The thing is.... I've been saving my pocket money really hard and had decided that if I passed my violin exam (grade 3) that I would have a little treat. (I did pass )

BUT I don't know what to do: I saw a lovely handbag in the city today (I'm a 'handbag' kind of girlie, a bit boho, droplet of retro.. you know the kind of thing, all velvet and henna tattoos (okay the tattoo thing is a joke))... well, I'm not really into clothes and shoes much but I like a bag big enough to carry a sketch-book and a paperback and I saw the perfect thing today but it had dangly 'designer' charms and a hefty price-tag and...

..WHAT I'm trying to say is...

I've fallen in love with the idea of an electric violin for trying out some 'rocky, jazzy' sounds. But I also need a new bow because I'm playing with a pretty cheap one that came with my very first beginner's violin. It's not a rubbish bow but maybe it's time for something more 'grown-up'.

So, what do I do???

Should I stick to a slice of chocolate cake and invest the rest in stocks.. or how on earth do I decide between a bow and an electric violin?

Help

Silly question, but are you playing with the right size bow? Just thinking you and your violin might have grown since you started playing so if you're playing with a smaller bow you should get the new bow.

If not - Get the handbag, it sounds like you really want it!

congrats on your exam!

Don't worry - it's a full-size bow I have and would want.

...and handbags... well I already have one and they don't really serve much purpose do they... but can I live without an electric violin????

..or chocolate cake

I voted new bow.

I keep hearing how it's one of the most effective improvements you can make (in terms of cost/equipment).

I was wavering towards the Electric Violin though.

Why save money for retirement when you can save memories and live on toast when you get there?

Cheers,

Matt (the irresponsible)

I was toying with the idea of getting an electric violin myself - but having had a blast on skylark's sax I'm plumping for one of those instead! And by sheer co-incidence there's one for sale at work......

*Get a posh bag - for Martha! *

Get the bow! getting a new bow gave my enthusiasm a boost that lasted at least 6 months!

You can't go wrong with...



Chocolate cake.





Sorry, that was just to throw the cat amongst the pigeons.

I'd go for the electric violin personally.

What, with the present rate of wheat price increases?

Gotta be a new bow. My new bow made an enormous difference.

Maybe some new strings too - really push the boat out


And perhaps some more music......

I almost went with electric violin (what with us forming our oh-so-fantastic electric string quartet 'Viva String' and all that ) but then thought a nice new bow would be a fantastic present for you AND Martha Martha is lovely so it would be nice to match her loveliness with a lovely new bow

You don't need an electric violin - you can get exactly the same effects with a violin-specific electric pick-up (plus amp and effects pedal which you can get from Ebay) such as a Barcus-Berry or a Fishman for under £200. A decent electric violin will set you back £400! That way you can get your bow as well!

(just back from 3 weeks out in the East....)

Congrats on the pass, Hun!

Make a whole chocolate cake, never mind just one slice and get the bag if you really want, like and can afford it. Don't buy anything that you will feel bad about later as you spent money you didn't really have etc. Yup, get yourself a treat, but make sure it is a real pleasure and not a future source of angst.

Love the carrying the sketchbook idea! I can't find the bag I want as I love back-pack style bags and they're just so 'out' at the mo for anyone but school kids and hikers, so I'm just gonna have to make one - and put a sketchbook in too! I hate carrying things on my shoulders (shoulder bags constantly slip off and leave you unbalanced load-wise and I've had too many neck, back and shoulder problems for that!) or in my hands!

Only just saw this thread. It's got to be the ISA as you're a lot more sensible than I am

Congrats on passing violin.

Good point.

Make that gruel.

Cheers,

Matt.

Have you tried a better bow or six? That will help you decide if you really want or need a new one. The point about trying a pick up instead of a whole new electric violin seems a good one to me!

Congrats Lottie.
I'm in new bow brigade. It really does makes such a wow of a difference it will feel electric!

Looks like it will be a NEW BOW then Thanks for all your input (SO many votes )

I tried my teacher's new Coda Carbon Fibre bow last night and it was lovely.

The nearest violin shop (where I could try bows out) is over 100 miles away so arranging a trip down there would probably have to wait until August (travel complications) which is AGES away.

They probably could send out 2-3 for me to try but I don't know if that's enough. However, the chap who owns the shop has promised me a "good deal" so it might be daft to look elsewhere if I might get a really good bow for my budget.

If I wait another six weeks or so I could push my budget to around £300 which should find me something decent Meanwhile I'll make myself a new handbag out of a washing-up bottle and some sticky-backed-plastic. (If you're under 30yrs, that's an old Blue Peter joke).

p.s In the interim I feel a large chocolate cake pending......

p.p.s My teacher said to just put a pick-up on my own violin although she thinks why I want to sound artificial is worrying....

I think people either like electric violins or hate them! Personally, I prefer them to electric guitars, but that isn't saying much!!