New Instruments
Antique/Old Instruments
Restorations
Restorations
Violin Maintenance Issues
General/Other
New Instruments
My 7 year old son wants to start learning the violin. What is the best instrument for him? I don’t know where to start?
I recommend the Vivace Violin outfit for a beginner. It has a great sound for it’s price range and is fully set up and carefully checked before it leaves the shop. It also includes The Violin Studio Set-up. For more information about the Vivace Violin, click here.
What size instrument will be daughter need? She is 8.
Violins are made in “fractional” sizes. Here is a rough guide to instrument size vs age.
It is important to choose the correct instrument for your child otherwise it can cause discomfort.
If you are unsure are a few more tips to ensure your child has the right violin for their size.
- Have the child
- It is important to re-assess their fit regularly, as children grow quickly.
We stock instruments in all sizes.
| Approx. Age | Arm Length* | Approx. Violin Size |
| 3 – 5 | 1/16 | |
| 4 – 7 | 1/ 4 | |
| 6 – 10 | 1/ 2 | |
| 9 – 11 | 3/ 4 | |
| 9 and up | 4/ 4 full size |
*Measure from ………
Adults would generally use a full size instrument, or a small adult may use a 7/8 size instrument.
For more help on sizing contact us for advice.
My son is just had a growth spurt, and is now too big for his ¼ size violin. Should we go up a size, or skip one and go up two sizes?
I want to get a new instrument? teacher? Mum? opinions How do i choose
I am in my 40’s and would like to learn the violin for fun. What is the best instrument for me?
I am looking at upgrading my violin when I start university. How do I choose the right instrument?
We have a comprehensive guide to Choosing an Instrument. Follow this link to find out all the information you need to choose the right instrument for YOU.
Do you buy second hand violins?
Do you rent instruments?
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Antique/Old Instruments
I have my grandfather’s violin that I want to get restored. Can you tell me how much it is valued and if it’s worth restoring?
It is good to hear that you are keen to bring your Grandfathers violin into a good condition again. I do a lot of restoration work on around 100 year old violins. Often it is just maintenance that has not been done for a long time.
I would recommend bringing the violin in for a valuation. It is difficult to tell the value without seeing the instrument. The label inside the instrument is not always an indication of the maker of the instrument that’s why I have to see the whole instrument, the making style, the age and the materials. That way I can tell you where and when the violin was made and what work needs to be done to have it back in a playable condition.
If you would like a valuation, a verbal valuation is $60, and a written valuation is $120
Do you restore antique instruments?
Yes! The Violin Studio uses the latest techniques that seek to retain as much of the original as possible thus retaining the value of the instrument.
A lot of instruments can lack sound quality over the years because of warping and repaired cracks. Olaf also does “Sound Restoration” which means that the sound quality of the instrument is restored. This is something that is often overlooked by restorers.
To see some of The Violin Studio’s restoration work, follow this link.
Please contact The Violin Studio to organize a quote for a repair.
New vs used? Antique vs Modern?
Is it a strad?
Do you sell instrument on Consignment?
Instrument Maintenance
How often does my violin need a service?
Annually.
How often should I rosin my bow?
- Rosin your bow about once every 5 hours or so. Try to find the right frequency for yourself. There is a myth going around that you need to rosin your bow every time you play. If you play around 3 to 5 hours every day that may be true, however if it is less, you may consider not putting rosin on every time. You could also put on a bit less rosin a bit more often.
- A good guide is that if your bow sounds scratchy, it has probably got too much rosin (Or needs a rehair).
- You can clean the hair with a clean and dry flannelette cloth if there is too much rosin on it.
- Avoid touching the horsehair on your bow as the oils from your skin will damage the hair and take away its ability to grab the strings.
How often do I need a bow rehair?
Between once and twice a year for professionals and between 1 and 3 years for students. You can tell when no matter how much rosin you put on the bow just doesn’t sound right. That means that the hair is worn. Soloists usually need a rehair every 1 to 2 months.
I only use the best quality Mongolian hair. Each bow is very different, so I also make sure that I use exactly the right amount of hair that works well for each particular bow. I also adjust the tension on each side to make sure that the bow stays straight. If you book in advance, you can pick up your bow 24hours after you drop it off. A Viola Bow rehair is $110. . You can make an appointment by clicking here.
How often should my instrument be professionally cleaned?
Once a year to 2 years depending on the varnish and rosin build up. You can do a lot to keep your Instrument clean using a soft cloth after every time the instrument has been played.
Try to avoid using polishes you can buy, because they often contain oil that will penetrate repaired cracks on older instruments and that will later cause you headaches. If you have a bigger build up, a slightly damp cloth can help. Do not over-clean though, because some softer varnishes can wear off, also it is worth asking your reputable maker for advice on your specific instrument.
Importance of posture
How much for a new bridge? And how long will it take?
A good quality bridge will make a big difference to the sound.
I have 4 types of violin or viola bridge, the basic one is $80, a good quality one is $130, then I have bridges seasoned for over 20 years at $180 and the master bridges for $250. Most people use the $130 bridges for instruments worth over $1000.
I usually do them overnight but it is important to make and appointment in advance. Click here to make an appointment online.
My cello doesn’t sound like it did a few years ago. What’s wrong with it?
At The Violin Studio we understand the acoustics of Stringed Instruments and apply this knowledge to get your instrument working at is absolute best.
To make an appointment for a free sound optimization analysis, click here
Is my instrument insured when having a repair?
Help! My strings buzz and rattle?
Check if your fingerboard has grooves worn into it. this means your fingerboard needs planing by a professional repairer. The fingerboard should be slightly hollow from end to end (only by 1 to 1.5 mm) to compensate for the stronger vibrations in the middle of a string. If it it totally straight or even bowed the other way it can cause a buss as well. On the right there is a picture of a fingerboard in dire need of planing.
The tailpiece side of the bridge needs to be at right angles to the top plate at the base.
How often should my fingerboard be planed?
Between 1 and 1 ½ years for professionals and 2-3 years for students
How often should I get my bow rehaired?
Between once and twice a year for professionals and between 1 and 3 years for students. You can tell when no matter how much rosin you put on the bow just doesn’t sound right. That means that the hair is worn. Soloists usually need a rehair every 1 to 2 months.
My pegs are hard to turn. How do I fix this?
Maybe your pegs just need a little peg paste. You can purchase the “hill” peg paste from most music stores (if not, just hassle them until they stock it). To put on peg paste, do one peg at a time! Take of one string, find the shiny areas that take the friction and carefully apply some peg paste on the two shiny rings that show on the peg. Try the peg and see if it turns smoothly. If it doesn’t, turn it a few times and apply some more until it does. When you put the string back, make sure you carefully wind it onto the peg that it sits in neat windings flush against the side of the peg box that the peg handle is on. this stops the string from slipping. If the peg turns unevenly, it could have a slightly oval shape and needs to be refitted by a professional repairer.
General/Other
Finding a teacher
Do you send instruments interstate?
Yes, we just charge normal Australian Postage prices.
What is the best way to safely send an instrument to you?
One way of sending it would be via Australia Post express, if the case is still in a reasonable condition. The important thing is that the violin sits very firmly with cushioning inside its case and that you put about 3 layers of bubble-wrap around the case. I usually create a “Bounce Zone” by tripling some bubble-wrap and wrapping it around the bottom and the top of the violin.
If your question is not here, email us at mail@theviolinstudio.com.