Playing the violin can be a wonderful experience, but buying one can be a rather daunting process, because they vary in price considerably. We’ve put together this violin buyer’s guide to help you make an informed decision for yourself, your student or child.
This article explains how to choose the right instrument for your price range, and suggests a range of models for beginner to advanced violinists.
How to Choose the Right Violin
How to figure out what size violin you need
This will only really be an issue for children below secondary school age, because most children over the age of 11 and adults will be able to have a full size violin (otherwise known as a 4/4) instrument.
If you are unsure, see our dedicated article called What Size Violin Do I Need?
Violins as an investment
A key tip in this violin buying guide is to think about your budget. String instruments will hardly ever lose their value, so spend as much money as you possibly can on getting the very best instrument possible.
Craftmanship
Think about the craftsmanship and playability of a good violin. A good quality instrument will have great projection, a warm tone and make a pleasing sound. You can get hand carved instruments in all violin sizes from good violin brands, and from dealers.
Think about the craftsmanship and playability of a good violin. A good quality instrument will have great projection, a warm tone and make a pleasing sound. You can get hand carved instruments in all violin sizes from good violin brands, and from dealers.
The Dealer or Shop
Buying from a violin dealer will provide you with a high quality violin, but can be a lot of money. At a beginner level, or if you are buying a smaller size violin, a shop or online music store will likely suffice. In fact many shops offer the opportunity to rent a violin, rather than buying one.
Buy VS Rent
This is down to a personal choice. Renting can be ideal for violinists in the early stages of playing, because many shops will offer a package of a starter violin, bow and case for a fixed number of weeks. This may be a great choice for a child who may just want to try learning the violin, but who may not stick with it.
BEGINNER
For a beginner we would recommend either the Stentor Student 2.
Buying a violin at under £160/$220 equates to great value for money for such an instrument. It comes in different sizes and includes a bow and a case.
Another ideal feature for a beginner are the adjusters, or fine tuners, which make tuning much easier for beginners. Either will help to make violin playing fun for the beginner, as it will be easier to make a good sound.
COMES WITH: Hand-finished look<
FEATURES: Made of spruce and maple woods for a good tone
Stentor Student 2 Violin Outfit
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 with a hard case and bow.
- Value for money and affordable price
- The violin comes with rope core strings which you may wish to upgrade to Dominant or a different brand once purchased.
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™.
Intermediate
Once you’ve been playing for a couple of years it will be time to upgrade your violin. I would recommend either the Primavera 200.
The price range is very reasonable, and it comes with a bow, hard case and feature integral adjusters, which make tuning the violin easier. The instrument is hand carved and feature high quality woods.
COMES WITH: Hand-finished look<
FEATURES: Amazing look
Primavera 200
Violin Outfit Full Size
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 chinrest, fingerboard and pegs - stylish, traditional and practical as this is all lightweight.
- Trusted by many players the world over
- Good package of accessories included
- These violins are very popular, so you may find that lots of other people have the same one!
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™.
ADVANCED
Once you’re getting towards the higher grades (ABRSM 7 & 8) you will want to think about buying a violin that will help you to play to the highest standard possible.
Our first recommendation is the Westbury Antiqued Full Size Violin Outfit (Gold Level Setup), which at £365/$500 is excellent value for a hand-carved instrument.
Our second recommendation is the Gewa Europa 10 Violin Outfit. The price includes the bow, rosin and case while the Spruce and Maple Body Produces should help you to play with a good sound. At £414/$569 it is also at a very reasonable price point for such an instrument.
COMES WITH: semi gloss finish which is both attractive and protects the wood's grain
FEATURES: Best for advance violin players
Gewa Europa 10 Violin Outfit
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 sound quality due to the maple and spruce woods used.
- Well set up
- Comfortable chin rest included
- Brand produces quality instruments
- You may want to change the strings to Dominant or Pirastro once purchased
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™.
Violin Accessories
Something you may not realize before purchasing a violin is that there are a number of accessories which you will need alongside the instrument itself. These include a bow, strings, chin rest, shoulder rest and case. Most starter violins will come with all of the above.
The majority of music stores will offer all of the above, but make sure to check out each product and the price. Ideally the bow will have clean bow hair, and the chin rest will be attached to the violin.
There are many types of shoulder rest. For a child a sponge will be fine, but for a high quality instrument the type of shoulder rest can make a huge difference. You should discuss this with your violin teacher.
If you want to buy an instrument from a dealer you might need to buy each item separately. For example, check if the instrument comes with strings, and what sort of strings they are. The strings can make a huge difference to the sound the violin makes, and affect its tone.
music stand
COMES WITH: Basic Kit
FEATURES: Seriously well-made & sturdy
Eastar EMS-1Music Stand
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!
- Amazing complete kit
- Has everything you need
- Strong, yet transportable
- 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™.
upgraded case
COMES WITH: Basic Kit
FEATURES: Adjustable stem friction for easy use
Gewa Pure Polycarbonate Oblong Violin Case
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, strong and durable.
- Backpack straps enable easy transportation
- Includes a detachable accessory pouch and a removable music pocket
- Can scratch fairly easily.
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™.
rosin
COMES WITH: Premium case that is designed for one-handed use
FEATURES: The original low-dust recipe handed down from Ladislav Kaplan
D'Addario Kaplan
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!
- Amazing Case
- Low Dust
- A Pleasure To Use
- 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™.
Violin buyer's guide
Summary
We hope that you have enjoyed this tutorial on how to buy a violin. These tips should help you to make an informed decision when buying a quality instrument.
Let us know what you thought about the article in the comments below and do share if you enjoyed it!
Best Beginner Violin
Stentor Student 2 Violin Outfit
A popular choice for students around the world
Best Intermediate Violin
Primavera 200 Violin Outfit
A great quality intermediate violin
Best Advanced Violin
Gewa Europa 10 Violin Outfit
A first-class instrument, trusted by many at the start of their professional careers.
I loved this article, I finally have all the knowledge I need for my first Violin purchase!
Hi Dan. I hope you find the right instrument for you. Good luck…
I really hope you enjoy this Ted’s List article. If you have any questions or comments, please do let us know!