I don't think its a matter of being "hip." Most violin shops are small, often with a small staff, and often perform repairs and restorations as well as sales, so their time is valuable. They're not the Guitar Center, with dedicated counter sales people. Also violins are much more delicate than guitars or dobros. Its easy for an unsklled person to knock the setup off, or even damage the intrument. It would be pretty hard to hurt a Strat or Les Paul, unless you drop it. At least around here, most stores keep their better acoustic instruments in a temperature and humidity controlled room, and I'll bet they're keeping an eye on who goes in and out. There are often signs requesting you ask for assistance with the better instruments.
I'm talking about better violin shops - you can probably go to your local music store and play whatever fiddles they might have to your heart's content.

Depends on the shop, though I can't imagine any violin shop letting just anyone off the street pick up a $30,000+ violin without making an appointment. I've done what you're talking about Ken, when I was in Asia ( Hong Kong and the PRC) - there, as long as they know you can actually play and not just scratch out some notes, they were fine with me playing what ever I wanted, including some very expensive ones. The local violin shop here on L.I. kinda the same, but i dont think they deal with 'fine' violins in that price range and higher.

You may have a pick in your pocket, but I don't carry around my bow. Lot of violins hanging on a wall, bows are in a case. Display or otherwise. Then there's a shoulder rest. Many use them. Many are particular to a certain kind. Violin tasting just takes some prep work, that's all. I made sure to wear my bib-overalls to the violin shop. Oh, and you're looking at 'student' models. Everyone is a student. It's a test of sorts.

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Originally posted by DougD

Also violins are much more delicate than guitars or dobros. Its easy for an unsklled person to knock the setup off, or even damage the intrument. 

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Now that's funny. And I needed a good laugh today! Thanks!

I would very much disagree with that statement!

Unless you are a complete moron and you have NO IDEA what you are doing... it would be very unlikely that anyone would alter the setup. I've been going to violin shops for almost 50 years. A good friend of mine owned a violin shop. In all that time I've never heard of a single case of a setup being altered or a newbie damaging an instrument. It would be very unusual for this to happen!

Furthermore, in my experience, an employee or associate is never far away when someone is trying out a violin. Now, there are exceptions.  Just two weeks ago, a shop owner invited me to go into a private room to play a fiddle. Much depends on the shop and how well they know you!

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Originally posted by DougD

I'm talking about better violin shops - you can probably go to your local music store and play whatever fiddles they might have to your heart's content.

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I've been inside many "better violin shops" to use your expression. 

I've always been able to "play whatever fiddles they have to my heart's content ".  I have never been in a violin shop that has said to me..."well, you've reached your limit of trying out fiddles today!"....LOL....LOL.

They want to sell you an instrument.  They really don't care if you are a novice or a concert violinist. If you have the resources to buy, you'll have their attention! The main thing is to always be respectful and courteous. I have never heard of a beginner being denied access to high end violins. Will they watch you like a hawk watching a chicken....yeah probably.  But you can still try the instruments!

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Originally posted by farmerjones

You may have a pick in your pocket, but I don't carry around my bow. Lot of violins hanging on a wall, bows are in a case. Display or otherwise. Then there's a shoulder rest. Many use them. Many are particular to a certain kind. Violin tasting just takes some prep work, that's all. 

Seriously....you guys crack me up. Making it sound more complicated than it really is! I went in to try a fiddle at a shop just a few weeks ago.  Did I like their bow selection? No. Was the shoulder rest what I normally use? No. Did I care? No.

Why...because I was there to see if I liked the fiddle! If I thought this fiddle was calling my name and it had potential for my playing....I could come back the next day with my bow. It's as easy as falling off a log!

It ain't rocket science!

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Originally posted by DougD

Its easy for an unsklled person to knock the setup off, 

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Just thinking about how that would even be possible:

1. I got bored and decided to chew on the bridge.

2. I thought I could move the bridge  back some and get better tone

3. Brought my super glue to make sure the nut doesn't move.

4. The grooves in the nut weren't deep enough so I brought out my nail file.

5. I put on Super Sensitive steel strings cause fiddles sound better with those!

Did I miss anything....LOL. 

Mark, I have never been to a violin shop where I could just take fiddle off the wall without consulting anyone first. Compare that to guitars. At most guitar selling establishment you can usually freely take any instrument off its hanger and play it. There are rooms filled with guitars you can just play to your heart's content, so to speak. The real valuable ones (collectables for example) are often either behind glass or in yet another room that does require permission to enter and play. That might be what is meant by "casual" browsing.

Reminds me of my stop at Byron Berline's Doubles Stop Fiddle Shop in OK . He had a nice selection of fiddles displayed. I took one down and played a few things. When I was done he said something like, "I keep the good ones back in the safe if you're interested..."

The next closest fiddle, for sale or not, is $30 or $40 gas money away. You just go ahead and do whatever you want.

I've found it's tough try out a musical instrument at a violin shop without a salesperson or owner there to help. Where's the bow? Where's the rosin? Do you really want to tune the fiddle? I also have no idea if I've ever seen a customer show up at a violin shop with bow in hand. In other words, it ain't like ambling into a Guitar Center and grabbing an acoustic guitar off the wall.

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Originally posted by ChickenMan

Mark, I have never been to a violin shop where I could just take fiddle off the wall without consulting anyone first. Compare that to guitars. At most guitar selling establishment you can usually freely take any instrument off its hanger and play it. There are rooms filled with guitars you can just play to your heart's content, so to speak. The real valuable ones (collectables for example) are often either behind glass or in yet another room that does require permission to enter and play. That might be what is meant by "casual" browsing.

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Yep, many stores are probably not going to let any teen or random person off the street, just grab that vintage 59 Strat, Tele or Les Paul, or newer Custom Shop, Murphy Lab... and just start whacking away. I find it fairly customary to ask permission, might see signs stating so, but sometimes it is somewhat implied, just by ease of access to them. Maybe those Squire Affinity, or Epiphone, or Luna Acoustic; sitting low to ground...  then even then again maybe not, (esp teen), some owners might not be even comfortable with potential scratches, nicks, dings, or just broken strings. Generally if in doubt, just ask.

Many those shops, esp smaller, and violin oriented, are different from big box retail experience; I haven't found to be really a problem to try instruments; but they tend to more old fashioned assisted customer service; want to the interaction where they engage a bit of discussion with them, to perhaps vet or size up, mutually ask/answer questions, help guide and narrow down. Part is also aspect of building a long term rapport/relationship between musician and that shop (unlike more like big box, walk in grab something off shelf, bring to counter, pay, walk out). I have found, often once built a rapport with some shops, they know who you are, what play, respect for instruments... they might give a bit more leeway for casual, give unassisted space.

With the idea of doing some research, I might come back later and buy something or I might not.

Those shops, generally IMO understand that, maybe expect... so even more likely to accommodate that idea; and not just be thinking get em in and get em out for quick retail sale, or impulse buy, or as a disposable item. It's a bit of investment.

I personally for most part prefer these old-fashioned shops to Big Box stores. Generally willing to pay a little more for what they offer.

Lets put aside the notion that anyone is going to waltz in and just pick up a $30,000 violin - that would be so far outside of normal, its not worth discussing. Instead, some pointers on trying out fiddles? Go with your current one, including bow and shoulder rest. That tells the store you do play. They will be more likely to let you openly sample fiddles and you will get the best idea of each one. Not the time to try that new tune or riff you've been working on. Don't be obnoxious and try like 2 dozen instruments. Of course show the respect any instrument deserves - put it down on a cloth or back in its case when done with one.

There are all sorts of shops and stores that sell fiddles and I;ve had all sorts of experiences. One big box store refused to let me even play anything "Once you play it , its not new!"; another store, same chain, actually asked me to come over anytime and play what ever I wanted - it helped sell violins for them (made a few bucks like that). The local violin only shop has tons of them, and they are very open to letting folks try out any and they have try out rooms for this.

If your just browsing, say so, don't waste staff's time and hopes of a sale. But if your seriously looking, try away. Hey I was looking for a new amp for my electric fiddle one time and went to a Guitar Center and literally went to every amp in their amplifier aisles and tried each one, and not quietly either. Sometimes ya gotta break some eggs.

Reading through this thread, I think that the issue is centered on the difference between a fiddle and a violin.

What is the difference between a fiddle and a violin, you ask ?

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A violin player brags how much he/she paid for the instrument.

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A fiddle player brags how little he/she paid for the instrument.

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I had a booth at the Clifftop festival and other OT festivals for about 10 or 12 years, have had a few banjos, fiddles, bows, etc. damaged by careless handling. A lot of people ask if it's OK to try an instrument, which I appreciated. Most instrument damage was done by somone who did the damage and then snuck out of the booth without telling me about the "accident".

If someone doesn't ask but tries out instruments on their own, I keep an eye on them for a few minutes to make sure that they're "harmless". I've heard some wonderful playing by people who are just trying out instruments.

I usually kept a few kid-appropriate instruments for kids to wail on. These kids asked if they could try out some instruments and I said yes, but you have to give me a concert....... ;)


 

Mark - The young lady in your photo is already playing up the neck - a future shredder for sure! Neat picture.

It really depends on the shop. Some are oriented toward sales and have a dedicated lineup available for casual browsers, others keep things put away and bring them out upon request. Music stores often keep their inventory hanging on a wall for people to try out, but as mentioned already, even with that layout the policy varies from store to store. Some encourage customers to pick things up and play them, others want you to ask for assistance before trying them out. Some shops that specialize in repair are appointment only and ask for customers to give notice so that they can balance their time showing sales instrument and working on their stock or customer repairs. It’s always good to know the policy of the store before walking in.

Shops that carry more expensive instruments tend to do some screening with customers to make sure that they are serious before putting in the time to show instruments. Those that have dedicated sales staff are often more open to letting people try things out because they can be sure that someone is always on hand to answer questions, instruct the customer in how to avoid accidents when needed, and just keep an eye on the inventory so nothing gets stolen. Violin thieves will visit shops with empty cases and pretend to be interested in trying violins out so that they can sneak them into their cases and run out before anyone catches them, or sometimes they’ll switch a junk violin out for a valuable one on the rack to avoid immediate detection. Of course shops with instruments for sale are eager to sell them, but they have to be careful not to put the instruments into dangerous conditions at the same time. This is why there are often instruments kept out for people to try, but the bulk of the inventory is kept where it’s not readily accessible to everyone. The smaller the shop, the higher the chance that the person who shows the instruments will be the business owner who has to juggle all the other aspect of running the business while meeting you. Time spent away from the workbench does cost the shop in revenue, so it’s good to be mindful. When you call ahead and explain what interests you to a shop, that gives them the opportunity to lay out a selection of violins that are likely to meet your needs before you arrive. It’s not always just about making a sale, either. A lot of shops are happy to let customers play an instrument or two just for fun if they know they can trust the customer and they have the time and space available to make it feasible.

Instruments that are easily replaceable are more likely to be kept out, but older and/or more valuable instruments are not as likely to be on display, because if a customer does damage to one, that damage lasts forever even if it’s repaired brilliantly. Many shops sell on consignment, so they have an obligation to take good care of instruments that don’t belong to them. If you were to give a violin to a shop to sell but came back later to pick it up, only to discover that the violin had gotten scratched up, had its C bouts chewed up, lost a corner, or had varnish worn off, it would probably make you extremely unhappy. Business insurance can cover damage or loss, but it doesn’t turn back the clock. Even good players can be rough on instruments, so caution is required. Music stores don’t tend to have this problem as often because most of them just stock instruments they can order from a catalog. If one gets beaten up, it can be sold for less and replaced by another one easily without hurting the store’s bottom line or reputation.

The reasons for shops being appointment only vary. In some cases it really is about wanting to screen who comes in to save time for the shop, but it’s often simply a matter of making sure someone is available to show instruments at a given time. It’s always good to call ahead even if the shop doesn’t require it because it increases the chances that you’ll end up seeing something good. If I know what a customer is seeking, it allows me to pull out things that they will want to see beforehand.