Johannes Kohr Violin In Shaky eBay Territory

[gamerchic]

Hi Everyone,

 

In my continuing search for a beginner violin for myself (I'm 38) I have been trying to peruse the forum here and learn what people here, who are much more experienced than myself, think about various violin makers. I'm looking at a Gliga too but today I also saw a Johannes Kohr which was a name I saw mentioned in another thread that seemed to be a good beginner choice (yes?)

 

Anyway, I'm in strange territory because I'm on eBay ( I know) and I believe the seller is a pawn shop (yikes!!!) and he doesn't even know if it's 4/4 (he asked me how he would find out when I sent him a message. Yikes again) So I just wanted to reach out here because you were all so amazing with my first inquiry.

 

Here's what I know and I also have a link to my album with pictures of the violin because I'm too new to post pics here

 

Johannes Kohr W.Germany Ser 2300 Jahr 1977 Model 21 w case, strap & bow. Can anyone tell me if this is a full size violin?​

 

There is damage to the sides which you can see in the pictures: https://flic.kr/s/aHskjDuLd4

 

It's $149 which I know is cheap and you get what you pay for usually.

 

Thanks in advance!

[uncle duke]

With ebony/rosewood pegs and ebony fingerboard I'd only pay $35.00 tops.  You see that crack coming from the f hole in the next to last photo- worthless instrument to a person like myself.

[ctanzio]

That violin is in bad shape. You need to get off eBay now. >grin<

 

Here is the reality: any violin, used or otherwise, in a "beginner" price range almost always needs a new set of strings, the peg holes adjusted and the sound post tweaked. Unless you can do the setup stuff yourself, you are going to drop another $100 to $200 U.S. on the strings and adjustments.

 

Think about your short term goal. If you just want to see if you can physically and mentally meet the challenge of enduring this ancient torture device, then buy a new beginner kit, case, violin, bow, rosin and tuner, for well under $100 and have at it. If you and violining decide to part ways, use it as tinder in your fireplace or hang it on a wall where you can say you used to be good until arthritis cramped your playing.

 

If you decide you want to make a sound more pleasant than drowning cats, expect to drop $400+ US on something new from a reputable on-line store. There are threads where people recommended their favorite stores. Many rent the violins with an option to buy.

[Rue]

The crack is a big concern. The wear on the edges is cosmetic.

UD: What's wrong with having ebony or rosewood pegs? Or an ebony fingerboard?

[Violadamore]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Johannes-Kohr-W-Germany-Ser-2300-Jahr-1977-Model-21-w-case-strap-bow-/252109142338?hash=item3ab2e03942:g:aHsAAOSw9r1WDEC-

 

It's a Howard Core (a big violin-related wholesale distributorship, also behind Bobelock cases and Sensicore http://www.howardcore.com/) Johannes Kohr K21 student violin from the low end of German quality in the 1970's.  From Googling, this same violin may have been bouncing around the market for a while.  It's got very undistinguished wood, a lower bout crack, bashed edges and a Glasser low-end fiberglass bow like they don't make anymore.  It's from the first year Core was in business.  Both Core and Glasser have improved their lines since these things were made.  You can do better, even in this price range. 

[uncle duke]

The crack is a big concern. The wear on the edges is cosmetic.

UD: What's wrong with having ebony or rosewood pegs? Or an ebony fingerboard?

After looking at the non-figured rib and back wood, chippy edges and the top crack I would hope that the fingerboard and pegs would be ebony instead of a stained hardwood, if I were wanting to make a purchase.  I don't see any reasons this one wasn't a functional violin when new- ebony/rosewood would just make it that much better.  The crack could be a repair.  Hard to tell from here.     

[gamerchic]

With ebony/rosewood pegs and ebony fingerboard I'd only pay $35.00 tops.  You see that crack coming from the f hole in the next to last photo- worthless instrument to a person like myself.

 

 

After looking at the non-figured rib and back wood, chippy edges and the top crack I would hope that the fingerboard and pegs would be ebony instead of a stained hardwood, if I were wanting to make a purchase.  I don't see any reasons this one wasn't a functional violin when new- ebony/rosewood would just make it that much better.  The crack could be a repair.  Hard to tell from here.     

 

Thank you for your advice and for looking at the pictures. The crack is a problem and I'm really glad I asked here because it's obvious that the pawn shop has no information.

[gamerchic]

That violin is in bad shape. You need to get off eBay now. >grin<

 

Here is the reality: any violin, used or otherwise, in a "beginner" price range almost always needs a new set of strings, the peg holes adjusted and the sound post tweaked. Unless you can do the setup stuff yourself, you are going to drop another $100 to $200 U.S. on the strings and adjustments.

 

Think about your short term goal. If you just want to see if you can physically and mentally meet the challenge of enduring this ancient torture device, then buy a new beginner kit, case, violin, bow, rosin and tuner, for well under $100 and have at it. If you and violining decide to part ways, use it as tinder in your fireplace or hang it on a wall where you can say you used to be good until arthritis cramped your playing.

 

If you decide you want to make a sound more pleasant than drowning cats, expect to drop $400+ US on something new from a reputable on-line store. There are threads where people recommended their favorite stores. Many rent the violins with an option to buy.

 

Hi ctanzio,

 

Haha, I know I really do need to get off eBay, it's a trap.   I keep thinking I'll get lucky and stumble on something good that I can afford. You made a lot of good points and gave good advice. I played the viola in school (many moons ago) and decided that I would like to try out the violin as an adult (I'm also picking the viola back up). My budget is tight at the moment though so I've been looking on eBay trying get lucky.

I hadn't thought of renting with an option top buy though and there are several music stores in my city that do that, including one that I've use for repair in the past so that's an idea.

 

I'd like to have a decent sounding violin so that I actually enjoy learning it. May I ask if you think that the Gliga Genial Violin 2004 that I'm also keeping an eye on would be a better option for someone in my shoes? In the threads here that I was looking at, several people mentioned Gligas.

 

If not, I think my next move would be to go the music store I like and talk to them about renting with an option to own. Thank you very much for your thoughts!

[gamerchic]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Johannes-Kohr-W-Germany-Ser-2300-Jahr-1977-Model-21-w-case-strap-bow-/252109142338?hash=item3ab2e03942:g:aHsAAOSw9r1WDEC-

 

It's a Howard Core (a big violin-related wholesale distributorship, also behind Bobelock cases and Sensicore http://www.howardcore.com/) Johannes Kohr K21 student violin from the low end of German quality in the 1970's.  From Googling, this same violin may have been bouncing around the market for a while.  It's got very undistinguished wood, a lower bout crack, bashed edges and a Glasser low-end fiberglass bow like they don't make anymore.  It's from the first year Core was in business.  Both Core and Glasser have improved their lines since these things were made.  You can do better, even in this price range. 

 

Hi, Thank you, that information was really helpful. It's like someone's trying to get rid of it. I appreciated the history of the company and production too to put it in context for me. Definitely a pass on this.

[Violadamore]

Dear heavens, look what's still available on eBay after more than a year!.  I checked the eBay link I gave above just for fun, figuring it would be long flushed..  "It's Alive!!!" 

[Pluto Vermin]

^My brother and sister in law rented a violin for my niece to start on and it was really good and the rent wasn't much.  Maybe not even double digits.  I think these adult beginners should rent instead of buy.  Or rent to own, like how I got my Betamax VCR.