Violin, cello and other bowed strings: how to buy at a good price
Size decides whether a child can play
Violins come in full size (4/4) and smaller ones: 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and below. A child needs the size that matches the length of their arm: stretch the arm along the neck, and the fingertips should reach the scroll. An instrument that is too big gets in the way of finger placement and builds bad technique. Children grow, so the size has to change every year or two, which is why many people rent or buy used.
It is the same with cellos and violas: cellos come in 4/4, 3/4, 1/2 and 1/4, while violas are measured in centimetres of body length.
What to put in your request
- instrument — violin, viola, cello, double bass;
- size, for example 1/2;
- level — beginner, music school student;
- package — case, bow, rosin, chin rest;
- brand or maker, for example Stentor Student II;
- condition — new, or used with no cracks;
- construction — solid wood or laminate;
- budget and delivery city.
Example: “Looking for a 1/2 violin for a beginner child, Stentor Student II or similar, used with no cracks, with a case and bow. Tsuen Wan, courier delivery, budget up to HK$1,400.”
What to look at when inspecting
Top and body: cracks, open seams (if you tap along the edges you hear buzzing) and the state of the bridge. The neck must not be warped. It is important that the sound post (the small dowel inside) stands straight and the pegs turn easily and hold the tuning. Bow: the hair should be whole and the stick not bent. Rehairing a bow is easy, but it costs money.
Solid wood sounds better and “opens up” over time, while laminate is more resistant to humidity and cheaper. For a first instrument a good student model is enough, but very cheap “souvenir” violins often do not hold their tuning.
What else to think about
A violin needs rosin, a chin rest or shoulder rest, and sometimes a practice mute for lessons at home. The case should fit the size and hold the instrument well. Ask whether these items are included in the price, and whether a small size can be swapped for a bigger one when the child grows.
Set-up details
Even a good instrument sounds worse with a badly fitted bridge and strings. Ask whether the instrument has already been set up by a luthier and whether the strings are new. These are simple things that are usually easy to agree.
How BlaBlaPrice helps
Create a request on the home page and sellers of musical instruments reply in the chat: photos, price, condition, delivery. They can see where they stand among the others and often improve the terms. It is free for the buyer and your phone number stays hidden. Read “How it works”.
For storage and care, see accessories, and for other options, acoustic guitars or wind instruments.
