometimes it wouldn't work.
• I agree with the bad practice of the modern makers but those makers are cowboys. This maker has been around and known. He wouldn't make such a violin.
• It is true Ireland is not well know for violin making, but it doesn't mean there is no good maker. In fact one of the great bow makers is Irish. You won't find a lot about this violin maker on the internet as he doesn't have a website and he works with his father. But he is well know and very experienced and his violins have been around and played. Whoever said this violin wouldn't cost more than £xxxx and that you would struggle to sell in future is wrong. Obviously he just doesn't know what he is talking about.

I was very confused... Who should I listen to???? Luthier 5 must have sensed my confusion so decided to take this matter to the next stage.

Not sure if anyone is still reading this thread. But finally I can write what happened so am continuing my story nevertheless!

The shocking comments from Luthier 6 & Luthier 3, and the frantic phone calls to the dealer happened on Saturday. And as you all know I went to see Luthier 6's violins on Sunday. He let me have two violins for DS to try out. On Monday, I went to see Luthier 5 - I brought him the Irish violin and one of Luthier 6's violins.

He was the one who let DS try three violins made by the same maker at his shop. He knew why we were hesitating to buy the violin at the time and how we reached our decision to buy it eventually.

I told him I was considering to return the violin then opened the case to show him the violin. The first thing he mentioned was the varnish. He agreed the varnish seemed too fragile and too delicate, however otherwise he praised the violin.

Sorry, found one. Please ignore my previous post. Sorry!

@NeverEver
After I read your post about Thwaites I went to their website and saw a link which took me to their shop for accessories such as strings and all those small things. Now the link seems to be removed and I cannot find it on their website. Do you know the website of their accessory shop by any chance??

Before exposing the full story, I need to make sure one more thing, so sorry will write the rest after that. It'll take a couple of days.

But all I can tell you is we are happy after all. Some may disagree with our choice but at least DS is happy.

OK, time to reveal my solution!

So, I made frantic phone calls to the dealer on Saturday telling them I had to return the violin. I was told it wold be difficult as they had already paid to the maker so offered a part-exchange or re-varnishing instead. At the point I was not sure if I would like to get another violin from the same dealer so I refused both proposals and insisted returning. They went to talk to the maker, and later on they told me they would take it back as they didn't want to leave us so unhappy. The maker accepted to refund (knowing how hard living of violin making, I feel pain to write this part).

However, I asked them to give me a few days before making any decision, and arranged a final talk on Tuesday. I was panicking and I was aware of it. So I didn't want to let myself jump in to reach any conclusion. Needed to think a bit.

Also, if you can, find a trustworthy, knowledgeable luthier to check the violin. The teacher can assess it from the player's point of views and it's the most important thing really, but you may like to make sure if it's in a healthy condition for your DS to use for many years. You don't want to end up paying too much for maintenance, etc.

I am sorry to frighten you just before you are starting your hunt disorganised. Unfortunately there are those who do bad business but also there are those who try to save the reputation and do right things while making the end meet. I met both and the latter saved me recently. So life is not too bad after all the traumatic event!

I've never dealt with Woodbridge but as you know there are quite a few who trust and use them on the monthly music thread. So far I've heard only good things and Russel sounds like a decent guy.

I would visit him as you initially planned and choose a couple with him. I never thought even a second that I had to decide and buy on spot. You can take them home, play in different rooms, show the teacher, etc. The teacher may like it. And if not, the worst thing you have to do is to drive back to return.

I would like to hear what you find there! Good luck!