News by E-mail

Ebay Violins?

August 6, 2006 at 4:41 AM

I have never personally tried or heard an ebay violin but I was interested in having on as a spare. In case something like my recent tragity happened during the concert season. Does anyone have one? How does it sound. Is it an ok Begginner bow? I was thinking of buying one also because I am in need of a new case and buying that is the cheapest way to get a good case, and a bow and a spare instrument never hurts.
*Violins Make the World go Round*

From Mario Arango
Posted on August 6, 2006 at 8:05 AM

Hey I got a violin from e bay and I am satisfied with it. I paid 800 dollars for it and it ended up being worth 1000. Now Im not saying that everyone is going to get that lucky but if you really want one you should look for someone that does allow returns......they are rare but they exist ^_^ Good Luck!

From Ben Clapton
Posted on August 6, 2006 at 8:42 AM

basically, like anything, do your research. Ask as many questions as possible - does it come with a certificate of authentification? If you're paying over about $500, you definately better make sure they have a returns policy. Under $500, you can probably get a similar quality one in a shop for about the same price.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on August 6, 2006 at 5:46 PM

I have had good experience buying beginner level violins which sound decent -- better than intolerable but not really good -- on ebay. They are made by a violin maker in China, Zhang SM (wsh519). I use them for beginning students or as knockabouts for myself, i.e., when I'm playing an outdoor gig or going camping. I researched them pretty well. Zhang has been reviewed favorably by Strings, and one of my adult beginners has a couple of violins made by him. As a rough indication of worth, a couple of Zhang's violins have been assessed by a reputable local luthier at $600-$700.

I sympathize with your need. What have you found about insurance?

From Luis Pernalete
Posted on August 6, 2006 at 6:47 PM

Richard i just buy 2 Zhang Shu Mei in Ebay. One is a 1985 Masterpice ($1600), great instrument, with excellent sound and better craftmanship.
Another one no arrive yet but is a 2005 Soloist ($ 700) with good feed back.
i email weekly to Andrew Wong who live in Hong Kong and is the seller, he say that he come to China and buy near 10 ZSM monthly from the luthier workshop, Andrew is a good person, honest and highly recomendable seller.

From Richard Hellinger
Posted on August 7, 2006 at 12:41 AM

I havent found a great insurance deal yet.. I cant believe how much insurance can cost, Im not insuring a car i am insuring a violin you know?

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on August 7, 2006 at 7:42 AM

I have one of ZSM's cheapest violins, but I have played one of his more expensive ones, and it's good. I learned about these violins from one of my adult students, who is originally from Hong Kong. He also speaks directly to the seller in Taiwan. I think he gets the inside story because he speaks Chinese.

From Luis Pernalete
Posted on August 7, 2006 at 8:07 PM

Hi Paline, i guess that yoa are wrong, ZSM live and work in a small town near Beijing, are there some sellers that come to his workshop in Chine and dell thois violin, in Hong Kong, Taiwan and England. My ZSM´s was send me from Hong Kong and arrives to Venezuela near 1 month, but to arrive in 1 week, say Andrew Wong to me, i guess that is a good option, my luthier experiment with mi Masterpiece, at last with Evah Pirazzi and a good bow, sound like a $4000 american or german good violin.

From Luis Pernalete
Posted on August 7, 2006 at 8:13 PM

One week to USA

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on August 8, 2006 at 6:38 AM

Here is a correction for you, Luis. My student speaks or emails directly to the seller in Hong Kong.

I'm glad to hear that other people have had good experiences with ZSM's violins. Has anybody tried one of his bows? I believe that he also makes and sells bows.

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Search Violinist.com

About Richard

Richard Hellinger is from Shortsville, New York. Biography

to Richard Hellinger

Subscribe in a reader

Blog Archive

2009: Jun.

2008: Dec. Feb.

2007: Nov. Oct. Sep. Aug. Jul. Jun. May Apr. Mar. Feb. Jan.

2006: Dec. Nov. Oct. Sep. Aug. Jul. Jun. May

Become a Fan

Be a fan on