Cheap Ebay Violins, Sadly, an Easy Sell for Some
Cheap Ebay Violins, Sadly, an Easy Sell for Some
Don't settle for garbage when you shop for a violin.
The so-called deal that is "too good to be true" isn't good at all.
I received an upsettlingly rude email today that shook me up. The writer said, "You really need to look into some cheaper violins. I'm going to ebay they are waaaay cheaper!"
Wow, this was a first for me. I receive daily emails from players who thoroughly enjoy my site and thank me for not selling cheap, disposable violin shaped objects. I took it personally and was shocked by what I took to be a sharp accusation and even more surprised this person took the time to share it with me.
Sadly, I have seen for myself these $20 Ebay deals and have had students skunked by these violins. Usually the shipping (and ensuing duty into Canada) is killer. Worse yet, by the time they replace bad parts and get luthier work done they would have been better off with investing that money in a higher quality violin.
Yet it's hard to share that with a player who sees more importance on "cheap" than on quality, and especially considering they will think I'm just biased. Hence I wrote the following reply with hopes to explain why I don't sell cheap violins while also letting this person know he or she is most welcome to shop elsewhere:
Now I reflect on how many other players, teachers and luthiers have worked to educate people against the cheap violins as seen on Ebay, the "bullseye" store, the big "W" shop, and the bookstore run by the richest human in the galaxy, which all sell terrible violin outfits (including extra bridge since the first one is warped) for $89 or so.
Have other teachers or shop owners had a difficult time explaining to students or other players why a good violin costs more and why a deal that is "too good to be true" most certainly is? How it's a waste of money, with problems that cost more to correct than the whole outfit costs? How the instrument will only frustrate the student by being difficult to play, sounding awful the whole time? How these things will break before long and end up in the landfills?
I know there are many players, like myself in my youth, who cannot afford a quality violin at all and are left using poor quality violins many would call "junk" or "VSOs" (Violin Shaped-Objects). This is why I take payments and deposits, much like rent-to-own, from such players so they can get their hands on a decent instrument rather than settling for garbage. It was also the motivation behind me starting up a non-profit society which provides instruments and scholarships to students in financial need so there are other options beyond the Ebay junk.
Finally, I ponder, should I have just ignored the email? I felt pressured to write something defending my decision not to sell cheap violins, but maybe it's just that I am 8 months pregnant and plain worn out.
Nope, I know am doing the right thing as a promoter of quality instruments. And I stand by the decision.
- Fiddleheads Sun VN-100 Student Violin - All Sizeswas USD$750.00 Special Price USD$298.00
- Fiddleheads Sun VN-101 Student Violin - Most Sizeswas USD$1,200.00 Special Price USD$498.00
- Fiddleheads Sun VN-102 Intermediate Violin - Most Sizeswas USD$1,700.00 Special Price USD$758.00
-
SOLD - Moneff 2024-1 Image Gallery
April 17, 2024
-
March 25, 2024
-
February 2, 2024
-
SOLD - Kowalski 2024-1 Guarneri "Del Gesu" Image Gallery
January 1, 2024
-
December 16, 2023
-
November 11, 2023
-
September 22, 2023
-
August 10, 2023
-
July 27, 2023
-
July 27, 2023
-
July 13, 2022
-
April 16, 2021
-
October 28, 2019
-
April 20, 2017
-
March 7, 2008
-
April 25, 2007
-
March 9, 2007
-
January 22, 2007
-
July 9, 2006
-
May 21, 2006
-
March 25, 2006
-
March 5, 2002
-
March 4, 2002
-
June 10, 2020
-
May 9, 2015
-
December 4, 2001
-
August 19, 2020
-
November 17, 2007
I wish I read your article first before buying my child a violin on EBay. Thank you very much for the guides.
If someone can't afford an expensive violin they can always rent and have their rental fee go towards the purchase of a quality instrument.
The reason why violins haven't taken off on eBay is there aren't as many standard models, and reputably the consistency hasn't been there in the models that are popular. Even so, there are surprisingly few quality violins in any price range for sale on Ebay.
I recently purchased a 1/4 Scott Cao 017A '99 for my daughter to use on Book #1 Suzuki. It looks like a violin dealer was using one of those store-front eBay sellers to dump a lot of sub-par merchandise without having his/her name attached. The eBay seller neglected to mention a visible crack in the varnish, the warped bridge, or the numerous dings all over it. It looks like its been rented heavily since '99 by six year olds who dropped it all the time.
Unfortunately the seller was unrepentant about not mentioning the instrument's defects, using the justification that I should be happy because it was so cheap.
The good news is a luthier looked it over and found no structural problems, and even after paying for the luthier inspection and a new bridge I've still only got $180 in it including shipping.
From my point of view it sounds better than the violin I was renting for her, and its cheaper to boot. The rental was $100 plus $21 a month, which quickly will go over what I've got in this, plus it should fetch in the ballpark of what I paid give than new outfits go for ~$350.
The key thing is, I was prepared to risk the money on an instrument for the potential reward of getting a decent factory-made instrument for less than new. It could have been a total bust.
Now, I'm in the process of purchasing my own violin, and visited a local store to try out a bunch of models, and certainly won't be buying a high quality violin on eBay. Strangely enough, I got the money to purchase a violin by selling my Chapman Stick, which has appreciated in value over the years, and people by and sell them all of the time on eBay.
Along with those who decide to purchase a "cheap" violin, equally disturbing are those who purchase a good quality instrument and never play it. It is very disheartening to think of the number of good quality instruments that are unplayed, sitting in attics and closets. Voices waiting to speak and sing, but silenced through uncaring and neglect. How terribly sad.
"This is not one of those cheap violins made in China." I used to say, "I'm sorry you bought that before talking to me," but that only makes them defend their choice more strongly. If they've already bought the violin, I tell them "After a few months, when you learn how to get the best sound out of this violin, you'll probably want to upgrade. You can do that at several luthiers near here, and I recommend...You rent with the option to pay. You get a fine violin by paying $25 per month." It's been said that the most important violin you'll ever own is the first one. If it produces a bad sound, you'll be discouraged from playing it. Worse still, you'll think it's your fault and decide you can't play well. The incident that upset me the most involved a kid who had been playing for three years, had talent and motivation, and was playing some pretty hard stuff . His father absolutely would not consider buying from any place but ebay, and he wouldn't even do that unless I could guarantee him that a $75 violin from ebay would sound better than a $50 violin from ebay.
I'll miss you when you go on maternity leave. Be sure to send us photos of your baby. I look forward to hearing from you again as a mother, wondering how you'll find the time to practice every day.