Violin Forum/Message Board

Dr. Strange · Junior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

I have seen that some of you suggest staying away from ebay but I really wanted some feedback on this violin. It is not mine! I am not selling it!I am interested in buying it because it is cheap and since I have never played a stringed instrument I don't want to cough up $200 if I can avoid it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250341794734&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

It says it has been set up. Now I intend to take lessons so I want to know if it will play or is it just total junk that will frustrate an instructor trying to give me lessons?

kel · Member Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 73 Location: Asia

US$53.99 for a 4/4 violin !!!
OH !
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Newbie Maker Kelvin

Dr. Strange · Junior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

Barry1963 · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:23 am Post subject:

I believe thats a Palintino , run as fast as you can from it. If your going to spend as little as possible,which I can understand, they arent giving money away. I would check craigslist for a used one locally. If you know someone that plays, take them with you.
look it over carefully for cracks in the body and around the peg box.
When you buy a violin online, youre taking a gamble, you may get a fair starting instrument, or it may be complete junk.

If you do buy one from online for $50, go buy some quality string right off. The ones that come on cheap factory violins are worthless.
Good luck in your search.

kel · Member Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 73 Location: Asia

my set of strings alone costs me more than 53 dollars !

as a beginner likely u don't need expensive strings

for a complete set of violin that the seller is asking 53 something
i'd bet its sound could be terrible unless there is a miracle

can u borrow one from someone? i have several at home with different grading.

Once u can confirm your interest to play violin for a long time for at least a yr , get a better one let's say $200 to $400
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Newbie Maker Kelvin

dinga · Junior Member Joined: 02 Jan 2009 Posts: 14 Location: USA

For $53, I would go for it. Case itself would sell at over $20.
Once you get advanced and notice its poor quality you can upgrade. You can either resell it or keep it for backup or for experimenting bridge setup, string changes, peg changes, ..., or even you can try refinishing it.
You would be able to get at least $30 or even more Shocked

if you resell it, so your loss would be minimum.

Dr. Strange · Junior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

Thank you all for the advice. I'm going to kick it around a bit more and check out craigslist, but I still may end up giving the el cheapo a try unless I stumble across a better option.

Shirley · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject:

Dr. S - now that you have a teacher, have you asked him his thoughts? The expense of getting the $53 (plus shipping charges) fiddle ready to play (set up, strings, etc.,) will be more than renting a decent student instrument for a few months, after which Mr. Haning could advise you.

ALSO, it is possible that your teacher would be willing to lend you, or rent to you at minimal cost, a violin that he would be willing to teach you on. More than one teacher has absolutely declined to work with a student with an undesirable instrument.

As with your experiences with your new teacher, please do keep us informed about your violin decision - we give advice, but it is up to you to decide of course - and the best of luck to you in your quest!!

Shirley

Dr. Strange · Junior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

I ordered the cheapy, I let him know I want him to look it over. After looking at the sellers feedback on ebay, I found that literally thousands of people bought this violin and very few had any complaints. Most complaints were about broken hairs or shipping took forever. There were several people claiming to be instructors that gave very positive feedback on the instruments sound and quality for the price. I decided to take the risk.

If it turns out to be junk then I will rent an instrument from Jarrod or one of the music stores until my taxes come back, then I will ask his help in selecting a student violin.

After looking at the reviews though, I do believe it will work well enough to be tutored. I will update this after it arrives.

Shirley · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject:

Dr. S ~ It does sound good! I will look forward to your further reports!

Shirley

Dr. Strange · Junior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

I just wanted to stop in and update this. It arrived today, UPS really destroyed the box it was in. It was ripped, wrinkled and crushed over every square inch. I literally looked at the UPS guy and said "are you serious" to which he replied "I'm going to put it down as a retape" I walked away with my crumpled box.

The good news is the case was apparently quite sturdy and the violin was in great shape. I opened it and it looked nice, I was still unsure of the quality so I rushed over to the local music store and had them tune it. The gentleman that helped me looked it over and said it was nice. I asked if I needed to change the strings or the bridge and he said no, they looked right to him. He was certain that I could take lessons with it.

It sounds like a violin to my untrained ear but I'm going to let my instructor tell me his thoughts before I can positively give this thing a thumbs up as a starter violin. Perhaps the music store guy was just being kind. I will update after my first lesson on Friday. Wish me luck.

caeman · Member Joined: 11 Dec 2008 Posts: 143

Or maybe the music store guy understands that not every violin is a strat. We all have to start somewhere.

Dr. Strange · Junior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 20

Okay, so I went to my first lesson tonight. My teacher looked over my violin and he was amazed that it had real purfling and said that for $50 it was awesome. He wants me to get nylon core strings because he prefers them but he said my steel strings were good. I am ecstatic that the instrument is playable and my teacher approves of it.