Half size fiddle on eBay any good? Video added

Subject: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 07:52 PM

We are starting to look for an inexpensive half-size fiddle for my grandson as he shows interest and has a good bowing arm, for his age, 3 yrs, 4 months. He's got my old fiddle available, so he knows what quality sound is. I know it may sound like a stupid question, but do any of you have experience with ones like THIS ON EBAY?

He is being exposed to as many musical instruments as we have available, piano, lap dulcimer, fiddles, baritone uke, trombone, flutes, plucked psaltries, etc. Other than a kid's drum, this would be the first instrument that would be his specifically.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 09:40 PM

Kat: He's the right age. We're waiting for our daughter to be ready. She was three on Valentine's Day and her mother is a fine fiddler.
I would worry more about the fiddle's ability to withstand the abuse more than anything else. Isn't 1/2 size a little big though? You may want to measure him for one. Also, most instruction schools will rent the fiddles out. Maybe save your money for the "Strad."

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 09:57 PM

The bridge is way too far forward, at least 2". Of course, can't tell what the bow is or will do. Not even a 'maker'....can't even tell if it's a Suzuki. Suzis are playable but that is about all. Suzi is about as low as I would go. I'd say not, for that price. Start him on a playable one, not a cheap one.

If it's not playable, he will lose interest fast. Go to a rental store with someone who can look at it for you.

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 11:22 PM

You're right, Sorcha. Thanks. I hadn't even looked closely enough to notice the bridge placement. I think I'll call the local school instrument rental shop and see what they have.

Jim Lad, thanks. I don't think half size will be too big. He's got a good reach and had no problem keeping the bow in the right place across the strings on my old fiddle. We'll see. I'll measure him, for sure, before getting anything.

I am excited he shows so much interest in all music, but esp. the fiddle.

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 02:42 AM

Has to be the finest instrument for developing an ear. We'll be trying our kid on it every six months or so, 'til she's ready.
Good luck with it.

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 11:35 AM

Thanks Jim, to you, too.

I think one of the things which made me think he is really ready is something he did yesterday. I started to sing one of his songs from school. As I was singing, he started singing the Alphabet song. He sang his song all the way through, as I was singing the other and he never got off key or changed over to the song I was singing. I know adults who get sidetracked and can't do that. Tells me a lot about his ear and his potential. (Can ya tell I am bustin' m'buttons with pride?**bg**)

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 12:30 PM

Right from "A B C" to "Twinkle, Twinkle"..... Stay close to the phone. I'm calling the newspapers.
Just Kidding
Enjoy him
Cheers!
Jim

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 03:32 PM

Thanks, Jim.**bg** You enjoy your gyrl, too.:-)

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 03:38 PM

Don't get me started. I'm worse than any proud grandparent.
Mind you her mother was just away for a week.
At 52, I'm an awfully tired daddy.

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 03:45 PM

Oops! You meant **bg**. Sorry!

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 06:06 PM

Ah, you're a brave man... I can send Morgan home after a long day. Up until a year ago, our house was their home, too. It didn't take long to convince me I would not want to start a family in my 50s!**big grin, again**

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: Larkin
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 06:19 PM

for the price it looks OK I'm just a bit wary of ebay - only pay by paypal.
If the fiddle needs a little fettling it really isn't a problem.The standard of chinese fiddles has got soooo much better over the past 5 years.


the way to test kids for the right size of instrument is to get them to put the fiddle under their chin and put their hand round the scroll - sort of crook the scroll in their hand . If they can't do that then the fiddles too big for them . I figure a half size would be too big for a 3 year old .

Best bet go and take your grandson to a fiddle shop and get some free info - you can always get one of the net later

martin ( fiddle restorer for 25 years ) .

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 06:39 PM

Thanks so much, Martin. Haven't seen you around in awhile! He has the week off next week from activity classes which I take him to, so I am looking for things to do with him, besides stuff at home. A trip to the local music store is in order, I think, and will be a lot of fun.

Thanks, again, folks.

kat

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: GUEST,Norval
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 07:25 PM

Kat, the offer of free shipping is attractive. My experience buying a clarinet
through EBay 3 months ago drove up the cost as follows:

Clarinet $49.99US - $56.00 Canadian dollars
Shipping by UPS    $44.00 (weighed only 5 lbs.)
Import tariffs-----    $34.00 (This was a total surprise)
--------------------------------
Grand total----       $134.00

So my bargain $50 purchase turned out not to be such a great deal.
I found the same clarinet for sale at a flea market here in Edmonton
today for $50, no taxes, no shipping, and no tariffs. The lesson is to
be aware of the unmentioned and hidden costs.

I did business with this company who sell about 3000 musical
instruments a month.
Great Tunes

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 07:37 PM

Because of the bridge I still say Not. If the bridge is that bad, what else is that you can't see?

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: s&r
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 08:10 PM

I would think the bridge has just bee stood up for the photo. It's not uncommon for string instruments to be shipped "bridge down" There may be many reasons for not buying a fiddle, but bridge position isn't one - just shift the bridge.

Stu

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: GUEST,Another fiddle question
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 08:19 PM

Larkin, I recently bought a second hand half size cheap fiddle for my neice who is nearly 8, is that too small for her age? (She's only a slight build though).

Jane

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 08:24 PM

Jane, I was petite and started out on my fiddle at eight years old; it is a full-size.

Thanks for the link, Norval and the advice.

Thanks, Stu, that may be the case with this one.

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 08:30 PM

Just checked out that link, Norval. Looks great! I will get him measured, locally and go from there. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 02:10 PM

Just thought I'd post an update. I took him to the local music store, the same one that was there when I was a kid. Good folks and they have taken care of kids and their instruments for umpteen years.

Anyway, he was duly measured and fitted out with the teeniest fiddle I've ever seen, that was still playable. It is a 1/6 with fine tuners, etc. and a decent little bow. I rented it for $15 per month and we can keep trading up to the next size if it takes. It is a Yamaha, not too bad, though the G string could be a bit better in sound. He's already chuffed at being able to "make noise" and keeps asking to get out "his why-oh-win" and play it.

Thanks, again,

kat

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 02:35 PM

The violin teacher at my children's school recomends a half size fiddle for 7-10 year olds. Maddie started at four on a quarter size and she was always tall. She went onto a half at 7 and a 3/4 at 9 and only got her first full size one last year just before she was 12. Shame you're not in UK or you could have had our smaller one on loan. BTW Maddies last violin was bought on ebay for around £50 and plays very nicely.

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 02:53 PM

Well, I told you so!
Heh,heh!
I'd say the fact that he could stay still long enough to be measured is a really good sign.
Sounds like he's on the road if he's getting a noise already.
Congrats.
Jim

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 11:04 PM

Thanks, Mrs. Duck:-) I would love to live close enough to borrow the smaller one, but can't justify the expense of moving and I don't think his mom would let me bring him all the way from Colorado to there.**bg** Appreciate the thought, a bunch, though.

Thanks, Jim. It will be fun to see how your little one and mine get on with these and other musical interests, eh? Right now he is pretty funny. He wants the big swooping sounds he's heard from me and the quick chops of double stops, so he's doing his best to use the whole bow or use short, quick strokes in the hopes of making a similar "noise.":-)

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 01:51 AM

Some kids can't make a sound right away so I was quite serious about that.
Best of luck
Jim

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 10:43 PM

Really? Then, I would say he did really well today, his second day. I'll make a video, soon, and post it.:-)

Subject: RE: Morgan fiddles
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 07:08 PM

Okay, it's a start: Third day of Fiddlin' on youtube. Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 08:16 PM

Great stuff! I brought Mum & the kid in to watch. The kid keeps asking to see it again.
What a wee showman!

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 07:13 PM

Thanks, he does like an audience! I can just see it, years from now, the two of them talking about watching each other on youtube!**bg**

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: Jim Lad
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 02:27 PM

Katlaughing: What hoops do you have to jump through to put stuff on You Tube like that?

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 02:58 PM

Not much, Jim. Just sign up, then upload your video. It's really easy.:-)

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: Jim Lad
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 03:27 PM

May have a few songs taped at a pub gig tomorrow night and then put a track or two up. Can't compete with the wee redhead though.

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 04:18 PM

Ah, that's okay. It's tough to beat the "cute" factor. It would still be fun to see/hear you. If I remember rightly, we do have a Mudcatters' youtube thread somewhere.:-)

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: Jim Lad
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 05:16 PM

Jings, I'll have to look that up. Maybe get to see Scrump's face!

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: Jim Lad
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 05:32 PM

Katlaughing lied to me!
Am I the first?

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 06:54 PM

Now, now! Yer nought s'posed ta reveal wots in a PM!**bg**

katscratchingherheadmumblin'
"I was sure there was a thread called Mudcatter's youtube videos!"

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: Jim Lad
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 07:32 PM

Start it off with the grandwean. Nobody will object.

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 08:17 PM

kat, there is a Mudcatters Youtube video thread, it is on the YouTube Permathread.

I will archive the video tomorrow, must go off to bed now ...

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: Jim Lad
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 08:23 PM

Thick as thieves, you two.

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Mar 07 - 09:59 PM

Thank you, Murray! I *knew* I'd seen it, but it didn't come up in any searches I did. Thanks a bunch!

So there, Jim Lad...'twas not a lie nor figment of my addled imagination.**BG**

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: Jim Lad
Date: 17 Mar 07 - 01:27 AM

Thick as thieves, the pair of you!

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 05:56 PM

"Wee Red," so dubbed by Jim Lad, continues to enjoy his role as Mad Fiddler!

Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added
From: Jim Lad
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 06:35 PM

Got to love the ending!