Buying a violin

[MrPickles73]

DD took up the violin in January and a friend lent us her old violin which was in quite bad shape but we got it repaired. She is 10 and really enjoying the violin. She previously did piano grade 1 but didn't really enjoy it. However as she can already read music she is making great progress. DH has suggested we buy her a violin as the one she has isn't great. Any advice on what we should look to spend and where we can go for a violin? My husband is talking about 400-500 pounds. This sounds alot to me but I'm assuming she'll keep playing for another 3 years or so. Any advice please?

I would have a word with your child's violin teacher. S/he will be able to guide you as to how much to spend, what to look for, and where to buy.
S/he will have a good idea of your child's ability, enthusiasm and likely prowess and should guide you to spend accordingly.

What size is she playing? A smaller one rarely sounds as good as a full-size; but she’ll grow out of it anyway presumably

We got one for DD from here:
www.studioviolins.co.uk/
It would have a resale value if she gives up.

She's on a full size as per her teacher's advice. I understand that under 250 pounds they are made in china. We would like something that she could use to grade 3 or 5.

@MrPickles73 handmade Chinese violins are actually very good value and quality. You can pick up a great instrument for a fraction of the price of an old, European violin.

Gliga violins are meant to be pretty good. If you can spend a bit more then the Jay Haide instruments are great.

At this stage of her playing I would probably go for something modern and good quality therefore reasonably robust than an older instrument- tonally very rewarding for more advanced players but also need a bit of TLC.

Could I suggest Cardiff Violins? www.cardiffviolins.co.uk/
They have excellent quality hand made modern violins that are made in China by skilled luthiers (i.e. not factory made), and their prices are reasonable. They have generous trade-in deals when you need to upgrade. I've dealt with them for DD's two violins and two bows now (DD is G8+), and will work with them again to find the next one.

FYI, they courier all over the UK and internationally. I live in London, and was fed up with the inflated cost of factory made violins in London shops, so started looking further afield. Anyway, they are very helpful. Good luck!

I second this @cingolimama !!!!

@MrPickles73 Our violin teacher recommended Gewa violins as the next level up for DD. We are looking at buying a 3/4 size as she’s only 7, so perhaps you want something nicer still, but she said they would be great for the next few grades. Ideale is their best student line, apparently.

Update, there are some sales going on right now that might be worth having a look at! Shar music in the USA is having their Dutch auction this week, and Paganino (a German company) is also having a good sale. I managed to get DD a pre-owned 3/4 Carlo Lamberti Sonata for 40% off. Might be worth a look?

My brother is a violinist, and he says that Scott Cao also makes a really decent student violin that’s worth looking into.