Feedback

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.

Page 4

I purchased a unusual Mittenwald violin from Brian and it is brilliant. I found an excellent violin with a gorgeus tone in my price range. I would always recommend Brian to anyone that I know looking to purchase a violin as he doesn't overcharge like most violin shops do and you get a excellent service.
Charlotte-Louise James <EllieKat@aol.com>
Reading, England. 05 April 2001

Good quality instruments and good service.
W C T Smith <william.smith@compaqnet.co.uk>
Shetland Islands, UK. 02 April 2001

I have been following the West Country Violins website for years and knew this is where I wanted to by my next violin. Finally, last week I ordered a violin for myself. It arrived promptly, carefully packed and just as described. I'm having an absolutely great time playing my new violin! Thank you, Brian, for such a wonderful website and service! Sincerely, Jill
Jill Stuart <wistuart@covad.net>
Wauwatosa, WI, USA. 19 March 2001

Brian was a pleasure to deal with. My questions were answered quickly and accurately. The violin was exactly as Brian had described it in emails and on the web site, plus a few extras. I would purchase another violin from Brian without hesitation, and would recommend anyone else do the same.
Mark Eckard <stopbath@worldnet.att.net>
Doylestown, USA. 17 March 2001

I purchased a violin from Brian, and I can honestly say that it is everything he described it to be. I received the violin in just 3 days. I was also very pleased that Brian took the time to answer all of my questions and promptly. I most certainly recommend him and will do business with him again in the future. Thank you Brian for having this business on the internet, it is not easy to find nice violins at affordable prices.
Jerry Kuklis <duck907@yahoo.com>
San Diego, United States. 16 March 2001

I received my violin wihin 48 hours of ordering it. It is even better than I expected at a really good price. And with the friendly service, I would recommend Brian's site to anyone without reservation. When I move up to needing an even better violin I know who I will be contacting. Thanks Brian, all the best, from Alex.
Alex <Alex.Keys@btinternet.com>
Rhyl, UK. 07 March 2001

What a great experience! Remember the good old days when we used to get professional advice before making a purchase? I have found out that it is still possible, at least if you are in the market for a fine old violin. Having spent months searching in music shops and having also made two very unfortunate purchases through online auction houses, I finally came across West Country Violins. I am so pleased with Brian's advice and support throughout the selection process that it is difficult to express in words. I had very specific characteristics that I was looking for in a violin (not too expensive yet even across all strings, a dark, viola-like quality in the bass and a singing, clear treble. Brian took the time to play a dozen of his his instruments for me and precisely describe the qualities of each one. When I finally made my choice and received my old English violin two days later, I found that it was EXACTLY what I had been looking for! In addition, it had been set up and also packed with tremendous care. I would strongly recommend to anyone, anywhere who is tired of unprofessional sales practices to consider purchasing their violin from West Country Violins. He guarantees customer satisfaction completely! When I move up to an even better violin, I won't consider going anywhere else.
Dr. Donald Kiraly <DCKiraly@aol.com>
Germersheim, Germany. 15 February 2001

I have over 3 violins from Brian.I appreciate his service and patience very much.He is a frank and honest good dealer. I had ever bought a violin from him but I didn't like it after getting it, Brian is very happy to accept my exchaging.I am very satisfied for his service. I am very happy to recommend you to contact with Brian.He will give you a very good deal experience.
Bor <quartette@kimo.com >
Taiwan , R.O.C.. 26 January 2001

Efficient and speedy delivery. Responsive to customer requests. All the good qualities I found in Brian. Highly recommended dealer in vintage violins.
Charles Chung <BiBiMuiMui@webtv.net>
Vancouver, Canada. 26 January 2001

Westcountryviolins is a great and very trust-worthy internet source to purchase old violins. I am very satisfied with the fiddles I have purchased from Brian, who is a very kind, and honest person. His descriptions of the tone are accurate and he keeps his service the most high-stardarded. I sincerely recommend Westcountryviolins to you.
J. Dean <winsler@hotmail.com>
Vancouver, Canada. 24 January 2001

I was so pleased with the violin I bought from Mr. Ward-Smith that, when it came time for another violin purchase, I returned. Now, once again very happy with the second transaction, I will certainly be well disposed to West Country Violins as the place to look for my next violin purchase. He is very attentive to his customers' needs and, unlike others I've encountered, he keeps his prices fair and reasonable.
Oliver Steiner <violindevil@yahoo.com>
Atlanta, GA, U.S.A.. 22 December 2000

Really good service - Brian was really helpful when my violin was delayed because of the Christmas rush. The violin was expertly and safely packaged for transportation. And I'm really pleased with my fiddle!
Gerald Shortall <gshortall@hotmail.com>
London, England. 22 December 2000

The violin Brian sent to me is wonderful. It's everything that I wanted in an instrument and more. It arrived in 3 days.
Billie Ann Brotman <bbrotman@ksumail.kennesaw.edu>
Atlanta, Georgia, USA. 07 December 2000

Great experience buying from Brian. He answered my questions quickly. His web site gives good discriptions of the instruments with pictures. The French Clotelle violin I purchased is a great violin at a good price. The delivery was quick (dispite a small delay in US customs). Would not have any hesitation buying again. A good source for older violins at good prices.
Harold Bagnetto <bagnet@bellsouth.net>
Shreveport, USA. 05 November 2000

Brian is excellent! His decription of the tone of the violin I purchased was very accurate. I have a great-sounding, responsive violin, in wonderful condition, and at the best price I could have found. He shipped the violin in a good sturdy case. The evening after I purchased the violin, I told my fellow fiddlers about it at a music session we have each week. Their reaction was a little skeptical...that is until I showed up with the fiddle two weeks later. It was passed around all night!
Pat Marshall <IFidddle@cs.com>
Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA. 04 November 2000

I have purchased a old(circa 1850?)violin labelled I.Cappa. This is so lovely instrument with good sound ,I believe, and good price,that I have purchased then from westcountryviolins a viola. Of course I am deligted with this fine viola. Thank you, honest seller Mr. Brian!
Haga Kazutoshi <HAGA-Kazutoshi/comm@king.cc.kitami-it.ac.jp>
Hokkai-do, Kitami, Japan. 19 October 2000

I recently purchased a violin from West Country Violins and found the service provided by them to be first class. The Cappa violin arrived in excellent condition and all correspondence was conducted in an efficient yet courteous manner. The Web page violin photographs and accompanying text provided an invaluable purchasing resource which accurately matched the description of the violin when it arrived. I recommend them wholeheartedly.
Bruce Hill <bhill@emirates.net.ae>
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 30 September 2000

I bought a turn of the century German Strad copy from Brian at a very reasonable price. I was impressed by his efficiency and the speed with which the instrument was delivered to me. I was able to visit him when I was back in UK this Summer and spent a very enjoyable morning drinking his coffee and trying out his other instruments. I chose a Laberte et Magnié which I am now playing in Hong Kong and I am very pleased with it.
Doug Taylor <dtaylor@hk.net>
Hong Kong, China. 29 August 2000

I would like to personally share my experience buying a Violin from Brian Ward-Smith. Actually I've bought three. It was Brian's help and guidance that made each Violin perfect for each of us. One for Myself, my Wife, and my Daughter. Brian has undoubtedly the finest selection and prices of any Violin shop I have ever seen! Each transaction was handled with the utmost professionalizm and care. The best part was the suprise of finding that each Violin and Bow I purchased was exactly as he said they were only better, much better! I know this sounds almost too good to be true, so e-mail me with any questions you may have as to my experiences with West Country Violins. Cameron
Donald Cameron Crounse <dlandman@mindspring.com>
Schuyler , VA. 22969, USA. 27 August 2000

I have bought violin from Mr. Smith. His violins are in a very good condition and quite reasonable. Before I buy violin, whenever I ask some questions about violin, he always gave me professional and friendly answers very quickly. I'm very satisfied with the violin. Thank you, Mr.Smith!
Reiko
Japan. 26 August 2000

Two months ago, my daughter wanted to purchase a violin but since in Malaysia the choice is very limited, she decided to look for a violin for sale via the Internet and found this site which in terms of commentary, illustration and presentation was the best we'd come across. After many enquiries which Mr. Brian patiently and promptly replied, we purchased a mint 100 year old French violin and received it within a week. My daughter was very pleased with the violin. Just today, I received another 200 year old French violin which I bought for myself. This too, was very satisfactory and fitted all my needs. Mr. Brian's description of both violins were exactly what the violins turned out to be. To fellow Malaysians who are interested but wary of buying violins through the Internet, I recommend Mr. Brian's service to you. Payment and delivery is hassle free and I did not encounter any problems with the purchase and delivery of both violins. I strongly recommend Mr. Brian's service to everyone who is keen to purchase good and affordable violins.
Dr. Chan <stardrop@wildmail.com>
Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia. 22 August 2000

Dear Brian, Recently I had a desire to purchase an old fiddle, one with age, character and within my budget. My son had purchased an old fiddle, circa 1880, from you and had nothing but high praise for the way you conducted business with him and your product. I found my fiddle, circa 1890, to be worth your price and I am enjoying it very much. I highly recomend your fiddles, not solely on the high quality of the instruments but also on your ethics and the ease of doing business with you, Thank you again. Clyde PS: From Devon, England to Thomasville, Georgia, U.S.A. in one week.
Clyde A. Coleman <clydecoleman@aol.com>
Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.A.. 21 August 2000

I have been so impressed with my first violin from West Country Violins, that I have purchased a second for my daughter. As with the first, this "Saxony" is a wonderful instrument. Full of tone and volume, yet sweet and pleasing to the ear. Brian, took the time to play a couple of violins I was asking about and assured me that the "Saxony" was the best of the two. Like before, this violin came to my door step within 4 days from purchase. The packaging is superb. I have only praise for this man and the careful attention he gives both his customers and his instruments. Thank you Brian, Dave
David B. Little <Wildbusman@aol.com>
Austin,TX., USA. 20 August 2000

I have looked far and wide for a nice violin. Also, an honest seller with good prices. I can say that Brian is just that! I purchased a Beautiful Bertholini Violin from him on August 11, 2000. The violin is much better than I could have asked for. His description of the violin was excellent as was the tone. I received this violin within 4 days of the purchase and this was an overseas transaction! I am referring anyone I find that is looking for a quality instrument to his website. Thank you Brian, Dave
David B. Little <Wildbusman@aol.com>
Austin, TX., USA. 20 August 2000

Do not hesitate to purchase from West Country Violins! Here's my story: I bought a sweet-toned, reasonably priced German lion's head violin from West Country Violins last year. It was my first major purchase from anyone on the internet or in a far-away country, but I needn't have worried. The violin was exactly as described (if you have visited "Violins for Sale", you already know that there are excellent photos and a detailed description for each violin offered.) Mr. Ward-Smith responded to my emailed questions rapidly, and shipped the violin to me as soon as he received my payment. I have enjoyed my violin very much. This is my first violin; I just started lessons last October and had decided to get a nice older violin to start on, rather than a modern piece of plywood! (It's frustrating enough to start lessons as an adult, without trying to get a good sound out of plywood!) I'm so glad I made that decision and that I decided to buy a violin from Mr. Ward-Smith. If I get to the point in my playing that I think I need or deserve an absolute masterpiece of the luthier's art, I'm sure I will turn to West Country Violins to find the perfect fiddle for me once more.
Marjorie Millner <marjoriem2@prodigy.net>
Vancouver, WA, USA. 12 August 2000

A web site every violinist should know about - this is a company with remarkable dedication and a collection of instruments to match. Well done to everyone involved and good luck in the future. Ciaran.
Ciaran Mc Nulty <ciaranm@internetpress.co.uk>
Belfast, Northern Ireland. 11 August 2000

Strongly recommended! My impression was reliable service such as knowledgeble and prompt responses to questions, the quality of violins, and most of all, very trustworthy.
Matthew <bccha@hotmail.com>
Vancouver, Canada. 11 August 2000

As a newcomer to the world of stringed instruments it was with at least mild apprehension, bordering on serious trepidation, that I ventured upon the search for a first full size violin for my youngster. Having discussed this prospective purchase with anyone I knew who was remotely or otherwise connected with such instruments it was decided that we would look for a suitable older instrument rather than a modern one.

Local sources seemed very scarce and to be able to have any choice it looked as though we would have to go some distance, which did not seem very practical as we hoped to try out some instruments at home and with my son's teacher, whose expert advice I depended upon.

Whilst surfing the net concerning some unrelated topic it occurred to me to try out a search for instrument dealers and to my amazement the search returned instantly with West Country Violins. I come across a lot of really terrible web sites during the course of my work, but this one was immediately impressive in that it loaded quickly, showed what it had to offer at a few clicks, superb pictures, helpful information and a straightforward "mail-me" button.

On e-mailing my initial enquiry to Brian, I received an immediate reply and soon afterwards we fixed up a morning for my son and myself to go along and try some instruments. Over the course of a month we borrowed several instruments to play and compare and finally narrowed the choice down to the two most suitable violins. Brian was very patient and brilliantly helpful in making sure we had a good choice within our price range and it was noted that all the instruments we tried were superbly set up.

Decision time upon us with the overall favourite being played, my son's teacher remarked to him that one morning he would wake up to find that he would love this violin. Quite what my son thought of that at the time I don't know, but his teacher was right. I bought him that violin, and soon afterwards having not played while away on holiday for a week, the first day back at home he picked up his violin, drew the bow across the strings and said, "Mum, I love the sound of this."
Louise Huish <louise@farming.co.uk>
Devon, UK. 10 August 2000

dear prospective clients,i looked far and wide for a violin for myself,shops etc.i really was a skeptic at first,but let me assure you this will be the greatest transaction you have ever made on the computer.brian ward smith is an unusual find in this world today.please do not spend your money elswhere.if you have questions before your purchase he can answer them with authority and knowledge.i will buy agian from him and im telling all my freinds too!!!sincerely BRAD
Brad Sasher <brad-tracey@mindspring.com>
atlanta ga, usa. 10 August 2000

I had a very pleasant experience buying my violin from West Country Violins via eBay. I'd recommend it to my friends.
Lindy Lo <lindy@cadence.com>
San Jose, CA, USA. 09 August 2000

I have bought a number of instruments from Mr Smith for myself and my family. His description of items has always been accurate and clear. His prices coupled with his promise of "money back" if not satisfied make dealing with him very worthwhile. I have instruments supplied by Mr Smith which would have cost considerably more from many dealers.
Dave Grunwell <Dave@leakadvice.co.uk>
Middleton, UK. 08 August 2000

Page 4