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Original poster

Buying violin and starting to doubt my chances

24 replies

Violinboymum · 27/10/2018 11:15

I am trying to find a half size violin for DS and starting to lose hope. There are very few violins this size on the market that can take him to grade 5+ level without breaking the bank. I visited several shops and after googling the prices they quoted it’s always exactly twice as much as buying same violins from gear4music. They quote 400-450 for violins that retail for 150-200 on gear4music website. Second had old violins are offered for 700+, it’s out of my budget for a 1/2 violin and also feels overpriced for the quality. I have a beautiful 1/2 bow, so would like to buy violin only, preferably one that will take DS to at least grade 6 and won’t the bank. Does it exist?

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Original poster
Violinboymum · 27/10/2018 11:22

Ps sorry for the typos, and also what is the consensus regarding stentor conservatoire? Will it do the job? And I am not keen on Gligas, DS prefers less chunky violins. Thanks!

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Floottoot · 27/10/2018 11:27

My local string specialist shop offers a part exchange service, so we part ex'd his 1/2 cello for a full size.
If you have a similar shop nearby, maybe they would offer similar, so you could purchase a previously part exd instrument?
An alternative would be to buy a cheaper instrument and pay to have it professionally set up - new nut, better bridge, fingerboard adjustment, decent strings etc. We did this with DS's half size cello and the difference it made to the sound and playability was amazing.

claraschu · 27/10/2018 11:31

Would you feel comfortable saying what part of the country you are living in? Someone might have a suggestion. It sounds like you need a good violin shop rather than a mail order place, really.

TheCbeebiesYellowBlobs · 27/10/2018 11:33

Conservatoire will be more than fine for grade 6, even 1 or 2 up to then if you get better strings. I wouldnt want to spend loads and loads on a half size unless he's going to get years out of it. How old is he?

Original poster
Violinboymum · 27/10/2018 11:33

Floottoot, we bought our violin from A very reputable shop (don’t want to name it) in London for 250, I took it back last week and they offered me 20 for it as part exchange! It’s in excellent condition and retails for 120 on eBay. Then they offered same violin in bigger size for 250 again. I visited a few shops in London and a few outside and I always felt like they are trying to sell me some overpriced stuff which is not really of good quality. One offered Cremona for 350, it sells for 69 on eBay.

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Original poster
Violinboymum · 27/10/2018 11:35

He is 8 and doing grade 5 next term. He is still ok on his 1/4 but will need an upgrade soon.

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Floottoot · 27/10/2018 11:35

I agree, claraschu. The variety in quality between factory made instruments of the same model can be huge, so it's definitely worth visiting a shop and actually trying out lots of different instruments. You can't always go by price, either - DS's teacher preferred some instruments that were less expensive than others, for playing quality.

Original poster
Violinboymum · 27/10/2018 11:36

Might as well buy the conservatoire, so fed up with this wild goose search.

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Ilikecurrybest · 27/10/2018 11:37

Could you see if one of the specialist violin shops local to you would hire a half size? Some do this (I know from experience) with older violins. The reason that the same violins are more expensive from violin shop is that usually they have been well set up with a specifically adjusted bridge etc which improves playability massively. What does your ds violin teacher reccomend?

Wellthatsit · 27/10/2018 11:39

Have you tried eBay. I got my son a decent old violin for 250. It was a bit of a punt but turned out ok. It is full sized though - maybe it's more difficult for a half size.

Original poster
Violinboymum · 27/10/2018 11:40

Our teacher thinks the quality of violin is not important at this age and he can play on a cheap violin until he reaches a full size instrument. But I’d like to get something a bit better for him, I could definitely hear the difference in the shop when he tried the more expensive ones.

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Broken11Girl · 27/10/2018 11:40

Just get one from Gear4music then. I've found it fine. Sell the existing one on EBay, Gumtree, local Fb selling to put towards it.

Floottoot · 27/10/2018 11:41

My point about part ex was not what you'd get for his current violin, but what you might be able to get for a good price that someone else had part ex'd.
I'm not a string expert in any way, but I'm guessing that instruments on Ebay that might.appear to be the same as those in specialist shops actually aren't - again, it could be that they're not well set up (that service alone can cost a couple of hundred pounds or more), or the seller doesn't know much about what they're selling etc.
I know from friend s' experiences that buying cheap instruments often proves to be a false economy.

Original poster
Violinboymum · 27/10/2018 11:43

I bought two violins on eBay so far and they both turned out to be a horrendous waste of money. So I am a bit wary now. I saw one violin that could work potentially but it’s a bit far to try it in person :(

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Broken11Girl · 27/10/2018 11:43

If I've understood correctly you already have a bow. Gear4music customer service isn't bad actually (and no, I don't work for them Grin) so they might do you one without the bow, or if not sell it.

Original poster
Violinboymum · 27/10/2018 11:45

It’s just feels a bit of a con to buy a violin for 350 that retails everywhere for 120. Sonehow I am not convinced the set up worth the difference, especially when being served by uninterested teenager that can’t even tune it.

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se22mother · 27/10/2018 12:33

Dd had a good half from stringers. It was well worth the price. Had lots of compliments from teachers. Took her g5 on it. We were able to part x it for her 3/4 this year

Original poster
Violinboymum · 27/10/2018 12:39

Rs had a 1/10th violin from stringers, it was quite decent, thanks for reminding me! Might visit their shop.

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hertsandessex · 27/10/2018 14:51

My DD went to grade 6 on Stentor Conservatoire with no problem. At a push could have a played for a bit longer. I think it is a decent option and I second Ebay option. We have bought and sold branded violins a few times and almost got back what we paid every time.

howabout · 27/10/2018 16:45

Stentor conservatoire is fine for at least grade 6. Be sure you are comparing like with like. We upgraded the tailpiece and replaced strings with Dominants which came to £100. I think(?) Stringers do this as standard.

At this price point decent strings make a big difference, as does a well rosened bow.

Fifthtimelucky · 04/11/2018 13:16

My daughter had (still has, for that matter) a 1/2 size Zeller which she got a distinction on at grade 4 and which would have been fine for grade 5 if she hadn't outgrown it. For the 3/4 we went for a Gliga. I wouldn't spend too much on a 1/2 size. He might not be using it for long.

Original poster
Violinboymum · 04/11/2018 16:04

Thank you everyone, in the end we went for stentor conservatoire with a shop setup. DS also got a distinction grade 4 on his basic 1/4 violin, but I feel he needs something a bit better this time around.

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SpookyTeaBag · 05/11/2018 22:09

Blimey! Grade 5 violin at age 8!!!!! Shock (misses the point Smile)

Original poster
Violinboymum · 05/11/2018 23:01

Spooky he is not grade 5 yet, hopefully he will be soon but he will definitely turn 9 by then. :)

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