Help please - cracked violin worth repairing/keeping??

[Kiminabox]

Hi all! I’m new to the forum but referenced it quite a bit when looking to buy a violin for my daughter, who just started lessons at school. You were all so helpful without even knowing it! Based on all the great reviews I read, I decided to try and find her a used Johannes Kohr. Since I’m on a very limited budget, I was ecstatic to find a 2011 K500 for $200 shipped that was described as 9/10 amazing condition with no maintenance needed. I should’ve known it was too good to be true because when it arrived, it had a crack in the top of the body at the f (pics included). It’s not very noticeable unless you look at it from an angle. From what I’ve read, this is a minor crack and doesn’t effect the sound quality if repaired correctly... the seller has told me I can ship it back & return it but they will not give any type of partial refund for the repair. I know I got a good price on it... HOWEVER, since then, I found a 2008 K500 locally for $300 without any cracks or repairs. I’ve seen that one in person and it is in great shape. Since this is for my daughter (and hopefully an instrument she’ll play for quite a few years), I want to make the best decision. Should I just keep the cracked one for $200 and repair it? Or return it and get the one for $300 that’s not needing anything? The other option is to repair and resell the cracked one to help pay for the other one.... I just have no idea what a repaired K500 would be worth. 

Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can provide!!

Kim

 

Edited September 9, 2018 by Kiminabox
Deleted 1 image.

[Wood Butcher]

I would just return it. It will cost more to repair than the price difference between the one you have found locally.

[Kiminabox]

42 minutes ago, Wood Butcher said:

I would just return it. It will cost more to repair than the price difference between the one you have found locally.

That’s what I was leaning towards. Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post and offer your opinion.

[Jwillis]

Agreed

[mysticpaw]

Return  …. not worth putting any dollars into it.

 

 

[Jacobus Drainer]

Yep, no question.  The local one, have your girl's teacher look it over.  If it needs anything at all it might be less expensive in the end to just get a new one (or yet another used one) from a shop that does repairs and adjustments.

[MarkBouquet]

Absolutely return the cracked one. Then negotiate the price for the undamaged one. That model is $439 new with a warranty. Such violins are very hard for a private seller to resell, and it's a buyer's market. Really,  there's no good reason to look for a "Johannes Kohr K500" specifically. You just need a serviceable violin, regardless of the "brand." And if you don't know how to evaluate the condition and setup of a violin, you're just setting yourself up for a fall.

[Kiminabox]

@Jwillis @mysticpaw @Bill Merkel @MarkBouquet clearsky

I realize this is not the first option to many people... I was just trying to buy my daughter the best quality violin that I could afford on my limited budget. I had already  planned on taking any purchase to a local luthier but they are closed on weekends and I had to decide on filing the return today. 

Thanks to all for your input and advice, I appreciate it.

[Jacobus Drainer]

All true.  Another option might be renting.  Monthly rent is usually pretty low and usually 100% goes toward purchase.  Check ads on the web to make sure the final cost isn't overpriced.

[baroquecello]

I, as a cello teacher, would second renting in this case. I never recommend buying fractional size Instruments as they are very hard to sell.

[Kiminabox]

Thanks @Bill Merkel I had looked at renting but did not realize it went towards the cost of purchase. 

 @baroquecello, my daughter is extremely tall and long limbed so she already requires a full size instrument. Thank you for your comment & advice as well.

[Spelman]

I agree with Baroquecello to rent initially. Even if she needs a 4/4 fiddle, most shops (check first!) will apply the rental payments towards an eventual purchase of an instrument. Like that, she can get used to the sound of a big violin and start forming opinions on what she likes. The buying process is generally easier and more satisfactory when the purchaser has an idea of what they are looking for.

 

PS--Don't neglect to be equally careful with the purchase of a bow!