#TradeInPolicy Update for #Violins #Violas #Cellos

Due to the popularity of our trade in service and because we are constantly asked to consider instruments outside the range of our trade in policy we have decided to expand our terms for 2019!

Our current trade in policy for Violins Violas and Cellos allows for any instrument bought from us to be traded in, if kept in good condition: the trade in rate is a flat rate of up to half the original purchase, dependent on condition; to be redeemed against a purchase of equal or greater value or a credit note of equal value.
We reserve the right to refuse trade ins if the condition is poor or if purchased from a third party, or if modified.

For 2019 we are delighted to announce that our trade in policy is expanding!!
We will now consider for trade in instruments NOT originally purchased from us (third party trade ins.)
If you have an instrument you would like to offer for trade in, please do the following:

1. Bring the instrument for inspection (you can do this at any time, if you want to know in advance what the trade in value would be*)
2. Provide the original purchase price of the instrument (with receipts if possible)
3. If you do not know the original price, we will try to ascertain a trade in value for you.

Trade In rates for 3rd party 

Please Note: Trade In rates may be less that for our own instruments and we offer these rates solely as a goodwill gesture. It may well be more profitable to sell privately, if less convenient. 

 We reserve the right to refuse trade in without further discussion, based on make, condition or modifications. We will not guarantee to accept third party trade ins.
We do not consider for any trade in instruments that are damaged, have cracks, very marked or scratched. Damage to bows and cases also affects value.
 We do not consider for trade in Lark, Sky lark, Antonio brands.

* Please note we do not value instruments, we will only discuss trade in value

Resin? It's all the same isn't it?

It's the little box of glossy stuff they stick in with any bowed instrument; an afterthought for many people and a puzzle for most beginners. What is it? Why is it important? Most students have a vague idea of what to do with it, but a host of misconceptions about how best to use it and its importance. Resin is a small component in your armory as a player, but it's vital - use too much, too little or a bad type and you can sound like you are trying to strangle your instrument into submission. Use the right amount, of a good resin, and you can enhance both your technique and sound.

New resin looks shiny, like the picture above but in order to use it you must first start it by scraping it with a sharp edge ( a pin or small scissors is ideal). Score a cross hatch of lines into the surface, lightly, so that the powder can come out.

WHAT IS IT?

Resin isn't expensive generally speaking, so don't be tempted to go for a very cheap one. 

The cheapest types are very coarse, the powder or dust gives a harsh sound and you need to keep piling more on just to get a half decent grip. Often we see students who are frustrated that despite their efforts their bowing doesn't seem to be improving. In fact, when they try a better resin, a lot of the scraping and screeching disappears and they realize, they were improving but the resin was hindering them. 

Even our smallest beginners use a decent German student resin, costing about €2.50.

 Geipl German Resin, AB resin and Royal Oak Profi is around €5,95 to €6.95 and excellent brands like Dominant, Kaplan dark, Nymans, Hills, Pirastro all cluster between €8.95 and €15.95

There are specialist resins, like Liebenzeller or Larsen that cost between €17.95 and €35 but they are the exception not the rule.

WHEN and HOW?

Once you have your decent resin, with a good grade of powder, the next thing to remember is when to use it. 

As a rough rule of thumb if you are doing half an hour practice per day, use it once a week. If you are doing an hour a day use it once every 3-4 days.

 Applying it means to make 4-6 firm passes of the bow across the resin block, making sure that you don't skip a patch - go from tip to frog.

Then put it down, and step away from the resin!

If you feel or the teacher feels you need to add more, by all means do; these are guidelines not hard and fast rules. But by erring on the side of caution you will keep your strings sounding well, your bow hair responsive and clean and when you make an effort to master smooth bowing techniques you'll see an return on your hard work.

Oxford Cello School 2012 forms now available!

The Oxford Cello School 2012 information forms are now available (just ask in shop or check out our counter display.)
The visiting professors for 2012 are Pierre Doumenge and Alexander Boyarsky; Cellists include Claire Babington, Paul Cox, Chris Doggett, Helen Downham, Kwesi Edman, and many more; Double Bassist, Nick Ereut and Elizabeth Harré; Pianists Paul Cibis, Pavel Timofejevsky and Craig White; Choir Tom Draper-Rhodi.

Venue: Radley College Oxford .
Performers of all ages, nationalities and abilities are welcome to apply. Accommodation is in single rooms or small dorms, and junior accommodation is seperate from Senior. Students are supervised by a team of expert house staff.

Full details on the form and on the website www.oxfordcelloschool.org
email: mail@oxfordcelloschool.org
address: 31 the Hyde, Abingdon, OX14 5JG, UK.

Bursaries : A few bursaries are available and 5% discount on the course fee applies if pais in full by 31st January 2012.

Karl Hofner Cello Oufits!!

Limited Special Offer! unprecedented value in cello outfits.... Karl Hofner of Germany student Cello outfits Available in sizes 16th to 3/4 1/16th, 1/8th and 1/4 th €420 3/4 and 1/2 €480 Fully set up, excellent value for students from a trusted maker. Call 01- 4781773 or email charlesbyrne@ireland.com to check availability of sizes; call into the shop to see these great instruments.

Dycem Non Slip "black hole" for Cello

Back in stock! The fabulous Dycem non slip cello mat "black hole" - this is the new improved version, in new packaging with improved features. The most reliable non slip spike holder for cello and bass, and a favourite of professional musicians.

Were €11.95..............NEW IN @ €9.95

Available now !

Back to School!

September...autumn leaves, junior cert results and the inevitable grind of back to school...and back to music lessons and orchestra too.

Things being tight this year for many people, we find our €155 range "Bon Novice" most popular. We also have them in several sizes (1/4 1/2 and 3/4) secondhand at €120 a lot of the time (we automatically offer them in the size needed if we have them but do feel free to ask!)

People also ask us "what's the difference between these and say, something selling at 80 or 90 euro?" The main difference is of course quality - they are better violins. Then they are finished in our own workrooms, by hand, with pegs strings bridge and sound post all fitted perfectly. This ensures that the student violin produces the best sound it is capable of producing and that it is easy to tune and maintain. Ours are instruments to learn on, rather than toys or kits. And of course you get our after sales service - we can adjust anything, correct any problems or indeed tune it up for you :)

The Pallini at €195 is also prooving very popular especially for s=those who have done grade one and want just a little more from their violin for grade 2/3

Cellos start at €595, although they are almost sold out; and of course the Pallini cello outfit at €795 is as popular as ever.

Manuscripts, resin, music stands, music cases, shoulder rests, bows, and some tutor books
(eg Eta Cohen, Susuki etc) are all important for the student player. We have excellent prices on all these items eg lovely music cases from 7.95 and new violin stands from 15.95 euro

Classical Guitars start at 48 euro for a 1/2 size and 70 euro for the full size; with hand made spanish guitars from under 200 euro.

Quality and value for money count more than ever now - get the best, for less :)