Luthier | Laurens Violin Studio

Violin Tailpiece
Calling all Violinists: Buying a violin with a flaw?

When I was out today I spotted a violin in the window of a local charity shop. It is a cheap new violin but it is selling even cheaper because it has a couple of broken strings and the tailpiece is a bit loose.
I have always wanted to have a bash at the violin but don’t want to spend a lot of money at first in case I don’t take to it.

My questions are -

1. Is it easy enough to restring a violin

2. Is the tailpiece just loose because of the broken string and if not can I just glue it back in place?

3. The violin is labeled as size 4 A/A. Is this the correct size for an adult?

Thank you so much for answering my questions!

Anna

Those are NOT serious flaws at all.

1 It is very easy to restring a violin. Try to make sure you don’t take-off any of the remaining strings before putting on new ones. If you take-off all the strings, the bridge (which is held in place solely by tension and is not ’stuck’ to the violin) will fall off and you will then have the worry of re-positioning it correctly (and correct positioning is vital).
2 The tail piece is held in place at the thick end by the strings and at the narrow end by a piece of gut or plastic which loops around the little end pin you will see coming out of the bottom edge of the violin’s body. Whatever is brokem, it is relatively cheap and easy to repair/replace.
3 This will be a full-size violin, suitable for any adult (smaller violins are ONLY for small children) although, if it has this marking, is likely to be a student instrument so make sure it is of good enough quality to warrant the time and money you will be spending on it.

The Parts of a Violin : About the Tail Piece & Tail Cord of the Violin