A Guide to Stocking Orchestral Stringed Instruments and Accessories

Ask the Experts

As the UK's specialist supplier of the violin family we not only offer knowledge in depth but carry the widest range of bowed instrument strings in the country from Alliance to Zyex including Thomastik.

Instruments

Our website is structured so that you can easily identify the intended market for our instrument range. Click violins above, for example, and you will be offered a choice at Student, Intermediate and Advanced level. The choice at each level is graded according to finish, materials and price ascending.

Student: Entry level, first instrument supplied as complete outfits with factory strings. Offered in a wide range of sizes to accommodate the younger/smaller player. See violin sizing chart below.

General guidelines only. Measurement in cm taken, with left arm perpendicular to the body from the neck to the left wrist joint. Some prefer to measure to the palm.

Intermediate: The progressing student aspiring to the higher ABRSM grades.

Advanced: Conservatoire and professional level. The finest materials and finish.

Accessories

Strings

The main consumables are the strings. A rough guide is that new violin strings should be fitted about every six months depending upon frequency of use. Online forums suggest a more precise 120 hours. The violin is tuned EADG. The E is the thinnest string and like a guitar top E this may need replacing more often.

The range of orchestral strings available is huge and diverse and we carry the widest selection in the UK. Should you have specific questions from customers we will be able to give specific answers and recommendations. To service most customers we would suggest carrying a few basic lines:

Student level: Astrea or Prelude Violin Set
Intermediate: Helicore or Dominant Violin Set.
Advanced: High end strings such as Larsen to customer special order.

Rosins

Rosin provides the friction between bow and strings that produces the sound. Again, a wide range of rosins is available. A basic, low priced rosin should cover requirements with higher end to order.

Shoulder Rests

Some students make do with a cut down sponge but as they progress they will need a dedicated accessory. We would recommend carrying the Everest standard available in three sizes to cater for student level violins.

Numerous other accessories and fittings are available to browse on this website but if you are just starting out with orchestral instruments we would recommend offering a good basic instrument, a basic set of strings, rosin and shoulder rest.

When a customer is looking to buy a basic school violin outfit you can upgrade the package by suggesting better strings, rosin and a proper shoulder rest to give the new student the best start.

Want to know more? Visit our dedicated Violin website myviolin.co.uk

‘The violin is the most popular instrument for children, it is also the most in demand instrument at the professional level.’

Please contact robert for access to our trade area.