soljiang - Posted - 07/16/2009:  17:57:18

Hi, All,
I'm trying to buy my first violin and I don't wanna buy a too expensive one. I'm come across these two models on the internet.
Cecilio CVN-300 is prices $130 on kkmusic.com with its proclaimed original price of $300
kkmusicstore.com/cecilio-cvn30...-p-3.html

Franz Hoffmann Amadeus Violin is sold in Sharmusic in my town at $130
sharmusic.com/moreinfogroup.asp?t1=hv10044

I'm wondering if someone could give me some advice which one I should buy. I don't know if I should stick to the good deal of Cecilio or I should go to Sharmusic store in person to check the violin out (not that I can do anything with it). Do you think it's somewhat risky to buy a violin without seeing it before I buy it?

Any information or advice would be really appreciated. Thank you so much.

bj - Posted - 07/16/2009:  18:05:38

No matter where you buy, you're not going to get a whole lot for that unless you luck into a used fiddle. But of the two I'd buy the one at Shar just because of the two I know Shar has a good reputation and the thing will probably be set up somewhat adequately. KK Music might be okay, but I've not heard of them. A lot of folks on the forum have dealt with Shar. I've bought some stuff from them (strings, I think) and been pleased.

Setup is KEY. If the fiddle isn't well set up, your fingers and ears will not be happy.

^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^
So many tunes. So little time!

Me on the Web --
doneinstyle.com
My inspiration:
pandora.com/?sc=sh14633812588807237

soljiang - Posted - 07/16/2009:  18:11:30

Thank you so much bj for your reply.
KK music is nothing but a online seller or distributor of Cecilio Musical Instruments. Cecilio even list their authorized dealer on their official website: ceciliomusic.com/catalog/deale...pg-9.html,
including KKmusic.

Thank you again for your advice.

soljiang - Posted - 07/16/2009:  18:23:04

So has anyone bought violins from kkmusic? Do you think it's reliable?
In terms of the violin of Cecilio CVN-300 and Franz Hoffmann Amadeus, which one is more recommendable to buy? Thank you.

scottteng - Posted - 07/16/2009:  19:01:10

I would go to the Shar store and ask to see their trade in selection in your budget. Someone there should be able to play them for you as well. Their recent catalog advertised a big clearance sale of trade ins and blemished instruments. Most comments about mail order violins you will find searching the acronym VSO standing for violin shaped object.

soljiang - Posted - 07/16/2009:  19:17:50

Thanks a lot for your reply, scottteng. I think I will check out sharmusic store to see their stock or trade in.

FiddleCat - Posted - 07/17/2009:  03:32:06

I purchased a 1/8 Cecillo for my daughter. The set up was not ideal at all. I would go with Shar Music. I have also delt with them in the past for other purchases (not violins however) but I trust their set ups will be much better then the Cecillo's. You can always call them and ask them to set it up with a hard maple bridge and see what type of strings come on it. Let them know you may want to upgrade the strings but your new to this and need help deciding.

All She Could Sing was Fiddle Come Fee, The Mouse has Married the Humble Bee.

brya31 - Posted - 07/17/2009:  06:49:22

I bought the Cecilio CVN 500 and it is suppose to be an upgrade over the one you are looking at. It is a terrible sounding violin with terrible set up. I have invested in new strings, new bridge and had the sound post moved. It still sound terriblly bad. Please avoid Cecilio.

Rob

soljiang - Posted - 07/17/2009:  06:54:30

Thank you so much FiddleCat and Brya31! All replies from you guys are so helpful! I love this forum! People are really warm-hearted. :)

brya31 - Posted - 07/17/2009:  19:00:40

soljang Cecilio was my first violin, I regret not playing it before I bought it. I bought it off the internet based on looks. I thought it looked like a great violin. Well, you will soon learn that violins/fiddles should be bought based on how they sound and how they fit you. I recently bought an old german fiddle and I absolutely love it. I played about 10 other fiddles before I got ito it and I loved it as soon as I played it. I knew it was what I wanted. As a beginner it is more difficult to make this decision based on the way you play, but let someone else play it and you will be able to hear what it should sound like. : )

Rob

KenC - Posted - 07/18/2009:  03:52:22

Cecilio is just an imprint name for cheap Chinese instruments of all sorts. I know brass instruments better and those Cecilios are to be avoided - they haven't learned to make adequate valves for brass instruments yet. Based on that I would look for some other violin.

Ken

Ken Coles
rural Western Pennsylvania

Bquizzer - Posted - 07/18/2009:  13:16:33

I would definitely go for the Shar violins. Im getting mine on monday. I know that they(Shar) have a good repuation. They are helpful too. Wish I lived near there. It would be my hangout spot!..lol

~RosieMay~

"I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music." -Albert Einstein

Edited by - Bquizzer on 07/20/2009 06:28:59