GUIDE TO BUYING A VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO OR DOUBLE BASS

We know that it is very difficult to launch into the purchase of an instrument, especially at the beginning of a new school year when expenses multiply.

Thus the stringed instrument workshop Aliénor Lutherie has developed this small purchasing guide to allow the musicians and parents of young musicians to find the right instrument at the best price.

Of course we are at your disposition to answer your questions, via the contact form here on this website or by telephone (01 45 22 89 81).

Violin - Viola - Cello - Double bass

Buying my first violin (see the boutique, section violin)

The first time you purchase a violin for your child, it is important that they are present to check the size of the instrument. However, the following rule will give you an idea:

-children aged 12 and over will train on a full-size violin (or violin 4/4)

-children aged between 10 and 12 will need a 3/4 size violin

-children aged between 8 and 10 will need a 1/2 size violin

-children aged between 6 and 8 will need a 1/4 size violin

-children aged between 4 and 6 will need a 1/8 size violin

-children under 4 years will use 1/10 or 1/16 size violin, even 1/32 size violins can be found if necessary.

1) Buying new, second hand or an antique violin?

a. A new violin is one which has just been manufactured. It is therefore in perfect condition. Generally, according to the law of supply and demand new violins become cheaper while their quality gets better. Of course, as they have never been played, their sound needs to be improved, but nothing is impossible to a young and motivated musician!

b. A second hand violin is an instrument manufactured some time ago. As it has already been played, it is a little damaged, in particular on the varnish, but all our instruments are re-conditioned.

c. An antique violin is one which has been manufactured more than fifty years ago, in other words before the 1950's. These violins have been made very well because they have survived just until today and still remain in good condition. The sonority in these instruments is much superior to that of modern day instruments because of their age and the way in which the wood has been worked.

2) Is it better to hire or buy a violin ?

a. In the case of buying a violin it is relatively simple : Aliénor counsel in most cases that it is better to buy your violin. If, your child has already been playing violin for several years, the best is to buy an antique violin (for example Mirecourt). If, the violin is destined for an adult debutant, it is possible to start with a new study violin and then several years later change to an antique violin.

b. If, you buy your instrument from Aliénor and after some time you wish to sell it, we are committed to buying it back. If, you wish to sell your instrument (see the formula Aliénor). From our expérience, we can confirm that buying any instrument and keeping it for more than a school year is the most economical formula.

3) Is it wise to buy a low priced violin like the ones that can be found on the Internet ?

a. The cheapest violin starts at 100 or 150 euro, which are not very interesting. Because of the exchange price that Aliénor offers, which effective on the instruments of quality, the price difference is very small. These instruments are destined to be played very occasionally. It should be noted that in the majority of cases these less expensive instruments are brought back to the workshop to be re-examined. If, you wish to have an instrument of quality and that has been suitably assembled in the code of practice, you will of course have to pay a more expensive price.

4) Is it possible to pay over several times ?

a. Of course, as the law allows, it is possible to pay in 3 times (e.g. with 3 cheques).

Buying my first viola (see the boutique, section viola)

The first time you purchase a viola for your child, it is important that they are present to check the size of the instrument. However, the following rule will give you an idea:

-children aged 14 and over will train on a full-size violin (between 38 cm and 41 cm)

-children aged between 12 and 14 will need a viola 36 cm

-children aged between 10 and 12 will need a viola 33-34 cm (also called 3/4)

-children aged between 8 and 10 will need a viola 31-33 cm (also called 1/2)

-children aged between 6 and 8 will need a viola 28 cm (also called 1/4)

-children under 6 years can use a violin as a viola.

1) Buying new, second hand or an antique viola?

a. A new viola is one which has just been manufactured. It is therefore in perfect condition. Generally, according to the law of supply and demand new violas become cheaper while their quality gets better. Of course, as they have never been played, their sound needs to be improved, but nothing is impossible to a young and motivated musician!

b. A second hand viola is an instrument manufactured some time ago. As it has already been played, it is a little damaged, in particular on the varnish, but all our instruments are reconditioned.

c. An antique viola is one which has been manufactured more than fifty years ago, in other words before the 1950's. These violas have been made very well because they have survived just until today and still remain in good condition. The sonority in these instruments is much superior to that of modern day instruments because of their age and the way in which the wood has been worked. Note: Today, a small sized viola practically no longer exists.

2) Is it better to hire or buy a viola ?

a. In the case of buying a viola it is relatively simple : Aliénor counsel in most cases that it is better to buy your viola. If, your child has already been playing viola for several years, the best is to buy an antique viola (for example Mirecourt) or a top of the range viola from China. If, the viola is destined for an adult debutant, it is possible to start with a new study viola and then several years later change it to an antique viola.

b. If, you buy your instrument from Aliénor and after some time you wish to sell it., we are committed to buying it back. If, you wish to sell your instrument (see the formula Aliénor). From our expérience, we can confirm that buying any instrument and keeping it for more than a school year is the most economical formula.

3) Is it wise to buy a low priced viola like the ones that can be found on the Internet ?

a. The cheapest viola starts at 100 or 150 euro, which are not very interesting. Because of the exchange price that Aliénor offers, which effective on the instruments of quality, the price difference is very small. These instruments are destined to be played very occasionally. It should be noted that in the majority of cases these less expensive instruments are brought back to the workshop to be re-examined. If, you wish to have an instrument of quality and that has been suitably assembled in the code of practice, you will of course have to pay a more expensive price.

4) Is it possible to pay over several times ?

a. Of course, as the law allows, it is possible to pay in 3 times (e.g. with 3 cheques).

Buying my first cello (see the boutique, section cello)

The first time you purchase a cello for your child, it is important that they are present to check the size of the instrument. However, the following rule will give you an idea:

-children aged 12 and over will train on a full-size cello (or cello 4/4)

-children aged between 10 and 12 will need a 3/4 size cello

-children aged between 8 and 10 will need a 1/2 size cello

-children aged between 6 and 8 will need a 1/4 size cello

-children aged between 4 and 6 will need a 1/8 size cello

-children under 4 years it is very important that you come with the child, in order to try between 1/10 or 1/16 size cello.

1) Buying new, second hand or an antique cello?

a. A new cello is one which has just been manufactured. It is therefore in perfect condition. Generally, according to the law of supply and demand new cellos become cheaper while their quality gets better. Of course, as they have never been played, their sound needs to be improved, but nothing is impossible to a young and motivated musician!

b. A second hand cello is an instrument manufactured some time ago. As it has already been played, it is a little damaged, in particular on the varnish, but all our instruments are re-conditioned.

c. An antique cello is one which has been manufactured more than fifty years ago, in other words before the 1950's. These cellos have been made very well because they have survived just until today and still remain in good condition. The sonority in these instruments is much superior to that of modern day instruments because of their age and the way in which the wood has been worked.

2) Is it better to hire or buy a cello ?

a. In the case of buying a cello it is relatively simple : Aliénor counsel in most cases that it is better to buy your instrument. If, your child has already been playing the cello for several years, the best is to buy an antique viola (for example Mirecourt) or a top of the range cello from China. If, the cello is destined for an adult debutant, it is possible to start with a new study cello and then several years later change it to an antique cello.

3) Is it wise to buy a low priced cello like the ones that can be found on the Internet ?

a. The cheapest cello starts at 100 or 150 euro, which are not very interesting. Because of the exchange price that Aliénor offers, which effective on the instruments of quality, the price difference is very small. These instruments are destined to be played very occasionally. It should be noted that in the majority of cases these less expensive instruments are brought back to the workshop to be re-examined. If, you wish to have an instrument of quality and that has been suitably assembled in the code of practice, you will of course have to pay a more expensive price.

4) Is it possible to pay over several times ?

a. Of course, as the law allows, it is possible to pay in 3 times (e.g. with 3 cheques).

Buying my first double bass (see the boutique, section double base)

The first time you purchase a double bass for your child, it is important that they are present to check the size of the instrument. However, the following rule will give you an idea:

-children aged 14 and over will train on a full-size cello (or double bass 3/4)

-children aged between 12 and 14 will need a 1/2 size double bass

-children aged between 10 and 12 will need a 1/4 size double bass

-children aged between 8 and 10 will need a 1/8 size double bass

-children under 8 years it is very important that the child is present, in order to see if they can start with a 1/16 size double bass.

1) Buying new, second hand or an antique double bass?

a. A new double bass is one which has just been manufactured. It is therefore in perfect condition. Generally, according to the law of supply and demand new double basses become cheaper while their quality gets better. Of course, as they have never been played, their sound needs to be improved, but nothing is impossible to a young and motivated musician!

b. A second hand double bass is an instrument manufactured some time ago. As it has already been played, it is a little damaged, in particular on the varnish, but all our instruments are re-conditioned.

c. An antique double bass is one which has been manufactured more than fifty years ago, in other words before the 1950's. These double basses have been made very well because they have survived just until today and still remain in good condition. The sonority in these instruments is much superior to that of modern day instruments because of their age and the way in which the wood has been worked.

2) Is it better to hire or buy a double bass ?

a. In the case of buying a double bass it is relatively simple : Aliénor counsel in most cases that it is better to buy your instrument. If, your child has already been playing the double bass for several years, the best is to buy an antique one (for example Mirecourt) or a top of the range double basse from China or even a french one made of carbon. If, the double bass is destined for an adult debutant, it is possible to start with a new study one and then several years later change it to an antique double bass.

3) Is it wise to buy a low priced double bass like the ones that can be found on the Internet ?

a. The cheapest double bass starts at 100 or 150 euro, which are not very interesting. Because of the exchange price that Aliénor offers, which effective on the instruments of quality, the price difference is very small. These instruments are destined to be played very occasionally. It should be noted that in the majority of cases these less expensive instruments are brought back to the workshop to be re-examined. If, you wish to have an instrument of quality and that has been suitably assembled in the code of practice, you will of course have to pay a more expensive price.

4) Is it possible to pay over several times ?

a. Of course, as the law allows, it is possible to pay in 3 times (e.g. with 3 cheques).

The history of the viola goes back to the creation of the family of violins in the 16th century in Italy.
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