Musicians' advice?

Hi everybody!

I noticed a spate of posts a few weeks back that revealed the presence of many musicians on this forum, so I was hoping one of you might be able to provide some advice.

I'm in the process of planning my cross-country ride this summer and would really like to take my violin along with me. I've discussed this with my violin teacher and a luthier, who both seemed to think it was fine but recommended that I watch the humidity and temperature. I'll have two Dampits and an external humidifier...not sure yet how to deal with the heat. I'll be pulling it in a trailer, so hopefully there'll be no more jostling and bumping than normal (it's a pretty solid violin case, though, so not too many worries there).

Have any of you ever toured with a violin? Would it be reasonable to take mine, or should I get a cheap eBay violin instead? I don't want to go three months without practicing. : D

Thank you!

Leila

not a violinist but believe thouroughly in Murphy's Law.

Buy a cheapie... that way if something happens you can still enjoy your trip and not cry over the loss of a fine instrument.

my 2 cents... spazz (ex-percussionist)

I'm with Spazz on this one - get yourself a travelin' fiddle. Then come to California and give us a concert!

I reckon the cheapie is the way to go if you have the money, but whichever way you go, put some serious padding around the pegs or you'll spend more time tuning the thing than playing it.

cheapie! if anything happens to your special one (like getting stolen) it would break your heart.

I vote cheapie too, instruments are too temperamental to risk a quality one on a trip when a "make-do" one can go instead
Plus, like Corsair says, what would happen if your precious got stolen!

like this?

http://www.practiceviolins.com/

I've seen backpack guitars and figured there's soething similar

I vote cheapy.

I'm not a violinist (pro recording engineer and classical pianist) but when I was working at a studio in Miami, the orchestras had such a hard time with heat and humidity. It's just not worth damaging your real baby. Also, god forbid, crashes, theft, left behind, etc...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trek420

like this?

http://www.practiceviolins.com/

I've seen backpack guitars and figured there's soething similar

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what a brilliant idea - but I gotta tell ya, it looks like something Picasso would dream up! :p

Oooh, I can't even imagine wanting to subject my precious instruments to that. Since you won't be able to have any temperature or humidity control, hours in the sun while you ride. Fallen soundposts. Ick. I like the look of that traveling violin.

Thank you for all those replies!

You've convinced me -- eBay violin it is. A green one, of course. I'll fix it up with some good strings.

That practice violin looks amazing. I was drooling. A bit expensive, though.... I might get the plans for it at some point and assemble one!

Thanks again!

I know I'm late, but I think Shar has some electric/practice fiddles. You might check with them. (Surely any string player has Shar bookmarked.)

You also might check local music stores, garage sales and pawn shops for an instrument. I got my (pretty darn good) bass at Goodwill.

There are fiddles out there.