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I am not the richest person on the planet so no suggestions that will be no chance i can't afford that suggestions. I am obviously going to be new to Violin and am really keen to learn. I am bidding on a Windsor Style Violin and that will conclude on Wednesday, so a anxious time waiting for that. If i do happen to lose it, is there anything i should avoid when buying one ?. Also does changing certain parts make a Violin sound better like on other Instruments. An example would be Strings, i bought an Acoustic Guitar which sounded a bit naff and changed the strings and it was like hearing a different Guitar. As i have been on my journey so far i have noticed most things on a Violin can be changed like Tailpiece , Bridge, Pegs etc. Should i bother or wait till i am more in the know. Thanks
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Don’t be fooled by them making it look easy on you tube. Most of the people on there who claim things like 12 months progress are bending the truth a bit, a lot of them have been playing years they are very easy to spot, as you will be able to do as well. I got discouraged with some of them as it makes you think you should progress a lot faster than is usually possible, unless you are a prodigy that is.
I had a stentor first, you can pick them up relatively cheaply, loads of shops in Leeds sell them , personally I wouldn’t go ridiculous with the price as you may find it’s not for you. when you are starting out a student violin will be enough, as you progress you will be able to get more out of a more expensive instrument, but with violins, even a couple of grand is considered cheap. As mouse says fiddlerman offers some really nice instruments at good prices, but you have the problem of shipping from the states, a stentor of gum tree is about fifty quid, but I would get a brand new one for about two hundred, you could always hang it on your wall when you get a new one.
make sure you get a full size, and make sure it is set up for you in the shop, it’s not difficult fitting the bridge but why should you. Get a tuner as well as you will really struggle to tune by ear at first, that takes practice, you will need a couple of rags as well, one to wipe your instrument after use and another to clean the strings of rosin.
strings for violin are a massive subject on their own. Yes they do make the fiddle sound different, it depends what type of sound you want, as you are only just starting to learn though I would just go with the strings you get, unless you get the violin you are bidding on in that case the stings will probably need changing, to be honest I wouldn’t buy anything by bid, but that’s up to you. I use pirastro tonica for my own, but there really are lots of different types from pure gut to silver wound, and prices for strings go from around 20 quid a set to over a hundred depending on your use
Cant beat a sunny day
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Wait till your more in the know🤓
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For the violin search, maybe, set yourself the price range. If you have access to a reputable violin shop, I would start there and build a relationship with them. They would probably have better violins than you find online and would be able to help with the set up. You will need a good bow, chinrest and shoulder rest as well as the violin. Then, if you have not found one at a violin shop, or none is a available in your area, Google for some violins in your area, and if you want, you can post some photos on the forum in your topic thread. Your thoughts as to why you are considering that violin, If you played them, your thoughts as playing, etc. Maybe we can help out that way.
After you have ruled out local shops, and before expanded Google searches, I would check for violin shops that are the most likely places you would or could drive to if you needed repairs, etc and see if they have a web site and start there. You can see what they have, call them and let them know what you want, and maybe they can send trial violins, or you can find one you want to buy and they can ship it. I think that would be the safest online purchase direction to start with. That way, you have started a relationship with the drivable violin shop and will have a go to place that is knowledgeable and trusting for your violin needs. If you do not see anything on their website, call anyway. They may have used violins that are not listed, or new ones not listed,
I would highly suggest that you call Fiddlershop.Then you can tell them your price range, your expectations, plans, etc. They will sincerely give you the best options. But, given you do not live in the states, if I recall correctly, that may not be the best option, given the shipping, but that depends on your situation.
If Fiddlershop is not viable because of shipping, then start the expanded Google search. But, I would find out what Fiddlershop has to offer first. Maybe the shipping is not out if your means. What you find in a Google search may require overseas shipping and whatever other fees in entails, too. Fiddlershop is absolutely the best in customer service, price and quality.
Now, do NOT forget the bow. That is as important as the instrument. A bad bow will make a good instrument sound bad. In a cheaper violin outfit, the bows are usually bad, so if you decide on an inexpensive violin, I suggest you spend some money on an upgrade for your bow.
Now, understand, I do have a few violins, but I spend more time on my cello. Others who are more experienced with violins can help more with the specifics or disagree with me completely, but I suggest you post your request in the Learning to Play section of the forum, rather than the Introduce Yourself.
None of us are connected to Fiddlershop. We do not get paid. As one of the administrator/moderators of the site, I am not connected to the shop, either. None of us are.
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Lost the auction already so someone must of wanted it more than me, i had a couple in reserve that i was watching. I ended up buying a Forenza Uno after the seller made me an offer i couldn't refuse. It will do for now to see if the Violin is to my liking. It came with spare strings, a shoulder thing and a book, Violin For Dummies so the book should be right up my street. It is full size and am looking forward to starting to learn. I don't know if the Violin is a good starter instrument but am hoping it is. It was stated as opened but never used which if true i have got what i think is a bargain. Either way it will have to do for now.
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you will be ok with that, especially the shoulder thing😉
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Congratulations. Don't forget to take advantage to,all,of Fiddlerman's lessons, sheet music and videos in the menu bar offerings at the top of the forum.
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Was talking to a mate earlier who runs a market stall here in Leeds and he has 2 Violins. He said one is a Stentor and the other is an Electric one. He hasn't been able to sell them and said i could have them for free. He got them in a house clearance apparently and has had them taking up space as he puts it. I love a freebie and am well chuffed, wish i had known before i bought the Forenza but nevermind.
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Now you have choices. One might be warmer than the other. I like the brighter one for when I putter with fiddle tunes.
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The Stentor is 3/4 so no good for an adult, he's left it with me but thinking it's a bit too small. It's the one i was most looking forward to as well, will shove it on ebay see what it brings.
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Bummer. Isn't that the way it always goes?
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Violin arrived today, unfortunately the G String was broken. I have already ordered a new set so will have to wait to learn. Condition of the Violin is new and just needs tuning apart from broken string. I thought Violins would be heavier and was surprised by how light it is. The Electric Violin is quite loud through my amp and really need to get some headphones to play that. It's quite a high powered amp and even on low volume it's still quite loud, some of the effects on the amp make the Violin sound awesome.
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If it isn’t one thing, it is another.
Is there any volume control on the violin, also, that you can turn down as well as the amp? Maybe on the underside?
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Yeah Violin Has a volume control, didn't notice it lol. Funny thing is i should have seen it when i put the 9 volt battery in it. I can't see for looking, i feel like a proper prize plum now.
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LordOdin said
Violin arrived today, unfortunately the G String was broken. I have already ordered a new set so will have to wait to learn. Condition of the Violin is new and just needs tuning apart from broken string. I thought Violins would be heavier and was surprised by how light it is. The Electric Violin is quite loud through my amp and really need to get some headphones to play that. It's quite a high powered amp and even on low volume it's still quite loud, some of the effects on the amp make the Violin sound awesome.
You could start learning without the g string you know, just tune the three that are on, look up one octave scale in d major and try that.
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Also, with Suzuki books 1, I believe the songs are pretty much all A and E strings at the beginning.
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Thanks for the replies, i don't mind waiting a few more days plus it gives me time to read my Dummies book which is quite good, i don't know how it's rated in the Violin Fraternity but finding it an enjoyable read.
Happy New Year Everyone.
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I got a dummies book for Xmas ! And my violin is a stentor £45 from eBay. Are you a complete beginner like me and how long have you been playing ? What are you struggling with most ? Happy new year, Katie
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katie m said
I got a dummies book for Xmas ! And my violin is a stentor £45 from eBay. Are you a complete beginner like me and how long have you been playing ? What are you struggling with most ? Happy new year, Katie
Hi Katie, yeah i am new to Violin, my main struggle is holding the Violin, i am holding it ok i think but obviously wrong as i am having to stretch to reach the G String.
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