Nick (LUCAS) Comstock wrote: Is there any difference been a violin and a fiddle?
Arguably, the bridge curvature.
Nick (LUCAS) Comstock wrote: Is there any difference been a violin and a fiddle?
Arguably, the bridge curvature.
My almost-7yo daughter has been playing a little 1/4 size for about a year. Her instructor recommended this $150 violin to start. It has served her well.
XLR99 wrote: My daughter started playing this year at 12. It's definitely challenging! Her school offers orchestra starting in 6th grade. We rent a violin from a local shop; there are about four music shops that cover the local school. Based on what I've experienced this year, I'd agree to do things in a structured way either via school or private lessons. We also have a violin supposedly used by a family member playing in the CLE symphony in the 20-40s that I had been hoping to get playable for her when she needs a full size instrument. Interesting info, wearymicrobe; I doubt it's been played in the last 40-50 years at least; my mom used it for a few years in the 50-60s (?).
It will be fine. You might need to have the bow rehaired though and a quick look over by a luthier.
FYI Have it appraised before you hand it off to someone young they can go for a surprising amount of money from that era if it was from a American/European maker of some skill.
I recently had a violin that has been in my family for over 100 years restored by a luthier who is a family friend. Ended up being a no-name german instrument, but plays better than what was my instrument purchased while in school. The old wood can have surprising qualities.
If there are cracks or splits you will need a luthier to look it over, they can do surprising things.
Old bows MAY be cheaper to replace than to rehair, mine advised me to just replace the one that was with mine.
Apexcarver wrote: I recently had a violin that has been in my family for over 100 years restored by a luthier who is a family friend. Ended up being a no-name german instrument, but plays better than what was my instrument purchased while in school. The old wood can have surprising qualities. If there are cracks or splits you will need a luthier to look it over, they can do surprising things. Old bows MAY be cheaper to replace than to rehair, mine advised me to just replace the one that was with mine.
This is pretty common actually. The hairs start to split on one side and the bow takes a curve and sets over time. A good bow is surprisingly cheap. FYI smell the hair on the bow if it smells like peanut butter or rancid the hair is dead, if it is curved to the side from the frog in most cases it is dead.
I always thought there was too much violins in the media today. Just look at the movies. Dead Pool, now there's some serious violins in that one. Like the DE's though, even if the 50 has to be shot with both hands in real life or it won't cycle.
wearymicrobe wrote:XLR99 wrote: My daughter started playing this year at 12. It's definitely challenging! Her school offers orchestra starting in 6th grade. We rent a violin from a local shop; there are about four music shops that cover the local school. Based on what I've experienced this year, I'd agree to do things in a structured way either via school or private lessons. We also have a violin supposedly used by a family member playing in the CLE symphony in the 20-40s that I had been hoping to get playable for her when she needs a full size instrument. Interesting info, wearymicrobe; I doubt it's been played in the last 40-50 years at least; my mom used it for a few years in the 50-60s (?).It will be fine. You might need to have the bow rehaired though and a quick look over by a luthier. FYI Have it appraised before you hand it off to someone young they can go for a surprising amount of money from that era if it was from a American/European maker of some skill.
Thanks! My plan was to take it to someone in the know anyway. My assumption is that it's good quality but nothing exceptional or valuable, but it would be cool to be wrong.
The body looks good but the hair on the bows is all over the place, the bridge is missing, and she told me something else is missing as well.
XLR, mine wasnt really worth anything other than sentiment, so you have the right approach.
There is perhaps nothing so soothing as to listen to the sweet music of a fine string instrument.
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