***CJ*** (nbr)

MrsAJL

I thought I'd read somewhere in a post that you are a violinist.  I am, too. I've recently began playing again with the violin I started on about 20 years ago. 

I'm in the market for a new one and was wondering what you play and your thoughts on its sound, feel, etc.  I was at Violins Etc. today and I have something in mind, but I thought I'd ask some one who wasn't trying to sell me one.

TIA!

cookie1and2

butting in....

I've heard great things about stringworks dot com 

CollieJade

Cool that you play!  I haven't played in YEARS in all honesty, so I probably have forgotten all the important factors about buying a violin.

I play a German one but I can't recall the maker. I'd have to pull it out to check.  I used to buy all my violins from Robertson and Sons based in Albuquerque, NM, and they have a wonderful approval system where they'll ship you an instrument with bow at no cost to you for you to try it out.  Failing that, I'd check with Blackerby Violin shop here in Austin.  I trust them a little more than Violins Etc.

There's a violin maker in the hill country somewhere that I've heard makes exceptional instruments, but I don't know the price range.

As far as chosing an instrument, honestly, just pick one YOU like the sound of and that you seem to bond with. I always purchased used, because I felt that the used ones were more "broken in."  New instruments just sound really tinny to me.  German and Italian instruments are generally of higher quality, but there are some really excellent Asian-made instruments.  I owned a Suzuki once that was great!  So unless you are purchasing for an investment or were a virtuoso performer, I really don't think you can go wrong by just buying an instrument that you like without too much regard to the maker.   And if by chance you ARE a virtuoso and want to purchase for investment and prestige, well...you can see if Joshua Bell wants to sell his Strad to you, because that's about the only instrument I've ever lusted after!

MrsAJL

CollieJade:

Cool that you play!  I haven't played in YEARS in all honesty, so I probably have forgotten all the important factors about buying a violin.

I play a German one but I can't recall the maker. I'd have to pull it out to check.  I used to buy all my violins from Robertson and Sons based in Albuquerque, NM, and they have a wonderful approval system where they'll ship you an instrument with bow at no cost to you for you to try it out.  Failing that, I'd check with Blackerby Violin shop here in Austin.  I trust them a little more than Violins Etc.

There's a violin maker in the hill country somewhere that I've heard makes exceptional instruments, but I don't know the price range.

As far as chosing an instrument, honestly, just pick one YOU like the sound of and that you seem to bond with. I always purchased used, because I felt that the used ones were more "broken in."  New instruments just sound really tinny to me.  German and Italian instruments are generally of higher quality, but there are some really excellent Asian-made instruments.  I owned a Suzuki once that was great!  So unless you are purchasing for an investment or were a virtuoso performer, I really don't think you can go wrong by just buying an instrument that you like without too much regard to the maker.   And if by chance you ARE a virtuoso and want to purchase for investment and prestige, well...you can see if Joshua Bell wants to sell his Strad to you, because that's about the only instrument I've ever lusted after!

Except I think I'd rather just have Joshua Bell over his Strad any day!  Thanks for the info.  Any particular reason you like Blackerby over Violins Etc?  IF you would rather, you can e-mail me that info: gloria dot litt at gmail dot com.

CollieJade

I guess I just have more experience with Blackerby's and I always felt like they were much more knowledgeable about instruments than Violins Etc. I actually had a client several years ago that worked at Violins Etc and I was NOT impressed with her at all.  She just seemed like a dumb college kid to me and she didn't really seem to have a very deep knowledge, nor did it seem like she really cared that much about what she did.  Like I said it was years ago so I'm sure she no longer works there, but it just sorta rubbed me the wrong way, and since I'd had a lot more experience with Blackerby's I just kept going there.

Ohhh I would SO take Joshua Bell any day!!  I have repeatedly said to DH jokingly (sort of) that he'd be my celebrity screw.  I think I might leave DH for him should he ever come calling....lol.