Testimonials
Well, there is not a lot I can say that has not already been said! Going to Cardiff Violins does not feel like going to a shop… it feels like looking up old friends – who happen to know a lot about what you need! Good advice is always there, Chris never screams at my latest discoveries…such as Pellegrina violas or the Luis & Clark instrument (which I affectionately call Captain Plastic!). They know I love innovation… and colour… which is why Cécile knew I would be perfect for one of BAM’s less subtle cases! They also introduced me to Arcus bows, which I now use all the time. It is so easy to take for granted the convenience of having a place where you can go and try stuff and discuss ideas…something the internet cannot compete with.
We just wanted to say how delighted we are with the new violin. It looks beautiful and the tone is like velvet! It makes a big sound, as well, for a 3/4. Up to this point, Freya's played whatever I could find second hand and locally, but this is a violin to fall in love with. It's really enhanced her playing. Thank you to Cecile and Laura for your excellent personal service. We were nervous about buying a musical instrument online and relied totally on your expertise and advice in making a selection. When Freya grows out of this one, we shall definitely be back for a full-size, maybe in person, this time. Many thanks.
I am infinitely grateful to Cardiff Violins for introducing me to my Thomas Smith violin. As a violin performance major, my violin means absolutely everything to me. I cannot imagine how different my life would be without it. I had started my undergraduate degree as a viola performance major and re-auditioned at my school (the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York) as a violinist because I could not stand to go a day without playing my violin. While most of my friends dream of someday owning their "soul mate" instrument, I know I've found mine.
I just wanted to let you know that the case arrived safely a couple of days before Christmas! Thank you so much for organising all that process - it all went very smoothly. And it was an excellent price - even with shipping. It was by far the best price we could find either in Australia or elsewhere online for the Bam cases. My daughter is thrilled with it!
I am lucky enough to be the playing the beautiful Brandini violin that belongs to Eleanor. I am so enjoying playing the instrument, getting to know it and hearing it open out more and more as time passes. The violin has such an interesting sound which for me is so exciting and I am still finding new colours as each day passes. Just before Christmas, I noticed that the instrument had opened up slightly on one of the shoulders so this has been glued now - pretty inevitable for older instruments as they get used to being played again I imagine? I have been using Evah Pirrazzi strings on the violin but have just treated myself to a Christmas present of their new 'Evah Pirazzi Gold' strings. These have gone on today and I can't wait to see how they settle in as one of my colleagues raves about them. Many thanks for sourcing and selling such a beautiful instrument to Eleanor and Ray, it has made so much difference to my playing.
Eleanor & Ray, Violin Owners
We are so glad that Carol is finding that the Brandini is making such a difference to her playing, as this was the intention, to give a player an instrument that would allow them to progress their talent in a way that they could not afford without such help. We would encourage others, who are deciding how to invest some money at this time of uncertain markets, to consider doing the same.Thank you for all the time and skill you have lavished on my cello. I am still discovering its full potential but it is already clear that the tone quality is now better across the entire register than it has ever been before and the ease with which the instrument responds is a transformation and a joy. My pupils are always greatly inspired and practise far more when they have one of your cellos. I now find myself sharing their experience. Thank you so very much!
In June 2012 I started cello shopping. Having just finished my postgrad at the Royal Northern College of Music, I knew that, in a few months time, I would have to give back the lovely cello they had loaned to me for the past two years. I knew that the next instrument I purchased would be a serious investment, and I could only stop cello shopping when I’d found the one. I’d been trying out various cellos over the course of the 2011-2012 academic year, and I had yet to come across an instrument that made me not want to put it down. So, we arrive at September and I’ve given the cello back to the RNCM. I had been to Cardiff Violins once before and loved it – it was back in 2010 when I just popped in for a nose (I ended up trying some cellos then too!), and I was excited by the fact I could go there again! I was due to be working in Cardiff around mid-September, so sent an email to Cécile asking if I could come and try out some cellos whilst I was down there. “We would be very happy to meet you and show you our cellos”, she said! Brilliant, I was going to Cardiff Violins!
Cécile was a tremendous help; she had prepared many cellos that suited my budget, so when I arrived they were all perfectly tuned and ready for me. There were two girls who also assisted me; they brought fresh coffee and gave me a selection of bows for me to try. This was a brilliant thing to do as not all bows suit all cellos, so they gave me the freedom to find an instrument that would shine. So there I sat, well catered for, for 2 hours! Time flies... I asked to not know the prices of the cellos because sometimes this can get in the way of finding an instrument that you like when you have a budget.
And then that moment came. I had found the one! A cello by the Scottish maker, Colin Adamson, made in 2006. It was brilliant. I loved the sound, the feel and even the look! As much as looks shouldn’t really matter, it’s always a bonus if your chosen instrument is pleasant on the eye! It was beautiful in every way. After I had tried all the cellos, Cécile insisted that I take the Adamson away to try – I was immediately very fond of it! Cécile contacted me over the next week to see how I was getting on and I told her how I just had to have it. It was at the top end of my budget, but I didn’t care... I would find a way! I assured Cécile that I would definitely be purchasing the Adamson, but unfortunately hit brick wall after brick wall when investigating loans/grants/scholarships etc.. What was a horrible few weeks of decline after decline, eventually turned into a success! I cannot thank Cécile and Chris enough for their patience and continued optimism in my search for funding. They were also extremely generous to lend me a case for the whole time, and I cannot explain how warming it is to have a shop be on your side; they wanted me to have the Adamson as much as I did!
So now I have a cello which I’m very proud to own, and it’s all thanks to Cécile and Chris really. Next time I’m in Cardiff I’ll be popping into Cardiff Violins – not to try out cellos for 2 hours, but instead to have a catch up with the lovely friends that I made during my time spent at Cardiff Violins; although, I guess I’ll be the one making the coffee this time!
As a violinist and violist, I have been playing on a friend's Don Tatem viola for the past 3 years in a variety of settings. I find it a very easy instrument to switch to from the violin and really like the strong, even tone across its range. I came to Cardiff Violins specifically to buy a Don Tatem for myself and found a similar instrument in size to the one I was playing that I really like and am looking forward to playing. I have tried quite a few instruments much higher in value yet none have seemed quite as nice as Don's! Thanks to Cardiff Violins for helping me. Here is a video of the viola multi-tracked in a new composition