Matt Z Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 Hi all! I'm seeking a violin under 5000USD (8000AUD). I live in Australia at the moment. Here the opportunity to access fine instrument is fewer than, let's say the US and UK. I understand it's hard to buy any known maker's violin at this price range. But do you have any recommendation maybe some young potential makers instrument or some Chinese makers seem having great value. Old instrument is risky unless I can try and return is accepted, otherwise I rather trust some new stuff. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deans Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 The Jay Haide line is popular around here. It would be my first choice. Or another similar well set up Chinese instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Z Posted November 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 2 minutes ago, deans said: The Jay Haide line is popular around here. It would be my first choice. Or another similar well set up Chinese instrument. Are Jay Haide's intruments available worldwide? Chinese instrument is a very wide range. Essentially there are so many makers. People recommend some VSA award winning Chinese maker's intrument but I've never tried any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deans Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 I would email Ifshin in CA and ask there might be a dealer there, or maybe they could ship. See what your local shop has, gotta be something similar down there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cincitaipei Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 If you say where you are in Australia, folk might be able to advice on good dealers/shops. 5000 is high enough that you're wanting something above the typical factory instrument. Also: what are you playing now? What do you want to change about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TZEENTCHAU Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 If you are in Sydney, the north shore has a few close enough together (Sydney strings in chatswood, violinery in lindfield, the violin centre gordon, or Vivaldi's in epping). Pity, you are late by a few years as you could have got a new vatiliotis in that budget (2nd hand typically would likely be outside of your budget), which was my choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rosales Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 You might try Olaf Grawert's shop. https://olafgrawertviolinstudio.com/product-category/instruments/ I don't have any experience with his instruments, but I enjoy his Youtube videos! His instruments are out of your price range, but he offers chinese-made instruments that he sets up and endorses that are well within your price range. He's based in Australia so you might be able to hear them in person to judge for yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strad O Various Jr. Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 I think it would be relatively easy to find a well set up antique that sounded better than the Jay Haide at a similar price point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathieu valde Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 there is possibility to get nice french instruments MUCH BETTER than chinese crap for 5000 usd. Look for Diedonne Lavest , Collenot etc. Posting to AU costs 150 approx or even better. Do not see any reason you should by Hayde if you can get in Europe much better ones for same price. I have sold to AU many instruments and all owners said in Au they can not easily find such instruments and they are generally much more expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Jacoby Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 I would check with Hugh Withycombe in Canberra. WOrking with a luthier at a shop used to your climate and economy is a huge plus. Hugh is a brilliant maker and a good guy, and will have stuff for you to try in your price range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 1 hour ago, mathieu valde said: there is possibility to get nice french instruments MUCH BETTER than chinese crap for 5000 usd. Not all Chinese violins are crap, and not all French violins are anything special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathieu valde Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 49 minutes ago, David Burgess said: Not all Chinese violins are crap, and not all French violins are anything special. I'll be very happy to see the difference to sell French one or Chinese after some years when upgrading Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysticpaw Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 Where abouts in Australia are you ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deans Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 When it comes to Jay Haides, other than fractionals, I almost never see them for sale in the used market, and there's a fair number around here. Its hard to say what the resale value is. But I think two things are at play, they are relatively easy to trade through the teaching community, and some people just keep them, even after upgrading. French or German trade instruments can also be a great choice, if you find one you like go with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 1 hour ago, mathieu valde said: I'll be very happy to see the difference to sell French one or Chinese after some years when upgrading How about a French or Italian violin made in China? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
germain Posted November 10, 2022 Report Share Posted November 10, 2022 Check out West Country Violins. They ship worldwide... They have some nice instruments and you can negotiate 10% discount Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathieu valde Posted November 10, 2022 Report Share Posted November 10, 2022 8 hours ago, David Burgess said: How about a French or Italian violin made in China? Before II WW?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Z Posted November 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2022 Thank you all for your recommendations. Sorry for the late reply. Since I am a new user, the forum limits how many message I can reply per day. To answer your question: 1. I live in Adelaide. The only two stores sell fine violins are Harrison and Size music. So there’s limited exposure to instruments. 2. I can travel interstate and possibly to Europe. But I also have work commitment so I can only travel during Christmas when most of the stores are closed. 3. I’m currently playing a French trade violin. I understand in some cases they can have high value but the chances are low and comes with great risk. If possible I would like to have a more modern work. Not necessarily brand new but you get what I meant. 4. Olaf’s waiting list is very long. I know his famous but it seems the earliest appointment is next February. 5. I’m a bit worry about buying violin online and ship to my place. Unless it’s a reputable seller and return is acceptable. 6. I don’t really care about provenance of the violin. As people mentioned in this thread, fake Italian and French violin is very common on the market especially eBay. So, no matter it’s an Italian, French, German, Hungary, Chinese etc. I only care about the tone and the work. Thank you all for you recommendation, I will do some research on these recommended store and makers. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strad O Various Jr. Posted November 10, 2022 Report Share Posted November 10, 2022 On 11/8/2022 at 8:12 PM, Matt Z said: Hi all! I'm seeking a violin under 5000USD (8000AUD). I live in Australia at the moment. Here the opportunity to access fine instrument is fewer than, let's say the US and UK. I understand it's hard to buy any known maker's violin at this price range. But do you have any recommendation maybe some young potential makers instrument or some Chinese makers seem having great value. Old instrument is risky unless I can try and return is accepted, otherwise I rather trust some new stuff. Cheers Although I'm aware prices may be higher in Australia, I would have to highly recommend buying from an Australian violin shop where you can try multiple violins in your price range and pick your favourite. Buying online from USA is a crapshoot as if you don't like the violin you order which is highly likely the cost of returning it, shipping both ways will be astronomical. It cost me $250 to ship a violin to my Uncle in Australia and it was held up in customs for two weeks, add to that the cost of shipping back to the USA is much higher from Australia, I believe. And don't just go to one store in Australia, visit as many as you can comfortably get to, and if there are no stores near you the cost of shipping both ways will be much cheaper within Australia than internationally. There's no point in recommending makers and brands, its playing the violins live a deciding what you prefer that matters, a name won't make a violin sound better, some of my best violins are anonymous with no label. Maybe a road trip to Melbourne would be in order, or if you can wait till you're in Europe you could probably find a good violin for less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Z Posted November 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2022 4 minutes ago, Strad O Various Jr. said: Although I'm aware prices may be higher in Australia, I would have to highly recommend buying from an Australian violin shop where you can try multiple violins in your price range and pick your favourite. Buying online from USA is a crapshoot as if you don't like the violin you order which is highly likely the cost of returning it, shipping both ways will be astronomical. It cost me $250 to ship a violin to my Uncle in Australia and it was held up in customs for two weeks, add to that the cost of shipping back to the USA is much higher from Australia, I believe. And don't just go to one store in Australia, visit as many as you can comfortably get to, and if there are no stores near you the cost of shipping both ways will be much cheaper within Australia than internationally I do believe that’s a good way but also consider if I go to major city for a few days, for instance, Sydney. The cost of traveling will be more than 2000 dollars as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strad O Various Jr. Posted November 10, 2022 Report Share Posted November 10, 2022 8 minutes ago, Matt Z said: I do believe that’s a good way but also consider if I go to major city for a few days, for instance, Sydney. The cost of traveling will be more than 2000 dollars as well. How bad are the violins in Adelaide, have you looked at smaller shops, I'm a small business, operate out of my house, I'm a lot cheaper than the big shops you hear of locally, is that possible in Adelaide Have you tried this guy; https://www.australianplanet.com/james-robinson-violin-shop-adelaide-cbd-sa-F1A06C80218D6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysticpaw Posted November 10, 2022 Report Share Posted November 10, 2022 Hello ... what level player are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurella Posted November 10, 2022 Report Share Posted November 10, 2022 https://violins.com.au/shop/category/instruments-violins-advanced-violins-15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strad O Various Jr. Posted November 10, 2022 Report Share Posted November 10, 2022 2 minutes ago, mysticpaw said: Hello ... what level player are you? he's used up all his posts for today because he's a new meber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deans Posted November 10, 2022 Report Share Posted November 10, 2022 7 hours ago, Matt Z said: I do believe that’s a good way but also consider if I go to major city for a few days, for instance, Sydney. The cost of traveling will be more than 2000 dollars as well. Many here in the US are in the same situation, and much of the string world has lived off of mail order. Its not a big deal. Just a quick search revealed a firm called whitehorse music out of sydney, maybe you could ask around about them. Found because they stock Jay Haide. Dont want to sound like a shill for that particular brand, there are plenty of others, but it just happens to be something I have seen having good success, and perhaps a good low risk choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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