Michalis Pantelides Violins

How to choose a violin…

www.mpviolins.com

What to know when buying a violin… whether this is your first violin purchase or your 10^th, the same standard model of inspection applies for all purchases, the same checks should apply whether you’re purchasing a beginner instrument or your next professional violin.

MP Violins below will explain the basic information you should know before proceeding with the purchase of your next instrument. We will explain what to look out for, what to judge and what to avoid.

When making your purchase it is advised that you should go with someone with knowledge of the instrument, either your teacher or a violin luthier. Even if you’re an experienced player, a qualified luthier might notice things you wouldn’t have originally. For sound recognition it’s always good to have someone to advise you how the instrument sounds from a distance, not just at your hands and how it sounds to you, if they can play, you’ll get to hear how the instrument sounds for yourself from afar.

Before your purchase make sure…

Make sure you are buying from a reputable source, like an experienced luthier or recognized violin shop just like MP Violins!

Make sure when purchasing your instrument, either as an experienced player or beginner, you go with someone who is experienced e.g. your future or current teacher or current luthier/violin maker this is for two main reasons…

1. For perception – An extra set of ears will hear the violin from afar different to how it sounds in your hands and if they are able to play it, you’ll get the chance to see how it sounds too.
2. For attention to detail – A qualified luthier will know where to look and what to look for when purchasing an instrument, also what to look out for, so that you ensure you’re getting your values worth.

1. Authenticity!
   

   Your violin is unlikely to be the hidden Stradivarius! The undiscovered masterpiece! From our experience and from the horror stories you hear and we have seen, buying a violin that seems too good to be true, usually is. There are many, many, antique violin collectors that go out of their way, with an eye for the instrument, that can tell you not only by looking at the instrument where it is made but also where the wood was sourced from and the year it was carved, with the knowledge to be able to tell you who the maker/s are and how many people handcrafted the instrument. A respectable maker he/she, would create their masterpiece within their own workshop, either by their hands, with assistance or by the hands of someone they trust to maintain and uphold their reputation as a luthier.
   I mean you might get lucky and buy that Stradivarius that no one knew existed, or buy that Guarneri that no one knew how the sound was so good, or even the very first model of a violin, maybe even an Amati!… but the likelihood is that it’s modelled on the original.
   This is because there are many non-qualified luthiers/factories trying to emulate with minor detail the instruments of the great makers, but none the less are hard to distinguish without an eye, or knowledge for which one is real and which one is not. Thus, you might think it’s the Guarneri “Il Cannone”! But it’s more likely to be the lesser-known model “Il Pistola”!… so, look out for where you buy from and with what intent you wish to buy!
   A well-made violin even if not the original, even if it is a model of a Stradivarius or Guarneri era made violin, if made correctly and by a reputable source, could be a violin of the highest quality. This is because, most violins today are emulating the original violins made by the world-renowned makers, for their sound, quality and understanding of making a violin. Schools such as the Istituto Professionale per L’Artigianato Liutario e del Legno Antonio Stradivari in Cremona, Italy, have studied the originals to the very precise measurement and are passing this knowledge and information down to their students, who in turn are crafting masterpieces of their very own today, that are sold worldwide by reputable dealers and there are other schools like this too. Respected music shops, luthiers and dealers can provide expert violins crafted by these makers, usually provided with a certificate of authenticity, an official document proving authentication of the instrument as well as maker. There are also societies/associations for violin making in all the major countries and continents, that approve the maker and their standard of violin making. For example, The Violin Society of America, the British Violin Making Association and many more. Look for this when researching your violins luthier, as this will be a clear indication of who made your instrument as well as its value if they are recognized or not.

2. Inspection & Condition!
   

   Once you have found where to buy your instrument from you must carry out a thorough inspection of the instrument before you even try it! Look for cracks, scratches, and general wear and tear, also look for general quality and build… the most common area to find cracks, scratches, and general wear and tear on the instrument are located as per below, as well as the finer things to look out for that are:

• At the pegbox – cracks can appear here due to the pressure of the pegs within the peg hole, they can be hard to see too usually hairline cracks created maybe by a misshaped peg or too much pressure could have been applied to secure the peg in place.
• At the scroll – if the instrument has taken a fall in the past the scroll could have been damaged on impact so look for signs of cracks here also.
• On the body top of the instrument – check around the f-holes for fine cracks. Under the tailpiece… it is also common should the bridge collapse, that due to the tension of the strings, the tailpiece will clatter the violin top, this can cause cracks here that might have gone unnoticed if the tailpiece is concealing the crack there upon first inspection. Look for cracks where the sound post is situated as pressure here over time can cause cracks as well as along the bass bar. Also, look out for… with the violin top facing you the top right can have a thinning of the varnish from the previous players’ hands, a hardworking player can get sweaty hands and when gripping the instrument it can become tarnished here, the varnish can become thin so look out for this… many antique simulated instruments are made to look this way so as to interpret a violin well played when it’s actually new, this isn’t a bad thing per se if you like the look and the instrument is well made but don’t be fooled into thinking its antique by its look.
• On the back of the instrument – when a violin is settled it will be placed on its back, this can create wear and tear, sometimes even cracks if the violin is not laid down gently, at best an antique violin will have scratches here and tarnish on the varnish, a new violin shouldn’t have any signs of wear and tear here, at least a brand new violin shouldn’t, a relatively new violin might, but look for this as this can be an indicator to how well the violin has been looked after prior. Look for splitting of the centre joint on the back, also any gaps here are a sign it needs repair, as well as where the sound post is situated on the back of the violin this must be monitored also the same as the top of the violin.
• Around the ribs – look to the joints where the ribs are glued to the top/back, if there appear to be any gaps, the violin might have been restored inside and not glued back together correctly. Also, look for signs of wood damage especially worm, the last thing you want to do is to buy a violin that looks great but a few months later starts being eaten away by a pesky worm. This will be not only bad for your violin but also for the surrounding environment as the worm could travel from surface to surface lay eggs they could hatch and then you’re in a whole world of trouble.
• At the neck – look at the fingerboard first if it looks painted black it’s likely it’s not real ebony wood, sometimes it could be a white hardwood painted black, this is a cheaper alternative and is a tale tale sign the instrument is not of the highest of qualities. Also, the inclination on a visual basis, look to see if it looks shallow there might be a problem the same if it looks deep.???
• The finer things – make sure your instrument has been set up by a qualified luthier. Look at the bridge – the bridge should be at a perfect right angle towards the tailpiece on the body of the violin going up, the other side of the bridge towards the fingerboard should be slightly curved. Also, check the feet of the bridge they should be sitting flush to the body with no gaps anywhere, if there are gaps at the feet or the bridge as mentioned before, then the bridge is likely to have been made incorrectly, or it might still need adjusting. The strings should also be inspected, if you’re buying the instrument you want new strings, look at the bridge for signs of the string being stretched also at the nut, (the wood before the peg hole located at the top of the fingerboard), most often if the strings are old they will be frayed here.
  To sum up please do not buy an instrument especially an antique, forgive its condition, having cracks, bubbled varnish or a dipped neck hoping you’ve just gone and bought your very own Stradivarius that could be fixed, because the likelihood is, it’s not a Stradivarius and after playing the instrument for a month it will fall apart from all its cracks, the varnish will rub off, or have the wrong inclination of the neck and many other things wrong with it. If you are tempted to buy such an instrument make sure to consult your luthier first so they can advise you

• If it’s worth it to be fixed
• How much it will cost to fix it

3. Try before you buy! Confirm a trial period!
   

   You have inspected the instrument, found the above to be all ok, then try it. If it’s your first time buying a violin and you are yet to learn how to play ask the shop assistant to play it or go with someone who knows how to play like your future teacher. If your experienced and maybe buying a better-quality instrument that can be considered an investment, ask if you can take the instrument home to try, there’s no harm in asking. All certified shops will have insurance and if you are genuinely interested this is a feasible option for you and them.
   Like us here at MP Violins, we prefer for our more expensive violins, that you do trial the instrument, as an hour in a shop will give you a good idea of its capabilities, but the more you play it, the more you will get a feel for its true potential. Here you will see the pros and cons of the violin, a good shop or luthier shouldn’t fear the cons and know their instruments pros. They will want you to try it so that you yourself know the quality you are buying, this way there’s no remorse, there will be no regret on your purchase and you will leave a happy customer, creating more in return.

4. Alas, the purchase! Warranty!
   

   When all has been decided, you’re happy to buy the instrument, confirm a warranty. Make sure the shop or luthier you’re purchasing your violin from offers this… (damage won’t be covered), but should you need fine adjustments after it’s always good to know that you are ok to return with your violin, maybe you need the bridge lowering or soundpost adjustment, this should be part of the warranty offered to you when buying your instrument.

5. Insurance!!!
   

   Make sure you purchase insurance… so you’ve bought your violin you’ve gone for a coffee and… OH NO! Someone has stolen it… ok nobody wants this and even with insurance the sentiment is never replaced, but without it, you won’t be able to go through the above points again to make sure your next instrument is just as good if not better, with a little more wisdom and maybe with time a little more investment.

   Given the above, if all attributes are considered, then when purchasing your next instrument, you can rest assured and with confidence knowing that you’ve made the right choice.