If you're impatient like me and just want bare minimum info 1. Inspect the instruments for cracks 2. Inspect the fingerboard (to see if it's curved) 3. Inspect the scroll ( to see if it's broken) 4. Inspect for damage under the tailpiece 5. Inspect the bridge (to make sure it isn't tilted, and that the feet are contacting the violin) 6. Inspect the wood grain (to see if it's quality wood) 7. Inspect the finish 8. Inspect the inside from under the chin rest
I have been playing violin for over 50 years (since i was 6) , and worked in the violin shop of Jacques Francois for a while in my teens and I just want to say that was a complete and easy explanation. -Well done!
keep the music, I liked it and found it not distracting. With the bridge angle, I assume you mean, equal angle between fore string and fore face of bridge compared to angle between aft string and aft face of bridge? A quick overlay diagram would have helped with this.
I for one, felt this was a very informative video. Too many rude people in the comments with nothing nice to say. Thank you for this. The music was not distracting for me. I could hear their voices just fine. If anything the guy in the white t-shirt (I think his name is Mike) was the most distracting part of the video. 😉
Thanks heaps for the video not many violin shops would give this kind of info to customers. So thank you for helping us know what to look out for. Regards.
I'm headed to a 'fine arts' music sale at Southwestern University in GT, TX on Sat (tomorrow). My grandson is in need of a 4/4 violin as he has outgrown his current instrument. Thanks for giving me some idea of what to look for...
Very helpful. I wonder if one of those little inspection cameras (you can get them for cell phones now) would let you inspect the "crown molding" without taking the strings and tailpiece off. It would be a lot less invasive at a store.
Excellent information, but the background music is much too loud and distracting. I'm going to purchase a used violin today and this video gives me the confidence that I will be able to spot flaws,if there are any. Thank you
Excellent Vido Guys,but that distracting background music is not good when anyone is speaking important Information.... In the 7 minutes of video ye both gave excellent information and i like to hear EVERY WORD ye are saying without noise, ty great info!!
Thanks for the video guys. Just what I was looking for. Clear and concise. I thought the music was good. Maybe just a little loud. I was confused by your use of convex when describing the neck. What point of reference were you using. If you are using the strings and the curve should go away from the strings as you hand suggested then that is a concave curve. I will just go by your hand movements. Thanks again. Going to look at a used violin for my wife in an hour. Much better prepared to make the purchase.
My violin has lots of damage. It's the only violin I have. I believe no luthier can fix it especially when there is no luthier here in my country. I wish you could see mine lol.
Watch some of the "Rosa Stringworks" videos. That guy fixes some instruments that look like real throw aways. Everything CAN be fixed! Where do you live? Because all countries have luthiers.
Endo Alley In Panama we don't have one, sadly 😔 there is one that comes occasionally like once a year and he is always saturated because of the many people that go to him.
What kind of damage? All cracks, large and small can be fixed fairly well. Neck resets are pretty tough, but can also be done. Seams can easily be reglued. Scrolls and pegboxes can be fixed. You can ship the violin internationally to a qualified luthier. The United States has many. Mexico , Argentina, etc probably all have very good luthiers if you can find one. Check the Maestronet website for suggestions.
Little guy needs to step closer to the camera mic to be heard as well as Mr. Clean. Violin playing in the background is unnecessary, too loud and therefore distracting.
Most practical violin's buyers guide video that I have ever came across till date. Thanks for uploading this wounderful video. But, please make a video on the importance of ebony wood made fingerboard, pegs & tailpiece over other materials.Also how to know if it is a real ebony or a fake ebony black coloured wood. And what to look for in a bow while buying it....... Please reply me urgently as I am planning to buy one within two days.
Hi and thanks for your kind words! Well, this isn't easy to answer in a few sentences. I would urge you to go to TH-cam and type in Fiddlershop and bow. Also search for Fiddlershop and tailpiece. You will find many useful videos in these matters. Good luck!!
@@Fiddlershop Thanks for sending me the fastest TH-cam reply that I ever received. But, there is a small problem that appeared after 10 minutes to me after I posted my first query, which is the SMS alert send by the shop owner informing about the arrival of my violin. And I am a beginner with absolutely zero knowledge about violins. So, just give me some basic buyers tips of what/how to look for a genuine ebony wooden parts and bow. And please reply me urgently. Also please continue to upload such useful videos regularly.
The closeness of the grain is not so much to do with age. It relates to the slowness of growth of the tree outwards each summer. Assuming you are inspecting quarter sawn wood.
Very nice video. But that background trumpet music is a spoiler. Instead play some great violin music of Mozart or Paganini . That will make it much more interesting !
What are your recommendations for materials? Spruce top, maple bottom, ebony finger board? I see many beginner violins with fingerboards that aren't ebony, particularly those that are less expensive.
I once bought a violin at a catalog ( Fingerhut) . It only cost me $99.00 but I just wanted to learn how to use the violin and play some notes until I learned, for awhile it was wonderful, however, later on I started having problems with the bridge of the violin then then strings please advise.
actually, consider not using the camera microphone as your audio input source. Consider using lapel mics under your shirt or have a boom microphone over your heads. You can mix the audio from this microphone with your video. This will create a video where it doesn't sound like you're in a hall or garage, making it much easier to hear what you're saying. Then you can have all the background music you want afterwards.
Hi Asif! We are sorry, this video is quite old by now. If you want to see and listen to our violins, you can visit our website: www.fiddlershop.com On the product pages, we have review videos of each instrument. Thanks! :)
I just checked out your website but you pretty much left me and 10% of the world out. No lefty instruments. Anyway, I have a lead on a lefty violin that I have to get now. Great video though.
Very true! We usually tell people, it's kind of like looking for a house or car-of course you're going to love the one that's twice what you can afford, so be realistic about your budget, and try to stay close to it.
The reason we say "Generally speaking", is just because of that :) We know that some makers choose a wider grain on purpose, in order to give a more soft and open tone in combination with the back and sides. Only some makers can do this correctly though :-P
First of all, I thank you for all the hard work you are doing to teach us. I had a question about buying a violin. Today when I went to the musical store, two violins caught my attention. First one was made in USSR in the beginning of 1970s, it costs $150(with all components). Second one was made in Germany in the beginning of 1900s. There was a label "Le Dracontius Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonenfis Faciebat Anno 1721". Seller himself told that it is a 100 year violin and has a shape of a Stradiuarius violin. It costed $180(only violin, without components). Both of them are in good condition. Which one do u advise to purchase?
Well, it's impossible to make a judgement call on the violins without seeing or hearing them. Personally, I would try to get an "in-home trial" and play both violins for a week and see what other characteristics emerge during that time. In home trials are something we recommend to all our customers, and something we'd be happy to provide with any of our instruments.
That price of $180 for 100 year old must be damaged or sound crap. Cheap violins sound crap . You need to play a rented on to get some nice bow strokes at least. Then Scratch away on as many violins as you can before you fork out for one. A good sounding violin makes you want to practise. A bad sound puts you off practising. This initial pay out can be the break or make of you future with the violin.
i want to buy a violin but i dont want to spend too much and i dont want it to be very cheap and bad, can you give advices on which range of price for violins are good violins and which are overpriced, and which prices means bad violins.
hi guys, Thanks for the info, Could you please rank the violins from beginner to intermediate to Advanced level and which one is highly recommended for each level Appreciate your help Regards, GK
I found a violin that im interested in ......it has little bumps that th tail piece made ..small crack by th one F hole ... ... but apparently it is 109 years old .... should i take it amd get it repaired !
I'm an adult beginner and worried about getting ripped off when I purchase a violin. As I haven't developed an ear yet for great sound. I have noticed that no one wants a violin made in China. I have been looking on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. The prices are all over the place. How can I tell if a violin is made in China? Are all inexpensive violins $200-$400 made in China? I don't want to pay a lot, yet I want a violin that will sound good. I don't want to buy from a store because they are asking top dollar.
Thanks for this info, very useful! :-) However....I could barely hear what was said, because of the background music was way too loud. And I mean waaaaaaaay too loud :-)
Cool! How about remaking this one with softer music? It's worth a try, because the info in the video itself it really valuable, and it was actually well made.
We would recommend the Fiddlerman Violin Strings: fiddlershop.com/products/fiddlerman-violin-string-set They are super affordable, sound a lot like Dominants and are very popular :)
You have good content but from a production standpoint, make sure you are not standing where your watermark/graphic is not covering you. Next, the background music overpowers the men talking. Finally, rather than using the camera mic that gives you the echo, use mics clipped to the men.
No worries Ricky, all the instruments on our site are brand new. So we recommend finding an instrument in your price range. For complete beginners, we generally recommend the OB1 or Apprentice violins.
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If you're impatient like me and just want bare minimum info
1. Inspect the instruments for cracks
2. Inspect the fingerboard (to see if it's curved)
3. Inspect the scroll ( to see if it's broken)
4. Inspect for damage under the tailpiece
5. Inspect the bridge (to make sure it isn't tilted, and that the feet are contacting the violin)
6. Inspect the wood grain (to see if it's quality wood)
7. Inspect the finish
8. Inspect the inside from under the chin rest
Also... see if there's a soundpost and if there is one, is it positioned properly?
They gave great advice but it was alil hard to hear because of the music in the background
Thanks! We know. Check out the updated video in the description box
Yeah it is quite irritating. I have to leave. I did not finished the video.
@@juliusmaca7332 same here
I have been playing violin for over 50 years (since i was 6) , and worked in the violin shop of Jacques Francois for a while in my teens and I just want to say that was a complete and easy explanation. -Well done!
How nice of you, Daniel!! Thanks a bunch!
Good tips, but next time get rid of the distracting background music so we can hear them to the fullest.
And LOL at the awkward ending! 😜
Have the clip seriously and really only because of the music clicked and enjoyed fervently.
keep the music, I liked it and found it not distracting. With the bridge angle, I assume you mean, equal angle between fore string and fore face of bridge compared to angle between aft string and aft face of bridge? A quick overlay diagram would have helped with this.
@@normanfreund the music would've been fine if it was at a lower volume so it doesnt take the focus away from their voices
I found the background music very distracting. I kept trying to block it out so I could hear them.
3 years later and they still can't remove the background music.
Truly informative. The background music was a slight distraction.
I for one, felt this was a very informative video. Too many rude people in the comments with nothing nice to say. Thank you for this.
The music was not distracting for me. I could hear their voices just fine. If anything the guy in the white t-shirt (I think his name is Mike) was the most distracting part of the video. 😉
aww. thanks! 😍😍😍 (also he's single!)
I have to agree completely!😂
And yes 😂😍
same
Thank you, I’m buying my first violin, a used violin, tomorrow and hoping that nothing is wrong with it.
Awesome! Good luck!
Awesome video for the person who has no clue what to look for or where to start. You have made buying a used violin much less stressful. Thanks
Don't forget the sound post, especially easy to inspect alignment and congruency of the ends to the plates if you have the end pin out.
The background music sounds like flies flying around my head..
Thanks for playing the violin in the background so loud as to make it really difficult to hear what you're saying.
Good info 👍🏼. I agree with someone who mentioned, kill the background music or lower it, it’s distracting. Thanks
This was useful because I'm getting a new violin next week!
That background music choice... Actually none was needed for this kind of video 😖😅
Its called "Buzzing Bees". The info in this video though was good and useful.
Who cares???
Thanks heaps for the video not many violin shops would give this kind of info to customers. So thank you for helping us know what to look out for. Regards.
I'm headed to a 'fine arts' music sale at Southwestern University in GT, TX on Sat (tomorrow). My grandson is in need of a 4/4 violin as he has outgrown his current instrument. Thanks for giving me some idea of what to look for...
Good tips. Especially looking into the fiddle through the end pin hole!
oh wow music in the background is crazy loud
Very helpful. I wonder if one of those little inspection cameras (you can get them for cell phones now) would let you inspect the "crown molding" without taking the strings and tailpiece off. It would be a lot less invasive at a store.
This is the best video out there on what to choose.
Excellent information, but the background music is much too loud and distracting. I'm going to purchase a used violin today and this video gives me the confidence that I will be able to spot flaws,if there are any. Thank you
Thanks for your input! We wish there was a way to remove the disturbing music, but unfortunately not.... Good luck with your violin purchase!
Thank you ☺️ for valuable information
Excellent Vido Guys,but that distracting background music is not good when anyone is speaking important Information.... In the 7 minutes of video ye both gave excellent information and i like to hear EVERY WORD ye are saying without noise, ty great info!!
THANK YOU BOTH! Your information will help me.
Thanks for this guys. Incredibly helpful video for somebody just starting off like myself.
Our pleasure, Robert! Thanks for your kind words!
Thanks for the video guys. Just what I was looking for. Clear and concise. I thought the music was good. Maybe just a little loud. I was confused by your use of convex when describing the neck. What point of reference were you using. If you are using the strings and the curve should go away from the strings as you hand suggested then that is a concave curve. I will just go by your hand movements. Thanks again. Going to look at a used violin for my wife in an hour. Much better prepared to make the purchase.
Excellent, but the only thing id like to say is that the backround music made it difficult to hear what you were saying.
We agree!
The music is wayy to loud
It's awful
The song sounds nice, what's it called?
Can't hear because of the background noise !
I loved the background music anyone who says they can’t hear you talk need to get their ears checked
Happy to hear!! It might depend on which speakers you use. Thanks :)
You are life savers 🌻💕
Thanks, Ruba! How kind of you!
I really love this, getting mine tomorrow
Happy to hear, Hellen! Happy playing!! :)
My violin has lots of damage. It's the only violin I have. I believe no luthier can fix it especially when there is no luthier here in my country. I wish you could see mine lol.
Rodney Arcega Hola Rodney. Me puedes enviar las fotos de tu violin a felix@fiddlershop.com. Saludos.
Watch some of the "Rosa Stringworks" videos. That guy fixes some instruments that look like real throw aways. Everything CAN be fixed! Where do you live? Because all countries have luthiers.
Endo Alley In Panama we don't have one, sadly 😔 there is one that comes occasionally like once a year and he is always saturated because of the many people that go to him.
What kind of damage? All cracks, large and small can be fixed fairly well. Neck resets are pretty tough, but can also be done. Seams can easily be reglued. Scrolls and pegboxes can be fixed. You can ship the violin internationally to a qualified luthier. The United States has many. Mexico , Argentina, etc probably all have very good luthiers if you can find one. Check the Maestronet website for suggestions.
You both are amazing. Thank you for th jis valuable info.
Our pleasure! Thanks for watching!
Very useful video, i didn't know all those places to check so.im happy i found this, Thank you for sharing
Little guy needs to step closer to the camera mic to be heard as well as Mr. Clean.
Violin playing in the background is unnecessary, too loud and therefore distracting.
Very well done discussion. The music is so distracting though.
Thanks! We are aware, sorry...
@@Fiddlershop the main thing is that the information you gave in the video is excellent! I learned from it and appreciate it!
Make sure it has a sound post
Most practical violin's buyers guide video that I have ever came across till date. Thanks for uploading this wounderful video.
But, please make a video on the importance of ebony wood made fingerboard, pegs & tailpiece over other materials.Also how to know if it is a real ebony or a fake ebony black coloured wood.
And what to look for in a bow while buying it....... Please reply me urgently as I am planning to buy one within two days.
Hi and thanks for your kind words! Well, this isn't easy to answer in a few sentences. I would urge you to go to TH-cam and type in Fiddlershop and bow. Also search for Fiddlershop and tailpiece. You will find many useful videos in these matters. Good luck!!
@@Fiddlershop Thanks for sending me the fastest TH-cam reply that I ever received. But, there is a small problem that appeared after 10 minutes to me after I posted my first query, which is the SMS alert send by the shop owner informing about the arrival of my violin. And I am a beginner with absolutely zero knowledge about violins.
So, just give me some basic buyers tips of what/how to look for a genuine ebony wooden parts and bow.
And please reply me urgently. Also please continue to upload such useful videos regularly.
Do we need to check the damage when buying a new violin? How to check wood grain? How to check a bow? Thanks.
Can you teach me luthiering? Or have you made any courses regarding making violins? If yes please let me know!
Hi Sanath! Where are you located? :)
@@Fiddlershop First of all thank you so much for the reply, appreciate your time and courtesy. I stay in Bangalore, India.
Nice clear explanation, but the background music was a HUGE distraction, and was unnecessary.
Thanks for watching! I agree with the music being a distraction!
Hi sir! I think..You forget to explain the distance/space of the “nut”..thanks!
The closeness of the grain is not so much to do with age. It relates to the slowness of growth of the tree outwards each summer. Assuming you are inspecting quarter sawn wood.
Yes, you are right. I misspoke about the reason of the tighter grains! Thanks for catching that!
Very nice video. But that background trumpet music is a spoiler. Instead play
some great violin music of Mozart or Paganini . That will make it much more interesting !
Thank you! I’m thinking of buying a violin from craigslist and I haven’t played violin in 9 years
Thanks for watching!
Thanks ...very helpful...but background music too loud, distracting.
❤Thanks for sharing this information The Hernandez Family Colorado 🎉🎉.
Our pleasure! Happy holidays!! 🤗
Remember, If it's a baroque violin, that doesn't mean that anything is wrong with it!
Great Video, please, can you tell me best brands of America and Europe?
What are your recommendations for materials? Spruce top, maple bottom, ebony finger board? I see many beginner violins with fingerboards that aren't ebony, particularly those that are less expensive.
Good presentation, useful points
Glad it was helpful!
I once bought a violin at a catalog ( Fingerhut) . It only cost me $99.00 but I just wanted to learn how to use the violin and play some notes until I learned, for awhile it was wonderful, however, later on I started having problems with the bridge of the violin then then strings please advise.
background music too loud
actually, consider not using the camera microphone as your audio input source. Consider using lapel mics under your shirt or have a boom microphone over your heads. You can mix the audio from this microphone with your video. This will create a video where it doesn't sound like you're in a hall or garage, making it much easier to hear what you're saying. Then you can have all the background music you want afterwards.
Hi Wade, Yes we are aware that the audio is very hard to hear. We have drastically changed our setup since this video was made.
Great info but I found the background music to be very intrusive & distracting. : (
thanks for the information!
Such an informative video, loved it. ☺️
Love it - thank you!!! :)
Very cool. Thanks.
the first thing you have to know is. Do i use a 3/4, 1/2, 4/4 violin. from my nec to my hand is 56 cm. So i need a 3/4 violin, is it true?
Sounds right! But please double check: th-cam.com/video/oVRDE-a1JDU/w-d-xo.html
Violin that you are showing in this video can you pls let let me know how much price for this violin n where to but it from. I really liked it. Thanks
Hi Asif! We are sorry, this video is quite old by now. If you want to see and listen to our violins, you can visit our website: www.fiddlershop.com On the product pages, we have review videos of each instrument. Thanks! :)
nice tutorial , great help, Thanks
Glad it helped, Paul! Thanks for watching!
thanks for this great video but the music is a bit too loud
Sorry about that
background music didn't disturb me any but I watched with headphones =P
Can u plz an other video about top brands?
Great idea! I will let them know :)
Please don't put this out of tune music Thanks. Good advice
I just checked out your website but you pretty much left me and 10% of the world out. No lefty instruments. Anyway, I have a lead on a lefty violin that I have to get now. Great video though.
Hi Mark! We sell a left handed violin: fiddlershop.com/products/fiddlerman-left-handed-violin . Is it a violin you are interested in?
Thankyou for the tips but the music in the back is a bit loud 😉
Really? We've never heard that before 😉
One of the most important thing to look while buying a violin is your budget.
Very true! We usually tell people, it's kind of like looking for a house or car-of course you're going to love the one that's twice what you can afford, so be realistic about your budget, and try to stay close to it.
@@Fiddlershop tell me one thing is it possible to learn to play a violin at an adult age? ,and what would you consider a decent violin for beginners.
Wider grains does not necessarily mean a cheaper instrument . On the contrary many expensive Italian violins have wide grain on the table
The reason we say "Generally speaking", is just because of that :) We know that some makers choose a wider grain on purpose, in order to give a more soft and open tone in combination with the back and sides. Only some makers can do this correctly though :-P
FiddlerShop You are right
First of all, I thank you for all the hard work you are doing to teach us.
I had a question about buying a violin. Today when I went to the musical store, two violins caught my attention. First one was made in USSR in the beginning of 1970s, it costs $150(with all components). Second one was made in Germany in the beginning of 1900s. There was a label "Le Dracontius Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonenfis Faciebat Anno 1721". Seller himself told that it is a 100 year violin and has a shape of a Stradiuarius violin. It costed $180(only violin, without components). Both of them are in good condition. Which one do u advise to purchase?
Well, it's impossible to make a judgement call on the violins without seeing or hearing them. Personally, I would try to get an "in-home trial" and play both violins for a week and see what other characteristics emerge during that time. In home trials are something we recommend to all our customers, and something we'd be happy to provide with any of our instruments.
That price of $180 for 100 year old must be damaged or sound crap. Cheap violins sound crap . You need to play a rented on to get some nice bow strokes at least. Then Scratch away on as many violins as you can before you fork out for one. A good sounding violin makes you want to practise. A bad sound puts you off practising. This initial pay out can be the break or make of you future with the violin.
I personally liked the background music, thanks for the explanation!
Glad you liked it!
i want to buy a violin but i dont want to spend too much and i dont want it to be very cheap and bad, can you give advices on which range of price for violins are good violins and which are overpriced, and which prices means bad violins.
Do not have background music
We know, please read the video description for an update.
I like the background music!
hey i like the videos fellas only just stumbled on this one
Kind of you, thanks! :)
hi guys,
Thanks for the info,
Could you please rank the violins from beginner to intermediate to Advanced level and which one is highly recommended for each level
Appreciate your help
Regards,
GK
I found a violin that im interested in ......it has little bumps that th tail piece made ..small crack by th one F hole ... ... but apparently it is 109 years old .... should i take it amd get it repaired !
Nothing on the "sound post"??
I'm an adult beginner and worried about getting ripped off when I purchase a violin. As I haven't developed an ear yet for great sound. I have noticed that no one wants a violin made in China. I have been looking on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. The prices are all over the place. How can I tell if a violin is made in China? Are all inexpensive violins $200-$400 made in China? I don't want to pay a lot, yet I want a violin that will sound good. I don't want to buy from a store because they are asking top dollar.
I attend flea markets. How can I tell the value of a violin quickly and accurately?
I made it as far as 2 min + 18 sec and then I had to stop this and take an Advil.
I made only 1:30 !!!
Thanks for this info, very useful! :-)
However....I could barely hear what was said, because of the background music was way too loud. And I mean waaaaaaaay too loud :-)
Thanks for the feedback Eva. We are definitely not making that mistake in our newer videos :D
Cool! How about remaking this one with softer music? It's worth a try, because the info in the video itself it really valuable, and it was actually well made.
Good one but background music is very loud...
Thanks! Yes, big mistake on our part. Won't happen again...
@@Fiddlershop tnq bro..it helped me alot to buy a new violin.. keep rocking
Great music but I wanted to hear what you were saying.
U guys are Awesome
Thanks, Deepak! How sweet of you :)
Thank you so much...
Thanks!
Appreciate it! :)
Please fix the background music from the next time.
please read the description box
What is the name of the piece that's being played???!
Thanks for watching! Unfortunately, since it is an old video, we're not entirely sure as it was likely selected by that luthier at the time
Does the sound increase by removing the fix on the E string?
Very good but the back ground music is very high and frustrated..
We agree. We're getting better and learning as we make videos :) We are not professionals in this field. Thanks for your input.
Do you have recommendations for good quality strings for a beginner?
We would recommend the Fiddlerman Violin Strings: fiddlershop.com/products/fiddlerman-violin-string-set
They are super affordable, sound a lot like Dominants and are very popular :)
Guessing white shirt is the money
You have good content but from a production standpoint, make sure you are not standing where your watermark/graphic is not covering you. Next, the background music overpowers the men talking. Finally, rather than using the camera mic that gives you the echo, use mics clipped to the men.
Thanks, Peter!
Hey good content but I'm unable to choose a violin as a beginner would you please help me out!
No worries Ricky, all the instruments on our site are brand new. So we recommend finding an instrument in your price range. For complete beginners, we generally recommend the OB1 or Apprentice violins.
What background music was that?!!!
Thank you.
You're welcome!