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Today I went to a man who's selling his violin. I will put up either a video or a soundbit, or at least... I plan to
I got it with me to try out at home for a week and see if I like it and if it's my sound. If it plays comfortable. Well all the important parts
Since I still feel like a rookie... he played a piece or two and I have to say I love the sound. It sounds warm and deep, just as he described it. He told me to take it with me to my teacher, so she can play and judge too. If she or I have any doubts then the deal is simply off.
I'm still amazed by the culture among violinists... he didn't want any deposit or other valuable as insurance, just like my teacher said is common. It's just that... it was all over the internet and I'm not sure I'd do the same thing...
There's a sign of valuation from a renowned violin builder, and I could see that the price he asked is about the same as he payed for it. So no tricks pricewise. Of course I still need to figure out if I find it worth the money, but everything about it feels right.
I really hope my teacher doesn't find and technical issues with it. I'm the most important judge soundwise, but I trust her to play it to see if there aren't any bad parts in any position. This man couldn't play the 4th position, so the sounds he made didn't sound pretty.... but everything up from 1st to 3rd sounded nice so I'm hopeful.
I thought I'd open a topic to make some 'reservation' for a bit of playing. I need to get used to it a little though... or I could play open strings.. Well I'll see.
Just a little heads up.
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I tried recording it... but the quality of sound I get from the vid/audio is disappointing to say the least... It sounds flat and 'far away'. That is not the sound it makes, I heard it when the seller played on it and that was just very nice
I have to say there is one thing to 'worry' right now. It might be the fact it hasn't been played on for a while, it may be the string, it may be my bow. But the D-string, when I play a G-note on it towards the key for a softer sound, it's not steady. Doesn't make one steady sound. It sort of glides from a G to nearly a F# and back to a G when I use a full bow. Also it squeaks and feels a little 'rough' when playing more towards the key. When I play it near the bridge there are no problems and every note sounds even and smoothly. I haven't played a lot of soft notes yet,so it might also be my technique. Which is why it's great to have my teacher play it.
I could record something, but as said... it doesn't even come close to what it sounds like in reality.
I could see if I can record the problems I mentioned, maybe you guys have an idea. I'm a little impatient... Thursday... that's like 96 hours away *LOL*
Pictures... here's a few:
http://www.mijnalbum.nl/GroteF.....YZZ63P.jpg
http://www.mijnalbum.nl/GroteF.....XPPFVZ.jpg
http://www.mijnalbum.nl/GroteF.....PWYNTR.jpg
It's a little more yellow/orangey than the pics show, especially the front. But I think it's a nice color as it's a little different than usual. Me like
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that looks magnificent!
hmm...I know that problem, I've encountered it before, it seems that the bridge is too short or the strings have dug deeper on the bridge, thus; playing the bow close to the fingerboard, the string touches the fingerboard instead of vibrating free...creating squeaks etc.
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Fingerboard...that's the right word *lol*
But that does seem to be a problem that can rather easily be fixed then? I already figured I'd be willing to spend "a few" extra bucks on a new bridge if that solves the problem
Edit: might be a techniquething after all... I've managed to play towards the fingerboard without any weird squeaking, so it seems more and more promising.
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I have borrowed 2 more violins from a builder. It's the same price range, I wanted to see what other options there are and compare it with the one I have. He showed me 3, but one didn't make the cut.
I went home with the other 2, but it's quite hard. There's not much difference in sound to me, although I managed to eliminate one of them.
So it's now between violin A (the first one) of violin B (from the builder).
I asked my teacher to play them both, and to play them without me seeing them as well. I'm inclined to buy violin A, but not for the right reasons. "it was such a nice man" is not related much to the violin itself... so in order to eliminate that, I think it's best if my teacher plays them both. And if one of her 'sessions' is done without me seeing which one she's playing. I might not hear a lot of difference, or clear ones at least. If so, I'm still going to buy A.
If I do hear any clear difference, then it's simply the one I like best, which ever that may turn out to be.
And still no soundbit yet, I'm not up for one these days healthwise.
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Well, finally back again. And proud to tell you that as of tomorrow I'm owning my very own violin. I went for one from the violin builder, my teacher played it and gave me a thumbs up!
It's been a rough month for me, healthwise, I've been in the hospital for about a month in total, but that's all the more reason to be very happy with the instrument I'm finally able to buy.
I do still need better recording-equipments to make a decent recording, but one thing at a time, right?
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Are you OK from the hospital? You have supports at home and etc?
Can we see some pics of the new violin?
And is the other one still for sale from the "very nice man"? I think that's an important feature... where you got the violin/bow. Each time I play with the Fiddlerman Carbone Fiber bow, I get a nice feeling!
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@Fiddlestix: the one I showed here is not the one I bought eventually, though it's not too big a difference. I'll put a few pics up in a few days.
@FM: see above I'll shoot a video anyway, but just be aware that the sound doesn't justice to it whatsoever.
@mt. Fiddler: yep I'm OK
There is some supportsystem, but not very nearby. That can be a little challenge when I need someone to drive me when I can't, but overall it's doable and I'm doing fine on my own with my Kittycat.
Already thinking about getting back to work, so that's a good sign. I'm not in shape yet, not even close... but in my mind I'm ready to go back, so that should help at least a little bit
That other violin isn't for sale anymore. At least, it's off the website. Could mean he sold it, or he took it off himself.
Oh I too have a carbon bow, bought it together with the violin. It plays nicely, though I had to get used to it a little. Felt a little 'thinner' and lighter than my wooden (hired) bow, but now I seem to get to know it a little better and I do like the feel of it and the sound it produces
Probably in two days or so, I'll shoot either a few photos or a video. Or both, you never know with Marissieviolissie
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Or none. 'Cause you never know with Marissieviolissie...
Unfortunately, I'm back at the hospital for at least a few days until it's clear what the current cause of my fever is. It's most likely the same problem as the last two times, but I won't know for sure until somewhere tomorrow or Saturday.
I sure wish I had my violin here though. I'm getting a little sick of this
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