Testimonials
We recently bought a vintage electric violin from Cardiff Violins for our daughter. We have recently started a family ceilidh band and we are about to do our 4th gig so we decided she needed one. I have a friend who has a different electric violin and it is nowhere near as good as this one. I would highly recommend these electric violins- they look superb, they are light and they sound perfect!
Just like to say a big thank you to all of you at Cardiff Violins, I had a very enjoyable afternoon selecting a new violin last Saturday and can't thank you enough for all the help that Laura gave me, after trying out many violins and Laura's expertise and being kind enough to play them for me to hear from the listener's point of view, I've come away a very happy person and look forward to seeing you again when it's time to upgrade to my next violin. Thanks again.
During the summer of 2011, I made several visits to Cardiff violins in order to replace items that had been stolen. Each time I was given excellent personal attention and as much time as I wanted to try instruments and bows. The viola I eventually purchased was expertly set up to my specifications and the choice of bows was extensive: something for all budgets. I cannot fault the care, help, and enthusiasm (especially with the merits of cases!) given to me by both Chris and Cecile and would recommend Cardiff Violins to all string players.
Several weeks on, I still revel in the memory of my day trying out cellos at Cardiff Violins in January. I’d been playing my presumed French, late nineteenth/early twentieth-century anonymous cello ever since moving up to a full size instrument, and was fond of it for its many associations, but, having long wondered what it might be like to broaden my sound horizon, thought to start a search for a new cello in the year of a significant birthday. There was no hurry to find something, and I was resolved to allow time to explore.
Proximity to family and its good reputation led me in the direction early on of Cardiff Violins. A careful and solicitous consultation by phone before Christmas when I booked my appointment set the tone. A Saturday was set aside for me to try out several instruments in a suitable price bracket, and by lunchtime, I’d played 5. Having Katia on hand to discuss the instruments, their response, and feel, and to hear her play them to me was invaluable. After lunch, I was able to try the John Morrison I’d heard about on the phone weeks earlier, and it was every bit as good as it had been made to sound then. My mind was made up. Having been prepared for a long haul by tales from cellist friends who’d spent months finding something that suited them, I found myself in possession of two new cellos by the end of one day.
The Morrison is a pure delight and surprises me each time I pick it up to play. Working full time in another sphere my only regret is that I don’t have enough time to explore it as fully or as often as I’d like to in these early months, but all being well, I hope to have many more months and years in which to get to know it inside out. With Katia’s excellent guidance, I also purchased a Czardas cello (complete with carbon fibre endpin and gear pegs for maximum portability and convenience), benefiting again from Chris' set up to maximise its potential, for those outdoor gigs and other occasions when the family silver is best left at home.
The cellos speak for themselves, but the care and attention I did and continue to receive from the staff at Cardiff Violins deserves a special celebration. Having been so well served in finding an instrument I’m happy with, I’m unlikely to want to repeat the process, but would have no hesitation in recommending the team to anyone starting a similar quest. Thank you all!
Two months ago, our 10 year old son, Benjamin, needed a new cello bow. Cardiff Violins was recommended to us by his teacher and I quickly discovered what a fantastic and genuine company they are. Cecile packaged up the bow and it arrived within a couple of days of ordering, in time for Benjamin to take his exam. Within the last month, we have bought a Bel Canto cello from Cardiff Violins. From the very first telephone conversation with Cecile, and right up until after delivery, we knew that we were dealing with somebody who genuinely wanted the very best instrument for Benjamin and we all felt extremely valued as customers. Sadly, we were unable to meet Cecile and her team when they came over to Guernsey with the new cello, as a close family member in the UK had died unexpectedly. The concern shown by Cecile and her husband was really appreciated. A friend kindly collected the cello (and case), which Benjamin is absolutely delighted with. The cello has a wonderful sound to it and is a very handsome instrument. Benjamin's practising is a pleasure to listen to! To Cecile and all at Cardiff Violins - thank you so very much for the wonderful, efficient and caring service you gave to us. We will be back!
Cardiff Violins is a fantastic shop. A Dickensian treasure trove of instruments with the highest standards of personalised customer service. It was the first port of call in my search for a new violin and bow. I did not have a budget in mind as I had no idea what I would need to spend to get the instrument and sound I wanted. Above a certain figure, the new roof would have to wait a bit longer. So I was let loose in the violin room to try whatever I wanted. I felt like a child in a sweetie shop. Four and a half hours later I was still in there and had found and tried the David Bittner violin (c.1870) that I ended up buying. By this point I’d had a lot of help and guidance from Magdalena, Chris and Cecile. They struck the perfect balance between offering help and leaving me in peace to try instruments in private. I returned a week later to take the violin home to try, by which time I had some other instruments to try for comparison. But it was the Bittner violin that I kept wanting to play. Having bought the violin and had a skyinbow pick-up fitted by Chris, I returned to find a bow. This took a couple of visits but I found one that did exactly what I wanted, made by Manoel Fransisco. The whole process was great fun and very enjoyable.
At the end of August we took our two music-mad teenagers to Cardiff Violins to hopefully buy violas and possibly a cello. Both play in County Orchestras and had just completed their Grade 5 and both have been saving for nearly 3 years (as well as having some parental contributions). Cecile had spent some time on the phone with me prior to our visit, but neither my husband nor I play a stringed instrument (or any instrument) and did not really know what to expect. The range of violas in our price range, the patience, and enthusiasm with which Cecile helped the girls try out the instruments and guided us through the process made this an amazing afternoon for all of us – and the girls have beautiful instruments they will treasure for years to come. Oh – and a cello which has since been named “Fred” :). Although we live several hours away, we will be coming back to Cardiff on a regular basis to make sure the instruments are looked after properly and continue to sound as amazing as they do now.
Cheers from Alaska, it's been a while! My mother's birthday FINALLY arrived and nobody in my family could wait until I gave her the cello. I cannot even begin to try and tell you the reaction I got. No tears, but she kept starting sentences and then cutting herself off to point out another feature to her cello. She absolutely loves it and has promptly named it 'Bella'. She also had to immediately tune and then play her two favourite songs that she's learned from our local orchestra. Since her birthday, (which was on Monday), she's been to orchestra practice and was the envy of all the string section! So thank you so much Cecile, you've been the source of a happy Alaskan mommy!! I hope your year has been fruitful and full of joy. Thank you again for all your help with the cello. Much love, Shay.