Testimonials

Hi Chris, Cecile and all the nice staff in Cardiff Violins,

I want to write to you to let you know how much did enjoy the visit to your shop. Also I would like to stress the fact that my testimonial is addressed to those that are absolute beginners or one or two steps below, like me. Those that have not idea about violins and are in need of beginner's instrument and much more, really a lot more, help to make the decision on which one will suit him/her. I decided to go to your shop by recommendation of a good friend of mine, already playing violin, and firstly I did my research through internet and did read other people testimonials about you, your job and your shop. I have to say, after I knew you personally, that all those testimonials I did read were in some way wrong. My only fear is that my broken English possibly won't allow to say all that would like, to express all my feelings and how successful was for me the decision of going to your shop.

Formerly I did visit some other shops. Shops where violins were kept locked. That instantly sent a message to my brains: "We are not here for you, go away". Shops where the first sentence after the "Good morning/afternoon, sir" was "how much is your budget?". In short words, shops where they didn't look at the music lover, they looked at the customer wallet. Since the first moment, when I did phone you, the warmth, the will to help, was present and very noticeable for me. That got me instantly hooked. The moment I crossed your step door was a delight for my senses. My only worry was not to break anything. All the instruments were there, to the reach of my fingers, they weren't jailed in nice glassed urns. They were there telling "try me, please".

And what to say about you, the persons behind all those instruments? The welcome was warm enough, even when I changed my appointment time, you were still there smiling and waiting for me. You knew beforehand I was an absolute beginner and I felt like you were waiting for a famous performer. All what followed was magical. Your attendant was simply brilliant. She showed not dismay, restless, giving me all the explanations for my questions. Trying violin after violin. More like if we were friends. I never felt her rushing to close the sale. Never in a hurry to see me going and go for the next customer. 

I could be here writing for hours about all my feelings. But nothing I can write will be even close to the reality. They were three fantastic hours in my life. And what to say about you Chris, abandoning your workshop and finding five minutes to come to know me? Thanks very much for that detail. Amazing, simply amazing. I just will add that your way of doing business is far away unsurpassed.

You are brilliant, all you, stars in a world of mediocrity, in a world of money as the main moto, yours is the satisfaction of your customers, and probably you don't have customers, you now have friends. I am. I will, probably, carry on being an absolute novice for many years. I probably won't play decently a violin in my life. But now I am richer as a person, as now I knew you. From the bottom of my heart, a big thanks to all you.

For some time, due to various physical problems, I had been struggling with a 16¾" viola. Thanks to the encouragement of a musician friend whom I consulted about this I made an appointment with Cardiff Violins. Being of modest talent and skill, I was rather apprehensive about going, but I needn't have worried. I was welcomed so warmly and treated throughout with great respect. Cecile took careful note of my needs before producing a number of 15" and 15½" instruments, each one of which was played by Joe, to show what they could do in the hands of an accomplished player. I finally opted for a 15" viola, which has made all the difference to my comfort. Not only did Cecile guide me in selecting it (and the chin and shoulder rests most suited to my needs), but she spent time giving me some general health information in addition to her very useful tips about posture and bow hold. A most worthwhile and very personal experience.

Thank you Cecile, Chris and Joe.

I have been lucky enough to meet Chris and Cecile in Guernsey at their annual visits to Guernsey.  This is a real treat for our students and local players and teachers - a room full of instruments to try!  Exhausting for poor C & C though, a massive load up, long drive, sometimes ghastly boat journey and then all hands on deck to set up a local hotel as their weekend showroom.  Many of my pupils have enjoyed choosing their first instruments from them and the parents enjoy the part-ex scheme when they need a bigger instrument or an upgrade.  Two years ago my son chose a gorgeous old German cello and this year it was my turn to part exchange my old French cello for this beautiful old English instrument.  I absolutely love it!

We placed an order this week for a violin case.  I just wanted to say thank you and how impressed we were with the service.  It arrived amazingly quickly, and we are delighted with it.  Thank you.

Love this viola it's so beautiful!  And the bow - your man has done a fab job.  I had my first viola lesson the day it arrived, I can see I'll have to get past those scraping noises before I find out how wonderfully this instrument can play! It had always been one of my ambitions in life to be able to play the viola.  However as a long time vegetarian turned vegan, I soon found that there were particular obstacles that prevented me from obtaining an instrument.  In particular, I found it VERY difficult to find a bow anywhere that was completely free of animal products.  The hair on the bow was from slaughtered horses, the slide or eye made from abalone and mother of pearl (also exploited by cruel practices), and other materials such as leather, snakeskin, bone and sometimes even ivory.  My heart sank - perhaps playing this instrument was never to be. But I don't give up so easily, and I'm glad I didn't.  After a few e-mails to different music shops, I learned that many student instruments tend to use a low melting point resin glue rather than animal hide glue.  This was good news - now if only I could find a bow that used synthetic strings… It was then that I stumbled across Coruss hair on the Cardiff Violins website.  At last, synthetic bow hair for the viola!  It DID exist!  I was so excited - I got in touch with Cardiff Violins immediately about buying an outfit from them with a completely customized bow.  Being vegetarians themselves, they completely understood my problem.  They were extremely helpful and more than happy to fulfill my needs, replacing the horsehair with Coruss hair, removing the leather thumbgrip and shell, and replacing the slide with ebony instead.  They did an absolutely AMAZING job, and without their help I would probably never have had the chance to play.  Thank you so much Cardiff Violins!

I can't thank you enough for all your help and invaluable advice over the years. My journey to find the perfect cello has been difficult - to say the least! However, your kindness and detailed knowledge has ensured that I have the perfect instrument as I embark on my studies at the Royal Academy of Music.  I would recommend your workshop to all cello owners and I would recommend your wonderful shop to anyone looking for a new instrument. Thank you so much once again.

Here is my photo with the lovely Paul Bailly violin purchased last week. I am so thrilled to own it. I'm sure it is going to take my playing to a higher level. I feel truly inspired.  Thank you both so much for all the help, time and expertise you gave me in choosing the right instrument for me. I had a wonderful memorable day.  Thanks also to Joe who gave his time playing the violins for me to hear, he is a beautiful violinist.  I'm sure we will be in touch in the future.

Dear Cecile, Chris, and all the team,  I just wanted to say a very big "thank you" to all of you for your hard work on my violin.  It arrived safely this morning, and is barely recognisable! (In a good way.)  Also thanks for the Obligato strings, really lovely sound.  You take so much pride in your work and it shines through in all you do.  I know you had nightmares over the varnish but the end result is better than I could ever have hoped for.  Thank you so much.