Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Selling 3/4 violin in London - any advice?

45 replies

deepflatflyer · 12/05/2019 18:10

I have a lovely 3/4 size violin to sell and don't quite how to go about it. I've tried the obvious places - via local teachers, and local music hub, local FB groups but no luck.

It's a lovely instrument about 100 years old. Gorgeous tone. Heartbroken that my son has grown out of it. Hoping to sell it for c.£600-700, to include case and 2 bows. I paid £700 for the package and he's only played it for about a year (due to growth spurt).

I think part of the problem is that it's on the expensive side for a beginner and better suited to someone like my son was 18 months ago: young/small but already Grade 5 and showing some aptitude for the instrument. Either that or someone who doesn't mind forking out that kind of money for a beginner, rather than going for a cheaper option.

We live in SE London.

(Oh and I've also got a Stentor Messina 1/2 size. And a Stentor Student 1/4 size. The corner of my bedroom looks like a violin graveyard)

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Original poster
deepflatflyer · 12/05/2019 21:01

runoutof: ah I see. yes that's the kind of clientele isn't it?

We acquired the violin (and the 1/2 size before it) from a friend of DS's violin teacher whose son is a couple of years older. She was lucky to have found me so easily. Twice. And she was going on to get one from Benslow.

OP posts:
Original poster
deepflatflyer · 12/05/2019 20:57

I thought briefly about Benslow but not sure my DS is worthy of such an instrument. Violin is no longer his first instrument (he's a brass player too) but he wants to keep it ticking over as he enjoys his various youth orchestras. And I guess our £600-700 3/4 size is not good enough to offer to Benslow? Although I'll give it a go!

OP posts:
runoutofnamechanges · 12/05/2019 20:53

I was thinking more of places like the London NCO Junior Orchestra, the string training programmes at the conservatoires, or Colourstrings where there are more likely to be young children of a high standard who need a better quality small size instrument. I know instruments used to get sold on between pupils when we were involved.

Original poster
deepflatflyer · 12/05/2019 20:31

As I said in my original post I've tried via the private routes (local hub / local teachers) and no luck. We don't live in an area where people would spend more than a couple of hundred quid on a child's instrument and that won't change. I'd rather sell it through a dealer for less and not have the hassle. I realise it may take a while which is fine - but need to get started!

Watford also a bit far for me I think but I'll contact thwaites and see what they say.

OP posts:
runoutofnamechanges · 12/05/2019 20:25

Also, have a look at the Benslow Music Trust in Hitchin, if you need to hire an instrument in the meantime or as an alternative to buying. They hire good quality instruments (£3k+) to talented students for an annual fee of 5% of the value of the instrument. If you do do that, you might consider loaning them your 3/4 size. I think they ask you to commit to loaning (not hiring) for at least 3 years.

runoutofnamechanges · 12/05/2019 20:05

I would second Thwaites as mentioned by a PP. I've been a customer for 40 years! They always bought back instruments at a fair price. Although it's a long time since I last did that... I haven't had such a good experience elsewhere eg we bought a 1/2 size cello for DS, when we went back to the same dealer a year later and asked to part exchange it against his new 3/4 size, they only offered us a third of what we had paid for it (it was, like yours, an older, better quality instrument).

Although, as with anything, you will get a far better price if you sell privately. Try asking your DS's teacher and at local music schools/groups to see if anyone is looking for a 3/4 size violin.

Original poster
deepflatflyer · 12/05/2019 19:54

It's finding places that do that though, Random - harder than you might think. Especially with an instrument of that price/size - it's a bit niche.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 12/05/2019 19:47

Perhaps the approach is finding a 4/4 you want and then asking them to do part X? Certainly worth a go!

Original poster
deepflatflyer · 12/05/2019 19:47

DS would love a weekend in Blackpool I'm sure ... That'd be fun!

OP posts:
Original poster
deepflatflyer · 12/05/2019 19:45

Oooh wondering how I've mussed the one in Northcote Rd as I'm up that way for work sometimes. That might be interesting - well-heeled area.

If somewhere could flog us a 4/4 size with 3/4 size in part payment I'd be delighted. Probably too much to hope for!!

OP posts:
Lorp · 12/05/2019 19:36

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

SquirmOfEels · 12/05/2019 19:32

It would probably be worth a call to Northcote Music Shop (Northcote Road SW11) as I know they source and sell violins and it's an area with loads of children.

Ffsnosexallowed · 12/05/2019 19:31

When DD went to a full size one the shop took her 3\4 as part payment- would that be an option?

QueenofCBA · 12/05/2019 19:28

Thwaites in Watford might be able to help.

RandomMess · 12/05/2019 19:18

Perhaps it is worth a trip to classy Blackpool then 😂 ask what 4/4 they have in stock and see if anything interests you that would make it worth going up in person?

Original poster
deepflatflyer · 12/05/2019 19:08

Breitwood & Nietzert say they do sometimes buy/sell so I'll contact them but I recall they're a bit snooty. Suspect the same might go for the other places that deal with mega-bucks instruments.

I've looked at some of the luthier websites and they don't mention sales but I guess I could ask advice.

I asked Stringers when I got in touch about hiring a full-size from them and they didn't reply - only interested in selling to me.

I've told my son we have to sell at least one of the old ones before we can shell out for a full size so in the meantime we've been renting a 4/4 Stentor Student from Chimes. Does the job but he finds it limiting...!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 12/05/2019 18:55

Hmmm I wonder if the Blackpool place would have a recommendation in London? TBF I know the post violins 😱

se22mother · 12/05/2019 18:51

There are a couple of luthiers in SE London who might well be able to help depending on where exactly you are

Original poster
deepflatflyer · 12/05/2019 18:43

I'm hoping for personal recommendations from people who know somewhere, which is why I've posted. Random googling hasn't turned up many leads.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 12/05/2019 18:34

Surely there is a specialist shop that buys and sells 2nd hand violins where you can trade it or let them sell for a commission? There is one in Blackpool but rather far from you!