yoyogogo - Posted - 02/15/2024:  14:24:08

so my kids are learning violin, so i figured i might as well learn, but bymyself and with the help of tonebase and youtube :) I know i know, dont cringe, i was doing performance certificate in piano back in the days, so i like to think i have a tiny amount of musical ability to learn violin by myself.

anyway, just looking at some good bargains, so your help woudl be invaluable please.

trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/mu...564578107
i can get for $215usd. scott cao, i know its imported and under his brand.

or this one from FB market, chinese made with unknown brand
facebook.com/marketplace/item/...033499274, for only $180usd
the owner was nice enough to play on it for me, so here is the link to the audio file
dropbox.com/scl/fi/9wh4qwcb5wb...vequ&dl=0. to my terrible ears, it sounds ok.

Thank you.

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 02/16/2024:  05:38:37

Well either one will work as a beginner instrument. Although the Scott Cao is a recognized brand. That is, if, it is set up correctly. After about a year of scratching look into a better bow, That, will make getting a good tone a bit easier. Enjoy the journey. Buy a mute. R/

rosinhead - Posted - 02/16/2024:  05:44:26

The Scott Cao would be my choice since I have heard decent feedback on those, but I figure the reserve on the auction is set to at least $400. At the moment, the high bid is $235, and it says the reserve hasn't been met. I'm guessing around $400 is on the low end since the "buy it now" is set at $550.

yoyogogo - Posted - 02/17/2024:  03:12:36

thank you for the feedbacks. yes, scott cao has plenty of search results which makes me feel a bit more comfortable. i have been offered $320nzd plus $50nzd for shipping, so around $225usd in total. bargain then? :)

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 02/17/2024:  06:57:32

Scott Cao is one of the best-known brands in student instruments, along with Hiroshi Kono, Jay Haide, Eastman, and Ming-Jiang Zhu. The violins come from a huge factory that makes instruments at various levels, from the basic entry-level to the advanced student model.

The one in the picture is at the lower end of the spectrum, akin to perhaps an Eastman VL100 (a standard rental model in a lot of shops), but they tend to be pretty solid as beginner instruments once given a good setup.

The other violin in the OP looks fairly comparable, although the back is a little nicer.

In this range, as long as they’re made reasonably well (most cheap student violins are now) either one will be fine as long as there are no structural issues and you invest in good strings and setup as needed.

rosinhead - Posted - 02/17/2024:  08:34:20

At that price I would go for it.

RinconMtnErnie - Posted - 02/17/2024:  10:09:02

My first instrument was a Scott Cao student grade violin. I thought I remembered the model number, but now I'm not sure exactly what it was. It was well made. The two sides of the back did not have matching grain, which was just an aesthetic thing. 

Although I liked it a lot and played it for quite a few years, eventually I got to the point where I noticed it was a little strident, which is pretty common for student instruments.

Setup will be important. I bought it from a local shop that I trusted. 

Edited by - RinconMtnErnie on 02/17/2024 10:11:45

J-Bow - Posted - 02/17/2024:  16:38:26

The Scott Cao STV-017 is a very safe bet. The other one doesn't look too bad, nice looking wood, but it's not all about pretty wood.

yoyogogo - Posted - 02/18/2024:  01:42:19

quote:

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Originally posted by J-Bow

The Scott Cao STV-017 is a very safe bet. The other one doesn't look too bad, nice looking wood, but it's not all about pretty wood.

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did you click on the link to hear the sound from that second violin?

J-Bow - Posted - 02/18/2024:  08:23:31

Yes, it sounded well enough for a 3/4, but you're only going to get a limited idea as to how something sounds from a recording. Either one should be checked out by a luthier. Either one will likely work, and I wouldn't sweat the decision too much when it's a size that the student will likely be in for maybe two years or less.

yoyogogo - Posted - 02/18/2024:  12:17:43

quote:

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Originally posted by J-Bow

Yes, it sounded well enough for a 3/4, but you're only going to get a limited idea as to how something sounds from a recording. Either one should be checked out by a luthier. Either one will likely work, and I wouldn't sweat the decision too much when it's a size that the student will likely be in for maybe two years or less.

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these are both 4/4. but yes, im inclinding towards the scott cao as well. reliable and well review. safe bet. 

wrench13 - Posted - 02/18/2024:  12:22:05

I have one of Scott's high end fiddles (around 10K). But his China made student grades have nothing but good feed back.