Are dead cheap violins or violas definitely rubbish?

thecolourbox

The good lady wants to buy me something for Xmas, I saw a cheap cello in a local discount shop (very random) and it reminded me I'd like to have a go on a violin or viola. Seen lots of cheap ones with mixed reviews on Amazon etc, are the dirt cheap ones completely pointless and therefore wasteful?

I don't need a brilliant instrument but one which stays in tune and will enable me to learn the basics etc

Cheers

Funkfingers

Budget violins tend to be aimed at beginners and schools. Good enough to get started on but, ultimately, disappointing. 

A budget electric violin might be of greater use to you. At the very least, you can plug one in to your guitar amp/processor rig and make some sort of racket.

A mandolin or bouzouki might prove more useful. Worst case scenario, it can be a conversation piece to hang on the wall.

thecolourbox

Thanks, that makes sense I suppose. I think you're right re the electric/silent ones but the gift budget doesn't stretch that far as we are both saving for a wedding next year. 

I'll keep my eyes open.

I did want a bouzouki when in Greece last year but decided against it. I've had both an acoutstic and electric mandolin but fancy something more musical, more tuneful rather than strummy

LastMantra

My dad has a reasonably cheap Chinese one that he thinks is very good. 

LastMantra

Violin that is.

thecolourbox

Sounds interesting, there are lots of different ones on ebay etc but I've no idea which is which

Kittyfrisk

thecolourbox said:

Thanks, that makes sense I suppose. I think you're right re the electric/silent ones but the gift budget doesn't stretch that far as we are both saving for a wedding next year. 

I'll keep my eyes open.

I did want a bouzouki when in Greece last year but decided against it. I've had both an acoutstic and electric mandolin but fancy something more musical, more tuneful rather than strummy

Have you ever tried playing a violin? Musical & tuneful wouldn't be my first choice of descriptions unless maybe you work in a home for really pissed off Siamese cats & fancy taking the sounds of work home :-D

thecolourbox

Ha no I know what you mean but I found the mandolin was just a bit plinky plonky as you have to strum it even to play tunes

EricTheWeary

Having sat through hours of kids playing instruments the violins/ cellos/ violas are always the most painful. You’ll need an understanding partner. 

The instrument that always surprised me was the harp, looks horrendously difficult but kids seemed to produce good results quite quickly. Not a cheap option. 

A ptrumpet or pcornet,etc, is a relatively cheap way to get hold of an ( apparently) perfectly decent instrument at a budget price. I guess you could stick a mute in it. 

thecolourbox

Hmm, didn't sound too bad before when I had a go with one. It's not like a five year old learning it and scratching away at the strings! I've a fair bit of practice learning instruments and stuff.

And I'd rather cut off my own ears than listen to brass instruments

Not to worry, looks like they are out of scope in any case

EricTheWeary

thecolourbox said:

Hmm, didn't sound too bad before when I had a go with one. It's not like a five year old learning it and scratching away at the strings! I've a fair bit of practice learning instruments and stuff.

And I'd rather cut off my own ears than listen to brass instruments ...

...and then send them to your partner in a box. Classic romantic move. 

Kittyfrisk

thecolourbox said:

Ha no I know what you mean but I found the mandolin was just a bit plinky plonky as you have to strum it even to play tunes

Not the case, you can get some pretty good riffs out of a mandolin, think Battle of Evermore, various R.E.M etc.
Anyway, back to the point. I have a violin going spare that I'll happily let you have for postage costs, plus a donation to the FB.
Spoiler alert, it isn't an Amati or a Stradivari so far as I know, but I reckon it is possibly as good as any 'cheap' one you might randomly pick on eBay. I bought it to compare an eBow with... just because I could    Besides, the case was great for fancy dress gangster props 
Few pics
Tell you what, if I could get a Les Paul with a top like the back of this old beast I'd think Boneyard. 

thecolourbox

Wow that is super kind thank you, very generous of you indeed. I will drop you a message about it to sort it. Very grateful for this indeed!

Kittyfrisk

Not a problem & no hurry, it isn't going anywhere.
 Don't thank me, you & your family may live long enough to curse my name throughout eternity   
I honestly believe it really is not a very good instrument & it may look better than it is, but I have no use for it & I really hate something going to waste when someone might have a use for it.
We'll sort something out, no worries  

ricky50

What a truly civilised place this is.

LastMantra

Very cool 

thecolourbox

Well honestly I'm very grateful and impressed - acts of kindness are often few and far between in the real world so it's enthusing how often they occur on this here Fretboard. Thank you @Kittyfrisk!

enjo

I bet that will sound great!

Just check that the sound post is in place (it's inside and connects the top and bottom together), if not it is probably worth getting that sorted.

Oh and ear plugs for anyone near - they are tricky beasts that don't really do quiet!

drofluf

It is a great community here.

So in the same spirit if anyone has a vintage Gibson 335 in Cherry Red that they never play anymore and would like to give to me...

thecolourbox

enjo said:

I bet that will sound great!

Just check that the sound post is in place (it's inside and connects the top and bottom together), if not it is probably worth getting that sorted.

Oh and ear plugs for anyone near - they are tricky beasts that don't really do quiet!

I play piano normally so I'm confident if the Better Half and the neighbours can put up with that, then the violin should be tolerable Thanks for the tip on the sound post.

I'm quite looking forward to learning it, perhaps a progress thread on here could be interesting. Or catastrophic, perhaps, but nontheless interesting.

Kittyfrisk

thecolourbox said:

Well honestly I'm very grateful and impressed - acts of kindness are often few and far between in the real world so it's enthusing how often they occur on this here Fretboard. Thank you @Kittyfrisk!

No worries, I'm a complete & utter bastard really  :-D
I just checked & I presently do not have a box suitable to pack it in.
That & the imminent onslaught of family Christmas entanglements, means that I'm unlikely to be able to get it moved before the new year     Hope this isn't a problem?
PS, I'll need some address details too