Need help with violins

[Guest m&pc9]

My wife has started playing the violin and the one she has is a starter model. I would like to get her a better quality one. But I dont want to spend a bunch of money on a name brand when an off brand is as good. If that makes since.

What are some names to look for and is there some place in Knoxville to buy at a good price. I could also venture to Nashville if I need too.

What kind of price range am I looking at.

Thanks for your help.

BTW whats the difference between a violin and a fiddle?

Edited July 24, 2010 by m&pc9

[leroy]

Davd West. Ciderville Music Store. Go out 25W (...Clinton Highway...) toward Clinton. Just across the Knox/Anderson County line on the left at the bottom of the hill.

They are good folks and have most everything.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Leroy

Edited July 24, 2010 by leroy
spelling!! Directions!!

[DWARREN123]

The difference between a violin and fiddle is, as I understand it, is the area you are in and the music played. Basically the same instrument.

Luck on your search.

[Guest Jamie]

BTW whats the difference between a violin and a fiddle?

This:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aZLw_KBdqc

While CD has it, it's a fiddle. When he gives it back to it's owner, there's little doubt it's a violin.

J.

[StPatrick]

BTW whats the difference between a violin and a fiddle?

You don't tap your foot when playing the violin.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Dunno the Knoxville area, but a lot of 'mainline' music stores are not likely to have a deep inventory of violins. Also it is not uncommon to find a salesman who is a rock musician who can't stay employed as a full-time musician, who just wants to sell you something. Anything.

In most areas there are one or more education-oriented band instrument stores that specialize in brass and woodwind instruments. Such stores MAY have violin inventory, and if so the salesman might be more interested in helping you pick an appropriate price versus quality instrument, rather than just selling what has been on the sales floor too long. Those places tend to be straight retail and possibly a little stuffy, but you are fairly likely to get good advice.

Also good places are the tiny bluegrass-oriented mom&pop stores. Sometimes those folks can be stuffy (or not). Its just that bluegrass players tend to take their music serious as a heart attack. You probably won't find any 30 percent off discount bargains at such a store, but they can give good advice and steer you to a good bang for the buck choice.

If your wife has got accomplished enough to play at least a little bit, then if the store happens to have multiple instruments of the same brand/model (which may not be likely in a small mom&pop, but more likely in a band instrument store)--

Instruments like horns, guitars, banjos, basses, violins-- The quality control tends to be very good nowadays, but if there are 10 of the same thing in stock, there are really good odds that one or two of them play noticeably better than the others. A good store would not get frustrated at you for wanting to play several and pick the best one. It is good to assure the salesman you are definitely gonna buy the 'pick of the litter' before you put them to all that trouble, though.

Edited July 24, 2010 by Lester Weevils

[Oh Shoot]

My wife has started playing the violin and the one she has is a starter model. I would like to get her a better quality one. But I dont want to spend a bunch of money on a name brand when an off brand is as good. If that makes since....

Aren't the Williams family folks there at Music Outlet on Winfield Dunn considered pretty knowledgeable on stringed instruments?

Whether they have best selection/prices, you might at least pick their brains?

- OS

[Guest m&pc9]

Aren't the Williams family folks there at Music Outlet on Winfield Dunn considered pretty knowledgeable on stringed instruments?

Whether they have best selection/prices, you might at least pick their brains?

- OS

I will stop by there when I get a chance.

Thanks

[Guest buttonhook]

you dont ever pluck a violin

[Guest m&pc9]

you dont ever pluck a violin

I dont pluck anything.

[Guest mosinon]

quality of sound is so subjective....

I'd let your wife try out some pre selected models (ones you can afford) and then get her the one she likes. I've got prosthetic ears completely made of tin so the difference between a beginner model and a stradivarius are lost on me but the important thing is that she is happy.

[Guest jackdm3]

If you have an amp with effects, get one with an output jack. This'll help if she gets bored with its natural tone. If it's a solid state amp with 2 inputs, you can play any jacked instrument with her.

[peejman]

Good advice here. One thing to keep in mind from a former band geek... you can't buy tone. Tone is 90% player, 10% instrument. It's the same reason why there's 10,000 guitar players who sound almost like Eddie Van Halen, but no one sounds exactly like him. The main difference you'll find between a cheap instrument and a more expensive one is "playability". The nicer one will be a little easier to play, but the tone comes from the player.

Band instrument dealers or bluegrass places should provide good advice.

What's the difference between a violin and a viola? The viola burns longer.

What's the definition of a minor second? Two violins playing in unison.

What do you call 10 violins at the bottom of the ocean? A good start.

How does a violinist change a light bulb? She holds the bulb and the world revolves around her.

How do you know when a violin is out of tune? The bow is moving.

I could go on for a while....

[Guest m&pc9]

Good advice here. One thing to keep in mind from a former band geek... you can't buy tone. Tone is 90% player, 10% instrument. It's the same reason why there's 10,000 guitar players who sound almost like Eddie Van Halen, but no one sounds exactly like him. The main difference you'll find between a cheap instrument and a more expensive one is "playability". The nicer one will be a little easier to play, but the tone comes from the player.

Band instrument dealers or bluegrass places should provide good advice.

What's the difference between a violin and a viola? The viola burns longer.

What's the definition of a minor second? Two violins playing in unison.

What do you call 10 violins at the bottom of the ocean? A good start.

How does a violinist change a light bulb? She holds the bulb and the world revolves around her.

How do you know when a violin is out of tune? The bow is moving.

I could go on for a while....

Shes blonde also, Do you have any blonde jokes too.

She hates blonde jokes. So every time were around my brother he has about 30 minutes of blonde jokes.

[kb4ns]

What do you call 10 violins at the bottom of the ocean? A good start.

I like this one. I think it could also apply for liberals.

[Guest 1817ak47]

check out my family's business

wilhite strings

2105 keller bend road

knoxville tn 37922

865-670-1888

they are a full service shop that rent's repairs and sells violins violas and cellos and cello basses. the owner bruce wilhite has also played in knox county symphony for severals years.

[extremescene]

"The Violin Shop" in west Nashville is your best bet. The owner, Fred Carpenter, is very good to work with and will demonstrate the tone of different instruments if you are unable to play well yourself. They have a trade-in policy where they will always give you 100% of what you paid when you decide you want a nicer instrument... I'm sure sure the condition needs to remain excellent, however.

[Guest m&pc9]

check out my family's business

wilhite strings

2105 keller bend road

knoxville tn 37922

865-670-1888

they are a full service shop that rent's repairs and sells violins violas and cellos and cello basses. the owner bruce wilhite has also played in knox county symphony for severals years.

We went this morning and got her a new violin. Bruce was very helpful and I believe very honest.

Thanks for your help.