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Eileen Geriak

Looking for a knock around violin.....Zhang SM violins ?

September 3, 2006 at 1:20 AM

I've been glancing around ebay at the violins for sale there....mostly junk, but once in awhile something shows up that looks interesting.

I'm trying to find an inexpensive fiddle for just knocking around/traveling with....something that's not too expensive, yet not a complete piece of junk either...(yeah I know...you get what you pay for)...maybe that's asking alot, I don't know.

I've been looking at these "Zhang" violins on ebay. Does anyone know anything about them ? I guess they're made in Hong Kong. They usually end up selling for less than $300.00. They look a bit better than the usual offering there...but you can't really tell much from just pics.

The thought of traveling all over the state answering adds checking out violins for sale doesn't appeal to me much...especially since this will just be a backup. I thought if anyone here had any experience or has heard anything good/bad about them....it would help me decide if I should risk purchasing one or not....they have 100% positive feedback.....but alot of the buyers are the same outfits, probably dealers...

Oh well, just thought I would ask.....Thanks !

From Richard Hellinger
Posted on September 3, 2006 at 2:02 AM
Shar, Johnson string instruments, the international violin company and many more offer violins under $300 that are very nice and are great for their price. From Richard Hellinger
Posted on September 3, 2006 at 2:02 AM
Shar, Johnson string instruments, the international violin company and many more offer violins under $300 that are very nice and are great for their price. Woodwind and brasswind Also offers very good, and inexpensive instruments (I think the brand is Bellafina, great company). I have delt with some stuff from ebay and I don't trust instruments from there.
From Eileen Geriak
Posted on September 3, 2006 at 2:19 AM
Thanks Richard, I know what you mean about ebay.....sometimes I can't help lookin though...haha..

I had heard a few good things about the Zhang violins, but still uneasy about chancing it. I'll try checking out the sites you mentioned and just keep looking for some recommendations from those who would know. Thanks again ! :)

From Richard Hellinger
Posted on September 3, 2006 at 4:27 AM
lol, I know i cant help peeking once in a while though either. But I have got some good strings and acessories off ebay though. But I wouldn't chance the $300. Thats just me though.
From Pauline Lerner
Posted on September 3, 2006 at 6:21 AM
Several people here on v.com have discussed this on more than one place on v.com and wee have collectively given a lot of good advice based on personal experience. http://www.violinist.com/blog/jthomas/20064/4880/ This is just one example. I strongly suggest that you search on v.com for such information before posting a question. That's why the Nileses put a link that says SEARCH at the top of each page.
From Eileen Geriak
Posted on September 3, 2006 at 11:30 AM
Thanks for the suggestion Pauline, sorry for taking up space here.......
From Luis Pernalete
Posted on September 3, 2006 at 5:24 PM
Hi Eileen, i just bought two of this ZSM, one is a masterpiece ($1.600), the another one is a basic ZSM ($350), both are really good violin for the price and i have a good comunication with the ebay seller (Andrew Wong who live in Hong Kong).
He is a honest person and help me so much due in my country is really difficult find a good instrument, then i heard good news about new chinese luthiers and im really happy with this ZSM.
I apologize for my bad english.

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