West Country Violins Reviews

Submitted by
Name: M. Deziel
From: Hull, Canada.

Comments:
I am very pleased with my wonderful German violin from West Country Violins. I had examined the pictures carefully and listened to many sound clips, which I find are a must for instrument sales over the Internet. The violin was exactly what I was looking for: powerful and bright tone, perfect for orchestral play. Brian is very helpful, patient and curteous. The violin was packed with extreme care and arrived in fine condition. Site merveilleux! Merci beaucoup Brian for providing me with such a fine instrument!

Added: April 27, 2002

Submitted by
Name: Ed. White
From: Gairloch, Wester Ross, Scotland.

Comments:
A very interesting and well designed site. It is a boon to us who live off the beaten track. Very good service and fair prices. You may buy with confidence here.

Added: February 26, 2002

Submitted by
Name: Ruthsdis Bhoemkumlangmuang
From: Bangkok, Thailand.

Comments:
Dear Brian, The Bernadel - Stainer violin arrived on 18-April-02 in safe and perfect condition. I changed the chinrest and found that there are 2 small old cut scars caused by metal screw bars of the chinrest but overall condition of the instrument and the tonal quality satisfy me a lot for the price I paid for. I hope a friend of mine who is a well known violinist may also like its quality vs price and consider to give you an order for himself. If so, he would probably ask me to contact you again because he does not know how to use computer. FYI, there is no way to avoid an import duty here because the Customs will charge on any item (even gift - both old and new) that costs over GB 84.00 pounds. If it is declared as gift, the Customs will certainly estimate the cost and charge an importer. In my case, they charged at a special rate since the instrument is used/old. Therefore, I paid about GB 57.00 pounds (of which is about 8.2% of the cost) which is OK to me. Again, thank you for your first class service. I am sure that when I want to step up the instrument, the first person I will think of is you.

Added: April 20, 2002

Submitted by
Name: Julie A. Porter
From: Littleton, CO, United States.

Comments:
All I've ever heard about buying violins is: never buy a violin without playing it first. So everyone thought I was nuts buying from "some guy in England." They all had to swallow their words when they saw and heard my beautiful 1890 French violin. Brian is wonderful to deal with, my violin looks even better than the pictures (I think Brian works hard to show the flaws!), and the sound and playability are just amazing. I'd recommend West Country Violins to anyone!

Added: February 8, 2002

Submitted by
Name: Donina
From: Melbourne, Australia.

Comments:
I visited the UK in January and was able to visit Brian in person for a few hours to look at violins. I bought a lovely French violin, which my teacher tells me is much better value than most violins for sale in Australia. If or when I decide to upgrade, Brian will be my first port of call. Special thanks to Brian for being kind enough to pick me up from the station and drop me off again in time to catch my train back to Wales! I would heartily recommend Brian and West Country Violins to anyone considering purchasing in person or over the internet.

Added: February 1, 2002, 2002

Submitted by
Name: Judith Caughey
From: Brooklyn, USA.

Comments:
I have purchased two instruments from Brian, most recently a J.B.Colin 1896 Beauty. It is always a pleasure to work with Brian. He is honest, accomodating, and very personable. The Colin is a pleasure to play.

Added: January 29, 2002

Submitted by
Name: Steve Garratt
From: Rushden, England.

Comments:
My son Laurence is delighted with the violin we bought from Brian. His tutor also thought it was a very good buy with a sweet tone and good balance. Everything Brian had said it was. Amazing how much more volume, power, solidity and resonance there is compared to his old one. It seems to hold on to the note far longer and is more stable on the higher notes (to a laymans ears!). The new bow is also an excellent recommendation. I spent some time on the phone and e-amil with Brian who was more than happy to change a few things for us (strings to the ones we had spares of already and a tailpiece with 4 fine adjusters. I have been really pleased with his service and would happily use him again later at the next upgrade. We did intend to travel to the nearest specialist a couple of hours drive away to see what they have and compare, but Loz was so pleased with this one, we didn't bother. Wholehearted recommendations.

Added: January 12, 2002

Submitted by
Name: Leland Lee
From: Honolulu, Hawaii.
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
The A. Borelli violin I purchased from West Country Violins is an excellent value - it has a deep bass tone, and great brilliance that is tempered by a nice sweetness that comes with its age (at least 90 years old). The sound of this violin rivals my much more expensive violin, and I intend to play it in concert settings in alternation with my other violin. Thanks to Mr. Brian Ward Smith for his excellent ear and ability to find these instruments!

Added: December 14, 2001

Submitted by
Name: Renee' Killian-Zeiger
From: Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.A.

Comments:
November 26, 2001

Admin reply: 82.71.54.13

Added: 0

Submitted by
Name: john campbell
From: Chicago, Illinois, USA.
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Excellent customer service. the sound files were fantastic in helping me choose (excellent differeitaing factor in your marketing over the internet...keep it up). violin was a great bargain! I will buy again from Brian for sure!. thanks

Added: November 25, 2001