Regis

I have enjoyed this forum for a few years in the past but, have been absent for almost a year. Life has many changes in store for us and it is important for me at this time to sell virtually my entire shop of tools, 20+ violins, and hundreds of bows, as well as wood, fittings, strings, and parts. Because I'm in a small town, I'll have to go to Tarisio for a few of the violins, bows, wood, and tools then ebay for the rest. I'll be doing a detailed inventory in the next couple weeks but, my violins and bows are not expensive (max in the $2,000 range not the $20,000 range). Most of the violins and bows need some repair. I have 2 high-end kits and a lower end kits. If anyone has serious interest in everything, please contact me privately. I will not sell individual items except through Tarisio or Ebay. Thanks to all who have so willingly help over the years through this forum. I live in northwest Florida Regis_g@bellsouth.net (850)380-7111 cell

Michael, I did not get very far in the planning. That "day-job" is just taking too much of my time. But, I wanted to put a bowmaker (or at least strong restorer) (that also helps folks here) in a workshop that had a day or two of half day overlaps. A lot of good folks could meet AND learn. If I do one again, it will be closer to the middle of the country (and of course I'll try to encourage you). Best of luck and hope you guys have as great a group as we had last winter. Regis

I've gotten several e-mails about the wonderful winter workshop last year held on the Florida panhandle "BETWEEN" hurricanes. I don't have time to put togather another but, I have heard there might be a repeat or similar one out on the west coast. I've given some setup info to a couple people through the year. Michael.....are you doing the one I've heard about near LA? Don't know if there will be more that one agenda as I was going to put togather an overlapping violin and bow workshop with a couple different masters. If anyone has details, or knows if it is open or closed, let us know? Thanks, Regis

I bought it a couple years ago and continue to refer to it occassionally. It is NOT good for identification but does put a lot of names, places, and dates in one place. It is an in-expensive resource. Regis

I believe I would contact ebay security or customer service if you still have the email.

For a do-it-yourself, you can use one of the jewelry cleaning cloths. With any method though, you must not get any foreign substance on the wood.

A search within the last several months will give you several folks view on this seller and their items

A few things to get used to but, lookin' pretty good......

Does anyone have experience buying out of Czechoslovakia or nearby countries and shipped to the US? Particularly old instruments on Ebay but, otherwise also. I have heard there may be some good new violins comming out of Polland.

Disgarding the label, it is not "yet" overpriced for its looks (a few repaired top cracks).

Can you believe this one.... $50,000 And,,,,the "tuners" tune from the back. I sure hope no one gets 'd on this one. $20 shipping and no insurance offered! And NO feedback from buyers.

Anadah Maestroni Gotcha Finalli I believe I'm the owner of 2 Gotchas

Be sure to search under viola and cello bow frogs and not necessarily violin.

Jesse, Great information that you are willing to share (reflects professional marketing background). There are a lesser number like myself that do not use the watch list but put the item in snipe program. Then go in occassionally and look at the viewer counts. This may skew numbers very slighly but would probably be the same percent across the board. I'm about to post a few violins in the next couple months and plan on one at a time. What is your experience with multiple simultaneous violin posts? Or, do you also do one at a time only? Thanks, Regis

This one is strange. Cheap_ebay The person gives the length of the case but not the violin. May well be over priced at $25. Didn't reply to email about length so is probably pushing a really cheap 3/4 for a low 4/4 price

I can understand how folks get caught-up "in the action" of live auctions. But ebay? You have days to look at a few pictures and a description (all you are going to see). You can even research the seller, somewhat. Then decide on a bid amount (shill or no shill) that you are willing to spend. If you tend to get overly excited and are temped to over bid your target price, buy a snip program or service and you'll sleep better. You may get a $1500 violin for $250 but, you are not going to get a $150,000 violin for $2,500.

My wife uses one of the Ingles that Woodland mentioned. It is nice and secure so you don't have to worry about any bumps/tips etc. We don't have children running around anymore but, we still want to keep the cello safe.

There are both honest and dishonest dealers in shops and on ebay. In shops you are definately a little safer in that you can try them out. You can do the same on ebay with some dealers but, very time consuming. If you have confidence in your ear and have played enough to know the feel you want, you just need to visit lots of shops and compare, compare, compare. If your budget puts you up in the investment level of violin, then it is much more difficult. Even then, be sure you look in shops that move violins both above and below your budget. When you beleive you have found 'the' one then research, research, research until YOU are satisfied. If you choose ebay, be sure you have a good setup person nearby. I believe some folks buy and then sell back on ebay going through many violins until they find just the one for them. If you watch the bidding and research the seller you may get a bargin.

Quote: "TOP" "left darker" and "BOTTOM" "right darker" Oded, I take this to mean that tilting the top slightly toward center and the bottom slightly out (from verticle) will darken the tone? If so, do you first position verticle for "best" fit/tone and then slightly adjust top/bottom to brighten/darken? Or, do you start with a very slightly longer post (for off verticle fit) if you want to brighten or darken the violin? In other words, is the movement/tilt so small that post length is not affected?

Quote: I wonder if it will ever become common for makers to put thier email or web addresses inside the violin somewhere or on the label." I can see it now on ebay: "I don't know much about violins but this one is really really old and even has the maker's old web site www.Guiseppe_Guarneri_del_Gesu.crm" Or You can e-mail the maker at Nicolo.Amati@Cremona.it

If the cost was $100-$200 or more you should expect a descent student case. If it was one of the $29 deals, cheap is cheap.

There has been an interesting recent discussion about heat treating bridges. There have also been past discussions about heating or not heating coatings and of heat vs cold bending of ribs. Has anyone tried or read about heat treating the plates? I sometime wonder if tanning in the sun qualifies as heat treating? Does it have any tonal effect? Regis

Yuen, If your soundpost is cut correctly and "fit" for the correct location, it should not fall unless you squeeze the sides. Oded, Sure is nice, simple test but, all I have on hand now ring the same so I'll have to wait for a short one or cut one back to hear the difference.

Quote: "Will this instrument sound better than is student instrument?" That is a question tha no one can answer. Is one student instrument better sounding than another student instrument without handling both? If what he has now is one of those $29 ebay instruments, then yes. Other than that, it mostly depends on what sound you like (and can hear). There is at least one zero missing for it to sound like a professional instrument. Looks to me like you bought a nice, clean, several hundred dollar violin.

Tim2, Do you heat treat a blank? Or, do you carve to final (or near final) fit and then harden? Interesting topic. Regis