What 1/16 Violin would you recommend?

July 20, 2010 at 11:18 PM ·

I have no experience at all with small instruments, but these guys tend to come well-recommended, and I like the normal-size viola I have from them:

http://www.violinslover.com/violins1_16.php

July 20, 2010 at 11:33 PM ·

I recommend the Eastman violins. I have had a number of students buy  them in the smallest sizes and the sound is quite satisfying. 

July 21, 2010 at 02:07 PM ·

Carol,

About the Eastman 1/6, would you recommend any model in particular?

July 21, 2010 at 03:06 PM ·

I've had students with both the 100 and 200 models.  The 200 is the better of the two if you're willing to pay a bit more.              

July 22, 2010 at 02:52 AM ·

Hi Marc,

I think it is less important WHAT you buy, than WHO you buy it from.  What I mean is, no kid is going to play a 1/16 violin for very long.  So, look for a decent instrument, but even more important, get it from a shop with a good trade in policy.  Like yourself, I live in the DC area and I was so disappointed with the trade in policy of the local shop that I ended up going out of state to get my son's 1/8 violin.  Here's a thread I started about it.

Should I buy or rent

The shop I chose has a true 100% trade in policy.  I got my son a Klier, which is a nice hand made German instrument (about $1100 including bow and case).  When I upgrade to 1/4 size, the price difference will be about $20, so I will send the whole outfit back, (bow, case and all) and they will ship me a 1/4 for about $20 plus shipping.  You can't beat it.  And they have a nice selection of professional instruments ($10K and up) so one day, I may take advantage of a trade in to get a pro instrument for my son. 

Another instrument you might want to consider is Rudoulf Doetsch.  They are also nice handmade instruments.  I think they used to be made in Germany, but now they are made in China.

July 22, 2010 at 03:47 AM ·

 thanks for the info Smiley but i'm in a particular situation. I already have a set of 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 and i have 2 other children who want to play like their brother so i won't need to trade any violin any time soon :-)

Also when my son started i was interested by the trade-in policy but I realized that my boy was not very careful and as such i preferred take a chance with a used violin and just write if off in order to enjoy seeing him playing rather then worrying about the value of the violin. I was very lucky as my choice went on a Scott Cao. What is special about his fractional violins is that they have a larger body and a smaller neck. This does not change anything for the posture but gives the violin a bigger sound than similar sized violin. I noticed it when i wanted to buy a higher quality violin. We went to try a 3 times more expensive Doetsch violin and it had a more tiny sound than the Scott Cao. I believe i have answered my own question. 

July 22, 2010 at 08:34 PM ·

Hi Marc,

Just like full sized instruments, every fractional is different.  My son had a wonderful Doetsch before he got the Klier, but we tried other Doetsch's that did not sound nearly as nice as his.  I don't know the price on the Cao, but if you find a good one, then you should go for it.  Chinese labor is so cheap, it is hard for the rest of the world to compete; especially when it comes to labor intensive goods.  Best of luck in your search.