Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire

Subject: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 11:47 AM

Now I've found a decent fiddle mute so I can practise, I would like a new fiddle.. well I cant afford one right this minute, but what the hell! Apart from Beverley music centre, does anyone know any other shops in the Yorkshire area that specialise in fiddles, or just good shops for trad instruments including fiddles? Also any that will take my old one in part exchange?

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: theleveller
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 12:05 PM

Try Hobgoblin in Leeds - lovely people and a good selection of instruments including some second-hand ones. They may take yours in part exchange.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: Stu
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 12:07 PM

The Music Room in Cleckheaton is good, although I would check online as I'm not a fiddler.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: theleveller
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 12:12 PM

Actually, Hobgoblin have recently opened a specialist violin shop upstairs. Should be worth a trip - just hop on the train from Hull to Leeds - only takes an hour and it's five minutes walk from the station.

Check out their website first.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: Jess A
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 12:14 PM

I second Music Room, simply cos Gina Le Faux does their fiddle department these days and she really knows her stuff.

http://www.themusicroom-online.co.uk/index.php/cPath/287_288?mrSid=eb0dc4ed335293c40dc3289479e80079

slightly further afield (Staffordshire) try Glen Titmus for good value and great service.

http://www.glentitmus.co.uk/gt_gtvhead.html

He also sells Bill Smith's fiddles which are among the nicest new made fiddles I've played in a while.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 12:40 PM

I have PM'd a number to try jane. Friend who sells fiddles.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 12:49 PM

Ta everyone. I forgot to say, I'm looking for one around the £500 price range. Mine was a new one, it cost £330. The sound is unsatisfactory, it seems 'scratchy' - hard to describe, but its definitely time to move up a step. I thought I would probably be looking for a used one, you get better quality for your money, but Bill Smiths looks worth a look.. and I might be going to Otley folk fest, so could easily stop off at Leeds first to have a gander in Hobgoblins.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 01:19 PM

Gina Le Faux...
via Music Room.
Don't trust anyone else.
Brilliant Lady.
DO IT !!!
Kind regards Ralphie

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 02:25 PM

Cleckheaton is well worth a visit.

This might sound trivial, but I am always drawn to darker wooded violins. Does this mean something? Does the type of wood make a real difference to the sound? I'm only a novice, pardon my ignorance on the subject.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: strad
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 04:04 PM

Generally, the colour is all down to the varnish, not the wood. Most good fiddles have spruce for the belly and maple for the back, so it's up to the maker what colour the finished article turns out. My father tended towards the darker colours with his varnish and I lke them that way, too. A good set-up is more important than anything else to get the best sound. Have fun, Jane.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: Tootler
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 04:09 PM

If you are willing to travel a bit, consider Dave Mann in Hexham. He is a specialist violin repairer and although I am not a fiddler myself I know people who go to him and recommend him. His daughter is Clare Mann, flute player and also fiddler, so he knows about the needs of traditional fiddle.

Geoff

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: GUEST,Chris Brownbridge aka Ebor_fiddler
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 04:10 PM

Try Banks' in York - they've had a good reputation for years - I speak as a satisfied customer (though their ground floor instrument section seems to have been recently taken over by The Music Room).

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: skipy
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 05:10 PM

From a Chandlers, it's the edge of a ships table or the edge of a platter.
Skipy

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: GUEST,Captain Swing
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 05:42 PM

Before you go anywhere else, try Arthur Burgan of Cottingham - he's in the phone book.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 05:56 PM

Ah, now that rings a bell - I think someone told me about Arthur before, I'd forgotten about it. Is he the one who makes new fiddles?

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 06:22 PM

If I lived in Yorkshire and could afford it (surely a contradiction in terms) I'd certainly go to Gina Le Faux. Though as she told me herself, she ain't cheap. I'm busy counting the pennies for a decent bow from her, which is infinitely more important than the actual instrument.

My current violin (a German late C19 fake Strad) cost me £25 in Portobello market which, after replacing the sound post and restringing it myself, was valued at £7 - 800. And I got the case from Freecycle.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: s&r
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 06:23 PM

Before you buy get your present fiddle set up or looked at by an expert. Strings make a huge difference. Sound post setting the same. Bridge the same. You might save yourself some money. Get somebody who plays well to play your fiddle and listen to it

Stu

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: GUEST,Jane of 'ull
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 06:58 PM

Wow Diane, what a bargain! I've heard of people picking up gems like this before, but I wouldn't have much of a clue what to look for. Plus I dont have much time to go looking.

I knew the bow was important, but may be more so than I realise.

I think I've got my heart set on buying a new fiddle though, it will give me the kick start I need to resume playing after quite a few years. But I will seek some advice from local fiddlers about the setup etc. good point.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 07:04 PM

Topic56
The Music Room have quite a extensive range of violins at prices to suit all pockets. At the moment Gina is not in the shop though. But you can go in and try the complete range that they have with no pressure to buy and the kettle is allways on.
Hobgoblin have a smaller range of violins, but once again at all prices. The guy who is in charge of the department is not allways in so it is best to phone them to see when he will be in. I think he is in on Saturdays though.
If you would like a trip to the seaside as well as looking for a violin try The Violin Shop Blackpool. Walk down the prom till you reach the North Pier, with your back to it walk across the road (watching for traffic) walk up the street opposite till you see The Bank of Scotland on your left. pass the Bank entrance and at the next door up go up to I think the second floor and ask for Kevin George.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: s&r
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 07:11 PM

If you go to the Violin Shop, you need to ring the door buzzer to get in. Then Kevin will buzz you in and you can either walk up to the second floor, or ride up in a beautiful old fashioned lift with gates. The reason the door is locked downstairs is that it is a shared entrance with the Royal Bank of Scotland: one night a local beggar was locked in...

It's worth going t the Violin Shop just for the experience.

Stu

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: oggie
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 01:38 AM

I second the reccomendation of Arthur Burgan. Lovely selection of violins and bows, not cheap but value for money. Also does repairs and sets instruments up.

Steve

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 03:40 AM

Could also be worth giving Eric Beharrel at Hornsea a call too.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: GUEST,c.g
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 04:46 AM

Gina is no longer running the fiddle department at The Music Room in Cleckheaton but can be contacted by email - gina at gina le faux dot com (all in one, no spaces, hyphens or anything).

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: GUEST,c.g.
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 04:48 AM

Gina has secondhand fiddles at very reasonable prices as well as the ones she makes herself (just seen the post about she ain't cheap!)

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: selby
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 04:59 AM

The violin shop in Beverly is also worth a visit on the Brid Rd
There is also a lady in wetwang who was selling at Whitby Folk Week if you PM me I will give you her number.
Keith

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: Folkie
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 08:11 AM

I'll second Jess - definitely go and see Glen Titmus and try one of Bill's fiddles. I've been playing one for years and wouldn't swap it for anything.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: Jess A
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 09:00 AM

mind you, I don't think Bill's fiddles are quite within the price range we're talking about here...

something to bear in mind Jane - if you're talking of an upgrade of only a couple of hundred quid, old fiddles vary so much from one to another and depending on how well they're set up that you might find something you like better for the same money or cheaper than what you've already got, or you might fall in love with something that costs a lot more... it's such a personal thing!

have you had your fiddle set up professionally/recently though? My fiddle was sounding very scratchy a while back til I realised the bridge had tilted slightly. I moved it probabaly about a millimeter and it made a vast difference to the sound... Sound post positioning (not something I'd try and adjust myself) can also make a huge difference.

I hadn't realised that Gina was no longer doing the music room fiddle dept - but my recommendation would therefore be to contact her directly (as suggested by c.g.). She'd also be able to look at your own fiddle for you and make recommendations about getting the best sound out of it if you did change your mind and decide to keep it - she's done work for me on both my fiddle and viola and I've been extremely happy with the results every time.

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 03:08 PM

try this for gina    [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Where to buy a fiddle in Yorkshire
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 11:58 AM

I might give arthur burgan a call to get my fiddle set up and a new bow.