I visited the furniture store Saturday. The manager was very apologetic. He assured me the store will replace my violin. I need only give them information of my former violin. I did so.
This morning I received a telephone call from the store. The owner regrets the situation and has decided he will "remedy the situation quickly." He asked me again the details of my violin. I read him the label again. It was made by Bai LiXing. At this he sighed and said he will see to the replacement immediately.
As I arrived home I was met by a UPS car. I thought this odd. A woman approached and asked if I was who she sought. After asking me to show identification sign her board she gave me a package.
I do not often receive packages but especially from New York. I opened the small crate to find another box which I also opened. Inside I found a violin. It looked much like my former violin. I inspected it and found it to be made by Bai LiXing and only 3 years after the former. I am surprised at the speed of replacement. I will be sure to thank the owner.
I now understand the sigh of the owner after reading the shipping documents. There was a detail stating the amount of insurance for the package. The insurance was $2000.00! 8^O
I am almost afraid to touch this new one. Before, it was only my violin, special for having been with me but not thought of much value. Now, it is a $2000.00 violin.
I have placed it on the stand and look at it now. It has been well played but also well tended. I think of the former owner and why they would part with it. Did they not become as one when playing? Did they not speak together as the bow was drawn? I will never know the reason I suppose. It is now for me to learn this violin.
The lesson begins.
It is wonderful that they were so prompt. And such a comparable violin, even though it is not possible to replace the memories of the other one, or the meaning of it. There are many reasons it might have come to be available for sale. Only you can tell us if it was a reasonable replacement. I wish you joy in the learning of it.
ReplyDeleteJean
If you had been asked to put a price on your previous violin, it would have been much higher, I'm sure -- or you would have been unwilling to.
ReplyDeleteI hope this replacement will soon feel like yours and you'll be comfortable using it.
i'm really glad to hear they replaced it so speedily. each instrument has a different personality. now you have a new friend to occupy your time with.
ReplyDeletejeankfl... The combination of new violin and damaged fingers have made the effort of learning less than appealing but I will continue to attempt it.
ReplyDeleteloofa... I could not have estimated the value. I only knew it as my violin that I would not have traded for anything.
aafrica... I too was amazed by the speed it was replaced. I had expected to wait weeks before seeing a new one.
I just read about what happened to your beloved violin! How awful -hope the timely replacement is of some consolation, although nothing can replace the physical memories of such a loved companion, I am sure. Coincidentally, the same thing happened to my violin a month ago... it is still in a Vermont shop waiting to see if miracles can return it to life.
ReplyDeleteIntensely... I still hold the pieces and consider returning them to their maker. I will send him a photo for his thoughts of the possibilties of repair. Who better to repair it than the man who first brought it to be?
ReplyDeleteThis is Bai Li Xing, the violin maker you metioned.
ReplyDeleteCould you please use a digital camera to take a photo of the label inside the violin replaced, and send it to me please, Thanks
Bai Li Xing
chineseviolins@yahoo.com