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I am looking at a used Cecilio CVN 500 as my first violin to learn on. I'm not sure what year it was made. My question is this one has a one piece back unlike all of the others of this model that I have seen. When was this design change made?
The search for great technique does not always lead to great music, but the search for great music does always lead to great technique.
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Cecilio is not renown for their label reliability. I have violins labeled as cellos from them. You likely have a cvn 600 labeled as a cvn 500. The wood is nicer, the fittings are better, and the finish is more attractive in the cvn 600. The case is generally a rectangular model with a key lock as well, but not always.
Either of those two models should be of service to you as a beginner. Immediately replace strings, rosin and likely bow for best results.
A sister company called Mendini once made a MV 650 that was discontinued about five years ago. There seems to be a period of time where stocks of that model were boxed as if the lesser MV 500.
Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible. —Frank Zappa
The future is already here—it’s just not very evenly distributed. —William Gibson
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Irv, thank for the reply. I thought of that, however, the fittings, wood figure and case appear to match up exactly with the CVN 500 rather than either the 600 or 650 models. It's fairly plain Jane except for the one piece back. The main differences that I see between the two are the fittings and the amount of figuring in the wood. I'm wondering if maybe this one didn't start out as a 600 or 650 and an inspector/Q.C. person downgraded it before the label went on it.
The search for great technique does not always lead to great music, but the search for great music does always lead to great technique.
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You can Google Celilio Violins and get their website. They have all their violins, descriptions and photos. Maybe match the one you are thinking about.
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I really don’t see much of any technical advantage of getting a one piece plate over a two piece plate, so I would not pay a premium for it.
Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible. —Frank Zappa
The future is already here—it’s just not very evenly distributed. —William Gibson
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@Irv I read that some place. I think the concern is that maybe the two pieced back might separate? But, if it was made properly, I don’t know why it would. I don’t know anything about how old violins were made, but I bet some of those survivors are two pieced backs.
I don’t know what mine are, I went for sound and playablility with my Rudoulf. I lucked out in that it l think it looks beautiful. My Mendini 300 and Windsor both have a neat, individual sound quality, and I like how they look, too. Not sure about their backs, either. I just have to deal with the bridge when I am better.
I guess if you are paying for a certain item, no matter how expensive or inexpensive, you want what you paid for as advertised, though. I am kind of picky that way.
@JiminTexas Is this a new violin used? It could be, if it is used, the previous owner may have changed out fittings and case, and it is a “mongrel” Celilio? Just a thought. You can check the Celilio site and look at the photos of their models, as I mentioned in the post above.
By the way, I have a Mendini 300 and a Windsor. They sound good, but I did put Pirastro Tonica strings in both. They are wonderful on those two violins. What a difference. I also found the bow with each had an almost not visible bend and bought a carbon fiber bow.
The Bumblebee Flies!
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@Mouse and others. The hide glue used in violins will turn back into a liquid if sufficiently heated, which is why you should never leave a string instrument in a car during the summer. But the plates are the least of your worries in that situation. I have several 130 year old violins with book matched plates in excellent condition. Not really a concern.
Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible. —Frank Zappa
The future is already here—it’s just not very evenly distributed. —William Gibson
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Yep, know about that glue from when I tried cello at first in Fall 2013. My husband bought some for his little 1/16 violin he made. It is really cute.
If we have shopping to do after my cello lesson, we leave the cello at the music store and pick it up on our way back. Grocery store is just down the street from my lesson. Both on the other side of town that is 15 miles away, so it saves us driving home, dropping off the cello and going all the way back.
When we bought my Rudoulf, it was a hot day. We had to stop at the stop on the thruway for lunch, so we brought it in with us.
Just mentioned the above to give newbies who may not know the issue, a couple solutions.
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JiminTexas said
I am looking at a used Cecilio CVN 500 as my first violin to learn on. I'm not sure what year it was made. My question is this one has a one piece back unlike all of the others of this model that I have seen. When was this design change made?
I have no idea when or even if changes were made with the Cecilios. Our Fiddlerman, Tower Strings and Holstein workshops make one and two piece backs depending on the quality and size of the available wood. It really does't matter whether it's a one or two piece so we often don't mention it. That being said, some people prefer one or the other for their own reasons. The glued seam if made properly, is just as strong or stronger as the wood itself.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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