Violin Forum/Message Board

[pizzazzman2000]

Hello,

I am about to start learning the violin, for the first time here in India, and I would appreciate your kind and valuable advice on an issue which is very important to me.

To start with my question is simple: What is the best brand (i.e. manufacturer and model) of violin (full size) for a beginner?



In order to help you understand the scenario I am in, please consider the following points:

1. Since I am a beginner, I was advised by many, not to buy an expensive violin. Rather, as is the trend with most beginners, I have decided to buy a cheap violin.Then, as time progresses, say after a couple of years, I will switch to a better and more expensive violin.

2. I do not know which is better - a machine-made violin, or a hand-made violin.

3. Since I am inexperienced, I do not know the criteria based on which, i should choose a violin.

4. Here in India, the only foreign makes of violin available are Granada (made in China), and Hofner (made in Germany).

5. You also get a lot of assembled violins here, and the parts are imported from China and assembled here.



How should I choose which violin to buy? One teacher told me to buy the Granada MV888 violin which costs about 4900 rupees ( = 65 pounds sterling). Another teacher told me to buy a handmade violin (with all parts imported from China but assembled in India) for 7000 rupees ( = 93 pounds sterling). In fact, very interestingly, he (the other teacher) told me that this handmade violin was superior to the Granada violin simply because, with age and usage, it would become seasoned and finetuned. Hence it was worth paying the extra 2100 rupees.

I also was told that a hand-made violin would be better, because each individual constituent part is chosen carefully, so that the violin would be made of the best materials.

Bearing all this information in mind, how would you recommend I choose a beginners violin?

- Is going for the 7000 rupee assembled violin (or any assembled violin, for that matter) the best option? Or should I go for the cheapest Hofner violin available? Or even the 4900 rupee Granada violin?

Your kind advice would be highly appreciated.

[Benedict White]

Do you know any one who can play the violin?

If so get them to come with you and try out the violins.

I no nothing of the violins of which you speak so can't comment. In general though violins tend to be put together by hand, how well is always the question.

[Benedict White]

Oh, and for US and Canadian readers, 1 GBP is $1.61

So when he says £65, (Sterling) that is $105 approx and £93 is £150.

[FiddleDoug]

Those are both very inexpensive violins. The construction, set-up, and types of strings are all very important to the way a violin plays and sounds. I don't think that any of us can help you, because we don't have the instruments in front of us to examine and play. Even pictures wouldn't help. Your best bet is to play both, or have your teacher play both, and see which is best.
_________________
Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

[bata]

Hi pizzazzman2000,
As FiddleDoug has stated these are both cheap violins that you are looking at. IMO a lot of students make the mistake of buying the cheapest violin they can find and then wonder why they sound terrible and are difficult to play and keep in tune. Cheap violins come with a host of deficiencies:- lack of tone, slipping pegs, ill fitted bridge, plastic fittings, ill fitted soundpost etc etc. You should also bear in mind that if you are hoping to sell your cheap violin and then upgrade to a nicer instrument, the resale value of your violin will be next to zero. So that could be $150.00 down the drain.
My advice, FWIW, is to buy the most expensive violin that you can reasonably afford. I am affraid that for $150 you are not going to get much of an instrument.
You mention that you know two violin teachers. Do they rent out violins? If they do, that might be the way to go. Rent an instrument for a while, a year or so, to see if you like it and plan to stay with it, and then think about putting out some serious money for a decent violin.
Regards....Tony

[Benedict White]

Bata, what you don't mention is that the price someone is asking does not necessarily reflect the value.

You can buy a $1000 violin from anywhere between $50 and $10,000 if you pay the sellers price.

The only way to tell is to play it.

[bata]

Hi Benedict,
I dont have to hear a new $100 violin, off of the shelf, to know what it sounds like. Lets face it, if they were any good they would be charging a lot more than $100.
I agree that the price someone is asking does not necessarily reflect the true value and bargains have certainly been had. I dont personally know of any $1000 violins being bought for $50.00 though or anyone paying $10,000 for a $1000 instrument.
Most of the time you get what you pay for and of course it is always "Buyer Beware"

[mr_violin]

I would take the advice of the second teacher.

All the violins are hand made, so that means nothing.

It is the hands that make it that make the difference!

A good violin maker could take the same parts made in China and make a much better violin than the factory that the parts were made in could do with the same parts.

So if the teacher knows a good maker that is using parts from China.
If you can afford it, buy that one.

Just my thoughts, Good Luck
Larry Lewis

[pizzazzman2000]

Hey everyone...

Thanks so much for your valuable responses...

I would like to comment that the combined information from all of you is priceless!

Thanks so much for taking the time to think about this and guide me....
I am extremely grateful to all of you

Cheers.