20 years ago,
I had my first credit card.
I bought the most expensive online violin on a certain website at the time. (500$ i think)
Now i have a daughter and i'm relearning to play with her.
I'm mostly wondering if it's just cheap chinese or something reliable to play with.
I can't quite read the label, but if you enjoy playing it and you & others like the sound you get from it, there's no reason not to simply chuck it under your chin and fiddle. As for the issue of reliability, the only fiddle I've ever had that gave me trouble was the most expensive one (its neck fell off).
Thank you for your reply.
It is written :
helmke
Hand made by master luthier Libaojing
Serial number 0013
I do enjoy the sound :)
Chinese made doesn't mean it's bad. Plenty of Chinese fiddle are well made instruments and you could do worse.
quote:
Originally posted by ChickenManChinese made doesn't mean it's bad. Plenty of Chinese fiddle are well made instruments and you could do worse.
My first fiddle was made in China. I traded (with a member here - FHO) "even/steven" for a nice guitar, and then kind of regretted it. I had other fiddles (so that helped with the sense of loss), and I had other guitars (like I really needed another one). But still... deep breath - we do things.
And then one day - It came up for sale (here - same member) and I noticed it - and promptly bought it back as soon as I noticed. I still have it and play it.
I traded it - because it was made in China - not because it was the "worst" one I had. That is not always a valid reason for letting something go.
My other fiddles were all old and American made.
But - I learned - where it was made, who made it, or how old it is, are not always good reasons for buying or selling (unless you are investing). How good does it sound, how well does it play? If you like it - enjoy what you have. And of course - its true what you will hear - a good setup is 90% of how much you might "enjoy". 
Proud to know you are joining up with your daughter. That is cool! I got the above fiddle to join my wife while she was learning mandolin - and I got hooked.
quote:
Originally posted by Levince20 years ago,
I had my first credit card.
I bought the most expensive online violin on a certain website at the time. (500$ i think)
Now i have a daughter and i'm relearning to play with her.
I'm mostly wondering if it's just cheap chinese or something reliable to play with.
It's an entry-level Chinese violin. If it's still in good condition and the setup is decent, it should be fine for use as you pick the instrument back up. If you stick with it, you may reach its limits and what to upgrade.
If you're willing to spend the money, you can always find something better, but as long as what you have is functional and set up well, it will be usable for early learning.
As many have said, if it sounds good to you then what's the issue? Can't let price, origin, appearance or other factors that are not sound related influence you too much. I've played fiddles that were +20K (just one) and many that were < $200 or even free. The ones I didn't like the sound on got sold or traded. FWIW, the 20K one was nothing special to hear, to me.
The Chinese make some great violins. They also make our phones. This ought to tell you something.
$500 twenty years ago? Who cares. You've spent more than that in a year for gasoline tax.
Edited by - aston4 on 08/30/2024 04:27:03
