When you get a lot of “stuff” with your violin, how much does the prie you are paying go towards the quality of the violin? 

Also, I was able to drive 1 1/2 hours to a violin shop. I read about their selection online and had my mind set on a specific violin due to the description. When I got there, I was not so pleased. Keep in mind, I had not had one lesson. I purchased an inexpensive Mendini 300(?) from Amazon first to see if my old joints would actually let me hold one, and if I would like it. Joints did and I loved it.

To continue. I called ahead of time with my price point limit and explained what I was looking for and my experience (or lack of). They had all the violins laid out, tuned, ready to go for me on a table. First their violinist played them in a very roomy studio we were set up in so I could hear what they actually sound like. They all had Dominants on them. She used the same bow. Then I was allowed as much time as I needed to play with them. I had taught myself simple tunes and used those and open strings in different rhythms. My husband was my extra set of ears and eyes. 

Turned out the violin I had my heart set on was not what I chose. I chose another. I really loved it. Now, here is what really helped. At this store I have the option to trade in my violin for another of equal or greater value (pay the difference), minus any repair costs. It turned out that after I was able to play it longer, I found I wanted or preferred a more mellow sound and contacted them again. We did the same thing with violins at my trade value up to my new price point. We decided that at a lower price point, I was not going to get the good quality sound I was looking for. So, we upped it just a tad. For me, even though I am jist learning, my ears are really picky, I mean really picky. 

They, again, had the violins on a table for me and we did the same thing. I had a violin in mind, a Scott Cao. I ended out with a Rudolph Deutsch and am absolutely in love with it, not what I went in thinking I would like. They have an upgrade model of a Rudolph Deutsch, and maybe, if I get really good, or good enough, in a couple years, I will trade up, but right now, I am a happy 64 year old retiree. 

My point is, you can’t go by the writeup, or even reviews, as far as sound goes. People like different sounds. Plus, the same violin model could sound different. The quality of the violin and customer service is about all you can count on reviews for, and even that is questionable in reviews. Also, the sound of it on youTube, will not be what you hear in actual time.

Will the place you are considering allow you to trade it back or get a refund if you do not like it? That is important. If so, who pays shipping? Is there a restocking fee? 

I think, if I was not able to go to my “local” violin shop 1 1/2 hours away, I would contact Fiddlershop. I have read nothing but good about them and have been pleased with the small purchases I have made. 

Maybe you can ask if they can play some violins over the phone for you so you can hear them more accurately than a YouTube performance? Not sure if that would be better. But at least call them and see what they can offer in that price range. Those Dominants, the brand name rosin, etc are part of the price you are paying, so it is not all violin quality you are paying for. I live in NY State and I am not against promoting a product made in NY. I am just giving and explaining an option. I don’t know anything about the DZ Strad. I just know how my search for a violin went until I found the violin shop I went to. I would have tried Fiddlershop had I not found my semi-local shop. I later bought a viola from this violin shop.

At any rate, think about what you want, options if you are not happy, violin quality vs the cost of those extras that are actually in that price (as far as I am concerned), options if you decide you would like a better violin. Just some things to consider when spending the amount of money you are spending. 

Happy violin hunting. Twice the violin I thought I wanted l, based on writeups and reviews and one YouTube, was not what I went home with.

You are absolutely right, Gordon, get it in writing. There is an entire section in the paperwork explaining this trade in/up policy. It is good for as long as you own the violin, cello or viola. Great for parents with little ones. I would have asked for it to be in writing.

Little story along that line, but not for a violin. Back in 1973 I bought a new 1973 Chevy Vega (Don’t laugh. I loved that car!) after I had been working for a few months. The first time I drove it, it was to our local grocery store I used to walk to as a kid. When I stopped and went inside, the owner, Mr Bush, said that there was smoke coming from under the hood. He called the fire department. Upon looking more closely, turned out that it was steam caused by a slit in the radiator hose(?). He cancelled the fire department. I walked up the street a block and spoke to Doug at the Texaco station. He came down and patched it and said it would get me back to the dealer.

The next day I drove to the dealer. Shop manager replaced the hose and said verbally that I could bring my car in for a free oil change when it was due. I asked for it to be in writing because it would be a while and we might forget, or a new employee might be here, mind you, I was only 18 when I did this. Months went by and I eventually hit the mileage number to get the oil changed. I had the receipt safely in my wallet the entire time. I dropped my car off and got a ride home with my parents.

Went to pick it up and they were going to charge me. I explained that I was told that I was to get a free oil change and they denied it. I explained the situation to refresh their memory. Shop manager came out. He said he did not recall. I got out my receipt and showed him where it was written and signed by him. I even had him write down that it was due to a hole in a hose or whatever. You have no idea how pleased I was with myself. He actually told me that he wished his daughter would think to get things in writing after he apologized. I have no idea, why at 18 I was already doing things like that, but I have always gotten things in writing, even when they say it is not necessary.

Do I think he was trying to pull one over on me, a young girl? No. I had been in there a few times when an older sister bought her Barracuda convertable. The dealer had switched from Dodge/Plymouth to Chevy. Plus, some of my six brothers had also bought cars there and I always went with them when I could. I had 6 brothers and 2 sisters and I am 8th, therefore, they were all quite a bit older than me. Little sis tagged along. Anyway, always get things in writing, even with instruments.

The violin shop I purchased from will also let you swap out the chinrest on it for any other type they have at no charge. The owner and luthier told me he is not going to quibble over chinrests. You can also spread payments without interest over three months, unless you, at your end, have it on a charge card that you carry balances over on, we don’t.

So, maybe Bobby, the original poster, should check that option, too. After I bought the first violin, I went back and bought a viola and did the three month option. When I went back to trade the first violin (paid cash) for a different one, I did that too. I went higher in price than I had intended. My husband liked the sound of this one the best, also. He said we could do the three month option because it was worth it. Viola is paid for now and just one month left on my beautiful violin.

Many options, Bobby. Try calling Fiddlershop and see what they have to say. Read reviews. I honestly have not read a bad one for Fiddlershop. If the shop 1 1/2 hours away from me was not there, Fiddlershop would have been my go to, not that I do not promote products from my home state! ?