Choosing a violin

[Sykes]

My 11 year old daughter has been playing violin in school for a couple of years. I have been renting.
Can anyone tell me of a good brand or good for the money type thing? I want to buy her one as it seems it's something she will stick with.
How much do I have to pay to get a decent one? What about acoustic/electric?
When I was young I remember an old neighbor dude that played a violin thru a Marshall stack, really. No distortion, but a cool sounding wall of sound.

I didn't know wheather to post this in the off topic or not. I've never seen a violin post here, but the description of the "guitar shop" said other instruments. Not really expecting a response, but it's worth a try.

Thanks for your help.

 

[seafoamer]

Re: Choosing a violin

What size Violin is she playing now? 1/4. 1/2, 3/4, or full?
I would probably continue to rent if she's still using one of the smaller violins. This way, you don't buy something, & she grows out of it a year later.

 

[Sykes]

Re: Choosing a violin

What size Violin is she playing now? 1/4. 1/2, 3/4, or full?
I would probably continue to rent if she's still using one of the smaller violins. This way, you don't buy something, & she grows out of it a year later.

She's using full size. That's one of the reasons I wanted to buy, as you mentioned.

Any suggestions?

 

[jefferson]

Re: Choosing a violin

He's right about not buying anything but a full size. If you are looking for a full size, then its like shopping for a guitar. Look for one thats warm and resonant with a very full sound. Go to a good violin shop if there's one nearby and have her play some. You'll probably want one with a carved top, not a steam pressed top. There is a huge difference in tone, but carved tops cost a lot more. If everything you play is too bright, don't get one there. Warmth and resonance are the key. If there isn't a big shop near you, order a few from shar music and have your daughter and her teacher pick out the best one and return the rest.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Choosing a violin

i just wanna point out that every shop i've been in that sells violins (and basses) has had financing of some sort, so take that into consideration

but yeah it's just like a guitar, just have her go play some & pick one out

every instrument varies from model to model. For instance, i've played $4,000 basses that i despised, and $1200 ones that i couldn't stop playing. You'd think with something that old, they'd be pretty set in stone about the specs on them, but everyone's a critic, yanno?

 

[jdm61]

Re: Choosing a violin

when you start getting into really good violins, price probably equals quality, ESPECIALLY with used (read older) ones A girl I went to University of Miami with got a new violin as a graduation present because she got a full ride to the UM music school. It was a French fiddle from around 1820 and cost $20,000..........in 1983!!!!!!!:doh: If you decide to go with a carved top vilin, you are probably in for some sticker shock, but if your baby girl is serious, then buck up

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: Choosing a violin

This may be obvious, but playing harmonics on a violin really helps figure out whether it's got good tone or not. If she can find sweet, flute-like harmonics on all four strings, you're headed in the right direction.

Oh, look at the bridge from all angles. Is it straight up and down, or curved (bad)? Looking at the finish around the feet, has it been moved around (might not be a good sign if it has)?

They may have a good alternative today (as opposed to 30 years ago), but don't forget a good quality horsehair bow. It needs to feel right to her - balance as well as grip. If she likes the violin, she'll know.

+100 on carved top, BTW.

It just occurred to me, you might go over to the Musical Instrument Makers Forum (mimf.com) and try to find a small violin maker in your area. At the very least, they can tell you what to look for.

Chip

 

[Curly]

Re: Choosing a violin

here's a nice small violin place:
gianna's

 

[RevJToad]

Re: Choosing a violin

Mrs. Toad is a fiddler, and I bought her a nice one for xmas last year. What I did was called one of her more advanced fiddler friends (in secret) and had him come out with me for an afternoon to try things out. We ended up going way over my budget, from ~$600 to $1200, but got a very nice French violin which she's been very happy with.

Think of it this way - would you send a close friend/relative who doesn't play guitar to shop for a new guitar for you? Course not. You know, when you look at a guitar for the first time, to look at the pickups, to check the action, check for buzz, see if the neck is straight, see if the tuners are high or low ratio and whether they're nice and tight... people who don't play guitar see, as my friend's girlfriend put it when she had me pick out a guitar for him, "A piece of wood with a stick attached to it."

So what I would do is find an experienced player who can help you. If you don't know any players, call up your local "folkie" music shop, the small store that only sells acoustic instruments (if you've got one), and find out where the Irish musicians get together to jam, and go buy the best fiddler enough drinks so he drunkenly decides you're the best friend he's ever had, and then...

ok, farfetched. :> But see if you can find someone who knows the instrument to shop with you. There are nuances to the violin that take years to learn how to hear - it's the most harmonically rich instrument ever made, which is why it sounds so very terrible when played badly, and so amazing when played well.

 

[Sykes]

Re: Choosing a violin

Thanks guys! This is more response than I was expecting. I've learned much.

Here's a dumb question: what's the difference between a violin and a fiddle? I was told that a fiddle come in a gunny sack.
The reason I'm asking is that on sites, some say fiddle, some say violin, even on the same site.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Choosing a violin

No difference Fiddle or Violin. Fiddle players tend to live on farms, in trailers etc..Violinists come from upstanding gated communities.

I personally can't stand violin - viola on the other hand Ahhhhhhhhhh! This is sort of out there, but Yamaha (who has never made any poor instruments IMO) has some cool "silent" stuff You can amp it right up - a little 30 watt acoustic would do just fine!

And Chops...you get mellow w/ the cello?!?! LOVE Cello!!! My favorite strings. Played in college for a little bit...I need to get one again someday. even if you never play them, they just look cool! And babe with great legs trying it out - don't get me started.

 

[Curly]

Re: Choosing a violin

violins are strung with gut for playing classical music, and fiddles are strung with steel strings for playing ... well, fiddle music

I imagine there are more differences, such as the way they're set up, but the main difference other than strings is probably the style of music

if you follow the link I gave you, yes, they sell both

 

[jdm61]

Re: Choosing a violin

you play a violin under your chin......you play a fiddle lower down on your chest so you don't get tobaco spit on it

 

[Aceman]

Re: Choosing a violin

That's like saying you play jazz w/ 11's and rock with 9's. Or classical is on the left knee and rock is slung low. It's all guitar!