Summerhays Music carries the finest in String Instruments. Below you will find some of the packages and instruments we offer. Stop into our store anytime to see our full inventory.


This package includes:

Andare GE-II Violin
Totally hand-crafted European violin. (5+ years aged wood)

Deluxe Oblong Case
 Lightweight, with pockets and suspension padding

Carbon Fiber or Deluxe Brazilwood Bow
 Excellent balance, pulls more sound than most bows

Dominant or Zyex Strings
The legendary choice of professionals worldwide

Wittner Tailpiece
Wittner tailpieces have many advantages. Less string breakage, much easier tuning, less vibration and buzzing, better preservation of harmonic overtones, and correct placement of the playable part of the string.

One-Year Warranty
Ask for details

A Value of over $1500!
 Package Price: $895
or Rent-to-Own as low as $25/month

 
This package includes:

Mahler Violin -
Hand-fitted ebony pegs, German Wittner Tailpiece, Hand-rubbed oil finish, Expertly graduated for proper tone, Dominant or Zyex Strings, Custom set-up for Utah Climate

Deluxe Carbon Graphite Bow

Oblong Canvas-Covered Case

Jade Rosin

A Value of over $795!
 Package Price: $595
Better than mail-order prices!

CARLOS WALLIN VIOLIN V100

  • Completely hand made, utilizing properly seasoned tonewoods.
  • Hand rubbed, soft satin varnish.
  • Spruce top, maple back, ribs, and neck, with hand inlaid purfling.
  • Graduated top and back for excellent sound projection for this price point.
  • A limited number of fractional violins are available. Please inquire for current inventory.

LIST PRICE: $1495
SALE PRICE: $995
RENT to OWN: $35/month*

FRANK DENTI VIOLIN V200

  • An advanced level instrument with clean hand work by Los Angeles Stringed Instruments.
  • Conservative, lightly antiqued, Italian style varnish.
  • Even grained spruce top, with moderately flamed maple back, ribs and scroll.
  • Distintive, well balanced tone, an outstanding value at this price level.
  • A limited number of fractional violins are available. Please inquire for current inventory.

LIST PRICE: $1995
SALE PRICE: $1295
RENT to OWN: $45/month*

DAVIDOFF VIOLIN V280

  • Meticulously graduated for a rich, sensitive tone.
  • An advanced level instrument, completely hand crafted by Los Angeles Stringed Instruments.
  • Carefully selected, fully aged tonewoods.
  • Fully shaded , heavy antique varnish in the “old instrument” style.
  • Distintive, hand carved boxwood pegs, tailpiece and chinrest, ebony fingerboard.

LIST PRICE: $2495
SALE PRICE: $1495
RENT to OWN: $50/month*

THOMAS KRAFFT VIOLIN V300

  • Expertly hand-crafted by Los Angeles Stringed Instruments.
  • Select spruce top, seasoned maple back with refined craftsmanship.
  • Italian - style, modern varnish, hand rubbed for a rich luster.
  • Meticulously graduated for a powerful, refined sound.

LIST PRICE: $2495
SALE PRICE: $1495
RENT to OWN: $50/month*

BILL LUCCHINI VIOLIN V380

  • Artistically hand-crafted
  • Well chosen Supreme quality spruce with a highly figured, well seasoned maple back
  • Precisely tuned plates for maximum sound projection
  • Produces a wide range of tonal colors, balanced power and an appealing, rich sound, with balanced overtones
  • Hand applied softly shaded multi-layer varnish.

LIST PRICE: $2995
SALE PRICE: $1995
RENT to OWN: $65/month*

GIL CLARK VIOLIN V600

  • Hand-Crafted By Los Angeles Stringed Instruments
  • The finest, well seasoned, and select aged tonewoods
  • Artistically hand graduated for a balanced, resonant sound with rich overtones
  • Expertly hand varnished in a conservative antique-style for maximum tonal projection
  • Careful attention to all details by our most experienced craftsmen.

LIST PRICE: $3995
SALE PRICE: $2995
RENT to OWN: $105/month*

EASTMAN VIOLIN VL615

  • Handcrafted from European tonewoods
  • Exceptional warm & rich tone
  • Available in 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 sizes

LIST PRICE: $1295
SALE PRICE: $995
RENT to OWN: $35/month*

MAHLER VIOLIN 80

  • Great sound
  • Affordable price
  • Available in 1/10, 1/8 and 1/4 sizes

LIST PRICE: $795
SALE PRICE: $595
RENT to OWN: $20/month*

PYGMALIUS VIOLIN ST/DV

  • Suzuki teacher's choice
  • Beautiful sound
  • Handcrafted in Japan
  • Available in 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4 sizes

LIST PRICE: $1800
SALE PRICE: $1500
RENT to OWN: $53/month*

ANDARE VIOLIN GAMAII

  • Deep, warm sound
  • Handcrafted in Europe
  • Available in 1/16, 1/8 & 1/4 sizes

LIST PRICE: $1495
SALE PRICE: $1195
RENT to OWN: $42/month*

ANTON RICHTER VIOLIN 520

  • Rich, full sound
  • Handcrafted from superior, seasoned tonewoods
  • Available in 3/4, 1/2 & 1/4 size

LIST PRICE: $1500
SALE PRICE: $1295
RENT to OWN: $45/month*

ANTON RICHTER VIOLIN 330

  • Responsive, vibrant, sound
  • Handcrafted from aged tonewoods
  • Available in 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4 sizes.

LIST PRICE: $895
SALE PRICE: $695
RENT to OWN: $25/month*

Although the exact date the violin was in invented is not known, it is believed that it was sometime in the early 1500’s. Preceded by many other string instruments belonging to the lute and guitar family, the first true violins were made by skilled Italian craftsmen. The oldest documented violin to have four strings, like the modern violin, was made in 1555 by Andrea Amati. Other violins, documented significantly earlier, only had three strings. Other notable early Violin makers were Guarneri and Stradivari. Stradivari is perhaps the most famous of all violin makers, known for his “Stradivarius” violins that are valued in the millions of dollars today. Many modern makers emulate his style and violin pattern in their own instruments.

Unaltered for centuries, the violin continues to be one of the most played and recognized orchestral instruments. Today it continues to emerge in new musical settings from rock and roll to country, from contemporary to classical.

There is technically no difference between a Violin and a Fiddle; the two terms are usually used to describe the type of music the instrument is being used to play. The Violin is ordinarily referred to as a Fiddle when played as a folk instrument (though the term "fiddle" may be used informally no matter what the genre of music).

How does the Violin make it's Sound?

The body of the violin is a large hollow chamber that functions as a speaker or amplifier for vibration. The strings are suspended above the body of the instrument by a bridge, a small maple piece of wood secured to the top of the instrument by the tension of the strings. The vibration from the strings is transferred through the bridge to the body of the instrument where the sound is then amplified.

Vibration of the strings can be achieved through two methods:

  1. Plucking the strings (known as pizzicato).
  2. Bowed playing (drawing a bow across the strings).

The bow is generally made from wood (usually Brazilwood or Pernambuco), but many modern bows are also made from a variety of man-made materials such as fiberglass and carbon fiber. The bow is strung with a ribbon of finely combed horsehair.

Rosin (made from tree sap) is applied to the hair to make it sticky and to create friction between the bow and the strings. As the bow grips the strings and is drawn across it, they vibrate and produce sound.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHAT TO AVOID
Ebony pegs / fittings Painted, stained or "ebonized" fittings
Correctly planed ebony fingerboards Painted or ebonized fingerboards or Ebony fingerboards with warps, bumps, or irregularities
Well cured / aged woods (3+ years) Green / untreated Tonewoods
Properly fit bridges from quality Hard Rock Maple Unfit bridge blanks or poorly fit bridges made from soft woods
Quality strings (Dominant, Pirastro, Jargar, Primm, or D'Addario) Thin wire or steel strings
Genuine Wittner tailpiece Immitation "knock-off" tailpieces made from pot metal or plastic
Bows with genuine Horsehair Bows with synthetic / nylon hair
Fiberglass, carbon fiber, Brazilwood or Pernambuco bows Cherrywood, Willow, or plastic bows
Local shop setup for this climate Out-of-the-box factory setup
Instrument setup to meet or exceed MENC standards Improper or unknown setup specifications

What we recommend

Most Recommended Brands: Kirschnek, Nagoya Suzuki, Masakichi Suzuki, Anton Richter, Andare, Eastman, Glaesel, Schroetter, and Roth. These instruments are consistent in quality and hold up well in our dry Utah climate.

Other Recommended Brands: Knilling, Schuster, Lewis, Seidel, and Meisel. Some of these companies offer instruments made in a variety of locations. For the best quality and reliability, those made in Germany are recommended.

Rent or Buy?

The question of renting or buying is a common one for most aspiring musicians and parents of aspiring musicians. Part of the answer lies in the commitment level of the individual.

Renting is a convenient way to use an instrument on a trial basis without the commitment of ownership. Most rental contracts are written as “rent-to-own” contracts, giving the renter the flexibility of renting and returning, or continuing payments until purchased.

Buying an instrument has definite advantages as well. Ownership of an instrument creates ownership in developing a talent, and provides further incentive to work hard and be successful.

Through Summerhays Music Center’s accommodating trade-up program, string instruments can generally be traded in for full value or near full value toward the purchase of larger or upgraded instruments. This program allows for growth in an instrument that complements the growth and development of the student.