So you or your child would like to start learning the violin – great! The question is, which violin is the best to buy for a beginner? We have lots of experience helping students of all ages purchase their first violin.
Therefore, we’ve put together this handy list of 16 Violins for Beginners to help you decide which is the right violin for you or your child to begin their violin journey on.
Things to consider when buying a violin
Before we get into the different makes and models available there are a few things to consider.
SIZE
Firstly, what size of violin do you need? As an adult beginner you will most likely need a full size violin (also known as a 4/4). Most children of secondary school age (11+) will also need a full size violin. However, younger children will need a smaller size violin. Take a peak at this article called ‘What Size Violin Do I Need?‘ for more information.
To make life easy, we always link to the full size version of each model instrument – but fear not (!) – all the models come in different sizes, so just select the one you need.
But if you do want to quickly figure out the sizing, then measure from the middle of their left palm to the neck, with the left arm and hand fully extended out perpendicular to the body (as if you are holding a violin). The little chart is a good starting point to make sure that you purchase the right size:
VIOLIN SIZE GUIDE
4/4 Size – ages 11+ – 58cm+ (approx)
3/4 Size – ages 9 to 12 – 56cm (approx)
1/2 Size – ages 7 to 9 – 51cm (approx)
1/4 Size – ages 5 to 7 – 46cm (approx)
1/8 Size – ages 4 to 6 – 42cm (approx)
1/10 Size – ages 4 to 5 – 38cm (approx)
1/16 Size – ages 3 to 5 – 36cm (approx)
STRINGS
Another factor to consider are the strings you put on the violin. The vast majority of student violins come with strings, and whilst not always of the highest quality, they are usually fine for a beginner.
It may be that you upgrade the strings to a superior quality when you are more experienced. If you do want to upgrade your strings, I’d recommend these D’Addario’s Prelude strings.
I have also included some instruments below which come with better strings too.
BUDGET
The final point to consider before purchasing a violin is your budget. Most beginner or student violins are affordable and not too expensive (as you can see in this article), although it is true with string instruments that the more you can spend the better quality instrument you will be able to purchase.
However, especially with younger children there is always the possibility that a beginner might give up after a few weeks. Therefore the majority of the beginner violins listed below are not expensive.
The prices featured are for brand-new violins, but often you can buy violins second hand.
Best low price beginner violin
ONE
COMES WITH: Integral adjusters for fine tuning, and a lightweight case and wooden bow with ebony frog
FEATURES: Blackened hardwood pegs and fingerboard
Stentor Student 1 Standard
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Comes pre-strung
- Affordable
- Comes with a case and bow
- Includes adjusters/ fine tuners for easy tuning
- Made from tonewood and maple for quality rather than from composite woods or laminate
- Shoulder rest is not included
- The strings are not listed, so are likely to be of low quality, which could affect the sound of the violin - it may be easy for the sound to be slightly squeaky
- Rosin is not included
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
This Stentor Student Standard is the perfect entry-level instrument. It comes in all sizes and as well as the violin you also get a bow and hard case to protect your violin. This instrument also looks like a pro-violin – it is made from maple and tonewood and is varnished naturally – so you or your child will feel like it is a serious instrument.
One thing to consider when buying one of the Stentor violins is that they do not come with a shoulder rest or rosin for your bow – so you will need to buy these separately. We recommend this Premium Rosin by D’Addario, and this should rest.
Best Overall Beginner Violin
TWO
COMES WITH: Hard case and bow
FEATURES: Solid tonewoods and a durable straight grained fingerboard
Stentor Student Standard Violin
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Includes a hard case to protect the violin, and a bow
- Quality wood used
- Fine tuners included
- Aesthetically pleasing - dark varnish finish
- The bow is made from horse hair and has an ebony frog
- Shoulder rest is not included
- You may want to replace the factory strings with better quality strings as you or your child progress so that a warmer sound can be achieved
- Rosin is not included
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Of all of our 16 violins for beginners, we feel this one is the best overall. The Stentor Student 1 is a good quality instrument, and yet still affordable. Again, it comes in a good range of sizes, and a bow and hard case come included. The top of this instrument is made from spruce, while the sides and back are made from carved maple. The bow also has an ebony frog. This combination of woods increases the warmth of sound the violin can make, in comparison to the Stentor standard violin. This will help a beginner to feel more confident.
As this is a superior quality violin it will not need to be upgraded until you or your child reach grade 5 standard. This gives a beginner plenty of time to decide if they want to continue to play the violin, before you purchase a more expensive instrument.
Whilst there is no doubt that this is a good quality violin, this violin does not include a shoulder rest or rosin for the bow, so these will need to be purchased separately.
Best Unusual Beginner Violin
THREE
COMES WITH: Hard Case and Durable P&H Fibreglass Bow
FEATURES: Solid Tonewoods and Durable Hardwood Fingerboard
Stentor Harlequin
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Great for younger players
- Includes lightweight case
- Bow is made from fibreglass - tougher than wood,so good for younger children
- Affordable
- Carved from spruce and maple woods which is great for good quality sound
- Only comes in ¼, ½, ¾ and full size
- Factory strings - will need upgrading
- Shoulder rest is not included
- Rosin is not included
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Harlequin series of Stentor violins is perfect for children, or for anyone who likes to stand out from the crowd! With a wide range of colours these instruments are sure to make the idea of practising fun, and are still of good quality and affordable too!
Although these violins have a colourful exterior they are still made from good quality wood. The top of the Harlequin violin is made from spruce, while the back and sides of the violin are made from maple. This combination of woods, helps beginners to produce a lovely sound.
The other difference between this Stentor violin and the two above is that it comes with a different make of bow. Instead of hardwood and ebony, the bow that comes with the Harlequin violin is made of fibreglass. This makes it much stronger and more durable than wooden bows, great for younger children (who might be more likely to drop the bow) while still allowing a strong sound to be made.
Like its counterparts above this violin also comes with nearly everything you need. However, like the other Stentor violins listed above, the shoulder rest and rosin are not included so will need to be bought separately. Also, it should be noted that this violin is only available from a ¼ size up, so cannot be purchased in the very small sizes.
Best beginner violin Package
FOUR
COMES WITH: A Case, Bow, And Rosin
FEATURES: Durable Ebony Pegs and Ebonised Fingerboard
primavera 100
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Rosin is included
- Hard case and bow also included
- Ebony fittings - chin rest and tuning pegs
- Easy tuning made possible with fine tuners
- Comes with a two year warranty
- There are none!
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
One of the best quality beginner violins on the market, the Primavera 100 comes with nearly everything you need. This beautiful violin comes with ebony pegs, and an ebony frog on the bow. This combination of wood will help any violinist to make a sound that is rather warm when they play. The strings are also of a greater quality – made from steel, they will also help the sound quality, so beginners should find that they will be able to stop squeaking quicker!
The Primavera 100 comes in a range of violin sizes and with a two year warranty, it seems like the manufacturer is also pretty confident about this instrument having a long life! Also, unlike the other Stentor violins listed above, this violin does come with a rosin included, so you will only need to purchase a shoulder rest separately.
Best low price Adult beginner violin
FIVE
COMES WITH: Everything You Need To Get Started
FEATURES: Four Integrated Fine-Tuners, Case, Shoulder Rest, Tuner, Rosin
Eastar Starter Kit
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Lightweight composite tailpiece for easy tuning
- Shoulder rest is included, as is a lightweight hard case
- Spare set of strings included
- Made from maple back board and spruce
- The bridge does not come ready set
- The pegs may need to be pushed further in when the instrument arrives
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
If you’re an adult who wants to play the violin this could be the one for you! This Eastar violin is available on Amazon and is not expensive, so it is easy to purchase. It comes in violin sizes ¼ ,½,¾ and full size.
With an antique finish and a solid spruce top it is a visually pleasing and high quality instrument. This violin also comes with a bow, case, chromatic tuner, rosin, and shoulder rest, as well as a lesson book! It also comes with an ebony fingerboard and fittings which helps beginners to play with a resonant sound and a bright and warm tone.
This violin kit is great value and gets a great review too. It seems the perfect violin for the adult student who is unsure how well they’ll take to learning the instrument. It’s cheap enough that if you really get into learning the violin, you can upgrade without feeling guilty!
Best violin on amazon
SIX
COMES WITH: Stradivarius Chinrest, Deluxe Brazilwood Bow, Ebony Fittings & fingerboard and Lightweight Composite Tailpiece
FEATURES: Flamed Maple With A Rich, Hand Applied Golden Red-Brown Varnish Finish
Cremona SV-500
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Ebony fingerboard with lightweight composite tailpiece for easy tuning
- Strings are good quality - D'Addario Prelude
- Carbon Fibre Bow
- Resonant, with a warm sound - good for beginners and also for more experienced violinists
- None!
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
This Cremona SV-500 Premier Artist violin is towards the top of the price range featured in this article. However, for a student instrument this is a good violin which will be perfect for those who want to progress further and become more advanced students.
Like the Eastar Starter Kit above, this violin is also available on Amazon. It features a solid spruce top, a maple back, neck and sides and has an ebony fingerboard, pegs, chin rest and tailpiece. Fine tuners (otherwise known as adjusters) are also included, as is a rather plush case!
Best Taster violin
SEVEN
COMES WITH: Bow, Hard Foam Case, Rosin and Fine Tuners
FEATURES: A Very Smooth Fingerboard
Student Violin by Gear4Music
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Made from maple and spruce wood
- Steel strings
- Smooth fingerboard makes changing position easier
- Fine tuners allow for easy tuning
- As well as the violin this set also includes a bow, case and rosin
- Includes a 2 year warranty
- Not built with high quality woods, so more difficult to make a warm sound
- Slightly squeaky instrument
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
If you have a tight budget, or are concerned that your child will give up as soon as you buy a violin, never fear. There are student violins available at every price point.
The Gear4Music brand has their own range of violins, which come in a range of sizes at low prices. You can choose to purchase either a brand new or nearly-new instrument.
If you choose this instrument, I’d swap out the strings immediately for a set of these D’Addario Prelude strings. It’ll make a big difference!
Violins start at approximately £40/ $55 and also come in a variety of colors, which may make the idea of practicing more attractive. Cheap – yes. But still well made!
Other violins we love for children
So those were the key seven violins we recommend – and the majority of people will choose a violin from that list. However, different people have different needs, so here are our ‘next best recommendations’ for children.
Most Popular Student Brand
EIGHT
COMES WITH: Bow, Case, Tuner, Music Stand, Spare Strings, Tuition Book and Chin Rest
BONUS: Multi-Award Winning Student Instrument
Stentor student 2
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Award-winning!
- Made from high quality wood - the sides and back of the violin are made from maple, top from spruce
- Fingerboard and tuning pegs are made from ebony
- Natural finish
- Comfortable to play on
- Includes bow and case
- Comfortable to play on
- Rope core strings are included - better quality than used on the Stentor 1
- Bow is made of hardwood with an ebony frog - this makes it extremely durable
- Shoulder rest is not included
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Stentor range is, in my opinion, the best type of violin for a child. With the colourful harlequin instruments, their range of violin sizes and affordability, these musical instruments are great for any child to begin their musical journey on.
But if I had to choose one Stentor violin to purchase over any other, then my pick would be the Stentor Student 2. Although a little more expensive than the Student 1, it is perfect for beginners and will help them to make a beautiful sound (so there will be less squeaking, which can make all the difference!).
With a natural finish this instrument has a more traditional appearance, and it’s also easier to make a good sound – building confidence. If you are able to spend a little more to purchase this instrument, it will not need to be upgraded for some time. Although you’ll still need to buy additional accessories such as a padded shoulder rest…
Finally, the Stentor 2 is award-winning – so you can purchase it safe in the knowledge that lots of other people think that it’s great too!
most fun violin
NINE
COMES WITH: Rosin, Case and Matching Coloured Bow
FEATURES: Spruce and Maple Body
Rainbow Fantasia
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Fun looking
- Matching coloured bow
- Not the best materials used to build the instrument
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Rainbow Fantasia Series of violins are a great way for younger students to learn violin with original colours including pink, purple and blue sparkle finishes. If that is what will get your child into the violin, go for it! Otherwise, there are better instruments to choose from…
Most Sturdy Violin
TEN
COMES WITH: A Quality Bow and Shockproof Case
FEATURES: A Stunning Flamed Maple Finish
Hindersine Vivente
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Made from high quality wood
- Really solid instrument, and brilliant case
- Setup ready to play out of the box
- A little on the expensive side for what you get
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Hidersine Vivente redefines all student violins. The perfect instrument for starter violinists, the Vivente will help you get the best possible start.
One of the key features I really like is Hidersine’s ‘Ready to Play’ promise; meaning you can buy the violin with the confidence that it has been fully checked in Hidersine’s UK workshop.
It includes a shockproof case to protect your instrument while commuting between gigs, and even has a reflective strip on the outer cover to ensure you can always be seen at night. The inside of case includes a dedicated accessory compartment, two bow holders, and a protective cover.
It may be a little more expensive than other options, but I really like this instrument.
Best Gold Level Setup
ELEVEN
COMES WITH: A Case, Composite Bow, Rosin and D'Addario Ascente Strings
FEATURES: Text
Primavera 200
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Very well made
- Excellent D'Addario Ascente strings
- Setup by an expert luthier
- Shoulder rest is not included
- Nothing else!
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The award-winning setup has been taken to a new level! The Primavera 200 antiqued violin has to be one of the nicest looking instruments on the student market. Coming set up and ready to play with D’Addario Acente strings, this gold level set up is an excellent choice for any budding musician.
Similar to other Primavera instruments, the 200 antiqued violin has been built with students and beginners in mind. Boasting a hand-carved body, the Primavera violin produces an outstandingly well-rounded tone. And once combined with the ebony fittings, you will start to realise how good the Primavera 200 antiqued violin is.
What really makes this set up special are the aforementioned D’Addario Ascente strings. What’s more, the Ascente strings have already been set up by an expert luthier, meaning you can start playing straight away!
I love this instrument, and if you have the money, you really can’t go wrong.
Most Famous Brand
TWELVE
COMES WITH: Case, Bow, Wittner Adjusters and Rosin
FEATURES: 4 Fine Tuners and ABS Plastic Hard Case
Yamaha V3
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Made from high quality wood - the sides and back of the violin are made from maple, top from spruce
- Brilliant reliable brand
- Great, sturdy ABS Hard Case
- Shoulder rest is not included
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Not the most interesting violin, but this Yamaha V3 is a well built, sturdy, reliable instrument from a well-known brand.
Personally, I think the Primavera sounds a little nicer, but if you are looking for a ‘brand name’ – then I’m sure this Yamaha won’t let you down.
Other violins we love for adults
Although all of the above violins are ‘technically’ suitable for adults to play on (as they all produce full size violins as well as smaller models) – this is a list of models that we think are most suitable for JUST adults.
Perfect For Adult Beginners
Thirteen
COMES WITH: D'Addario Prelude Strings
FEATURES: Hand Carved Maple and Spruce Body
Primavera 100
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Hand carved body - not from laminate
- The fingerboard, pegs, chin rest and tailpiece are all made from ebony.
- Fingerboard and tuning pegs are made from ebony
- Fine tunes (adjusters) included
- D'Addario Prelude strings - helps beginners to make a good sound
- 2 Year Warranty Against Manufacturer's Defects
- Extra strings not included
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Our list of 16 violins for beginners covers instruments for both adults and children. In a similar way that the Stentor range is, in our opinion, the best type of student violin for children, we would suggest that the Primavera range is best for adult beginners. These violins are particularly attractive because they come with such a good range of accessories. Another positive of this particular model is that, if you decide to stop playing, it makes a beautiful design piece to hang on your wall, or have on a shelf!
And no, we didn’t repeat the same item twice by mistake – number four is WITHOUT Gold Level setup which is probably fine for children – but for an Adult player, you’ll want this Gold Level setup.
The Primavera 100 with gold level setup allows one to play with a rich, satisfying sound. Made from maple, spruce and ebony it will be a joy to play. Although we’ve recommended it for adults, this instrument is available in a range of sizes, so could also work well for a teenager. Another positive element is that if you purchased this instrument, you would potentially never need to upgrade to a better instrument.
Indeed, this is the type of instrument which would be perfect for playing chamber music with friends, or for performing with amateur orchestras.
Best Price vs Quality
Fourteen
COMES WITH: An Oblong Case, Octagonal Bow, Pirastro Strings and Chinrest
FEATURES: Ebony Fingerboard, Pegs, Tailpiece and Chinrest
Archer 44V-500
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- The fingerboard, pegs, chin rest and tailpiece are all made from ebony.
- Fine tunes (adjusters) included
- D'Addario Prelude strings - helps beginners to make a good sound
- 2 Year Warranty Against Manufacturer's Defects
- Extra strings not included
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
When making a violin, the choice of wood is top-priority. Most student instruments use wood from humid countries in Asia, but Archer use ethically sourced wood from Eastern Europe – predominantly from Romania. The trees grow much slower and therefore have a much closer grain. This was the secret of Stradivarius, and Archer are using the same technique for their catchy named Archer 44V-500 instrument!
When making the violins, one person is assigned to one instrument. This means no long production lines, no poor craftsmanship, and no characterless instruments. The one craftsman will work on the instrument from the start to finish, making sure each part works homogeneously and faultlessly. The result is a hand-crafted instrument with personality and charm. Sure, it also means each instrument is slightly different – but for the money, you really can’t buy anything better.
This is about as affordable an instrument can be if you want to go down the hand-made route. I would totally recommend it.
Best Yamaha on a budget
Fifteen
COMES WITH: Hard Foam Case, Bulletwood Bow, Prelude Strings and Rosin
FEATURES: Spruce Top and Maple Back with Wittner Tailpiece and Fine Tuners
Yamaha V5SC
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- The fingerboard, pegs, chin rest and tailpiece are all made from ebony.
- Fine tunes (adjusters) included
- D'Addario Prelude strings - helps beginners to make a good sound
- 2 Year Warranty Against Manufacturer's Defects
- Over priced
- Not good value for money
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Firstly, let me start by saying that of course this Yamaha V5SC is a very good instrument. So why the fairly low TedScore™?
Well, I just think there are better instruments listed above for less money. So if you really do want a Yamaha, then find the budget to get the V10SG.
Best Expensive Student Violin
Sixteen
COMES WITH: A Case, Pernambuco Bow and Dominant Strings
FEATURES: The Finest Tonewoods and an Aubert Bridge
Yamaha V10SG
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Aubert bridge
- Wittner fine tuner on the E string
- Thomastik Dominant strings
- 2 Year Warranty
- More expensive (but worth it!)
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Lastly, our number 16 violin is, as you can see, a rather large financial step-up. If you can afford it, the Yamaha V10SG is an incredible instrument.
It has a classic design, and you know you’re using the best with a Stradivari inspired design. The bridge is crucial to enhancing an instrument’s acoustics and Aubert have over a century of experience with this precise process.
Together with the brilliant Pernambuco bow, the whole package put into this instrument equates to a fabulous violin for those who are serious about their playing.
16 Violins For Beginners
Summary
The recommendations above should assist you when purchasing a violin for a beginner or student violinist of any age.
The summary boxes below feature what, in our opinion, are the best instruments for certain ages and budgets.
However, it should be remembered that while a more expensive violin will be a greater quality violin, price is not the only thing to consider when purchasing a new instrument for the first time…
Good luck!
best violin for a small budget
gear4Music Violin
A fantastic beginner violin to get you going quickly
best violin for a child beginner
Stentor Student 2
A great starter violin that’ll last a long time
best violin for an adult beginner
Archer 44V-500
A lovely, but affordable violin that is perfect for adults
I have played bass for years and wanted to try something new. This has helped sway my decisions, let’s see if this one sticks.
Double bass I assume? Either way, good luck with the violin Matthew…