Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????

Subject: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: s6k
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 10:33 AM

hello fiddle players / violinists (if you havent had any beer spilt on it yet)

i am looking into buying a violin and learning some fiddle playing. however i am clueless and new to such events.

as this is the case, i thought i would put an enquiry out into the Mudcat as to the following 2 violins i have found on ebay. they are from a music shop, not second hand, so both are new.

Here are the links to the two violins.

There's This One

And This One

Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated, and remember i am a total beginner so am just looking for a starter violin that will be nice to play and sound nice etc.

Thanks again

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: s6k
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 10:33 AM

just to add, the first one is £80.00 and the second is £50.00 in case you missed it.

all the pictures can be enlarged

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 10:43 AM

Absolutely impossible to say w/o having them in my hands......and playing them. Do you know either Oaklet or Nahro? If possible get one of them to go with you to the shop. I am not fond of New violins...too much varnish and shine, too little voice and they have to be 'broken in' as it were. Remember too, that the bow is JUST as important if not more so than the fiddle. A good bow is of the essence. Take a fiddler shopping with you.

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 10:48 AM

everything Sorcha said, plus I'd be run as fast as I could from anyone offering all those colours!**bg** Best to get someone to try one out with you in the shops.

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: s6k
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 10:52 AM

i see what youre saying. i think on the first, the colours are rubbish really, but the second one is more of a standard colour... ive been searching around for reviews on them, they seem to be £60 but havent found any reviews yet

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: s6k
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 11:01 AM

there was THIS ONE as well, if anyone knows model numbers.

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 11:08 AM

Last one is rubbish......and you aren't going to get much fiddle for either L50 or L80....

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 12:16 PM

Exactly; you get what you pay for when it comes to new instruments. The spelling mistake the seller of the third one made probably says it:

"For those who are speaking in real English its puker!"

Generally, it's unwise to buy instruments online until you know a lot more. As has already been said, try to get someone who plays to visit a few music shops with you; and consider buying second hand. You may not get shiny, but you'll have a better chance of winding up with a reasonable beginner's instrument (though for the sort of price you mention you'll need a fair bit of luck as well).

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: s6k
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 12:38 PM

yeah i dont mind if it isnt shiny and would be willing to pay more too

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 02:24 PM

Then talk to Oaklet or Nahro. Both fiddlers in Hull. Personall, I think shiny is ugly.

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 03:43 PM

BTW, Bassic/Gordon is another Hull Fiddler.

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: s6k
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 04:53 PM

thanks.

im still having a read around and getting as much info as i can as well.

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 05:06 PM

I can't reccomend the Suzuki kits.....IMO they are crap. Rubbish. You ought to be able to get a decent, playable one for about L150, maybe less....just don't know.

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 06:15 PM

It's possible to find playable, often excellent, instruments from second-hand dealers who do house clearances. But you need to know what to look for (and it's even better when the dealer doesn't!) So take a player (and a bow) with you.

I found the most beautiful, 100-year-old German fiddle now valued at £750 in a street market for £45. All it needed was a bridge and soundpost.

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: s6k
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 09:20 PM

Hello again!!!!!

i have found possibly a bargain here!

It is a Gliga Gems 1 and is claimed to be £315 when bought in perfect condition.
This one has a crack which is shown in the bottom picture and can be seen by turning the brightness up a bit.

it says it is not affecting the quality of playing, could be only a varnish crack and was damaged when sent out to someone.

Anyway here is the link ----> CLICK HERE!

obviously the better violin i can get my hands on, the better... so if this is indeed a bargain then it is a unique opportunity..

so, any good? i only post this due to it seeming such a good bargain, apart from this i will go shopping with someone in the know.

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: s6k
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 09:24 PM

oh go on then ill post THIS ONE as well.

i know, im naughty

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 12:11 AM

Now you're talking. I like the Gilga best...and cracks can be fixed even if they go all the way thru the wood. Not a difficult thing to do for a competent luthier. Not heard of Gilga but it looks good, and L315 is still cheap for a violin. Check out Shar's instruments. Shar Violins Under $1,000, Under $5,000, Under $10,000, etc....grin. Not heard of Gilga but will check them out for you.

Howsomever, I do like the bow in the other pic....it has a Parisian eye...an inlay sphere surrounded by an inlay ring. You don't usually find these on cheap bows.

How about, since there are only 16 hrs or so on the auction, to offer to pay shipping both ways so you (or someone else) can try out the Gilga? He says he always answers e mails.....?? If all else fails,I'd say go for the Gilga. Even later if he has no bids....he might come down then.

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 12:20 AM

Oh yes, and the Gilga has a 'Thomastick' style tail piece with all 4 fine tuners which I really like. Those are worth at least L13 (sorry, I'm in US and don't have a real L/Pound key)

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: s&r
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 04:34 AM

Elizabeth Ward who sells these Gligas in the UK is a violinist, and has a good honest approach - she offers money back, so can't be worried about the items. I bought an excellent fiddle from Court Musicians of Edinburgh - Good instrument, good service, and again if you don't like it you've got a week or so from receipt tp return it for a full refund

Stu

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: s6k
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 06:27 AM

i am thinking as well with the gliga, if i didnt like it i could probably sell it and at least get my money back. i am thinking of placing a bid.

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: English Jon
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 06:50 AM

Well, I've got a stentor student 2 up for grabs at the moment - I don't normally buy modern student instruments as they are normally pretty crappy, but I saw this one and it plays a dream - The setup is beautiful and it's loud, so I thought I'd grab it quick and pass it on to someone who wants a decent starter fiddle without breaking the bank. Let me know if your interested. I'll throw in a couple of lessons if you like!
Cheers
Jon

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 07:31 AM

Just my opinion as a repairer, but that don't look like a varnish crack to me, on the Gliga.The way it follows the line of the birdseye says its in the grain of the wood. Should be relatively cheap to fix though. Still a good buy.(though I wouldn't use birdseye maple.)

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: s6k
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 09:56 AM

probably will regret letting the Gliga go, but Oaklet has offered to lend me a violin, to see if i like it etc, which will no doubt turn out to be the best thing all round.

thanks very much everyone for the comments and advice

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: Herge
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 10:50 AM

Try this site for reasonably priced old instruments: www.pamelasmusic.co.uk/violins.htm

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: Ron Davies
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 11:09 AM

It's great that Oaklet has offered to loan you a violin. You don't ever want to buy a violin on E-Bay, or probably any musical instrument, no matter how much the price appears a bargain. It's absolutely essential to have somebody with you play the instrument before you buy it.

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 11:13 AM

Herge, thanks for the link. The rare instrument page is very interesting!

Subject: RE: Are Any Of These Violins Any Good ????
From: Herge
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 01:31 PM

I have bought from this site in the past - They also do good value bows. Interesting stuff.
Herge