deans
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https://www.metmusic.com/about Prob one of these
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My experience is similar to Dwights. I've been working off the same tube of (Hill) compound given to me with my first store-bought viola 35 years ago. The pegs on that viola have probably been rotated a trillion times with no trouble or signs of wear. And that same tube has been used on dozens of other instruments over the years. Pegs require little care if they are fitted well to start.
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Have to think this was a scheme for a player to rapidly switch from playing under the chin to playing with a cello endpin. This would mean there is a piece missing, a second insert fitted with an endpin.
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I think what Michael is saying is that a consignment agreement should have a amount of money you need to get when the instrument leaves the shop. Not just a percentage, which could get entagled in a three way deal.
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Make sure you include music you struggle with, as well as your best material, and get as much time with the instrument as possible.
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Yeah, long scale Zyex seem to work well. And cheaper. It would be my choice if one of the dominant sets didnt work. Tonicas come in long and extra long too. 40 and 43cm. In case you want to tinker around some more. My largest viola now has 43cm Tonicas with a custom Jargar A
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Are you talking about 4121s? I also find these a bit too flabby even on an instrument with a 43cm string length (almost 19" back length), and the A is like a rubber band. If you generally like dominants I would try 4125s, they should fit, on my instruments with a 41.5 string length there is plenty of length, and they should give you more tension than 4121s https://www.viola-strings.com/dominant.php I havent tried Passione on any viola, but my suspicion is that since they are designed for more average violas, they will be tight on yours, probably much more than the dominant 4121s. Thats why I was thinking I would go for light gauge if I were in your shoes. This is an area where you just need to experiment a bit. Which unfortunately can mean $$$.
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I havent tried Passione, but Eudoxas (and other standard Piastro brands) will barely fit on violas I have that are around 415mm. Unless your tailpiece afterlength is on the short side, I'm thinking they will not. But you may get them to work by unwinding some of the threading at the nut (a common practice for people with big violas). I would choose the lightest tension.
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This 18" Chinese viola fom a popular Ebay seller is said to come with a case. Perhaps you could contact then to see if they have exta cases around. It would probably be very lightweight and cheap, but might get the job done for now. https://www.ebay.com/itm/204943978292?_skw=18"+viola&itmmeta=01J9H4YDK1FRW89SN1M2T3VNT3&hash=item2fb79cef34:g:TQgAAOSwnGRmvvHI&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwHoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKl3BStEPmQBgCl%2BqjRM24fRWLvw8hn0n8%2BMPzF9Kd3JW57hRZef4si%2FIsutynZTwGMGteVGM4bovTtqM26b2l5olGRP1Ba8FDQUDYyUYWuYSmrmOxD02cSOYWQlIvVTdEy3GZJJQ79rQ203oZ1n5nzRl7%2FypNBhvDy4XJAkVTxs1LmO8jZc%2B64x8k%2BbKq2FlGXoTiHXwx%2F4PWFmTLKa5AabV%2BQUBW2K%2FLFALoh6naq%2BkA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR9TZ-aTMZA
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I have a couple Kinghams, good choice, they will make anything. but a shaped viola is 585 gbp, so with currency exchange and shipping its out of your 600 range. Could try fractional cello cases.
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Advice on establishing my own violin restoration business
deans replied to Goran74's topic in The Pegbox
I have no idea what the situation is like over there, but here in the US many community colleges offer a course or series of courses on starting a small business, often for minimal cost or even free. -
Question About Viola Bridge With Low Tension Strings
deans replied to Lucia M.'s topic in The Pegbox
hard to say without the instrument in hand. But what happened to the old bridge? Putting it back is the obvious solution. -
It all depends on the price and if you are personally comfortable with it. There's value in nostalgia and in owning a cool old instrument. This message board has a lot of dealers who (undestandibly) look at everything from the financial viewpoint. But many players are willing to put a cetain amount of "mad money" into something. However you did use the term "investing" so maybe this isnt the right situation for you. BTW, when you say "opening up" is this a seam or a crack? The one good thing you mention is that you have known the instrument for "years" which means the repairs must have at least have some level of integrety, and that you will probably still be able to enjoy it for more years to come.
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I dont think I've seen any appraisals or cerificates that state what the violin isn't. Even if it was previously ascribed by someone else. But perhaps some members here have written some.
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The biggest downside is that a lot of local shops might not service an instrument brought in from somewhere else. Cellos in particular will ultimately need tweeks and adjustments. The other issue is that instruments from China tend not to be set up all that well to begin with. They are good at making 95% of the instrument but bridges, soundposts, nuts, and fingerboards are their weak points. I guess this is in part based on the decades old model of US shops preferring to do this work themselves. The instrument might sound OK in a short trial, but after playing a few months you realize find the bridge isnt shaped right, the nut's too high, or the fingerboard doesnt have the right scoop. Take it to a shop and you'll have to pay to get it right, if they take you at all.