Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.
Private messaging is working again.
Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
(0 votes) 
Offline
Hi,
My husband and I purchased some student violins ($500 range) about 15 years ago, wanting to learn to play together. Things got crazy and it never happened. Now, we are close to retirement age and wish to learn. Our first lesson is next week.
We have dropped those original violins off at a luthier to bring them up to snuff, but we would like to purchase better instruments both to learn on, and to keep forever. We don't wish to upgrade as we go, as we may not be able to afford nice instruments later.
Since we have no playing experience, it's impossible to go try out instruments. Fiddlerman's Holstein Bench violins are in our price range, but I see there are 6 different models, all priced at $4500.
How would we choose among these, and what are the differences? My husband prefers classical violin, while I prefer celtic, irish fiddle music. Although we each enjoy both.
And last of course, would the Holstein's be a good choice?
Regulars
Offline
Hi, @tinksquared ! Welcome to the forum!
I would suggest giving Fiddlershop a call, they would be the best ones to ask those questions to. They won't pressure you into buying anything you don't want to, and will just help you find what it just right for you 
☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆
World's Okayest Fiddler
☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨* •☆•*¨*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆
Regulars
Offline
Welcome to the forum,
The Holstein bench made violins are fantastic violins for the money.
Give fiddler shop a call and talk to them I'm sure Perry will make a video of a few of them after you discribe the type of tone your after, for you to listen to and see if it what your looking for.
If you have check out fiddler shops YouTube channel and listen to the different models they have there all unique but it will point you in the right direction.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
Regulars
Offline
I would agree with those above, they can give you an idea of which ones fit you favorite "sound profile". They can do a video and/or You can do in home trials as well, so you can get it in your hands and find whats comfortable for you and have a friend or instructor play it so yo can hear it in person if you're not good enough to play some tunes yourself
I bought a Holstein Maggini and it's amazing so I know all the other Holstein professional violins are going to be just as fantastic. You'll just have to find the one that fits your own style
Lead me, Follow me, or get out of my way!
~General George S. Patton
Offline
Thanks all. I called and spoke with Mike (I think he's Perry's son). They'll demo a couple and send me a video. 
Offline
Welcome to the forum tinksquared. Exciting to hear about your first lesson.
Are you guys going to do group lessons? Sounds like a lot of fun. Playing with someone else makes it all the more exciting.
I look forward to helping you guys find the instruments that suit your desires.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Offline
Thank you Pierre, we are super excited. We live in a small town and there isn't a lot to choose from learning wise. Besides private lessons, we will utilize your lessons and other online sources. We do have a non profit music association in our town that offers group lessons, although I think it's mostly kids :). We do plan to check that out.
Fiddles are the Arkansas state instrument, and there are groups and workshops in the state that we hope to eventually become involved with.
Thank you so much for the demo video yesterday. While none of those three had the deep, rich tone I am looking for, my husband loved the 3rd one you played and it will be shipping out today for him to try out.
Offline
Ahhhhhh, now I can connect the dots. Tinkle...... Sorry...
I will continue to search for you. I will have some options soon.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Offline
Yes, your son said you should have some more bench violins in 2-3 weeks. I can't wait!
Offline
That is safe.
We get beautiful violins and they get snatched up quickly. I'll jump on that as soon as they arrive. I'm like a kid in a candy store when that happens. Doesn't matter how many times I go through it.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Offline
Thank you! I intend to immerse myself in violin and music studies. Not to drown anyone in my melodrama, but having lost both my son and my dad this year, a few months apart, I need a lifeline
I very much appreciate all your assistance in finding the perfect violin.
Offline
tinksquared said
.......Not to drown anyone in my melodrama, but having lost both my son and my dad this year, a few months apart.........
I am so sorry to hear this. I can't even imagine what that must feel like. I hope that we can shed some light into your life.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Offline
Thank you. I'm working through your goal planner, which is much appreciated
New member
Offline
Hi Tinksquared,
I can add a little bit, hope it will be useful.
I recently bought a child's violin, which was incomplete and..., well..., not understood...
I got it on instinct, and with all the (very little) money I had. I had no experience with violins (although I do with cello), and I got it second hand at night time, from someone's poorly lit kitchen.
I needed to touch and study this little instrument, which was kind of the point, as I couldn't play it. I had it completed with the help of a luthier, hugged it a bit longer 
, then it was time to let it go (I went for my other instrument) .
I advertised it, and was soon contacted from faraway, and asked if I'd agree to post it. I did, since they lived in an isolated region. Well, it turns out that the lady was a violin teacher, and wanted a decent violin, a reliable one, for not a lot of money, just like you. Later, we had a long conversation, and she was very impressed with the violin. She said it was a really great choice, a very good deal, a very good brand, it was easy to play and it had a beautiful sound.
The brand was Franz Joseph.
I gave you the long story to show that I was not really the one giving the verdict on it, but I trust what she says about it.
All in all, this violin I have seen advertised for a couple of hundred dollars, even less.
It was aesthtetically very pleasing too, it had a gorgeous walnut colour, and a very subtle finish.
I hope this will help with your quest, and I wish you good luck.
1 Guest(s)
ELCBK
Mouse
Fiddlerman
Jols
