Can anyone recommend a good reliable violin shop/ luthier?

[LemonGingerCakes]

Looking to buy a decent intermediate violin - properly set up. Maybe a better outfit? Not sure where to start. I want something that’s been professionally set up, not just off the shelf.

whereabouts are you? have you looked up any violin shops to see what they offer.

There's a thread from 2018 on buying a good quality violin which discusses luthiers.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/extra_curricular_activities/3166515-4-4-Violin-hunting

Guiviers. London W1

I’ve just been reading that thread, muggleaunt! Sadly, my budget is probably below £500. I’m starting to hope I can find something decent in that price range.

I can travel to a certain extent, so don’t want to limit myself to my local area. I want to make phone enquiries, then travel, so want to know who my be helpful and knowledgeable for that.

Are you north or south though? I know someone in Northumberland for instance

You can take a violin that you've already bought - if there's one in your budget - and still take it to a luthier to have it properly set up, sound post adjusted, strings changed for better one, etc.

I've got experience of Turner Violins in Nottingham - very helpful. They have lots of instruments in different price brackets with sound-proof rooms to try them out.

www.turnerviolins.co.uk/

If you're in Norfolk message me - I can recommend a luthier who can do a decent set-up of an existing instrument.

I’m about 20 miles north of harrogate

But willing to travel (after I’ve done the initial groundwork])

Given your price range I would look at a Gliga. Check Elidatrading.co.uk. They are based in Huddersfield.

With that budget you might be best buying secondhand either locally or off eBay and paying for a local luthier to set up. I did this for my child's violin, bought off a mum whose child was moving up to full size, it was old, french, about 100 years old, although the listing said it was ready to go, I had to spent a further £100 on set up, once done, the luthier really rated it and my child's violin teacher often compliments it.

Even an 'okay' violin can sound so much better with a good set up and there is likely to be an experienced luthier near you somewhere servicing all the local violinists...perhaps local music shops or teachers would be able to recommend?

All of this depends on what sort of violin you want too. Perhaps try these guys if you wanted a new instrument - although they carry a few secondhand outfits too. These violins get decent reviews. And they can perhaps recommend someone local for set up. elidaviolins.co.uk/pages/about-me

Snap @fifthtimelucky. I was writing as you were posting!

I think I’m looking either for a really good outfit (ie not stentor) that has been set up properly, or a non outfit, but don’t know where to start.

It’s to go up to c. Grade 5/6 unless we need full size.

I hear Elida mentioned loads in forums, but never in real life. Has anyone got one personally?

So far, I’ve seen that Stringers do outfits, so do Cardiff - but are they a step above Stentor/ paesold etc?

I don’t want to pay over c.£500 simply because I expect a growth spurt in the near future and I don’t want to worry about it being taken to school etc.

www.oviolin.com/blogs/network/reviews-on-the-6-violin-shops-in-northumberland

Friends husband went to Ralph - he’s on a main train line.

We have 3 Gligas: a 3/4 violin (Gems model), a 4/4 violin (Gama model) and a 15.5" viola (also a Gama).

I think they're good quality for the price and customer service from Elida was good. They will do part exchange if you move up a size (though we still have our smaller one).

My daughter's teachers were happy with the violins and she got a grade 8 on the full size one.