Invariably yes, eight out of ten bought to the workshop are worth restoring, but after standing for so many years they will need (a complete overhaul.) or (some care and attention) This usually involves gluing any open seams, fitting new pegs, shooting the fingerboard, new top nut, new bridge, new sound post, new strings, new end pin, new tailpiece, new chin rest. The cost is approximately £250.00 to £300.00 but then the violin will give many more years of trouble free playing.

Usually no. Unless it's one of the old master bows or one very well made to start with. Unfortunately some of the old bows do not stand the test of time, the stick becomes tired, it looses it's camber, sometimes because it has been left tightened. The screw seizes up with rust and is unable to be turned. It also needs a new grip, new lapping and re-hairing. A good student German bow can be bought for a few pounds more than a re-hair and when re-cambering and a new grip is taken into account a really good bow can be bought so it makes more sense to invest in a new bow.

What is the instrument worth?

Unfortunately valuations cannot be done over the telephone or internet, the instrument has to be "seen" and handled to assess it's condition. See our Valuation page dedicated to this issue.

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Yes, the older antique instruments are worth insuring. Any damage and/or varnish work malicious or accidental is expensive to restore and you are also covered for theft and replacement.

We don't want to buy them a "smaller" good new or old violin. We will wait till they are full size. Why? "Because we don't want too spend that much on a violin that they will out grow"

If the child has a better quality student instrument or a well set up old one it will produce a far superior sound and will be easier and more enjoyable for them to play on, and you will hear the difference straight away yourself.

Why hold them back on a beginner violin? Come back when they are ready to change size and get 50% trade in allowance on the violin - so it costs only half the value of the violin for 12-18 months and they should have progressed much further

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We are not sure what we want or need with all the choice out there?

Since 1981 Anthony Nickolds has been providing advice to students and advanced musicians concerning all aspects of the violin family (violins, violas, cellos, bass) and their various accessories. If you are new to the instrument or have any questions or queries please give us a call or e-mail and all the various options will be explained.

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Unsure of ordering online.

With our online ordering we use the services of Paypal a respected name for transactions on the internet this allows musicians to pay with credit card and debit cards with full back up and support from Paypal and all the usual security that they offer.

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