Rebecca Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 My 11 year old daughter has been playing violin for about two years. She is in Suzuki Book 2. She needs to move up to a 3/4 size instrument. Any suggestions? I like to order online. She has played Gilga Romanian violins over these few years...starting with 1/4. Thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I have an 11 year old moving up to a 3/4 size. She is in Suzuki book 5. We're supposed to bring a new instrument for our first fall lesson actually. So I'm listening! :) We've had the best luck with fit, set up, and ongoing service at local shops actually. But we live in a major metro and have many options that way. I'd love to hear brands that stand up. I still don't want to go SUPER expensive for a 3/4 that we'll probably use for a pretty short time. She's a fairly reluctant violinist, but does very much love orchestra. Our 1/2 size is this lovely little hand made 70 year old French instrument. But we have had it for over 2 years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 Shar has carried some excellent violins for this skill level. Southwest Strings also is good for shopping. Your instructor should be able to assist you with obtaining an instrument "on approval". Bow, also. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted August 12, 2015 Author Share Posted August 12, 2015 Our instructor has been very hands off with our instruments since the beginning. :( giving no direction. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for her skill level? I could use Shar. I did see a Yamaha on instrumentalsavings.com. I do not want to go to a local shop for this because it will cost close to 1000 and I am not ready to invest that much at this level...not to mention that I actually can't. Thank you Hive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Coast Sue Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I recommend southwest strings. We got a great 1/2 size violin from them for $130, bow & case included about 18 months ago. It's only flaw is a somewhat deep scratch but it is superficial (only cosmetic). My son's teacher is very pleased with the sound quality. My son will be ready for a 3/4 size violin soon, and we plan to make another purchase through them again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6wildhorses Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I recently purchased a violin from Kennedy Violins. It was for my 11 year old who has been taking for less than a year. We are very happy with it. The one we bought was less than $500 for the outfit. http://www.kennedyviolins.com/categories/violins/ They also have a clearance section on their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I recommend southwest strings. We got a great 1/2 size violin from them for $130, bow & case included about 18 months ago. It's only flaw is a somewhat deep scratch but it is superficial (only cosmetic). My son's teacher is very pleased with the sound quality. My son will be ready for a 3/4 size violin soon, and we plan to make another purchase through them again. I have had outstanding customer service in the past from Southwest Strings. They would have exchanged a damaged instrument for you if it arrived marred as you describe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Coast Sue Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 I should have mentioned that the violin from southwest strings was sold at a deep discount because of the surface scratch. It was fully disclosed in the description. We bought the violin knowing that it had a great sound quality despite the scratch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingiguana Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 You might want to think about how long she'll be at the 3/4 size. It's possible renting would be a better option. Many of the online places also rent instruments if you don't want to do that through a local shop. If there are music schools near you, often parents try to sell violins their kids have outgrown through ads on bulletin boards or whatever. There might be facebook groups for these schools. And then there's craigslist. I got a reasonably priced 3/4 Eastman cello that way. Although you won't get a good set up if you go through craigslist (usually). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athomeontheprairie Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Not to hijack... But at what age do most children moved out of a 3/4 sized violin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squawky Acres Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 We find that it makes sense to rent, and found a large New England shop (Johnson Strings) that will also send rentals by mail if we don't feel like driving there. I am sure they would send rentals outside of New England as well. There are probably other online rental shops, but this is one I could recommend. What I love about renting is that the insurance is included in the monthly rental fee -- so if a tiny violinist accidentally sits on her tiny violin, or has some other disaster, you can just send it back and get a replacement. This hasn't happened yet, by the way; but it could. I know a family who rents at the same place, and has had several replacements already. Violin repairs can be extremely expensive (a minimum of $500 just to remove the top, plus many more hundreds to repair cracking, as I was recently quoted on an instrument that I own), so I love the peace of mind of knowing I can allow the children to just practice in a relaxed manner without hovering over them every minute and making sure they do not drop the instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Not to hijack... But at what age do most children moved out of a 3/4 sized violin? I think this can vary widely based on the size of the child and the philosophy of the teacher. I know our teacher would prefer an instrument be too small than a little too big. I know kids from age 10-15 who've moved to a full size. A friend of my daughter who plays violin and is 11 just skipped 3/4 size and moved to a full. My daughter is only 3 months younger and is just moving into a 3/4 size. My dd is not short for age, but has a narrow build and small shoulders. I played growing up and got a full size at age 12. I was going to add, part of the reason we have used our local shop is because they gave us an 80% of what we paid as a trade in to size up. I allows us to spend a relatively small amount of money to get a slightly better instrument every time. When we get a full size, all bets are off on that. I do feel like now that my kid is in a more committed orchestra program and learning concertos, etc, I need a litle nicer instrument. I love our 1/2 size. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibiche Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 We find that it makes sense to rent, and found a large New England shop (Johnson Strings) that will also send rentals by mail if we don't feel like driving there. I am sure they would send rentals outside of New England as well. There are probably other online rental shops, but this is one I could recommend. What I love about renting is that the insurance is included in the monthly rental fee -- so if a tiny violinist accidentally sits on her tiny violin, or has some other disaster, you can just send it back and get a replacement. This hasn't happened yet, by the way; but it could. I know a family who rents at the same place, and has had several replacements already. Violin repairs can be extremely expensive (a minimum of $500 just to remove the top, plus many more hundreds to repair cracking, as I was recently quoted on an instrument that I own), so I love the peace of mind of knowing I can allow the children to just practice in a relaxed manner without hovering over them every minute and making sure they do not drop the instrument. Actually, Johnson will only allow you to "total" a violin once, so you still need to make sure they handle their instruments carefully! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squawky Acres Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Actually, Johnson will only allow you to "total" a violin once, so you still need to make sure they handle their instruments carefully! Oh yes, we are careful! We have never had any accidents with our rental violins, and would certainly not want to take advantage of the situation. Maybe I misunderstood what my friends had said, but I do know they have had several problems with a particular violinist in their family, and have had to go in for repairs or possibly a replacement. It could be that the repairs were minor. I can understand why Johnson would need to have that policy. I should also mention that rental places like Johnson allow you to apply some of your rental fees towards your purchase of a violin for that particular student once you decide to own. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 DD's teacher has sold for us the violins that were less than full-sized. The 1/10 size we kept because it was just undeniably "cute"! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpe Diem Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Shar has a rental program that then you can then use your money spent towards a purchase. That is what we are doing. I think it is like $17 a month for full set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 DD's teacher has sold for us the violins that were less than full-sized. The 1/10 size we kept because it was just undeniably "cute"! Ha! I have a 1/10th in a closet for the same reason! :001_wub: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Ha! I have a 1/10th in a closet for the same reason! :001_wub: I have a 1/16th :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Our teacher has always advised us to get the best sounding violin that we can afford. Our old violin and cello teachers were very picky about what their students played and they would encourage students with very nice sounding instruments to keep them in the community by selling their instruments to other students. That worked really well for us for cello - we didn't have to go and find an instrument until ds hit full size. All of our other cellos were passed down from other students. One of the cellos had been with students of our teacher for over 20 years - passed from student to student. It looked like a truck had run over it, but it sounded fantastic. We didn't have the same luck with violin - there just wasn't anyone around selling the size we needed when we needed it. You've had some good advice. Have you thought about getting another Gliga? We were really happy with our 3/4 Gliga cello. That would be a safe bet for you. You want your 3/4 to be a step up from the 1/2 size, but your dd may not be on it for long so it makes sense to buy something that you'll either be able to trade in towards the full size or something that will be easy to sell. I would also start putting money away now for the full size - get dd involved if you can. My eldest ds busked to save money towards his full size bow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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