Where should I buy my Violin

Edited: May 18, 2017, 5:06 AM · Lots of options, including online at locations such as Shar, Gliga, Fiddlerman, etc, but the most dominant answer you're going to get, and one I agree with, is to go to those stores and anywhere else near you (including any chains) and just give them a try.

If you can't play well enough to be confident in a selection have someone come with you who is, or inquire of their staff. From a cursory examination the two locations you listed appear to cater to more professional grade players look for concert level instruments, and not instruments for beginners or early intermediates.

At that price range you're still likely looking at factory type instruments, such as your Brecker, a Gliga, or Chinese. There might be some good deals on antiques but I wouldn't hold out for it in that price range. Anything you get likely will not be much better than a factory instrument unless you believe in the myth that older is automatically better.

Let your fingers and ears guide you and get some wood under them.

Maybe someone more in tune with the American market can offer a better answer. I noticed earlier that Paul Deck is from that area, and has been in the violin world for quite some time. Maybe he will be by and offer some better advice :)

Edited: May 18, 2017, 5:22 AM · Skip the websites. They never have all their inventory there. Go to the shops and see what they have. The only way you can look at is is that it'll be a fun outing trying violins and trolling violin shops even if you come back empty-handed. If you allow yourself to clench up and get frustrated, nothing will go well after that.

Especially, consignment violins may not be advertised online.

Your price range screams "Chinese violin." There are other options like older German instruments that have been reconditioned, etc., but those will be harder to find.

There are a few shops in Richmond as well. I bought a violin for my daughter from Jan Hampton, and I have been to Jane Kapeller's a couple of times. (Don Leister makes violins but hey are not in your price range.) Those are all reputable businesses. Make a vacation of it and tour the Virginia State Capitol - that's quite an interesting tour. Richmond was more of a drive for me as I live in Blacksburg.

I actually have never been to Potter's but my best violin has been there and back -- thanks to UPS. Potter's put PegHeds into it and gave it a professional cleaning. They were easy to work with and they did a great job.

May 18, 2017, 5:27 AM · Hi Paul. When you say the price range of $1-2k screams chinese violin, does that mean anything older non-chinese violin at that price range are no good? I live in Canada and have seen (not a lot) older non-chinese labelled violins being sold for approx $2k (CDN currency). Are these no good compared to chinese violins at that price range? Mind you I haven't seen it a lot but if I am in the market of purchasing a violin at that price should I even bother waiting for the shop to get something like that again or go for a chinese violin instead?

May 18, 2017, 5:29 AM · All the shops in this area should have plenty of inventory in the $1k-$2k range. They don't bother to list it on their website, for the most part.

I'd recommend starting with Brobst, just because it's in Alexandria and it's closest to you. Next, Potter's in Takoma Park because they're the largest shop. And then Gailes in College Park, which caters to the student population. Then Weaver's in Bethesda specifically for their Kono violins. Finally Lashof's in Gaithersburg (good prices, less skilled service). If, between all that, there's nothing you like, go up to Baltimore and visit Perrin's.

All of those primary focus on the student trade, though Potter's and Brobst also deal in higher-end stuff.

In your price range, you might also try Craigslist.

May 18, 2017, 6:51 AM · I have a student playing on a Kono violin--it's very nice, but I think it is slightly out of the OP's stated price range.

Fun facts: my first professional violin came from Weaver, and the founder of Lashof's was my standpartner for a year in youth orchestra. I think he sold the business, though.

Paul and Lydia give good advice.

May 18, 2017, 7:45 AM · Oy vey. Let's not start a debate on Chinese violins please ;)

May 18, 2017, 10:35 AM · Yeah, the Kono is a little bit more expensive but close enough to be worth looking at unless $2k is a hard cap.

In the $1k-2k range, look at everything regardless of brand, origin, etc. They're all pretty much workshop instruments, regardless of when and where they were made.

May 18, 2017, 12:07 PM · If Brobst is close to you, then I would definitely start there. I bought my current violin there and had a wonderful experience. They only list their better models on the website, but their inventory is fairly extensive. I have purchased bows from Potters, and a viola from Weavers. Both give great customer service.

As Paul mentioned, Jan Hampton in Richmond has a number of instruments in your price range. I have bought a viola and a cello from them and have been very happy with my purchases and service. I was not as happy with my experience at Kapellers, but they do have a lot of inventory.

Good luck in your search.

May 18, 2017, 12:34 PM · Okey dokey then thanks for the advice guys I'll go to Brobst or Potter's in the summer since right now I still need my violin for school concerts and since I need a new violin to try out for the Youths Orchestra next year if I can I'll see if I can go to one of the farther places but I'll most likely stick with Brobst and Potters. But if I up my price range to $3000 would manufactured/Chinese violins still be better or can I get a decent vintage or antique violin?

May 18, 2017, 1:00 PM · Look at everything in your price range without regard to brand, origin, etc. You'll see mostly workshop instruments in the $5k-and-below range, whether those violins are old or new. (At $4k+ you start seeing some apprentice-made fully-handmade instruments.)

Condition is obviously not a factor in new instruments, but it's a factor in older instruments -- you do need to look at repairs in older instruments (how major the damage was, how good the repair is, how stable the repair is, etc.).

May 19, 2017, 12:55 AM · You should get a decent mirecourt old instrument for this price

Edited: May 19, 2017, 6:02 AM · Yes there are old Mirecourt and other European instruments. Everyone says they should be in the $1000 to $2000 price range. Yet strangely when I go to shops the only examples of that type of violin that I can find under $2000 look like they've seen a lot of surgery (repaired belly cracks and the like). The 1895 German instrument that I bought for my daughter was in great shape and it's a nice-sounding violin. I considered it for myself -- I paid $3500 for it at Jan Hampton Violins in Richmond. Maybe that's just because I haven't been to shops in areas like NoVa/DC where there is more inventory and likely more competition among shops. (Thanks to Lydia for the more complete list.) And maybe I overpaid. If so, then oh well.

May 19, 2017, 6:39 AM · Not all older instruments are in the $1,000-2,000 range, but many of them are. I have an OK one in the middle of that range, but the ones I play often are between $3,000-$6,000. However, I have a German violin made in 2015 that I really like that wasn't much more than $2,000 so I wouldn't rule out new instruments.

May 19, 2017, 7:20 AM · AT my shop I have a JTL Celebre Vosgien Mirecourt violin with no cracks for $1000. Depends where you shop. I suspect many of the bigger shops overprice their student antiques just to make their new Chinese violins seem worth the price.

May 19, 2017, 7:39 AM · Lyndon, I agree it depends where you shop, but lots of folks have to plan expensive travel and time off work to get to just a few decent violin shops in their region. And about that Mirecourt violin that you've got for $1000, how long has that been in your inventory at that price? Shouldn't it be flying off the shelf?

Edited: May 19, 2017, 7:58 AM · To be honest with you I don't have a lot of customers right now, and I have quite a few $1000-$1500 violins, the JTL is just one example. Ever since Trump entered the picture, my business has been slow. He's definitely not regenerating my segment of the economy. My friend that deals in the high end violins is doing OK though. This is an economy only favouring the upper class. Middle class people are holding on to what little money they have.

May 19, 2017, 8:12 AM · I have no trouble selling my violins if I get customers in the door looking for an instrument, the trouble is getting them in the door, I'm a long way from Los Angeles (70 miles) and the local schools are all cutting back on classical music programmes.

Edited: May 19, 2017, 8:18 AM · It doesn't help when violinist.com posters post stuff about $300 Such and Such Internet Chinese violin sounding as good as any $2000 violin, for one thing its just not true, and any of these $300 violins would need about $200 of set up to sell at my store, all my instruments have very professional set up on bridge, soundpost, fingerboard and pegs.

May 19, 2017, 12:31 PM · Anne, Stop it.

Edited: May 19, 2017, 7:58 PM · Anne quit trolling.

So far your contribution has been to recommend everyone buy a new Chinese violin on the internet from Fiddlerman. Violins which I might add are not even set up properly to the high standards of every violin I sell in my shop.

Edited: May 19, 2017, 12:50 PM · Thank you, Lyndon. This is the second time I have seen this kind of deprecatory comment about you from Anne. It is quite impolite.

May 19, 2017, 7:10 PM · In this area, the $1k-2k inventory is going to move pretty fast, I think. That's casual beginner territory in this area, and I don't think that any shopper is going to luck into an awesome, low-cost instrument that has been sitting unnoticed in a shop for the last year. The best instruments are going to be sold out of the inventory extremely quickly, in this price range, but since there's plenty of flow of inventory through the shops, you might also be able to snag something that's just come in.

Edited: May 19, 2017, 7:49 PM · Lyndon,

I mean if you try 100 $300 Chinese instruments you're going to get one that sounds like a $2,000+ instrument. Sometimes everything does fall together.

But who has that kind of sitting inventory of $300 instruments and who has that kind of time. If you value your time at all you'll try 3 or 4 and (unless you hit the 1/100) say 'okay these are not for me' and grab something else to try. I wouldn't worry so much about the effects on the more traditional violin trade, because unless the instruments really are consistently that good they're not going to replace it any time soon - let people recommend them and if they ever do get that consistent in quality then perhaps a paradigm shift is in order.

The people that are buying them likely aren't able to afford what you're offering and belong to a different market segment. Even when they can afford to purchase a more expensive instrument, what fair rationale to the customer is there to limit their options. The best product will speak for itself - as you said, when you can get them through the door your product sells it self.

It's a lot like Fords and Lincolns. Because Ford has great options at a lower price doesn't mean less Buicks are sold - the people that can afford and want a Lincoln are still going to buy one. But if the only acceptable car on the market is a Lincoln, then the people who can't afford a Lincoln suddenly are not able to have a car. Maybe better for the environment, but not the people who need to get to work, class, the hospital, etc, without major disposable incomes.

Edited: May 19, 2017, 7:53 PM · I'll stick with my vintage Volvo!!

I guess by your analogy if you try 100 Ford Fiestas, you're going to find one that performs like a Ferrari!!

May 19, 2017, 7:49 PM · Haha! Yes! Nothing wrong with that at all good sir!

Edited: May 19, 2017, 8:02 PM · No Lyndon, the difference is a 50hp engine is still a 50hp engine - there is a mechanical limitation.

With workshop made instruments there are too many variables - you work on instruments so you know that simple having a different person carve a part can have a huge effect on just about everything. It is more likely that once in awhile that by fluke all the pieces are produced and assembled in just the right way to make a high quality instrument. It won't happen often, but it can happen. On the other hand, my little Hyundai's engine can't suddenly mutate to have an additional 8 cylinders ;)

Although if it had a real frame it might be fun to put a sports engine into her!

Edited: May 19, 2017, 8:39 PM · Lyndon I agree with you. Honestly I wonder if you should just triple your prices. Then the trip from LA would be "worthwhile" and youd be tapping a wealthier clientele where you feel there is more activity.

Edited: May 19, 2017, 9:31 PM · Michael, I don't buy into that logic, if you make 100 crappy violins(with crappy wood, crappy varnish, crappy graduations), they are going to be crappy violins, to get a great one you have to make it well and use the best materials IMHO

If you started with the highest quality aged tonewood and good varnish, I could concede you might have a good violin that doesn't look so well made, some 100 year old production violins can sound quite good, even though they look really cheap, largely because they used relatively good wood and varnish, and were put together by someone that understood tone more than perfect looks. Cheaper Chinese violins tend to be just the opposite, they get the looks quite well, but not the tone, because they use cheap materials and the makers know more about looks than they do about tone.

May 19, 2017, 9:38 PM · Paul while I respect your sentiment, tripling my prices would not be a recipe for success in my area!! Although I do do quite a bit of wholesaling to high end stores that are going to sell the violins for triple what I sell them for, pays the bills when the local business is slow.

Edited: May 19, 2017, 11:36 PM · Anne the idea that Modern Chinese violins have a better resale value than similarly price antiques is just ridiculous. Antiques hold ther value or appreciate. All these "top" name Chinese violins people are recommending show up on ebay for 1/2 or 1/3 of what they sell for new, even the Jay Haide instruments.

Under $1000 antiques kind of covers most violins with a Stradivari or Guarneri label, not to mention Stainer or Schweitzer, they can be fixed up professionally with new German strings etc for about $200, by which time they are in better playing condition than 95% of these Chinese imports. Whether you like the sound of an affordable antique over similarly priced new Chinese is a decision that should be left up to the customer, not decided by internet luminati.

May 21, 2017, 1:53 AM · Modern Chinese violins will have very little resale value if you try to sell them through a shop. Why would they want to re-sell a Chinese violin for you, that they bought for $200 then sold for 2K? They have made their profit on that one already. A private sale would be the answer.
One the other hand, an old German or French violin, has the advantage of 100+ years of playing to mature the tone, and will have a better resale prospect.
Which sounds better? It depends on the individual instrument.

Cheers Carlo

May 21, 2017, 2:03 AM · I might add that I have seen at least the same amount of really crappy old Germans than modern chinese. Here in Germany they are literaly everywhere and they have no value here. People know most of them are crap and the value is at the bottom, even if its a decend one. Its not harder to sell a chinese here than a Schönbach.
Generalization wont work here.
I cannot agree they knew what they did in general. I can even show you some with fake bassbar or a bassbar with 1.5mm thickness. All of them I got for free, because they are useless.

Edited: May 21, 2017, 2:23 AM · Integral bassbar is not a sign of cheapness, but rather was standard practice going back to the 1700s in Saxon violins, even the highest quality ones, not to say that some were not cheaply made. I disagree that the overall level of Markneukirchen/Schoenbach violins is lower than Modern Chinese, the cheapest Chinese are selling for about $30-100, these violins usually aren't even playable, at least you can play on a cheap Markneukirchen/Schoenbach violin.

May 21, 2017, 3:18 AM · "at least you can play on a cheap Markneukirchen/Schoenbach violin"
I hardly disagree that you can play on all of them! The investment needed is the same needed for the unplayable chinese ones to make them working. And even with a good setup a lot stay dead, and I mean dead.

May 21, 2017, 3:26 AM · Huthmaker violins in Georgia has some beautiful antiques in your price range that I had the pleasure of playing a few months ago

May 21, 2017, 4:04 AM · Well I generally avoid the really cheap antique production violins, especially the Strad label kind of stuff, I'm not denying that there are some really low quality production violins, what I am saying is its relatively easy to find better quality ones that are worth fixing up, and give similarly priced new violins a run for their money.

May 21, 2017, 7:19 AM · Lyndon, huthmaker violins has a very well condition baroque violin with a modern outfit for $1700. Beautiful sound. Although the price on it makes me think something's wrong, and I'm sure something is, they also carry violins $30k+, definitly enough to ensure some of the highest quality one could want. I would say that it could give Ronald Sachs violins a run for their money (another highly reputable Georgia shop). In either case, you're likely to get a great deal for your money at these shops, and if you want an antique, just expect the occasional repair. Definitly worth it in my eyes, and I wish I had bought that $1700 antique instead of a Chinese made professional.

May 21, 2017, 7:50 AM · Try out the John Cheng limited edition from Shar $2500, guaranteed best in class at that price. The middle class has realized the incredible value in Chinese instruments and the entire market has gravitated towards them (nothing to do with a new president who has been in the office for 100 days, sorry resident antique dealers). It's just becoming impossible to compete with the large distributors and the Chinese supply chain.

May 21, 2017, 8:07 AM · Guaranteed best in class at that price, so does that mean if you find a better sounding antique they refund all your money, I don't think so.

Funny you would link Trump to Chinese violin sales, sounds like just the kind of crap Trump would support!!!

Now if it involves local violin luthiers, painstakingly restoring old violins and giving them new life, for sure I think, Trump would be against that!!!

May 22, 2017, 9:02 PM · Justin, a few years ago I bought an $1800.00 CHINESE violin. Yes, it sounded good but there are so many on the market I couldnt get my money out of it:( I then went to SHAR. I kept my Chinese violin as my backup and bought an $8k Gunter Lobe violin. It sounds amazing!! As soon as I pay it off I am trading it in on a more expensive violin minus the small fee for upgrading. I have been very happy with SHAR. I mail them all of my violins and kids violins and student violins. They are resonable and do good work. We do not have a good luthier in the Memphis area that I am aware of. Wished we did. That is my experience and maybe it can save you some money;)

May 22, 2017, 10:13 PM · Doesn't Memphis have a full-time symphony? It seems likely that there would be at least one quality local luthier.

May 23, 2017, 3:08 AM · violin stores in Memphis;

https://www.google.com/#q=violin+stores+in+memphis+tn

May 23, 2017, 4:58 AM · I forgot to include that I want the violin to be able to trade in as I want to upgrade later if possible

Edited: May 23, 2017, 5:16 AM · Justin, that is another reason to go to an established shop like Potter. They usually have their trade-in policies on their website.

http://pottersviolins.com/trade-in-policies.html

Especially note that the policy refers to the violin only. "Cases and bows are purchased separately and do not retain any trade-in value."

May 23, 2017, 6:14 AM · Why would a bow not have a trade in value???

May 23, 2017, 7:33 AM · The trade-in policies for bows are given separately on that page. Scroll down to the header that says "Trade-In Policy for Bows".

All the local shops will negotiate trade-ins on bows that retain a retail value. (And they will consider trade-ins for instruments and bows that they didn't sell you, also.)

May 25, 2017, 4:15 AM · Hi Justin, http://thestringsfamily.com specialises in quality violins in this range. Feel free to get in touch with me at shop@thestringsfamily.com ~ Rhoda

Edited: May 29, 2017, 7:34 PM · My violin was a IV Walter Mahr from Germany, im not sure if they do delivery but here's their page. http://www.mahr-geigenbau.de/preisliste/?lang=en