Below is a selection of comments received from our many satisfied clients who have purchased instruments during the last few years.
Please feel free to contact them for confirmation of our accurate descriptions, prompt shipment and good value.

Brian, thanks for the wonderful violin and bow we got from you. My daughter had gone through succesful auditions into the orchestras, and plays the 1st chair of 2nd violin in her first shot of orchestral playing. We've shown the violin and the bow to many different professionals, and I only heard good things. Thanks again.
Phebe <phebe_w@hotmail.com>
los gatos, USA. 17 September 2004

I very much appreciated your frequent e-mails informing me of each stage of my order. This gave me great confidence in my purchase as I am not accustomed to spending this amount of money online. Your delivery was exactly when your e-mail stated it would be, packed well and appropriately for it’s contents, and the violin sounded just like your online recording. Thank you, it was incredibly painless, and I would certainly purchase from you again. Oh! And the violin is wonderful.
Judy Sayers <judy.sayers@northampton.ac.uk>
Northampton , UK. 15 August 2004

Based on some recommendations I saw on a violin Web site, I decided to check out West Country Violins. I really needed to upgrade from what I playing. On Brian's site, it was great to see lots of photos -- and sound clips -- of what I was ordering. But as soon as I pressed the "send" button for my order, I thought "This is crazy. Ordering a violin I've never seen or played. From overseas?" I fretted about my purchase until the day the violin arrived, and I haven't looked back. The violin, a 1920 French beauty, arrived in a timely fashion, in wonderful shape, and I played it immediately. It had the rich, smooth sound I imagined I was looking for. Brian was quick to respond to any questions I had. I highly, highly recommend West Country Violins.
Julie Elman <jleica@cox.net>
Norfolk, USA. 13 August 2004

Buying this violin from overseas was just as easy as going to your local violin shop in your home town. Brian and Felicity offered exceptional service when it came to customer care. They were very courteous and responsive to questions that I needed answered about the violin that I wished to purchase. Their web site is exceptional and very user friendly. The violin I purchased was exactly what was shown on the web page as far as looks and I would not hesitate to purchase another violin from them in the future.
John Barrick <dbarrick@localnet.com>
Coshocton, Ohio, United States. 18 June 2004

This was a great way to get a good look at older instruments - and hear what they sound like; Across the ocean to boot. I don't know of another web site that is so thorough. You were both very personable and conversive and the fiddle I hoped to get is what I received. Thanks, Mick Lynch
mick lynch <Mickline@greencafe.com>
Idyllwild,Ca, USA. 17 May 2004

What you need to know is this:Brian and Felicity are people of integrity, they are polite, friendly, knowledgable and efficient and most importantly TRUSTWORTHY!! There is NO risk involved in buying a violin at a distance when you are dealing with West Country Violins. I havent played for a long time and I wanted a nice looking French instrument with a fine sound that would be something I could keep in my family and pass on with pride to my children, especially my daughter who is learning right now. Brian and Felicity were so helpful on the phone and somehow it just seemed safe to buy at a distance. The violin I chose is more beautiful to me than described and pictured and sounds even better than the sound clip. Delivery was at" lightening speed"! They are a lovely business with good service....hard to find these days! I wish them well!
Fiona Walker <jwcan@tiscali.co.uk>
Aberdeen, Scotland. 09 May 2004

Great sounding violin, prompt shipment, honest deal. It's a pleasure.
Bing Chao <blchao@adnc.com>
San Diego, USA. 05 May 2004

Brian, I am thankful for your brilliant service and the opportunity for getting the lovely French violin bow. Actually, I had never imagined purchasing a violin bow through internet. However, I did not feel uneasiness till the bow arrival by your faithful correspondence. Beautiful shape and good spring; the quality was excellent more than I expected. Old French bows are quite difficult to come by with the reasonable price here in Japan. The price would be doubled if I purchased the similar quality violin bow. I'm very happy with this violin bow and will do business with West Country Violins again. Thank you again!
Hiroko Kato <sbpm05@hotmail.com>
Tokyo, Japan. 01 March 2004

Very pleased to have found, in incredibly fine condition, ca. 1850 French violin. Smooth overseas transaction. Knowledgable, reliable, reputable dealer. What a relief.
Scott Petti <solfegeus@aol.com>
Brockton, Massachusetts, USA. 25 February 2004

I bought the violin as a wedding present for my fiance & both he & his teacher are delighted with it. The transaction was handled in an exceptionally fast, friendly & helpful manner & I would love to do business with West Country Violins again.
Melissa Krausey <ikati@earthlink.net>
New York, U.S.A.. 13 February 2004

Brian, My daughter is thrilled with the violin I purshases from you for her for Christmas. Her teachers were surprised with the quality. I am thankful for all the help you gave me in making my choice in what to buy. I have told many of the parents about your business for when they are ready to buy.
Carleen Briney <mooque2@mac.com>
Plano, TX, USA. 21 January 2004

It's a pleasure to do business with Brian and Felicity. This is the second violin I have bought from them. The first, a Saxony violin, is excellent; the second, a Mirecourt, is even better; and if I ever aspire to a much more expensive instrument, it will no doubt be out of this world. The service they give is second to none...good descriptions, pictures and sound-clips, instruments which are even better than the pictures, expert set-up and packing, which means that the instrument arrives ready to play and in tune; and prompt dispatch. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.
Wendy Mitchell <RevWendyM@aol.com>
Yatton, Bristol, UK. 24 December 2003

We purchase violins as part of our "Violin Lending Library" which provides instruments to advancing students who need them. It is a pleasure to be able to see, hear, and read about your instruments in order to make an informed buying decision. The instrument we just purchased exceeded our hopes and delighted a young student who will be playing at college level next year. Thank you for such a professional website and your fast, pleasant service.
Katherine Baloff <CherryHillTennis@Hotmail.com>
New Jersey, USA. 09 November 2003

Brian is a true gentleman and musician! not a materialistic business man!! My mom bought me a bow as a gift from Brian, but due to the canada custom procedures, ( hold the bow for a week, which i didn't know b4). i didn't received the bow for a wk. Being curious, I emailed Brian and explained to him that i havn't received the bow yet. But Brian contact me right away (blink of an eye is more appropriate!) and followed up what happened and explained to me carefully on what is going on. Although is not an expensivie bow, but brian is definitly on my side and more than concern on what is going on! Good customer service!! And now the ending is i am playing the bow happily and love it soooooo much! Now, westcountryviolins.com is added to my favorites bookmark and i browse it everyday to see anything that i like will pop up and definitly will purchase from him again!!
Eddie Chi <eddiechi@hotmail.com>
Calgary., Canada. 05 November 2003

Brian - The Van Putten violin I purchased from you is wonderful! The tone is extraordinary, it's beautiful, and very well equipped. I don't know how you do it, but this is the best instrument for the money ( for even twice the money )I've ever purchased. I can't wait to grab one of your nice French instruments! Thanks again, Spencer Smallwood
Spencer Smallwood <sdsmall@starstream.net>
Rocklin, USA. 22 July 2003

I have found Brians manner most friendly and helpful;he is a pleasure to deal with. Buying a bow from him was a most positive expierence.Its nice to deal with a business that gives you time and consideration even when a sale is not immedately in prospect. Jim Meehan, Sligo. Ireland.
Jim Meehan <jim@meehantully.com>
Sligo, Ireland. 12 July 2003

Hello, I would like to confirm to anybody who would read this reference that Brian from West Country Violins is one of very friendly, faithful violin dealers you can find in this business. This is another time giving Brian a reference; let me put it this way: First time in April 2002, I bought 1st violin from him (Lyon Bernadel- a French violin circa 1925). It is a good violin – It is no crack and no repair with sweet tone, well balanced. Second time, came a few months later in July, I bought a good response-Brazilian bow from “Water Violet” stamped C. Santos at a good price, a good bow that can compete with some bows (same price range that I had tried). This time, on 17-April-2003, I bought a possibly Italian violin labeled “Repaired by James Hardie & Sons, Gold Medallists, Edinburgh 1891” that just arrived this morning. Oh! It is a very nice violin in a well-preserved condition-good, vibrant tone. It is very good value paying for such a nice violin like this one (I paid totally around 940GBP-delivery included). I am quite sure to say that it is real hard to find some good violins at very reasonable prices (and in ready to play condition) on the internet these days. I would like to challenge you to try by yourself before taking this reference! Certainly, the market price of my violins these days is nearly double in North America and much higher in violin shops in Asia. Both violins have got standard set-up. Moreover, he packed my instruments with great care with lots of protective covers. Therefore, I strongly recommend him to everybody who searches for a good instrument at a reasonable price on the net. I will continue buying violins from Brian…again next time. Mr. B. Ruthsdis Bangkok, Thailand, Asia 28th April 2003.
B. Ruthsdis <ruthsdis@loxinfo.co.th>
Bangkok, Thailand. 29 April 2003

Dear Brian, I just recieved My Violin and I am very pleased. It is exactly as you described it and in better condition than I expected. Talking to you by phone and having you help me with my final choice was one of the best thing I've ever done. This violin seems to suite me beautifuly. I look forward to further correspondence and relying on your advice as the years go by. Thank you so much Vince
Vincent Licata <Invinceable56@AOL.Com>
Coral Springs, Fl., U.S.A.. 20 April 2003

Brian Ward-Smith has the Best place I have found for getting very playable violins at very reasonable prices. Being able to hear them is a big plus. I listened to 12 and narrowed it to two and after getting them I had to keep them both! I spent months looking at shops and on-line auction tried 5 sent them all back. I spent 2 nights on Brian's web page and 5 days later had two violins to me in the US. Don't tell too many people about him, we want the best selection for ourselves!
Petros Voutsanesis <petrosv@earthlink.net>
Honesdale, U.S.A.. 04 March 2003

I am very happy with the quality of the instrument, and the way the instrument was packaged and sent speedily. If I ever need to buy another violin, I will search West Country Violins first. Thank you.
Nilda Keene <CoquiDorado555@aol.com>
Willingboro, USA. 11 February 2003

I have purchased a violin and three violin bows from Brian in the last two years. Brian belongs to a rare breed. He is a gentleman and can be taken at his word. Doing business with him is straightforward, open and utterly satisfying. As a violin dealer Brian is an exemplar, and his method of doing business is more than worthy of notice and imitation. Cautious about buying from a violin dealer? When it comes to buying a violin or a bow from Brian, you can forget the received wisdom in the safe and sure knowledge that his is a special case.
Romain Rabot <Rrabot@aol.com>
West Kirby, England. 08 February 2003

From my first web site visit, until I was told by both a violin expert (30 yrs experience) and my teacher that my purchase is an excellent violin, I have enjoyed shopping with Brian Smith's Westcountryviolins.com. My advice...take your time, look at every picture, listen to every sound clip. Then, after you get a feel for what you like, start watching for 'new' items popping up. Mr. Smith does offer a guarantee, which stands in for a trial period. If you have never bought an older instrument before, you are in for a rare treat. Mr. Smith understandably soft sells his instruments. You will find however, that the majority of older instruments will have 'character' that substantially enhances the playing experience. G. Israel
Gianna E. Israel <Gianna@counselsuite.com>
San Francisco - California, United States. 22 January 2003

I believe that Brian was right on with everything he said about the violin that I purchased from him. The violin was packed very well and survived the trip with ease. I was very pleased with the violin, the prompt email service, and speedy delivery of the violin.
Clarity Martin <rosewood44@cybermesa.com>
Santa Fe, 09 January 2003

I was very impressed with my overall experience in doing business with West Country Violins. The customer service aspect I would rate wery high and the violin I purchased sounds even better than I had imagined and is an incredibly beautiful instrument. Brian answered all my questions promtly and was very helpful while I was finalizing my decision as to which one to purchase. Again, I am very happy with this violin and will definitely do business with W.C.V. again.
Richard G. Bessel Jr. <Rbessel@newstimes.com>
Danbury, Ct. 06810, U.S.A.. 18 December 2002

Where to begin...Brian is more than a seller of violins, he is a friend to those who are looking for the right violin. If one looks at how much goes into his web page, you can begin to see care and effort that belongs to him. It is the only web site that I came across that has both pictures and sound bytes. Brian has put up with my many e-mails regarding the JTL violin that I recently purchased, returning e-mails were always prompt and thoughtful. He even e-mailed while on a purchasing trip in France! That is a dedication that is not found in todays business world. My JTL is more than what I expected. The sound is even better than the sound bytes! And just as stated, it got here in just three days... England to Ohio during the Christmas rush. Now that is service. The packaging of the violin couldn't be any better. It took me ten minutes to get all the bubble wrap from the instrument. For those that are thinking about purchasing a violin over the internet, I would say forget about the other sites. Brian has the integrity that is lacking elsewhere and the knowledge to assist anyone from the discriminating concert violinist to the beginning student. You can purchase from Brian with the confidence of knowing the violin you purchase will be the one that you keep the rest of your life. I know I will keep mine. Thanks again for all your help Brian.
Thom Ross <tross@rtecexpress.net>
Archbold, Ohio, United States. 15 December 2002

I am very pleased with my puchase. The instrument was just as described, and as splendid as the sound byte was, the instrument was far more impressive in person.
Robert Horne III
San Antonio, Texas, United States of America. 20 November 2002

This is my second testimonial! The very first instrument I purchased from Brian was also the first one I tried – a German “Carlo Storioni” violin, which bowled me over. Following on my first purchase, I recently spotted on Brian’s website, which I regularly and eagerly peruse, another late 19th century German violin, which seemed to offer similar tonal merits to the Carlo Storioni. Sure enough, when I tried it out at Brian’s home (the journey is recommended), it turned out to possess a lovely mature, clear tone. I purchased it on the spot. Similar rewarding experiences await those privileged to try out the instruments Brian so carefully selects.
George Moles <george.moles@cypu.gsi.gov.uk>
London, England. 24 October 2002

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