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09 Mar 07 - 07:52 PM (#1992084) Subject: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: katlaughing 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 |
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09 Mar 07 - 09:40 PM (#1992165) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: Jim Lad 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." |
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09 Mar 07 - 09:57 PM (#1992177) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: Sorcha 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. |
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09 Mar 07 - 11:22 PM (#1992233) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: katlaughing 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. |
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10 Mar 07 - 02:42 AM (#1992311) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: Jim Lad 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. |
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10 Mar 07 - 11:35 AM (#1992569) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: katlaughing 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**) |
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10 Mar 07 - 12:30 PM (#1992628) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: Jim Lad Right from "A B C" to "Twinkle, Twinkle"..... Stay close to the phone. I'm calling the newspapers. Just Kidding Enjoy him Cheers! Jim |
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10 Mar 07 - 03:32 PM (#1992817) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: katlaughing Thanks, Jim.**bg** You enjoy your gyrl, too.:-) |
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10 Mar 07 - 03:38 PM (#1992830) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: Jim Lad 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. |
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10 Mar 07 - 03:45 PM (#1992836) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: Jim Lad Oops! You meant **bg**. Sorry! |
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10 Mar 07 - 06:06 PM (#1992961) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: katlaughing 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** |
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10 Mar 07 - 06:19 PM (#1992973) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: Larkin 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 ) . |
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10 Mar 07 - 06:39 PM (#1992990) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: katlaughing 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 |
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10 Mar 07 - 07:25 PM (#1993027) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: GUEST,Norval 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 |
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10 Mar 07 - 07:37 PM (#1993031) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: Sorcha Because of the bridge I still say Not. If the bridge is that bad, what else is that you can't see? |
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10 Mar 07 - 08:10 PM (#1993049) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: s&r 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 |
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10 Mar 07 - 08:19 PM (#1993058) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: GUEST,Another fiddle question 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 |
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10 Mar 07 - 08:24 PM (#1993061) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: katlaughing 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. |
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10 Mar 07 - 08:30 PM (#1993065) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: katlaughing Just checked out that link, Norval. Looks great! I will get him measured, locally and go from there. Thanks! |
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12 Mar 07 - 02:10 PM (#1994546) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: katlaughing 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 |
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12 Mar 07 - 02:35 PM (#1994573) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: Mrs.Duck 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. |
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12 Mar 07 - 02:53 PM (#1994592) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: Jim Lad 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 |
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12 Mar 07 - 11:04 PM (#1995003) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: katlaughing 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.":-) |
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13 Mar 07 - 01:51 AM (#1995046) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: Jim Lad Some kids can't make a sound right away so I was quite serious about that. Best of luck Jim |
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13 Mar 07 - 10:43 PM (#1995986) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: katlaughing Really? Then, I would say he did really well today, his second day. I'll make a video, soon, and post it.:-) |
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14 Mar 07 - 07:08 PM (#1996968) Subject: RE: Morgan fiddles From: katlaughing Okay, it's a start: Third day of Fiddlin' on youtube. Enjoy! |
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14 Mar 07 - 08:16 PM (#1997016) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? From: Jim Lad Great stuff! I brought Mum & the kid in to watch. The kid keeps asking to see it again. What a wee showman! |
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15 Mar 07 - 07:13 PM (#1997984) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: katlaughing 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** |
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16 Mar 07 - 02:27 PM (#1998828) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: Jim Lad Katlaughing: What hoops do you have to jump through to put stuff on You Tube like that? |
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16 Mar 07 - 02:58 PM (#1998860) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: katlaughing Not much, Jim. Just sign up, then upload your video. It's really easy.:-) |
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16 Mar 07 - 03:27 PM (#1998906) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: Jim Lad 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. |
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16 Mar 07 - 04:18 PM (#1998947) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: katlaughing 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.:-) |
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16 Mar 07 - 05:16 PM (#1999006) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: Jim Lad Jings, I'll have to look that up. Maybe get to see Scrump's face! |
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16 Mar 07 - 05:32 PM (#1999016) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: Jim Lad Katlaughing lied to me! Am I the first? |
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16 Mar 07 - 06:54 PM (#1999092) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: katlaughing 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!" |
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16 Mar 07 - 07:32 PM (#1999127) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: Jim Lad Start it off with the grandwean. Nobody will object. |
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16 Mar 07 - 08:17 PM (#1999166) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: Murray MacLeod 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 ... |
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16 Mar 07 - 08:23 PM (#1999170) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: Jim Lad Thick as thieves, you two. |
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16 Mar 07 - 09:59 PM (#1999219) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: katlaughing 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** |
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17 Mar 07 - 01:27 AM (#1999293) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: Jim Lad Thick as thieves, the pair of you! |
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14 Apr 07 - 05:56 PM (#2025455) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: katlaughing "Wee Red," so dubbed by Jim Lad, continues to enjoy his role as Mad Fiddler! |
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14 Apr 07 - 06:35 PM (#2025491) Subject: RE: Half size fiddle on ebay any good? Video added From: Jim Lad Got to love the ending! |