The Best Violins for Both Beginners and Intermediate Students

We need to inform you that having one of the best violins can make you a better artist. You may have heard that if you are already skilled at playing you can bring out the best of any instrument, which is true. However, the opposite is also quite possible to happen. Moreover, after all using one of the best violins will help you create the best possible sound, without any additional efforts. On our website, you will be able to find helpful reviews, the best violin brands and of course valuable tips which will help you make an informed decision, which is necessary when buying one of the best violins for your child or yourself.

Buying a violin is something that requires a lot of thought and attention to details, because if you buy the first one you see, may result in wasting a lot of money. There are best violins for every budget and need; there are cheaper beginner violin options, and there are handcrafted ones with much bigger price tags. However, you should always remember that expensive does not always equal quality. There are many lowered price instrument choices, which are some of the best violins on the market. Moreover, of course, as for every other product, there are also some that are quite expensive and are not worth their money. We are aware that some of you may be tempted into buying a handcrafted item, but you should consider if it is affordable and how often will you use it. Also if you are buying it for your son or daughter, is he or she going to be able to take good care of it? Considering the price, sound quality and of course endurance, we managed to rank the best violin brands for both beginner and intermediate students.

Types of Violins Depending on the User Experience

Before we go any further you should know what are the differences between the best violins for students, intermediate and professional artists:

Best violins for beginners

The violins for beginners of instruments are created with hand work involved, and the wood is of lower quality. Most of this kind include some parts which are made of plastic such as the chin rest and the pegs. These are ideal for children who want to learn but are still not completely sure they will keep playing for a long time or not.

Best violins for intermediate students

The instruments which are classified in this section are the best compromise between the best student violins and the professional ones. The prices for the best violins in this class usually range between $400 and $1000. The intermediate instruments are perfect for people who want something better than a beginner violin but do not want to invest thousands of dollars into a professional choice.

Best violins for professionals

These are usually made of high-quality wood and are hand built by a luthier. They also include some fancy elements such as an ebony fingerboard, for example. These are the best violins and are suitable for professional or advanced musicians. Their prices range between $4000 and $10 000.

Difference Between Buying a Violin Online and in a Store

You are probably wondering how to purchase the instrument of your choice, so we created a list including the most important advantages and disadvantages of both possibilities:

Online:

Here we offer information for purchasing a violin on the internet:

Advantages:

• Shop independently – You can purchase without any annoying sales people, trying to push into buying the most expensive instrument in their store. You can read reviews, shop in peace and gather recommendations in privacy.
• Bigger inventory – Usually, the online stores have larger sections with more of the best violin brands to choose from. If a particular website does not have what you want, you will find many other sites that do.

Disadvantages:

• Uncertainty – If you are stuck choosing between two of the best violin brands, you cannot try both of them, without purchasing them and returning the one you dislike.
• Higher risk – As for any other product you buy online, there is a larger risk involved. Some websites are trying to fraud people in believing that a specific violin, for example, is of higher value than it is. So if you do decide to purchase online, make sure to do so from a certified dealer.

In a store:

Here is some information for purchasing a violin from a store:

Advantages:

• Try it – One of the biggest benefits of buying in an actual store is that before you buy it, you can try it. It is a common practice to request to do so, many people do. There are even stores that have dedicated practice rooms for that purpose. Moreover, some shops even lend instruments to students for one or two weeks.
• Staff members who can help – If you are buying such an instrument for the first time, and do not want to buy online, because you feel inexperienced, then you should prepare yourself to buy from a store. Most of the shops have knowledgeable sellers, who can help you out choose the best violins for you.

Disadvantages:

• Limited Inventory – Have you already chosen a particular brand? Music shops usually offer a smaller amount of the best violin brands in their inventory. No one wants to drive around for hours to find a specific name that no shop currently has in stock.
• Higher prices – Since they have smaller inventories they tend to have higher rates, and less frequent sales. If you are on a tight budget, you should probably shop online.

Our 15 Best Violins for Beginners

Here are 15 of the best violin brands we recommend to beginners:

Stentor

If you are looking for violins for beginners, Stentor offer the best violins and should be at the top of your list. This is a Chinese company that is proud of their handmade instruments, which fall into almost everyone’s budget. They may range between $150 and $180. However, they are well-built and reliable. These are beginner violins and it is the most popular option for students.

These instruments offer a high-quality fingerboard and pegs made of ebony. They may not be the cheapest on the market. However, they certainly offer incredible sound and quality for their price. Their offer some of the best student violins.

Windsor

This company offers instruments of reasonable quality for the people on a budget, and these are beginner violins and intermediate ones. Most of their products are made in a factory, and only a small portion is hand-made. They are a bit low quality, which may influence the warmness of the sound, but if you are buying it for a child who is still learning, you will not even notice it. We love the fact that some of their instruments come in different colors, which adds brightness to the practice sessions. Their offer some of the best student violins.

Knilling

This company is quite popular both among teachers and students, they are high-quality and offer unique pegs to the overall experience. They are the oldest violin company in North America, with over 90 years of experience behind them. These are some of the best violins and are usually of high-quality but they are created in several parts of the world such as Germany, Romania and the Czech Republic, so you may want to try it out before rushing in to purchase. Their offer some of the best student violins.

Cremona

This is yet another high-quality and easily affordable brand. These instruments are created to suit the needs of both beginner and intermediate students. They do not just use the highest-quality wood possible; they also have 22 people in charge of quality control. This company won many awards since it opened up in 1989. Most of their student violins are offered with a case and a bow, which makes a choice easier. If you are interested in instruments which are finely hand-made with the best craftsmanship passed by the European masters and the highest quality materials, you should consider this brand. Their offer some of the best student violins.

Primavera

This is another amazing brand which makes student violins. They offer both lower priced instruments for beginner violin students and a bit higher priced violins for intermediate students, who want a warmer sound. They may not be the best brand on the market, but if you consider the warm sound and endurance, they are worth their price. Their offer some of the best student violins.

Cecilo

This is another brand that is widely approved by teachers. They are offered with the bridge attached, so the students do not have to do that by themselves. Also, the company puts their products through immense tests to make sure that they are fit for use. They also take pride in the high-quality wood they use including ebony, spruce, and maple. They last for many years and usually end up being handed down to the family, making it of a great sentimental value.

Mendini

This company also makes some of the best student violins. The majority of their products are made in a factory, even though they are priced low, they are quite durable. The strings may have to be replaced at some point in time since they are not as high-quality as other brands. The quality of the sound, which is affected by the many layers of paint may be noticeable by a professional, but to a beginner violin student or even a teacher, it will not cause any issues. Their offer some of the best student violins.

Franz Hoffmann

This company is certainly one of the best violin brands currently available on the market. One of their best violins is always a good purchase, according to many tutors and their students. This company offers the best possible quality in their price range. The best part is that the violins are sold with a one year warranty and you can return them during the first month if you are not pleased with your purchase.

Carlo Lamberti

If you are willing to spend a little more on an instrument, you should certainly consider this company. Many tutors all over the world believe that these are the best violins around. If you are not happy with your purchase, you can return it, and the company will even send you a gift certificate. However, we are completely sure that this will not happen. If at some point you decide to upgrade to a higher-quality product, if you took good care of the violin, you will get a huge amount of your initial investment.

Scott Cao

If you are looking for a violin, which is has a popular name, consider this company. The master handcrafter Scott Shu-Kun Cao has created many products that musicians all over the world use in orchestras and even as soloists. He is considered as one of the best violins makers in the world, and with a reputation like that, you can be assured that any instrument sold under his name will be of the highest possible quality.

Yamaha

This company is quite popular with their low-priced, high-quality violins; they are mostly known for their electric guitars. However, their best violins are no exception. They currently make several lines of products which are suitable for both beginners and intermediate musicians. All of their instruments are offered in a set which includes a case, a bow, straps and even a rosin. There is a reason why Yamaha has been chosen by teachers and conductors for so many years.

All Days Music

Also known as ADM, is a company with many factories across the world, which make student violins and beginner violins at an appropriate price. They are offered with a case and a bow made with real horse hair, also straps and rosin. Unfortunately, you do get what you pay for with this violin. The chinrest and the fingerboard are made with blackened solid hardwood, which means that at some point your fingers will start rubbing in the blackness as you play the instrument more.

Klaus Mueller

This is a brand which is quite popular for making beginner violins and student violins. Most of the products are made in China and are under a German name to add some authenticity to their products. If you are looking for a brand to buy online, you should know that this one is offered on Amazon. These violins are made of high-quality wood, and also feature inlaid purfling, which prevents the wood from splitting over time.

Merano

If you are willing to spend more money, you can get your hands on one of the beautiful handcrafted violins this company offers. Each of their products is hand varnished, which brings out the beauty of the wood and the sound. With one of their kits, you can start playing at no time, since they provide you with everything you need.

Kinglos

If you want to drag attention to yourself, you should consider a hand-carved violin made by this product. All of their products are of guaranteed quality, and you cannot find anywhere else beauty such as theirs. We recommend that you look at their innovative products as we cannot wait to see the newest additions to their collection.

Best Violin Brands Video

What is a Violin?

This is an instrument with strings that requires a bow to be played. The main components are a body, bridge, fingerboard and strings. Violins have managed to maintain many of their original features without changing through their history. The best violins take years to create, using only the highest quality materials. Because of the natural materials and if they are hand-made or not their prices may range from below $100 to thousands of dollars. Like many other musical instruments, these are suitable for both adults and children. They are offered both as both acoustic and electric models.

Different Types Available

These is the classification of violins depending on the needs of the user:

Best violins for kids

These instruments are unique as they are different in sizes and often have only the basic features. These violins are smaller; however they come in various sizes, and it is crucial to get the appropriate size to make sure that the child will play comfortably. You can measure the size by expanding your kid’s hand away from his or hers body. The descriptions may be misleading. However, there are some quality brands which offer affordable violins for children with all the necessary accessories. The price range should depend, on the child’s skill level, your budget and of course their dedication to mastering the art. You may ask tutors or other players for advice or recommendations, but the final choice should depend on how much you can spend.

Best violins for beginners

The violins for beginners are the most commonly bought type from beginner violin players. They are appropriate for people who want to start playing but are not sure if they will continue playing for a long time. You can expect a lower quality in tone if you compare these instruments to more advanced ones. Moreover, in most cases, you will have to assemble them on your own. If you compare them to professional models, you may find that they are harder to play. They are often made with lower quality wood and are mostly factory made, with less handcrafting throughout the process. They often include plastic parts like the chin rest or the pegs and the accessories are also of lower quality. The advantage is that they are quite affordable in comparison to the advanced ones.

Best violins for intermediate musicians

These violins are of better quality than the beginner ones, but they still cannot compete with the professional instruments. They are perfect for the players who have passed the beginner violin level but are still not close to mastering the instrument. They are certainly more affordable than the advanced models and are appropriate for people who may perform in front of a live audience. The players who purchase such types are usually the ones who continue on their way to master the instrument. Some of the best violin brands and stores completely ignore this kind of violins and focus on the beginner violins and professional ones. However, we believe that it is a necessary class for the people who are passionate about what they do but are still not ready to spend thousands of dollars for a professional violin.

Best violins for professionals

These are the best violins and are obviously the cherry on top of the cake, as most players hope to eventually own one of those, the others already do. These models are the ones that professional players, instructors, and artists rely upon. They provide the best possible sound, with less effort than the lower-priced models. Professional violins are bought after years of experience, and after the player has passed the lower skill levels. Moreover, they are commonly purchased when the musician needs a reliable instrument for his performances. There are different types, most of which offer a unique sound. They deserve their price since they are made with the highest quality of aged wood and are handcrafted using only natural materials by master luthiers.

Factors to Consider Before Making a Purchase

This is a list of the factors (mentioned in our infographic) you have to consider when you decide to purchase a violin:

Manufacturers

Ask other players, instructors who are your friends or family members, about their favorite brands and accessories to use or buy. Most violinists prefer specific brands, mainly because of the quality that is expected in each of the products. So it is important, before rushing in to purchase a violin to check which company makes it and in which country is it being produced. Remember that the best instruments are hand-crafted in traditional workshops in Europe. There is an amazing history of violin making, as well as, access to the highest quality wood and natural materials on the planet.

The best violin brands have more buyers, who share the experiences from their purchases through product reviews. This gives you the opportunity to gain an understanding of the brand’s history and reputation for creating violins. You can find many reviews on forums or online stores such as Amazon.

Wood

This is a crucial element for the final sound of the violin. The traditional instruments are made using spruce and maple, and this is exactly the combination you should expect to find in most brands. Most of the body is made from flamed maple, which includes the sides, the back, and the neck. The top is crafted from spruce. Moreover, the other components are made from ebony; they include the tailpiece, chinrest, fingerboard and the pegs.

Wood is a natural material, so it changes its dimensions according to the temperature or humidity it is being surrounded from. So the best violins made from it have to be dried outside in natural conditions. This will expose it to environmental conditions. This, of course, will prevent the finished violin from forming cracks, because the wood changed by itself after years of adapting.

Age

Most violinists prefer to buy their instruments new. However, there are advantages in using older models as well. If the violin is given to you as a gift, you can save a lot of money from buying a new one. It takes a long time for the instrument to produce its actual sound, so it can be quite helpful to use a violin that has been played for years.

However, there is the fact that the newest models often offer technological innovations, which make advancing your skills, more fun and even easier. Also, after playing an instrument for a few years, you are bound to be very excited when you finally hear its actual sound. This change will most likely already have passed with a used instrument.

Sound

Except for the playability and comfort, the sound is the most important feature. There is no sense in playing a violin, or any other instrument for that matter, that you do not enjoy the sound it produces.

We recommend that you check if there are any undertones or buzzing while you play. The best violins should create the sound and tone that you are looking for. A good instrument will create a warm and even beautiful sound, but most people are looking for something more specific. Most people desire a violin which produces a particular sound, if you are one of them, you may have to buy a special model, which will provide you with the sound you are looking for. Some people have a general perspective for the music and tones and want an instrument which will produce warmer or brighter sounds. That, of course, depends on individual preferences./

Set and package

The best violins will come set up and ready for play. Every part of the instrument must fit well for intense playing; these include the pegs, bridge, chin rest, and of course the strings. The player should be able to play every string individually, without touching or brushing the others. If it is not the case with you, you will have to adjust your bridge.

The neck has to be at the correct angle, each of the strings has to be able to be pressed near the bridge and, of course, the pegs must be wound tightly. If you cannot do these things by yourself, you can bring it to a violin shop, but it is quite simpler and easier for the model you bought to be all ready for playing.

The accessories are also crucial on how enjoyable your overall experience with the product will be. So if you are looking to buy a whole set, make sure that you check the quality of the accessories as well. You can always buy other ones, but this will add more expenses to the overall price of the violin.

It should be easy for you to use the rosin, without any hassle, and it should make a difference in the sound the instrument produces. Some models will include strings or/and a chin rest, and these should also be easy to use and helpful.

The quality has to be steady for each and every component; we advise you to buy a bow, which is made from natural horse hair. Keep in mind that, some of the most expensive violins will include a bow, which may be made from synthetic hair, but it may be of high quality. Moreover, if there is a case included, it has to be able to protect the violin, instead of just carrying it.

Varnish

The best violins are finished with an oil varnish. It is hand-applied with a brush, and it is done several times. If we compare it to a nitro varnish, we should mention that each of the coats of the oil varnish will in most cases be applied for an entire day, to make sure that each of the layers will dry completely, before applying the next one.

The oil varnish makes sure that the violin will be more durable and it is elastic so it can take any dimensional changes to the body of your instrument.

Color

This feature can improve the violin’s aesthetic appearance and beauty. Most of the best violins have either a red or a brownish red color, because of the wood and the varnish that was used to make it. Many players prefer a more colorful option, and this is especially more common with the electric models.

Black, red, blue, orange and green violins usually have a bold shape. Moreover, the white ones usually have a classy look. However, they can be out of the ordinary as well.

Size

As we stated before, these instruments are crafted in various sizes, so that they can be comfortable with diverse people of different ages. To choose the right violin for you, you would have to extend your hand away from your body and measure from the neck to the wrist. Most adults use a full-sized instrument, as for children, they need either a half-sized one or in some cases even smaller.

Price

This is a significant factor, for everyone who wants to buy an instrument, however, it is most important for the people who are on a budget. The price may vary from the quality of the wood if it is handcrafted or made in a factory and the setup.

Of course, the sound is affected if the craftsman was careful while making the violin. The better the sound, the higher the price.

Tips on choosing the best violins

• You should first decide if you want to buy or rent the instrument. This decision should be based on your age and skill level. You should make this decision early, because it may affect the quality of the violin.
• You should bring a fellow musician, best if he plays the violin. Having a second opinion is always useful, especially if it belongs to a person who knows what he is doing. This way you will avoid the instruments, which do not suit you and will not waste your money.
• Always check the construction. There are a few things that show if the violin is, in fact, well crafted. Check if the components are off-center, if there are any cracks or weak spots. The best violins look flawless.
• If the shop allows it, try the instrument before rushing in to buy it. We recommend that you do not purchase a violin until you try it, and if possible compare to other products. Some shops have special rooms, so you can even practice with your own bow. If you want to buy it online, go to a local store and try it out.

The Best Violins Parts and Accessories

We narrowed our selection to the following parts and accessories for violins:

Cases

A good case, obviously, has to protect the instrument, instead of just carry it. However, there are quite a lot of factors that you should look for. Your main priorities should be to keep the violin safe, the weight of the case, and its features. The best ones offer extra cushions, are more durable and are even waterproof. You can find many which are colorful to brighten up your day.

Strings

When looking for this component you should consider the price, material, and brand. The best strings for you should depend on the sound you desire to create and your skill level. There are various thickness and tension options. The thin ones make a warmer, brighter sound, and the thick ones make a louder sound.

Bows

Choosing the best one, requires you to think about the best components a bow can offer. These are the natural hair, the weight, the shape, the stick and, of course, the sound it produces. When you are looking to buy a violin, you should bring a bow to the store, but when it is vice versa you will have to bring the instrument you intend to play To test out a bow.

Rosin

First, you have to decide if you rather have more traction and grip, which is the dark rosin, or if you prefer a smoother glide, which is the light rosin. A high-quality one should make a difference to the sound you produce, so it should be easier to apply. It should also be able to use immediately and leave less residue. Also, it should work with your sound preferences, strings, and climate.

Conclusion

Buying a violin is a personal experience and can be quite exciting and overwhelming. The most difficult decision you have to make is how far to stretch the budget; another may include are you willing to consider a lower quality sound, for not spending too much.

We would advise you to think about where will you play your violin, if you are playing for fun in the comfort of your home, or if you want to progress and become a professional. We would also like to recommend not to buy products based on their brands since many of the not best violins are priced up because of their name. However, they were built in some factory with low-quality wood.

Moreover, remember that at the end of the end either you or your child will be using the violin, so trust your instincts.

Read Articles About Violins on These Links

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