We can ship several instruments to you on try-out, no obligation. We ship many instruments each day with UPS. It works very well!

Before you order, please be sure to read the section on Ethics on our "Policies" page as well as How to buy a violin.

For custom-made violins by violin-maker Jan van Rooyen, click here.

INTRODUCTION: INTERNET AND
OTHER CHEAP INSTRUMENTS

Many people buy "cheap" violins on the Internet, in general music stores or on popular auction sites such as eBay. This usually turns into a disaster and causes disappointment.

Gainesville Violins fits all their violins up properly and modify them, adding considerable value to them and making sure they sound well. They all get played several times and then re-adjusted for best tone and playability before they leave the shop.

Plus, Gainesville Violins gives great guarantees and aftercare. (See our "Policies" page.) If you are not completely happy with your purchase, you may return it for a full refund. We stand by our customers and are available for them. We service our violins. With us, you can always trade your violin in for a better one. (However we don't "buy back" instruments.)

Internet and auction site sellers give none of these benefits. They are often untrained and have no specialist knowledge or experience. They often disappear when they have your money and then you are on your own! We recommend that you buy or rent only from legitimate and ethical specialist full-service violin shops.

INTERNET AUCTION SITE WOES

Tim W wrote via email (2004): "Hello Gainesville Violins, I wanted to learn to play the violin and so I made the mistake of purchasing one off of eBay, it was very inexpensive and brand new. I don't know if it is me or the instrument but I can't seem to produce any good sound. My question to you is this: Will a better quality instrument be more conducive to learning to play? This includes the bow as well. Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated."

James Handy (Gainesville 2004) loves his 4/4 Antonio Vivaldi
violin outfit.

Antonio Vivaldi Purhase Prices
Per Outfit

Michael Burkhart wrote (email Feb 2005): "I want to thank you so much for the absolutely beautiful 1/4-size Vivaldi I purchased for Natalie. I have never seen my 6-year-old daughter more excited about anything in her life. She loves her new violin and she cares for it like a pet. It thrills me to see her so happy.
        I am totally happy with my purchase and the service you provided me. If you have a full-size Vivaldi outfit available, I am interested in purchasing it for Lisa.
        Thank you so very much once again, Warm regards, - Michael Burkhart."

Panis
Angelicus
1727
Strad; 1737 Guarneri

del Gesu

From

$3,500
violin alone

Stradivarius copy inspired by the decorated 1679 "Hellier" Strad. Circle-and-lozenge mother-of-pearl purfling delicately inlaid on front and back. Ribs and scroll not decorated. Powerful tone. AS USED BY CONCERTMASTER JACOB KEITH TAMPABAY YOUTH ORCHESTRA 2006-2007.

Like the above, but with fully decorated ribs and scroll, this is a faithful replica of the priceless original "Hellier" Stradivarius in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Many copies of the "Hellier" are currently available, but in our opinion ours is the best. (See some customers below). BEST TONE.

From

$5,000 violin alone

Aaron Colverson (currently at Stetson University, DeLand, FL) bought a Panis Angelicus 1679 "Hellier" reproduction Stradivarius . He wrote (email 2005):

Gainesville Violins a legitimate dealer in fine and rare antique violins. We have a Gainesville Police Department Secondhand Dealer Permit, adhere to the standards of the Ethics Code of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers as well as the standards of the Ethics Code of the Art and Antique Dealers League of America. Daniel and Jan are members of the Violin Society of America and the National Association of Music Merchants.

The definition of "antique" is "An item which is at least 100 years old and is collectible or desirable due to rarity, condition, utility, or some other unique feature." Gainesville Violins regularly has an excellent selection of beautifully restored antique instruments. Many students and teachers prefer antique instruments to new ones and Gainesville Violins is there to fill this demand. Call us re availability ... these instruments sell as fast as they are made available! Like all instruments, these carry our lifetime guarantee re quality of material and workmanship. Price from $3,500.

Jan and Anna have been collecting fine antique violins for more than 25 years in many countries and still do. This extensive collection of top quality antique violins is partly kept off-premises and is called "The Vault Collection".

         Towards the end of 2004 Gainesville Violins started for the first time ever to restore and sell antique instruments from The Vault Collection! They are mostly German and French antique violins, with some Italians. All of those offered for purchase have been fully restored and are in outstanding condition structurally, tonally and cosmetically. They are wonderful instruments for prize-winning advanced students, young professionals and sophisticated teacers. Rarely are such fine antique instruments to be found at such reasonable prices.

         These instruments produce a powerful soloist concert tone of refined and noble quality and are among the best available on the American market today, at amazingly reasonable prices. Don't miss the boat ... reserve yours now! They won't be available forever.

         These instruments are rare. They are the choicest of the choice . There are no visible repairs. Only 2 to 3 can be made available per month. They usually sell within a week after arriving on the shop shelves. Contact us now!

         Prices start at $4,500. During 2007 we also had available an 1850 Gagliano for $50,000, a 1905 Collin-Mezin for $20,000 and a classic Voirin bow for $30,000.

Tiffanie Webster and her teacher, Diane Marshall (Tallahassee 2004), came to Gainesville Violins to select a "Vault Collection" antique violin for Tiffanie. They selected the fine 1896 Johann Pauli (from Hamm, Germany, pictured above) for Tiffanie. BUT it did not end there. Diane was so impressed with an 1897 Oscar Herrman Seidel (Dresden, Germany) that she bought it for herself! The two violins were sold for under $4,000 each.

Tiffanie Webster wrote (March 2005): "I had a violinist from the Kiev Orchestra stay with me this week. She enjoyed playing my instrument and was very impressed with its character. She said that an instrument of this high quality and beautiful sound could easily have sold for as much $7,000 in Europe. Instruments of this quality are not readily available in the Ukraine even for such gifted musicians. Thanks for blessing us with such wonderful instruments.  After hearing her play my violin so well I have an even deeper appreciation for it and for the great service you provide."

A violin by Buthod, Paris 1898 (right).

Gainesville Violins has many customers playing rare and fine antique French violins. These include instruments by Buthod and Jerome Thibouville-Lamy in the Alachua Youth Orchestra (ACYO). Some customers who play on these instruments include Amelyse and Ian Arroyo, and Diana Montoya-Fontalvo (see pictures below). In 2009, Gainesville Violins sold a Collin Mezin violin with certificates from the great French maker, Bernard Millant.

The violins all have a typically French red-brown varnish and a powerful yet noble and refined tone.

Amelyse (left) and
Ian (top) Arroyo.

Diana Montoya-Fontalvo (top).

Rebecca with the Da Salo copy in 2005.

Rebecca wrote (2004): "The Da Salo is the absolute BEST violin ever! It sounds totally AMAZING! How did you do it?! Haha. I love the Maggini and Klotz violins you have in your shop also. You have some of the most beautiful violins I have ever seen!"

LEFT TWO PICTURES: "Max Klipphahn, Augsburg" antique German.

RIGHT TWO PICTURES: 3/4 antique Austrian Stradivarius copy.

LEFT TWO PICTURES: 4/4 "Heinrich Hermann, Dresden 1898",
now owned by Elise Fischel of Ocala FL (2004).

FAR RIGHT PICTURE: Antique German Guarneri copy, 1880's.

ABOVE: Jordan MacKenzie of Jacksonville FL with
his teacher, Victoria Scarlett (2004).

LEFT T WO PICTURES:

Jordan MacKenzie
chose a fine
antique German "Alexander Krausch 1882" violin from "The Vault Collection".

CRISIS AVERTED!
The Paris Piano Trio and the Ysaye Quartet played jointly in Gainesville on February 8, 2004. The violist (left) was forced by circumstances to leave his $100,000 viola at JFK airport in New York. Gainesville Violins (somewhat red-faced) loaned him a 16.5" St Cecilia worth only $4,500.00. However, the recital went fantastically well and he was extremely happy with the power and quality of the St Cecilia!

Terry Barham likes to play his Emanual cello in nature (2000).

David Cross from Springhill, FL, happy on his 3/4-size Emanuel cello (2004).

Michael Mulligan on a 1/4-size Emanuel cello. (Gainesville FL 2004.)

Jennifer Malnasi warming up before a recital in Gainesville FL 2005.

Alyssa McCartney loves her 4/4-size Emanuel cello (Gainesville FL 2005).

Ben Capitano from Ocala, FL (2005).

Delia Kilpatrick, Gainesville FL 2005.

Monique Davis from Ocala, FL (2005).

Greg Snedeker, professional cellist and composer from Hartfort, CT, borrowed a Gainesville Violins 1739 "Sleeping Beauty" Montagnana copy for a concert in St Petersburg, FL. He wrote:

"Thank you very much for the use of such a beautiful cello. It has a gorgeous sound and feels much like my own, I couldn't have asked for anything better. The concert went great."

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: 1. Mark Tanner selecting a cello at Gainesville Violins. 2. Mark in concert with the cello. 3. Mark Tanner. 4. Camille St Saens (1835-1921).

FAR LEFT: Meagan Hieronymus from Lakeland FL with her "Sleeping Beauty" Montagnana copy (2005).

LEFT: Granger Hieronymus (2005).

RIGHT: Violinist Suliman Tekalli, luthier Jan and cellist Granger Hieronymus (2006).

Gino Souto, Brandon, FL

Within two weeks the cello was repaired. Gino and I traveled to Gainesville Violins and I must say we were treated like kings. We were invited to lunch and Mr. Jan spent quite a lot of time talking with Gino about Gino's plans and expectations and he gave him quite a lot of tips.

Gainesville Violins repaired the cello so that it is almost impossible to see the repair, and the sound ... OH WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT IN SOUND!!!!!! Mr. Jan did not charge anything for the repairs. He explained that all of his instruments carry a lifetime warranty for structural integrity. VERY IMPRESSIVE! How do you say: Personal touches, service, integrity, professionalism? ... Gainesville Violins!!!

Thanks for inviting them to the Tampa Bay Youth Orchestras. I personally feel that anyone dealing with them in any matter will be rewarded positively."

Rebecca Montgomery, Inverness, FL

Rebecca with the rescued cello.

Rebecca also owns several violins.

Rebecca Montgomery of Inverness FL bought a cello on the Internet. It turned out to be unplayable. One violin shop told her that it was irreparable, unfixable. The Internet seller refused to take it back. Rebecca finally brought it to Gainesville Violins where Jan worked on it and saved it.

Rebecca wrote (2004):

"I LOVE the work you did on my cello! I am so happy with it I don't want to put it down. I was so surprised how quickly you finished it, I was expecting it to take weeks, even months. The sound is BEAUTIFUL and the new bridge is great. Your shop is the greatest! I hope to own one just like it someday."

Brooks Popwell, Greenville SC (formerly of Jacksonville FL)

Brooks Popwell at his senior recital (2004) in Greenville SC where he now lives.

Brooks Popwell wrote (2001):

"Thank you so much for the wonderful bridge replacement on my cello. The new bridge looks marvellous and the string height is perfect. Also, I notice you stained and polished the fingerboard. It looks a LOT better. I really appreciate all you do for me and the rest of my family. Your love for music and zeal for quality is contageous. Keep up the good, no, wonderful work, and thanks a lot! Yours most sincerely, Brooks Popwell."

Later on (after an accident) Brooks wrote:

"You saved me! My cello has returned! The repaired gash on the side of it looks great, and it feels smoothed down with the cello. Also, I REALLY like the finish (French polishing) you applied to the cello. It all looks great. You did a wonderful job; I know the repair was worth a lot. Thank you for thinking of me and bringing the cello to the airport. I have really enjoyed playing it ever since. Thanks again Mr. Van Rooyen. You are a lifesaver! - Your friend and fellow musician, Brooks Popwell."