That`s fair comment, but it`s worth bearing in mind that internet prices can be as low as 1/4 of the prices at some shops. That is a lot of money when you get up to better instruments!

lzi

Hmmm...That`s interesting and really important. Well, I didn`t know that they will be cheaper. Really? Like what brands? Is it first hand yr talking about? And I`m guessing maybe...intermediate student violin? Do feed me in on that. This is imp. Thank You.

Yes, first hand. All brands, though it is far more noticeable above beginner level. Well, to be precise, all brands where the distributor will sell to internet only retailers.

Bear in mind that retail premises cost a lot to upkeep. If staff are employed to sit around all day waiting for customers (rather than, for example, a shop opening by appointment only) then there are yet more overheads. If a retailer imports direct then the wholesaler`s margin (which is considerably greater than the normal retail margin) is eliminated completely.

Specialist shops do work to the violins and add value. But this has to be weighed against what could be a doubling trebling or even quadrupling of the price.

Liz

O, I C. Hidden overcharges...Now, that does makes sense. Thank You.

I DO have a ebony tail piece that carries four built in fine tuner. I found it in a local music store. The shop asked for $60 and I managed to bargain it down to $30 by pointing out a few scratches. I don`t know who is the maker as the piece is not marked or signed. A lovely piece of accessory indeed. Still hoping to find another one but no luck.

Regards,
Warren

DW, you could just buy a new chinrest....

I`ve found that a Flesch chinrest works well for me - if I ever get another violin (and don`t sell the one I have) I`ll get a Flesch to put on it.

Once you`ve found your ideal chinrest (not always an easy task considering the range, unless you have a luthier to advise you) there`s no reason you can`t have that fitted on any violin.

It`s not just the chin rest. It`s the combination of the chin and shoulder rest. This stupid violin of mine ( which I decided to chuck it aside) keeps shaking when I do vibrato and etc. I can`t seem to get a firm grip on it. I`ve long given up hope on it.

I did not buy from this dealer but I bought a $70 1/2 size from an auction very similar to this one on ebay. Take my advice...leave this beast be. The violin I received at first glance to my amature eye seemed really nice. I even gave positive feedback. However, when my daughter had her first lesson the instructor had to tune her violin 4 times in 30 minutes. Not acceptable. That week we went to a respectable violin shop and purchased a very nice instrument for my daughter. Since then I have worked on the ebay instrument and got it where it will stay somewhat tune for a bit longer...but not much and it still played bad. I think I`ll just take this baby and hang it on the wall and call it decor. There was one positive thing to come out of the transaction...our instructor preferred the weight of the cheapo ebay bow over the one that came in my daughters violin shop outfit...so for now she uses that for practice.

Chris,there is no such thing as a left-handed chin rest.I may just be a teenager,but I have played the violin for about 4 years.This is my 5th year playing at my school

Yes there is. You get them on left handed violins.

Liz

I think most people are spoiled . If you gave them silver they still want gold.
I`ve found that the harder it is to get good sound from an instrument, the better the musician you become.