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Originally posted by Chatters

Hello everyone!

I've been playing on a beginner violin for around a year now, and I'm looking to purchase my first big boy one. My local violin store has a French Trade Stainer Copy that's absolutely stunning. They're selling it for $2700 AUD (1,824.71 USD). I've seen some very mixed opinions online about the stainer copies, so I just wanted to see if anyone here knows anything about them. Basically is a French trade one good and worth that price? Obviously the quality will differ from violin to violin, but generally speaking what do ya'll think? It's apparently in excellent condition and professionally setup.

I'm planning to go to the shop with my fiddle teacher to try a bunch out anyway, I'm just curious!

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It's hard to give a precise answer without seeing any pictures. If it is indeed a Mirecourt violin, it could be a serviceable instrument. Most of the Stainer copies that appear every so often were made in what is now Germany. Quality is all over the place, so it's necessary to consider each instrument individually.

Commercial Stainer copies often have very exaggerated arching, almost as if they had been overinflated like a balloon. While earlier makers like Stainer did often use somewhat full arching, a genuine Stainer will be much more graceful and won't be as severe in shape. Because of their shape, a lot of the Stainer copies are more bass-heavy, something that is viewed as a detriment in many violin shops. However, among Old Time, Bluegrass, and Jazz players, the extra punch in the low end is often considered to be desirable. In general they're mellower in tone and don't project especially well unless they've been revoiced  professionally. 

Some are quite crude and therefore aren't especially valuable, but the decent ones are sometimes priced in the lower end of the commercial range ($1500-$3000 USD or so). The relation to Stainer isn't necessarily very literal. At the time that these violins were made, it was common to label instruments as copies of all kinds of makers, and the labels were chosen seemingly by chance.

If you like the way it sounds and condition is decent, the price doesn't sound unreasonable. Your teacher will hopefully be able to assist you in considering its pros and cons. I'd recommend looking at other instruments in the same price range at the shop when you're there to see how it stacks up. 

quote:

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Originally posted by Chatters

Hello everyone!

I've been playing on a beginner violin for around a year now, and I'm looking to purchase my first big boy one. My local violin store has a French Trade Stainer Copy that's absolutely stunning. They're selling it for $2700 AUD (1,824.71 USD). I've seen some very mixed opinions online about the stainer copies, so I just wanted to see if anyone here knows anything about them. Basically is a French trade one good and worth that price? Obviously the quality will differ from violin to violin, but generally speaking what do ya'll think? It's apparently in excellent condition and professionally setup.

I'm planning to go to the shop with my fiddle teacher to try a bunch out anyway, I'm just curious!

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How does it sound?

I would just figure to try different fiddles, find the one you most like sound of, and the hours of joy might get from it... not so much about the provenance. (nor much the resell value)

I have what I a assume basic trade copy from same area/era, no label just STAINER stamped on inside. Don't know much about it, I acquired it a a fundraiser auction (I paid very little, nobody else was really bidding on, so thought I would help up the bids; was more interested in the nice case and bow)... donated from the local luthier's project had his apprentice work on, fix crack, some seams, refit pegs/holes, and even re-graduate the top, (maybe reset the neck?) Definitely the lightest fiddle I own. It's the one pictured on my avatar; and I used on a recent recording attached below. (granted those are inexpensive steel strings, and old, need replaced). 

I am not sure how conforms to other Stainer copies, but it's different sound than my other fiddles. I wouldn't consider it mellow, nor to have a warm full low end.. rather a more tight focused sound. With that, times can seem a little anemic, not particularly loud in some situations. That said It can hold up okay, sit well in mix when playing with some folks/instrument; esp if using mics. There is a quality I like it, esp for playing around the house.