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) 
Member
Offline
Is this an instrument that a complete novice can learn on? The upside to it is that I can get it at a very good price. The down side is, of course, that this line of violas and/or instruments in general does not have a very good reputation, judging by what I have heard and read, or is it that I am listening and reading the wrong opinions?
The search for great technique does not always lead to great music, but the search for great music does always lead to great technique.
Offline
I'm not sure Jim. A complete beginner doesn't need the disadvantage of struggling with an instrument which is more difficult to play and sounds worse than necessary.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Offline
I am confused. Are you talking about violas in general, or a specific viola? I don’t see a specific viola referenced.
Learn Violin and Fiddle
on
Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
Member
Offline
cid said
I am confused. Are you talking about violas in general, or a specific viola? I don’t see a specific viola referenced.
Cid, the Palatino VA 950 is a specific viola. I just can't find any information or reviews by purchasers on it other than the canned statements from the manufacturer. It is apparently out of production for several years now. Apparently this was at or near the top of the line of a series of entry level instruments and indications are that sales were not as expected and it was discontinued.
The search for great technique does not always lead to great music, but the search for great music does always lead to great technique.
Member
Offline
Fiddlerman said
I'm not sure Jim. A complete beginner doesn't need the disadvantage of struggling with an instrument which is more difficult to play and sounds worse than necessary.
Sorry, I guess that I was not very clear about this. I can find no information or reviews and on this particular viola, just the marketing blurb from Palatino. It was apparently the top of their entry level line of violas, but is it suitable for me as a complete novice? Please note the past tense, because I don't see them available anywhere as new. Were they discontinued? If so, why? Were they just bad, overpriced, or what?
The search for great technique does not always lead to great music, but the search for great music does always lead to great technique.
Regulars
Offline
@JiminTexas I did a bunch of Googling and for the 950 all I get is "not available" or "out of stock" or "discontinued". I did find a 450 on Amazon that had one review (1 star). The reviewer said don't buy this instrument.
Personally, I've learned from experience to only buy instruments that I can play for a week or two. I've got several I bought sight unseen many years ago which probably should remain sound unheard!
I just bought a violin from FM but did so after trying six instruments via "home trial". Many other places offer home trials and some shops in Dallas area (60 miles to the west of me) offer trials of instruments they have in stock. Unfortunately, my rural location made it easier for me to go with trial via mail and FM's home trials are painless 
Good luck on finding a suitable viola. I'd be a bit nervous of buying a "discontinued" instrument.
Bob in Lone Oak, Texas
Offline
I found the same thing as Bob, which is probably what JiminTexas saw. On the Palatino site, that model viola is not listed.
I would assume that since it is no longer made, finding much more info on a viola of that value is not feasible. You might find a better one in a pawnshop.
Seriously! I bought a wonderful cello for $125 at a pawnshop. It had geared pegs, not a scratch, wonderful sound and projection, fairly good bow, almost new strings, no work needed. Playable when I got home. The strings were not low end. I gave it to my niece about a month ago. I loved that cello, but my niece is so musical and I love her dearly, so I gifted that wonderful pawnshop cello to her. We will be going to the pawnshop in a few weeks to poke around again. This one was tucked in a corner and could not actually be seen by my husband until he left the pawnshop and walked by it to the model train shop. He saw it through the window and went back to see about it.
Learn Violin and Fiddle
on
Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
Offline
Some people have been happy with the entry level Cecilio violas. I can't say much for the Palatino. With the Cecilio violas, it's the luck of the draw. I know that Mark did not like his that he recently purchased and Barry loved his.
Sorry I can't be of more help with that but I would recommend just spending a few hundred more for something that is guaranteed set up properly.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
1 Guest(s)
Mouse
ELCBK
Jols
Strabo
Fiddlerman
