Which violin brands offer the best quality for beginners. How to choose a suitable violin for intermediate players. What are the top fiddle brands to consider for students.
Top Beginner Violin Brands: Quality Meets Affordability
For those embarking on their musical journey, selecting the right violin is crucial. The best beginner violin brands strike a balance between quality and affordability, typically offering instruments under $200. These brands understand that while learning, most players don’t need to invest thousands in a professional-grade instrument.
Eastar: Versatility and Value
Eastar has made a name for itself in the world of entry-level instruments. Their violins undergo rigorous quality inspections before leaving the factory. While they may not specialize solely in violins, Eastar’s efficient manufacturing process allows them to produce good beginner instruments at competitive prices.
- Wide range of instruments offered
- Dual in-house quality inspections
- Affordable pricing
- Accessory kits often included
Do Eastar violins come with everything a beginner needs? Yes, most Eastar violins come with accessory kits that include essential items for tuning, storing, and playing the instrument.
Stentor: Student Violin Specialists
Stentor has established itself as a leading manufacturer of student violins and orchestral stringed instruments. While you won’t see Stentor instruments in professional orchestras, they’re a common sight in school performances and among learners.
- Combination of spruce and maple construction
- Use of nylon strings and alloy components to reduce costs
- Popular choice for school orchestras
What makes Stentor violins suitable for beginners? Stentor’s use of quality materials like spruce and maple, combined with cost-effective components, results in instruments that produce good sound while remaining affordable for students.
Mendini by Cecilio: Value-Driven Quality
Mendini, the beginner line from Cecilio, offers a great selection of starter violins. This brand relationship is similar to how Fender oversees Squier guitars. Cecilio brings its experience and dedication to violin craftsmanship to Mendini, focusing on creating value-minded instruments for beginners.
- Backed by Cecilio’s expertise
- Focus on affordable quality
- Popular models like the Mendini MV400
Why is the Mendini MV400 often recommended for beginners? The MV400 consistently offers a good balance of quality and affordability, making it an excellent choice for those just starting their violin journey.
Intermediate Violin Brands: Stepping Up Your Game
As players progress, their needs evolve. Intermediate violin brands cater to those who have outgrown their beginner instruments but aren’t yet ready for professional-grade violins. These brands offer improved craftsmanship, better materials, and enhanced sound quality.
Yamaha: Consistent Quality Across Levels
Yamaha, a name synonymous with quality musical instruments, offers violins suitable for intermediate players. Their instruments are known for consistent quality and reliable performance.
- Wide range of models for different skill levels
- Renowned for build quality and durability
- Excellent customer support and warranty
Are Yamaha violins a good investment for progressing students? Yes, Yamaha violins often provide excellent value for intermediate players, offering quality that can grow with the musician’s skills.
Scott Cao: Handcrafted Excellence
Scott Cao violins are handcrafted instruments that bridge the gap between student and professional models. Known for their attention to detail and use of quality materials, Scott Cao violins are popular among advancing players.
- Handcrafted instruments
- High-quality tonewoods used
- Excellent sound projection and clarity
Why do many teachers recommend Scott Cao violins for intermediate students? Scott Cao violins offer a noticeable step up in sound quality and craftsmanship, helping students develop a more refined ear and technique.
Professional-Grade Violin Brands for Aspiring Virtuosos
While most beginners and intermediates won’t need professional-grade instruments, it’s worth knowing about these top-tier brands. These violins represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship and sound quality.
Stradivarius: The Legendary Name in Violins
Stradivarius violins, created by the Stradivari family in the 17th and 18th centuries, are considered the epitome of violin making. While original Stradivarius violins are extremely rare and valuable, modern replicas aim to capture their essence.
- Unparalleled historical significance
- Renowned for exceptional tonal qualities
- Highly sought after by collectors and museums
Can a student ever expect to play on a real Stradivarius? While unlikely, some music schools and foundations occasionally allow exceptional students to borrow or perform with authentic Stradivarius instruments.
Guarneri: Rivaling the Greats
Guarneri violins, particularly those crafted by Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù, are often considered on par with Stradivarius. These instruments are prized for their powerful, rich tone and are favored by many top violinists.
- Known for powerful, dark tone
- Highly valued by professional musicians
- Rare and collectible
How do Guarneri violins differ from Stradivarius in sound? Guarneri violins are often described as having a darker, more powerful tone compared to the brighter, more refined sound of Stradivarius instruments.
Choosing the Right Violin: Factors to Consider
Selecting the perfect violin involves more than just brand recognition. Several factors come into play when determining the best instrument for your needs and skill level.
Size Matters: Finding the Right Fit
Violins come in various sizes, from 1/16 for very young children to full-size (4/4) for adults. Choosing the correct size is crucial for comfort and proper technique development.
- 1/16 to 1/4 sizes for young children
- 1/2 and 3/4 sizes for older children and some adults
- 4/4 (full size) for most adults and older teens
How can you determine the right violin size? A good rule of thumb is to hold the violin under your chin with your left arm fully extended. If you can comfortably wrap your fingers around the scroll, it’s likely the right size.
Material Quality: The Building Blocks of Sound
The materials used in violin construction significantly impact its sound quality and durability. Higher-quality violins typically use better tonewoods and components.
- Spruce tops for resonance
- Maple for back, sides, and neck
- Ebony for fingerboards and fittings
Does the type of wood really affect a violin’s sound? Absolutely. Different woods contribute to various aspects of the violin’s tone, with spruce providing brightness and maple adding warmth and depth.
Violin Accessories: Enhancing Your Playing Experience
While the violin itself is crucial, the right accessories can significantly improve your playing experience and help maintain your instrument.
Essential Accessories for Every Violinist
Certain accessories are indispensable for violinists at all levels. These items contribute to comfort, sound quality, and instrument maintenance.
- Rosin: Enhances bow grip on strings
- Shoulder rest: Improves comfort and posture
- Case: Protects the instrument during transport and storage
- Strings: Regular replacement ensures optimal sound
- Tuner: Helps maintain accurate pitch
Is it necessary to invest in high-end accessories for a beginner violin? While quality matters, beginners can start with mid-range accessories and upgrade as they progress and develop preferences.
Advanced Accessories for Serious Players
As violinists advance, they may explore additional accessories to refine their sound and technique.
- Fine tuners: Allow for precise pitch adjustments
- Mutes: Modify the violin’s volume and tone
- Chinrests: Custom options for improved comfort
- Humidifiers: Protect the instrument from climate-related damage
When should a violinist consider upgrading to professional-grade accessories? As players advance and become more attuned to nuances in their playing, upgrading accessories can help refine their sound and technique.
Maintaining Your Violin: Care Tips for Longevity
Proper care and maintenance are essential for preserving your violin’s sound quality and value, regardless of its brand or price point.
Daily Care Routines
Implementing a simple daily care routine can significantly extend your violin’s lifespan and maintain its performance.
- Wipe down the violin and strings after each use
- Loosen the bow hair when not in use
- Store the violin in its case when not playing
- Avoid extreme temperature and humidity changes
How often should violin strings be replaced? For regular players, changing strings every 3-6 months is recommended, or sooner if they show signs of wear or loss of tone quality.
Professional Maintenance
While daily care is crucial, periodic professional maintenance ensures your violin remains in top condition.
- Annual check-ups with a luthier
- Professional cleaning and polishing
- Soundpost and bridge adjustments
- Seam and crack repairs when necessary
Is professional maintenance necessary for beginner violins? While not as critical as for high-end instruments, even beginner violins benefit from occasional professional care to ensure proper function and longevity.
The Future of Violin Making: Innovations and Trends
The art of violin making continues to evolve, with modern luthiers exploring new techniques and materials while respecting traditional craftsmanship.
Technological Advancements in Violin Construction
Modern technology is finding its way into violin making, offering new possibilities for sound and durability.
- 3D printing for prototyping and custom parts
- Advanced wood treatments for improved tone
- Carbon fiber components for durability
- Digital modeling for acoustic optimization
Will technological innovations replace traditional violin-making methods? While technology offers new tools and possibilities, traditional hand-crafting techniques remain highly valued in violin making, especially for high-end instruments.
Sustainability in Violin Production
As environmental concerns grow, violin makers are exploring sustainable practices and alternative materials.
- Use of responsibly sourced tonewoods
- Exploration of alternative materials like bamboo
- Eco-friendly finishes and varnishes
- Upcycling and recycling of old instruments
Can sustainable violins match the quality of traditional instruments? Many luthiers are finding ways to create high-quality, sustainable instruments that rival their traditional counterparts in sound and playability.
As we’ve explored the world of violin brands and manufacturing, it’s clear that whether you’re a beginner, an intermediate player, or aspiring to professional status, there’s a perfect violin out there for you. From affordable starter instruments to handcrafted masterpieces, the violin market offers a wide range of options to suit every player’s needs and budget. Remember, the best violin for you is one that inspires you to play and helps you grow as a musician. Happy fiddling!
The Best Violin Brands for 2021 – Fiddle Brand Reviews
Regardless if you call yourself a fiddler or a violinist, before buying a new instrument you’ll want to know what the best violin brands are so you can make an education buying choice!
By the time you are an advanced player you are going to have seen and experienced enough that you probably won’t need our advice. Beginners and intermediate players don’t have that experience though, and may have only owned one or two violins, Or, maybe you’re shopping for your very first!
We’ll start with brand recommendations for beginners, then move onto intermediates. We’ve also highlighted some of our favorite instruments from each in the article below! Lastly, we’ll end by touching on some violin brands to avoid!
The Best Beginner Violin Brands
Many of the best violins for beginners are from brands that have found the perfect mix of quality and price. Let’s face it, most of us don’t want to spend thousands on a fiddle we may only play for short while. Granted, we hope you play for years to come, but the reality for most is that will not happen.
Maybe you’re buying for a child, definitely don’t need to spend a ton on that instrument either!
Either way, the brands that made the best violin brands for beginners sections generally sell good instruments for people to learn on, while keeping the price mostly under $200.
Eastar
Eastar is a brand that is well known for their entry level instruments, from drums to saxophones, trumpets to violins. The brand puts each and every instrument through two in house quality inspections before leaving the manufacturing floor.
The drawback of the wide selection of instruments is that they don’t specialize in any one sort of instrument, so you won’t find the finer details that other purely violin manufacturers will have.
On the plus side, they have the manufacturing process down to a science, giving them the ability to produce a good beginner violin for less than many other manufacturers. Their violins also generally come with accessory kits, so a beginner will have everything needed to tune, store and play their violin!
Stentor
Stentor bills themselves as a leading manufacturer of student violins and orchestral stringed instruments. We agree!
While you will never see a Stentor on stage in a professional orchestra, you will see plenty of the in school performances and in the hands of those trying to learn to play. One of my first violins was a Stentor and I still have a soft spot in my heart for these instruments!
Most of their instruments use a combination of spruce and maple construction to produce a quality sound, but at the same time keep the price down. You’ll also see things like nylon strings and alloy bridges and tailpieces which help them provide lower costing quality instruments!
Stentor 1400 3/4 Violin
- Featuring carved solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides
- Includes wood horsehair bow and lightweight canvas covered case with exterior shoulder rest compartment.
- Blackened rosewood fingerboard
The 1400 series (shown above) is one that we often recommend for beginners and one of our favorite violins under $200!
Mendini from Cecilio
Mendini is actually the beginner line of violins from Cecilio, and both brand names offer a great selection of beginner violins! This is very similar to how Fender has Squier guitars under their wing as well.
We really like the value that Cecilio is able to bring to the table with Mendini. You get the experience, quality, and dedication to the craft of making violin with a value minded approach to keep costs low.
The Mendini MV400 has long been on our list of best violins for beginners, so it’s not surprising the brand ends up here as well!
Mendini MV400 Ebony Fitted Solid Wood Violin with Tuner, Lesson Book, Hard Case,…
- 4/4 (Full Size) violin, hand-carved solid wood spruce top, Hand-carved solid wood maple back & sides
- Beautiful inlaid purfling & varnish finish, Ebony fingerboard, chin rest and pegs, alloy tailpiece with four integrated fine tuners
- Includes: Cecilio chromatic tuner, Lesson book
- Includes: Lightweight form fitting hard case with pockets, backpack straps and shoulder straps, two Brazil wood bow with unbleached genuine horsehair, extra set of violin strings, two violin bridges, a quality rosin, an adjustable shoulder rest with soft foam padding & soft rubber feet
- 1 Year Warranty Against Manufacturer’s Defects
Bunnel
Bunnel, like Mendini, has a parent company. For Bunnel, it is Kennedy Violins. Kennedy is known for its great selection of artist violins from designers such as Antonio Giuliani and Louis Carpini.
This violins are quite a bit more expensive than the average beginner wants to spend, and that is where the Bunnel brand comes in.
While a little more expensive than Mendini or Eastar, these are instruments that will last you well beyond the beginner stage of playing. Most of their offerings come with hard sided carrying cases and an assortment of accessories to start you playing right away!
Primavera Violins
Primavera is a United Kingdom based company, and might be a little hard to get in the United States.
That being said, no violin list is complete without them as they are often the most popular brand for schools and educators. Each instrument is inspected and set up by a professional in their workshop before being delivered, so they come ready to play.
If you want to shop for a deal on shipping, or are already in the UK or Europe, there aren’t too many better options than Primavera for beginner violins!
Best Violin Brands for Intermediate Players!
Our list of best violin brands for intermediates was a little harder to decide on than the beginner brands. There are many violin makers who cater to players looking for their 2nd or 3rd instruments, as well as beginners who want to pay a little more for a instrument they won’t have to upgrade right away.
Many of these brands also have a better range than the ones listed in the beginner section, so you can choose the best model for both your skill level and your budget!
Cremona
The last brand of violins in our beginner section is Cremona. Cremona actually offers a wide range of fiddles from the beginner instrument that will cost just a bit more than $100, all the way to instruments ranging in the thousands.
Cremona SV-600 Premier Artist Violin Outfit – 4/4 Size
- Strings Magazine reviews SV-600 as “improved feel and tone” See Video and Product Details PDF file below for the complete review
- The appropriate violin having best tone quality and looks for the advanced student
- Highly flamed maple with a rich, hand applied orange varnish finish, hand carved solid spruce and solid maple body
- Set-up to MENC Standards at our Cremona workshop in California with Thomastik Dominant strings and French-made Aubert bridge
- Low profile, lightweight and well designed Stradivarius-style chinrest, deluxe Brazilwood bow and oblong case.Chin Rest: Guarneri-style
- Quality Swiss-style ebony fittings and select ebony fingerboard
- To learn more about the fantastic features of this product, see Product Description below
The Cremona SV-600 Premier (shown above) is a perfect example of the quality, style and price that you can find for a good intermediate violin.
The Cremona brand is owned by Saga Musical Instruments, who is a leading manufacturer of student violins, violas, and cellos. They are very good at making bowed instruments, and you could do much worse with a beginner or intermediate instrument than the offerings from Cremona!
Yamaha
You have heard of Yamaha, we have heard of Yamaha, really, who hasn’t heard of Yamaha? Yamaha makes a huge assortment of consumer goods from motorcycles to musical instruments. While motorcycles are cool, we are more interested in their other noise makers. Their guitars are probably more well known, but we think their violins are top notch and stand apart from the competition.
From a price standpoint you aren’t going to find any inexpensive instruments from Yamaha, they tend to be more expensive than most of the other brands on the list. To justify the price, Yamaha does use material like 3-layer maple in many of the offerings, which is something that even top end violins share with them.
Yamaha is also our recommendation if you want to play the electric violin. Yamaha specializes in electric and brings a range of instruments that will fill any concert hall.
D Z Strad
D Z Strad is the first brand our our list that makes truly world class instruments. While we focus on their intermediate offerings, they offer a line of professional violins that even the best drool over.
Most of their intermediate line-up shows on Amazon.com, but if you want to see some of their nicer instruments you’ll want to visit the D Z Strad site directly.
I have two D Z Strad violins in my collection currently, and can’t say enough of their quality and sound!
The drawback of D Z Strad is that the price of their student and intermediate level instruments is generally higher than many other brands. Just like Martin and Taylor guitars, the name brand carries a premium with it.
Carlo Lamberti
The Carlo Lamberti line of violins in made by a Chinese company called SHAR music. The owners of this company are both active string teachers and attended the Juilliard School of Music and the Curtis Institute of Music, two renowned institutions. Having that knowledge and pedigree supporting the company, it is easy to see why they produce great violins!
We feel like both D Z and Carlo violins are slightly expensive for what you are getting, but that being said, you are getting a LOT from both manufacturers!
You can find their full catalog of products at SHAR Music!
Fiddle and Violin Brands to Avoid
We aren’t going to list any specific brands when we talk about violin brands to avoid. We haven’t played every violin brand out there and we haven’t been able to put many models through our grading criteria.
What we talk about here are going to be more of general guidelines to find out the quality of the brand of fiddle that you are considering.
Material
Good Violins are made from solid maple, or sometimes a 3 or 4 ply maple. Beginner and intermediate instruments often will have a less expensive wood, like spruce, as part of the makeup on the instrument to help with price.
Poor instruments are often made from cheap woods that aren’t much better than plywood. They are often labeled as basswood, hardwood, or some other generic description that doesn’t give you specifics.
The other common material you’ll see is plastic. Often to keep price down important components like the tailpiece, pegs, chin rest, and even the fingerboard are made from some plastics compound. While this helps with price, it really kills the sound quality you’ll get from the instrument.
Plastic on any musical instrument is a good sign to stay away!
Price
You can find violins on Amazon for under $50… great, right? Wrong.
These instruments are more toys than they are musical instruments, and the sound quality and difficulty playing them will make you want to quit. Violin is already hard enough to learn, don’t make it worse with a super cheap fiddle.
We start looking for beginner violins at about the $100 mark. This is where the beginner instruments we recommend start and you can get a surprisingly good quality violin for this price. Under that mark, you’re probably not going to be happy with your violin.
The Final Note on Best Violin Brands
The brands on this list are by no means an inclusive list of every good beginner or intermediate violin brand. These are simply ones that I have played or had students own that really showed quality and value.
As will most instruments, looking into the quality of the materials used to make the violin will often give you a really good idea of the overall quality of both the brand and the fiddle in question!
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Ruby has spent much of the last 20 years touring both North America and Europe in a number of Orchestras, playing lead chair for several. More recently, she has started to teach kids and young adults both the fiddle and violin, with interest in spreading the love for both bluegrass and classical music.
Last update on 2021-06-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Affordable Fiddles – American Songwriter
The fiddle is one of those instruments that transcends genre and language and can be enjoyed by a wide range of people from children through to adults. Whether you are playing it for relaxation as a means of unwinding or playing an instrument yourself, there is a fiddling instrument out there for you. There are a number of features that are worth considering when purchasing a new fiddle. In this article, we will look at what we believe are the best fiddles on the market today.
What are some tips about buying and playing fiddles?
Just because a piece of equipment looks simple doesn’t mean it‘s easy to play. This is especially true if you’re new to the instrument and don’t know where to start. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Be patient. Learning to fiddle takes time and repetition.
Practice makes perfect. It’s never too late to pick up the fiddle. The trick is to find a style that works for you and your voice.
Choose a backing track. If you don’t have a good track to practice on, find one that you like the sound of and then try improvising a couple of parts from it.
Pick a tune you enjoy. Choosing a favorite song or chord progression is a great way to discover your own voice before you start playing.
What are things to consider when purchasing a fiddle?
There are plenty of fiddles available on the market, but not all of them provide the same quality of sound and design. You’ll need to make sure tha your fiddle can hold up to repeated practice, performances and travel. We looked at several different options that we feel give you the best bang for your buck. If you’d like to read more about our favorite fiddlers, please continue reading this shopping guide.
How expensive are fiddles?
Fiddle price ranges from $20 to $100 and more depending on the features offered.
Inexpensive
You can find small plastic fiddles that may not be as durable as some pricier options.
Mid-range
The majority of fiddlers cost between $30 and $70. Pricier models tend to be made of heavier wood, which can give the instrument more sustain and make it easier to play.
Expensive
For the most part, you’ll find traditional fiddle models with a body made from solid wood in the $80 to about $150 range. Those made with high-end wood like maple and walnut can cost as much as $300.
How do we chose our selection of fiddles?
Brand
The brand is the first thing you see when looking for a new instrument, so it was crucial for us to find some high quality brands who have been around the block and know what they’re doing.
Price
When it comes to instruments, there‘s no point in buying something that you’re not going to enjoy unless you want to. We’ve searched high and low to bring you a wide range of prices, so no matter what your finances can handle, you can find something for you.
Reviews
Reviews are the most powerful tool you have when it s time to buy anything. Without them, we would have no way of understanding how good the product is or if it meets our high standards. As such, it doesn t matter how much money you throw at a product, without some sort of consumer feedback, nothing would come of it.
What are features to look for in fiddles?
Brands
There are lots of different brands of fiddles on the market, but the one thing they all have in common is that they are made to be played That gives you an excellent starting point when searching for your perfect fiddle. With that said, if you think you might be a little bit different to the standard fiddles out there, check out some of the other brands we’ve selected in our guide.
Size
Fiddling is a very dynamic activity and can take a lot of effort to move from beginner to expert over time. To help you find the perfect size for yourself, consider the number of strings you expect to be using the fiddling instrument and check what size and weight it normally ships with. It’s also important to consider what style of music you generally play. If you play Celtic, Irish, or other popular folk music, then you will need a larger instrument than someone who mainly plays pop or country. Likewise, larger instruments are better for people who like to improvise. The same goes for kids. Younger players who are just starting out would probably be best with something lightweight, whereas seasoned fiddler veterans would be more comfortable with a heavier instrument.
About Fiddle
Fiddling is a great pastime for children and adults, and it’s easy to find something for everyone. Whether you‘re a seasoned pro or you want to give yourself a trial run, there’s a fiddle for you. Some individuals claim they can play fiddles better than their favorite band, while others are content to stick with the basic chords and tunes. Whatever your style, finding the right fiddle can be a challenge, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a dud. Our buying guide will help you understand what features to look for in your ideal fiddles so you can find the best one for your family.
Who Are the Big Names — and Reliable — in Fiddles/Violins – Discussion Forums
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.fiddlehangout.com/archive/29891
hayesdt – Posted – 09/07/2012: 09:58:18
I’m relatively new to fiddle. I’ve played serious Clawhammer banjo for a few years — and know the brands and makers that are considered excellent, reliable makers — and I’ve played and bought guitars for ages. I’ve been fortunate to play and own some excellent guitars, and generally (while I’ll leave out the very high end names, e.g., Olson, Somogyi, and many others) there are some guitar brands/makers whose products are generally considered strong, reliable guitars for the money, e.g. Martin, Gibson, Taylor, Goodall, Breedlove, Guild, and again various others (that’s not to say one cannot occasionally find one of these guitars that underperforms).
But in the world of fiddles/violins, there seem to be so very many individual makers, trade names, and the like, how does one sort through so many luthiers and builders — complicated by the fact that so many fiddles and violins are from Asia — to know which “brands” are generally good, solid, reliable instruments — fiddles/violins that while may not costing a fortune are generally very consistent, reliable instruments?
Are there “brand names” / larger makers whose instruments in the fiddle/violin world are comparable to the Martins / Gibsons / Goodalls / Taylors, etc. of the guitar world?
Edited by – hayesdt on 09/07/2012 09:59:27
DougD – Posted – 09/07/2012: 10:03:26
Not really. Its not like guitars, especially with older instruments. I guess with new violins there are names like Eastman, Gliga and others that are considered good value in their price range. Many new fiddlers coming from the world of guitars and banjos don’t understand this, and immediately start looking for those Martin/Gibson etc. counterparts.
Mandogryl – Posted – 09/07/2012: 10:08:33
If you are talking about factory made instruments, like the guitars you mentioned, not small shops, you will be mostly looking at Chinese-made instruments, which can be a good thing. There are some excellent brands to choose from.
Probably some of the biggest names in factory-made violin family instruments are Eastman, Lupot, Snow, Alessandro, Jay Haide, etc. etc. I am sure this list will be modified very soon here.
If you are only looking to learn the names of the factories then you might look at that list. If you are looking to purchase an instrument, I would visit a violin shop, where you will find new factory and older trade (factory) instruments. Depending what your budget is, you might find a bench made violin as well, if you look hard enough.
Dick Hauser – Posted – 09/07/2012: 11:29:35
Fiddles/Violins are unlike guitars, banjos, and mandolins. First of all, it seems as though a lot more individuals were making violins. Most prominent mandolin, banjo, and guitar makers assigned serial numbers to their instruments. So, it is much easier for people buying these instruments to get information about the instruments. Recently though, one person .luthier shops has sprung up for guitar, banjo, and mandolin. And, these instruments are often well made and moderately priced. In another 50 – 100 years, buyers of these instruments may have the same problem as fiddlers currently have – getting information about instruments made by these small shops.
Buying and selling instruments can be very profitable. Prices will often double and triple in 3 – 5 years. Some of these small shops become so successful they stop taking orders.
michael dowling – Posted – 09/07/2012: 12:15:43
Ming-Jiang Zhu, Jay Haide, Karl Joseph Schneider, Snow are all pretty good bang for your buck. They can be bought from online retailers like Shar, Southwest Stings, ifshin violins, and a smaller store called Stringworks I’ve heard good things about. Most are Chinese but IMO the Chinese violins get a bad rap, some of them offer very very good quality and tone for the price.
The antique market I don’t know I would tread into these days unless I had a pretty keen eye, there were plenty of VSO’s made 100 years ago.
bob t – Posted – 09/07/2012: 13:12:47
A friend of mine has a Carlo Lamberti Sonata which I’m impressed with. They are advertised by Shar as being the best $500 violin guaranteed. Plays good and sounds good too although not particularly loud.
loumusic – Posted – 09/07/2012: 13:48:32
Someone on the Forum posted a link for a “Strings” magazine article that reviewed about 18 violin “brands” priced from low to mid-range.”18 starter violin outfits—bow and case included—that cost $1,500 or less By Heather K. Scott posted August/September 2001 Ratings”.
I studied each violin reviewed in the “Strings” article for the price range and features I wanted. Knowing that I needed to play the violin before making my final decision, I researched pricing and sellers online and found 8 quality stores within 50 miles of my home. My husband and I decided to make a vacation out of this one month process. My search became an amazing tour meeting so many charming knowledgeable violin makers, sales reps and instrument repair people at some very high end stores. I brought my husband to listen to tone qualities, my old Neuner violin as a tone gage, and played 130 violins bringing 16 home on a trial basis. I was lucky to have a S.F Symphony violinist that was teaching at Heaney Violin’s in Mountain View, CA play a violin of interest for us.
I do have to say that although some of the Jay Haide violins (I visited the store in Berkley) are consistent in tone and quality and are a great value for the $ I wasn’t wild about the stressing technique to make the violins appear older. I’m sure they have other models in stock and I believe they will ship instruments on a trial basis.
Here are some of the violins from the “Strings” Magazine article I played: Wm. Lewis & Son – The Orchestra WL80E ($705) violin outfit, Theo Kreutz violin from Horn & Son ($825), Albert Lee 2000 violin (Casa Del Sol from Johnson String Instruments; $1,200, Nikles of the Meisel Mittenwald. Described best as an intermediate student model rather than a starter, this Mittenwald Model A (Meisel Stringed Instruments, $1,290.), Caprice violin (Potter’s Violins, $1,450), Mark Edwards (the HC602 Toussaud; imported by Howard Core Co.; $1,495), STV-850 (Scott Cao Violins, $1,499) made from top-grade European woods (including Italian spruce and maple from Bosnia), Mark Edwards (the HC602 Toussaud; imported by Howard Core Co.; $1,495).
The last stop was Loveland Violin Shop in Santa Rosa where I happily discovered and purchased a V-786 Lyon and Healy “Maestro” violin made in Mirecourt from Mick Loveland himself. Mick was willing to install my L.R. Baggs bridge pickup which in combination with the violin tones is violinny amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Each string tone was equal in quality and volume with no extemporaneous overtones which was a main consideration for making my purchase and installing a pick up on this violin.
My point is, take your time if you can and try to have fun. No two violins sound the same so play as many as you can and have someone else play them so you can hear the tone in the room. Take the violins home on a trial basis because often trial rooms are very “lively”. At Feller’s Violin shop in San Francisco the only room available was full on 25 cellos. Initially, I was really nervous about trying to make a purchase decision. I did not know theses stores even existed in my area until I looked online. Violin makers live all over the place!
fiddlepogo – Posted – 09/07/2012: 14:08:50
Doug D’s post is a good one. Nevertheless there are names which have a good reputation as student violins, and many times those will do nicely as a fiddle. Many other names have been mentioned already, but Scott Cao is one that hasn’t. I tried one locally (ST-600??? I forget…) and liked it quite a bit.
If you stay within the price range you’d normally expect to pay for a guitar, oh, say up to $2,500, you are still going to be talking about what are considered “student” instruments, so the names aren’t held in THAT high a reverence in the violin world. But one thing stays the same… if you go to sell one, you’ll have an easier time of it than if it’s not a well known name- it’s a known quantity for the buyer.
Once you get much above that, you are talking about instruments suitable for violinists at various levels:
Some of the factors that affect the price:
lower vs. higher
String section vs. Soloist instrument
Young maker vs. Established maker
No prizes won vs. prize winner in competitions
Local orchestra vs. Metropolitan orchestra
Rural maker vs. Urban maker (luthiers have to charge prices high enough for them to live on in the local economy)
You wouldn’t expect an instrument suitable for the string section of a local orchestra and made by a young rural maker to be all that expensive.
You WOULD expect an instrument suitable for the soloist of a metropolitan orchestra and made by an established urban maker to be pretty expensive… maybe $30,000 to $54,000.
You do get established RURAL makers making soloist quality violins and they don’t charge as much.
The one nearest me is advertises prices from $10,000 to $15,000.
The top price for new violins is $54,000 by Samuel Zygmuntowicz:
cleveland.com/musicdance/index…ds_h.html
And if the Sam Z. fiddle was owned by Isaac Stern, it sold used for $180,000!!!!
hayesdt – Posted – 09/07/2012: 14:33:39
Very helpful suggestions, all of you. When I am ready to upgrade (actually I have a couple of pretty decent student fiddles now) I’ll take into account these suggestions and actually try out as many as possible.
I read the “Strings” article some time ago and will have to look for a copy or an internet reference to it again.
In this post I wasn’t so much looking for specific advice about what to purchase in the future so much as just trying to get a handle on whether there are “Martin / Taylor / Goodall, etc.” – type fiddle brands/luthiers that are well-known, much respected, and that consistently prove their value when purchased and used — in the same way that it is in the world of acoustic guitars, banjos, mandolins, etc.
giannaviolins – Posted – 09/07/2012: 16:03:47
2001 is a long time ago in the fiddle work.
Won’t really find “brands” in the same way as Martin.
Really, finding a shop you like is perhaps more effective.
Take, for example, Gliga. You can buy a Gliga labeled Gliga. There’s also at least 3 other distributors with shop label wholesaled Gliga products built to spec. Oh, I got 4, remembered another. Then there are shops who buy Gliga models specially made “in the white” and varnish them in their own country.
And then there are the “brand” labels that remain constant while the actual source of the instruments varies over time.
A few brands do well consistently. Antonio Stradivari shop instruments are always in demand, for example. But in real world terms, it’s a really different market than guitars.
eric marten – Posted – 09/07/2012: 18:06:00
If you can get your hands on an original Stradivari, from the early 1700’s, I hear he was a pretty decent luthier, and a cool guy. I think they’re a little on the pricey side. See if they’ll throw in a decent case and bow.
giannaviolins – Posted – 09/07/2012: 18:12:14
You must admit, it’s been a consistent brand in the market!!
mudbug – Posted – 09/09/2012: 04:01:14
quote:
Originally posted by giannaviolinsYou must admit, it’s been a consistent brand in the market!!
Dorcasmolorcas – Posted – 09/11/2012: 09:17:11
quote:
Originally posted by giannaviolinsYou must admit, it’s been a consistent brand in the market!!
Yeah, but the quality is a little inconsistent…lots of lemons. 😛
transplant – Posted – 09/11/2012: 13:32:36
I’ve never seen a Stradivari, let alone a lot of them, so I can’t speak to the consistency of the brand. I do have a possible Perry violin in the workshop now, labeled Perry and Wilkinson, Dublin. Feather light, big bottle-shaped arching, impressive voice in my living room. Soon as I get the strings evened out and some hair on its bow, it’s going back to the local music store. I don’t know if they have a player lined up for it yet.
I have played some fiddles coming from the shop of another Perry. I like those.
Best Strings for Fiddle tone? – Discussion Forums
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bcbeak – Posted – 07/07/2016: 10:18:39
I’m sure this has been covered a zillion times .. but wanted to ask what are the most popular strings for fiddle. I am most interested in good tone for country. bluegrass. What do players prefer? I have only ever used Thomastik Dominants and Red Label strings. The TDs were more forgiving and comfortable .. but sound more violin than fiddle to my ears. What do country fiddlers use most?
Edited by – Mandogryl on 02/10/2017 16:32:01
Mitch Reed – Posted – 07/07/2016: 10:45:56
quote:
Originally posted by bcbeak
I’m sure this has been covered a zillion times .. but wanted to ask what are the most popular strings for fiddle. I am most interested in good tone for country. bluegrass. What do players prefer? I have only ever used Thomastik Dominants and Red Label strings. The TDs were more forgiving and comfortable .. but sound more violin than fiddle to my ears. What do country fiddlers use most?
I use Dr. Tomastik Dominants and I recommend them to my students because they’re bright yet warm with a kind and pleasant tone. I don’t play Country as much as I play Cajun & Creole but that’s my 2 cents!
Edited by – Mitch Reed on 07/07/2016 10:46:21
Swing – Posted – 07/07/2016: 11:28:54
I use Dominants, but have tried others…. you simply have to try different strings on your fiddle as each fiddle will sound different with different strings, the problem is that you will spend money, take lots of time and more than likely end up where you started…. I forgot to ad, that you may just want to take your fiddle to a luthier and have he/she adjust a few things like the sound post etc. before you spend money on strings to see/hear what the potential of your instrument is.
Play Happy
Swing
Edited by – Swing on 07/07/2016 11:30:57
Fiddler – Posted – 07/07/2016: 11:53:00
I use Prims – both medium and heavy (orchestra) on my fiddles. They are steel strings. Good response and volume and durability. Moderate price.
Swing has good advice – yes, each fiddle will sound different with different strings!! A good starting point is to have your set-up checked by a luthier who may also recommend strings for the sound you are seeking.
UsuallyPickin – Posted – 07/07/2016: 12:24:41
Swing is right. Fiddler makes a good point about a violin luthier and your setup. You will have to try different makers and materials to determine what your fiddle and your ear and your fingers like best. I and my most played instrument decided we like Prim mediums with a Peter Infield Platinum “E” string, go figure. The first thing to determine is if you want fiber or metal core strings. Enjoy the search, record your findings so you can backtrack. R/
JHDuncan – Posted – 07/07/2016: 12:58:09
I think the standard bluegrass string is Ddaddario Helicores. I love em. Bobby Hicks loves em and helped Ddaddario develop them.
Also Prims are great and so are Thomastik Superflexibles. Vassar and Byron used Dominants in the 80’s.
Kenny Baker used Rope cores which is what the Thomastik Superflexibles are.
Dick Hauser – Posted – 07/07/2016: 13:52:03
Some time back, a employee of violin store in Australia demonstrated and discussed the tonal qualities of violin strings. All the strings were “wound” strings. But after a lot of discussion, it “boiled down” to the fact strings sound differently on different violins. Generally speaking, fiddlers don’t use that many brands of steel strings. Unlike “wound” strings, the prices of Prim and Heliocore strings seem modest compared to Evah Parazzi, Obligato’s, etc., so I don’t worry about price. I think Prim’s sound best on my instruments. Many people like Heliocore strings.
If price was not a concern, I would try the better quality steel strings and stay with the brand I liked best. Prim and Heliocore strings are popular strings, so I would start out comparing those 2 brands. They seem to be the more popular steel strings.
I used to use Obligato’s and Evah Parazzi. I really liked the strings. But I am not talented enough to recognize a $40+ difference in sound between the expensive “wound” strings and the steel Prim strings. The steel strings are very durable.
fujers – Posted – 07/07/2016: 14:22:02
I like what Swing said and nicely put to sir. There might be a perfectly good set of strings on your fiddle right now.
Now I’m not talking about some cheap string you find everywhere but a good sting.
Did you know with just a little bit of sound post adjustment can do wonders on your sound with the strings that you already use
So I would heed to what Swing said. Jerry
bandsmcnamar – Posted – 07/07/2016: 14:37:02
This has been posted before as well, but it’s a nice chart put together by Shar Music, it will help you get some idea of the performance of a particular string. It seems each instrument does sound best with a certain type of string and you need to experiment to find the best combination. To that end, I’ve kept used sets of several types of strings, and will put them on an instrument just to get an idea of how they might sound, without having to buy a new set every time. It’s worked well and saved me a bunch of money, as I went through quite a few fiddles early on trying to find a couple I really liked. In my experience, you can usually find a good sound with either Helicores, Prims, or Dominants. If you want to retune a lot, Helicores and Prims will last much better.
Here’s the chart, good luck with your quest.
sharmusic.com/Pages/How-To/Str…ng-Chart/
DavidM – Posted – 07/07/2016: 17:02:41
Everything is expensive here in Australia except sunshine. And I have never made buck with my fiddle. So, I shop around and look for deals on good strings, and I don’t spend over $35US for a set. I have used Prim and I am using Infeld Spirit at the moment. I just got a set of Warchal Amethyst which will probably be my next experiment.
I wanted to see how bad the cheap ones are, so I bought a set of Korean strings for $15. They are so bad that if I could not get anything else, I would give up the fiddle. Any school kid forced to learn on those things would be forgiven for hating the violin.
RinconMtnErnie – Posted – 07/07/2016: 19:14:32
I’ve mostly used Thomastik Dominants and D’Addario Helicores. I’m using the Helicores now. I like the price!
bluesmode – Posted – 07/07/2016: 19:38:20
quote:
Originally posted by UsuallyPickin
>> we like Prim mediums with a Peter Infield Platinum “E” string,<<
that PI Platinum E would have cost you almost as much as the set of Prims, No?
I really like the whole set of PI’s, and I prefer the tin E over the Platinum or Gold. unfortunately, neither of my fiddles like them. I guess that’s not entirely true. On my old German I’ve got a PI G, Evah Gold D, Violino A, Prelude E.
Edited by – bluesmode on 07/07/2016 19:44:23
Slolearner – Posted – 07/08/2016: 05:27:54
If You are mainly interested in Country and Bluegrass, I would say that the Helicores are the most popular strings used in these genres. Prims are probably more popular for Old Time, but my first trial strings would be Helicore mediums.
EricBluegrassFiddle – Posted – 07/08/2016: 07:02:36
I use DAddario Helicores but I get alot of bad A strings that wear out quick with some sets
DougD – Posted – 07/08/2016: 09:58:52
Dick Hauser – Whatever do you mean by “wound” strings? All violin strings are wound, except for the E, and some of them are wound too. What distinction are you trying to make here?
robinja – Posted – 07/08/2016: 12:47:31
Man, I am in the minority in that I absolutely hate D’addario Helicores. I can’t get a clean tone out of them to save my life. One of my fiddles loves Pirastro Chromcors, and I am still experimenting with my other fiddle. So far I have tried the Chromcors, Pirastro Tonica, Dominants, Prims, Helicore, and Spirocores. I haven’t found a clear winner yet.
ChickenMan – Posted – 07/08/2016: 13:43:28
quote:
Originally posted by robinjaMan, I am in the minority in that I absolutely hate D’addario Helicores. I can’t get a clean tone out of them to save my life. One of my fiddles loves Pirastro Chromcors, and I am still experimenting with my other fiddle. So far I have tried the Chromcors, Pirastro Tonica, Dominants, Prims, Helicore, and Spirocores. I haven’t found a clear winner yet.
I’m not a fan either, or maybe it’s my fiddles that aren’t fans. Never cared for the feel of them and the two sets I tried both had crappy A strings that lasted about a month. I’m just now getting around to trying Prims after 20 years.
Edited by – ChickenMan on 07/08/2016 13:44:29
fujers – Posted – 07/08/2016: 14:53:23
Now, I like Prim for my own reasons I guess. Prim on my fiddle gives me a strong presence. In my line of work you have to have strong presence. I have been useing Prim for avery long time. The other strings I have tried ain’t much really. I tried Dominant strings but thet fill like rubber bands to my fingers. I’ve tried others but can’t remember there names.
I know that your fiddle might have something to do with it as well as your sound post and how you place your bridge. Sometimes just a little bit of movement to these things can make the string you have sound better.
We all have the same problem of sorts… I think I have settled mine. But we don’t want to change strings just because they don’t sound good..besides who has the money to do it. If it were me I would give the string a chance to breath….what you don’t like now… might change into something you like later.
Strings are funny ain’t they. Like I already said..the sound of your string just might be adjusted with a little bit of sound bar adjustment and bridge placement. These two things alone can do wonders for your fiddle.
Think about it. Jerry
Dan Gellert – Posted – 07/08/2016: 15:11:11
quote:
Originally posted by EricBluegrassFiddle
I use DAddario Helicores but I get alot of bad A strings that wear out quick with some sets
Try the heavy gauge set. They aren’t that much heavier than the mediums, but the A is WAY more durable in my experience.
Re. the OP, it’s completely subjective. There’s plenty of disagreement on what constitutes good “fiddle tone” (and whether that is something other than good “violin tone”). What a given set of strings will sound like all depends on your instrument, setup, bow, and most of all how you play.
fiddlehangout.com/forum/post.a…RUM_ID=12″>106
fujers – Posted – 07/08/2016: 15:35:22
I agree Dan, You have to walk before you play. In other woods practice….sends chills up your spine doesn’t it.
Actually, I enjoy practicing but thats another time. Good point Dan. Jerry
Edited by – fujers on 07/08/2016 15:35:57
graeme – Posted – 07/09/2016: 18:31:43
Obligato
Loud, dark, versatile, durable.
.
DavidM – Posted – 07/10/2016: 15:13:23
The regular retail price of a set of Obligato violin strings in Australia is $200.00.
boxbow – Posted – 07/10/2016: 15:39:23
I’m liking Prims. Neither of my fiddles are remarkable, but the Prims sound purty good.
tonyelder – Posted – 07/10/2016: 17:29:06
I’m using Jargar mediums on 2 fiddles, Prims on another, and Helicore Heavies on another. I don’t know that if really makes that much difference. I seem to like the Jargars best for tone (supposed to be a little darker by comparison) and the Helicores for volume – and the Prims are just good all around. Don’t like the Helicore E string. And always had trouble wearing out the Helicore A string when I used a medium set.
…and I did swap around those sets on different fiddles until I was satisfied that they were the best for that fiddle. I don’t know just how successful I was – or if that really made that big of a difference – but I went through the exercise.
Edited by – tonyelder on 07/10/2016 17:32:48
Lonesome Fiddler – Posted – 07/10/2016: 19:25:37
I wore out the G and A strings on my set of Dominants. I reached into my case and installed a pair of used Obligatos in their place. Hey, they sound great. They blend surprisingly well with the Dominants. Maybe the A doesn’t sustain quite as well as the other strings when I just let it ring but I was kind of shocked how little the mixing of the brands mattered. It’s on my good fiddle, too — the Dimbath #88..
pete_fiddle – Posted – 07/12/2016: 00:13:30
still using the first set of cheap Chinese ebay strings, i bought 5 more sets after trying them, wound nylon, £4 a set and have had good comments about my tone, (i think the steel E string is a bit thin though)
the 60p/set steel ones where ok as well but a little too high tension
martynspeck – Posted – 07/12/2016: 07:19:39
quote:
Originally posted by graeme
Obligato
Loud, dark, versatile, durable.
.
I’ve got Helicore Lights and a Larsen E. Bright and easy to get tone out of.
I like your description of Obligatos I might try them next.
I can see they’re pricey though. Link for Obligato at Shar
Edited by – martynspeck on 07/12/2016 07:23:21
Loup – Posted – 07/19/2016: 16:38:36
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quote
: I think that the only strings that are not wound are Prim. I am now testing Tonic strings and waiting to see if they unwind as helicores do. Can’t figure out why.
Originally posted by DougD
Dick Hauser – Whatever do you mean by “wound” strings? All violin strings are wound, except for the E, and some of them are wound too. What distinction are you trying to make here?
DougD – Posted – 07/19/2016: 17:25:22
Loup – Prim strings are wound (with “chromesteel”) like most all strings. I should have excluded strings for Baroque playing, like Pirastro Chorda, which are unwound gut, or if they’re wound, may be wound in a different way from most strings.
ChickenMan – Posted – 07/20/2016: 04:34:49
Doug, you beat me to it. I just put Prims on and they are definitely wound. Initially I was a bit weirded out by it, but man are they responsive! I’ll be interested in how they hold up to cross tuning (good, or so I’ve been told).
farmerjones – Posted – 07/20/2016: 08:23:05
ima die hard Prim fan. They last at least 5 years for me. But i’m trying a set of D’adario Preludes, now. Because they are closest to how a Prim’s are made for cheaper. It’s been only 4 months but they seem okay. I’m not a Helicore fan either. Never again. Best strings i ever played were Evah Pirazzi’s, but could not afford them. I just want a set of steel strings (solid steel core) . Very inert. I’m not playing the Hollywood Bowl. I just want trouble free. I don’t want to hafta think about them.
Billy,
Talking about cross-tuning; I don’t know if you bought the wound E or not. I’ve found the wound E is sort of delicate compared to the solid E. I just use a solid E. The only time a broke a Prim, it was my fault. It wasn’t going straight through the fine tuner claw. I make sure the thimble is centered and square in the fine tuner claw.
Edited by – farmerjones on 07/20/2016 08:33:29
ChickenMan – Posted – 07/20/2016: 09:08:07
I already had the Lisa E on it so I didn’t use the one in the set, just left it. So far I am loving them, great response, even tone – along with the Andrea rosin, this has been a big improvement.
fujers – Posted – 07/21/2016: 12:26:21
The thing about prim…is they last a long time. I change my strings about every 2 years no kidding, Now I play on them a lot and I mean a lot. I guess the same with my bow. I’ll play that bow till all the hair is gone hehe. Not really, I change bow hair about every six months or so. Reminds me about the bow. Now you don’t want no cheap bow that just defeats the purpose of playing. You can get an adequate bow for about $100 as you improve your bow should to. Me I just use a french bow and that ok with me. But cheep…nah I’d stay away from them. Jerry
cadoll – Posted – 07/22/2016: 22:18:54
Jerry, you say you replace bow hair every 6 mos.? Why? Are you breaking hair? Or does it loose its ability to produce sound? I have 18mos. On my bow and have only broke a few hairs at most. What will new hair do for me in regards to sound.
illinoisfiddler – Posted – 07/22/2016: 22:51:41
My favorite strings right now on my amplified fiddles are Vision. They are synthetic strings, but respond somewhere between synthetic and steel. On my better violins I have Evah Pirazzi. Love them but they are a little pricey.
oldtimer – Posted – 07/31/2016: 23:31:05
On most of my fiddles, I use Prim Orchestra (heavy) on G and D, Jarger A, and a Kaplan E.
I have played 74 years and I never knew an old-time southern fiddler or a bluegrass fiddler to use anything but steel strings. Prim was, by far, the most used string by traditional southern fiddlers.
That seems to have changed in recent years because a lot of aspiring fiddlers take lessons from violinists who have no background in southern fiddling.
Whatever works for you and satisfies your ear is fine. There are no rules in old-time fiddling except one:
“The fiddle is a rhythm instrument!”
stay tooned,
Glenn Godsey
Chris Bacchus – Posted – 08/01/2016: 17:20:11
I have used dominants a long time, but had some trouble getting the A would with Aluminium to last. So I have tried Larsens and vision, [also by Thomastik] My philosophy is that if it stays in tune it is fine. And they usually are. Sao price comes into it then I play a lot and I have trouble with moisture from the fingers corroding the Aluminium. [Aluminum for Americans] Cheers Chris
fiddlinjim – Posted – 08/02/2016: 15:23:00
I’ve went through a lot of different strings over the years. For a while I favored Dominants but once I tried Prims I was sold on the sound I got.
woodnwire – Posted – 08/03/2016: 14:05:25
I have found on the Heliocore mediums, the windings often break too soon on the third and especially the second string. Usually happens on the first position where most of the fingering takes place. That said I do like the tone and response.
Shawn Craver – Posted – 08/04/2016: 08:49:16
sharmusic.com/Pages/How-To/Str…ng-Chart/
It is interesting that this chart shows Dominants to be warmer than Jargar… Jargar has a darker sound on any fiddle I’ve used them on than Dominants.
That being said, I think Red Labels sound warmer than Dominants. Though the aluminum wound strings are said to be more mellow than an unwound E.
I have also noticed that musicians I have met who came out of a classical background play instruments that have a less dark sound than traditional fiddlers and their instruments are set up to be brilliant in tone and loudbpossibly for classical technique and application… they most often use synthetic strings like Dominants with aluminum winding. Aluminum wound strings have always sounded horribly minging to my ears.
I stick with Jargar, but may try Prims next.
Edited by – Shawn Craver on 08/04/2016 08:51:33
Tbird – Posted – 08/05/2016: 01:19:28
Helicore and Prims are by far the most dominant string on the Opry stage but that doesn’t mean they’ll sound good on your fiddle.
Shawn Craver – Posted – 08/05/2016: 12:55:15
I’ve used Helicore a few times and liked them. I always replaced the A with a Jargar A, even if it was an old Jargar A!
Loup – Posted – 10/17/2016: 14:56:40
I guess I should go visit Specsavers,as I cannot see Prims being wound. But thanks to all for your input.
tougholdbuzzard – Posted – 10/18/2016: 04:39:44
Prims with the Lisa E for me. I think the more you play them the better they sound. Jerry is right they last a long time.
ChickenMan – Posted – 10/18/2016: 10:56:25
I just broke a Lisa E. Was on the fiddle about a year, didn’t detune it more than 4 times in that span, and when it broke I was only fine tuning from standard. Not as long lasting as I’d been lead to believe. Had to put the original Prim E (unused) on. Definitely not as sweet sounding – a little edgy.
tougholdbuzzard – Posted – 10/18/2016: 13:44:06
Once you’ve played with Lisa E… no other E will do!
jon bowman – Posted – 10/25/2016: 12:55:46
quote:
Originally posted by oldtimer
On most of my fiddles, I use Prim Orchestra (heavy) on G and D, Jarger A, and a Kaplan E.
I have played 74 years and I never knew an old-time southern fiddler or a bluegrass fiddler to use anything but steel strings. Prim was, by far, the most used string by traditional southern fiddlers.
That seems to have changed in recent years because a lot of aspiring fiddlers take lessons from violinists who have no background in southern fiddling.
Whatever works for you and satisfies your ear is fine. There are no rules in old-time fiddling except one:
“The fiddle is a rhythm instrument!”
stay tooned,
Glenn Godsey
Glen, perhaps you can help answer a question I’ve wondered about. Almost all the old-time fiddlers around here use Prims and the guys I know who have been playing since the 60s have always used steel (can we say Black Diamond?).
But when I look at pics of fiddlers from the 1920s and earlier very few have any kind of fine tuners and I wonder if the earlier generations of fiddlers didn’t use gut. What do you think? Any idea when fiddlers commonly moved to steel?
Thanks,
Jon
Addie – Posted – 10/25/2016: 18:37:23
In the 1920’s the strings were gut, with a silk E or a gut E. Not sure when the steel E came in. It was sometime around then.
illinoisfiddler – Posted – 10/25/2016: 19:12:34
quote:
Originally posted by robinja
Man, I am in the minority in that I absolutely hate D’addario Helicores. I can’t get a clean tone out of them to save my life. One of my fiddles loves Pirastro Chromcors, and I am still experimenting with my other fiddle. So far I have tried the Chromcors, Pirastro Tonica, Dominants, Prims, Helicore, and Spirocores. I haven’t found a clear winner yet.
You are not the only one. I have wanted to like them, just recently “revisited” them on my main amplified fiddle and was sadly dissappointed. They do a kind of clear smoothness really well that some players like, and they are very complex for a steel string, and nice and supple under the fingers. However, amplified I found their tone rather flat, thin, and lacking differentiation between the lower strings. The G on a Helicore Medium set was absolutely thinner, lacking character and bass shy compared to my favored Thomastik Vision strings for my stage fiddles. It is back to Visions, and other synthetics, for me. I have been playing synthetic strings since the mid-80s.
Loup – Posted – 01/06/2017: 17:39:40
Hi Steve
Interesting topic regarding strings and tone,so i decided to put my two bit in.Everyone is after a good tone from his violin,and I have been experimenting for the past six years,and in my view,if you don’t setup your bridge correctly and soundpost, you cannot get a good tone from any of the strings that are marketed.
I was given an old crappy Chinese(Lark) fiddle,and after trying different brand strings and without success,I switched to looking at the bridge.Quite a few bridges later,I hit the spot.
My Lark is enjoyable to play now,.I fitted Tonic strings to it,as I can’t find Prim over here.Not yet.lol
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Best bluegrass fiddle under $1500.00 – Discussion Forums
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.fiddlehangout.com/archive/34673
randytelecaster – Posted – 08/28/2013: 12:24:26
I know this is a wide open but who makes the best one if $1500.00 is the limit. It is so frustrating to find a production model that a semi-pro would use unlike any other instruments. I have a an old violin 4/4 that was found in a old house semi-restored and a Morgan Monroe MVF 400 but I’m not sure if either one of them would be considered at the level of pro or semi-pro.
Edited by – Mandogryl on 08/28/2013 12:41:42
MikeyBoy – Posted – 08/28/2013: 13:07:22
Pros and semi-pros use a wide variety of instruments, there is no Martin or Gibson equivalent. Which is a good thing, IMHO – you don’t have to worry about the fellow in the front row with his arms crossed sniffing at the name on your headstock. ‘Sheesh, he plays a _____? what a joke.’
If you like, I can sell you my 1920’s era Jackson-Guldan, (which in the hands of a semi-pro is a great semi-pro instrument, it’s even better when a real pro plays it) for just under $1500.
For that price range, I would recommend getting a well set up turn of the (19-20th) century German trade fiddle (possibly the old one you found would work, take it to a luthier), and you can probably have some money left over for a decent bow and several sets of strings. for a new fiddle, there are names like Jay Haide, Heinrich Gill, Snow, Scott Cao (to name just a very few) that have good reputations, but I would never order one sight unseen or unheard like some people might a D-18. Though if you are comfortable with it, many dealers will ship with trial periods. All you are risking is the shipping costs.
Edited by – MikeyBoy on 08/28/2013 13:11:42
mswlogo – Posted – 08/28/2013: 14:22:54
I keep hearing Jay Haide and Eastman coming from reputable sources for consistently good mass produced instruments (I don’t personally own either).
Not sure what the best bang for the buck is within each brand. But I’ve heard it’s not worth going to the upper end of Eastmans but it is worth it on the Jay Haide.
Either you love or hate the look of Jay Haide instruments.
I don’t think any Violin is made for bluegrass or not. You might lean towards, brighter, warmer, louder, softer, flatter bridge or not etc. but that is somewhat personal preference and probably fits many Genres.
UsuallyPickin – Posted – 08/29/2013: 13:07:48
Well …. I like the German workshop turn of the 20th century fiddles. There is what appears to be a nice on on Ebay currently , an Ernst Kreusler Stradivari model , currently with a buy it now price for 900.00$ plus shipping……… If I needed a Blue Grass fiddle I would think seriously about this one. It will probably need setup work and wear item replacement .pegs .maybe a neck planing …. but that would still bring it in at your 1500.00$ level of cost……. then again if you are expecting a bow / case / shoulder rest etc to boot then no it won’t…. Good Luck in your search…. R/
ebay.com/itm/Ernst-Kreusler-Sa…28wt_1105
Peghead – Posted – 08/30/2013: 13:01:41
Talk to Michael at KC Fiddles (he’s a member here)
TimK – Posted – 08/30/2013: 16:29:56
I’ll second Pegheads recommendation. His Westport model is made specifically for Bluegrass/Country fiddlers and is in your price range. I have one and it is a professional grade instrument!
TimK – Posted – 08/30/2013: 16:30:27
I’ll second Pegheads recommendation. His Westport model is made specifically for Bluegrass/Country fiddlers and is in your price range. I have one and it is a professional grade instrument!
fiddledd – Posted – 09/10/2013: 15:18:44
I have heard good things about the Ronnie Stewart ( ronniestewart.com/) revoiced fidd. But they are a bit more expensive than $1500. At one point, I thought I saw that you could send him a fiddle and have him revoice it.
DavidA – Posted – 10/08/2013: 09:28:31
Check out the re-voiced fiddles by Royce Burt …. excellent bluegrass fiddles. He has three in the classifieds as of this posting.
DeamhanFola – Posted – 10/08/2013: 13:33:39
quote:
Originally posted by UsuallyPickin
Well …. I like the German workshop turn of the 20th century fiddles. There is what appears to be a nice on on Ebay currently , an Ernst Kreusler Stradivari model , currently with a buy it now price for 900.00$ plus shipping……… If I needed a Blue Grass fiddle I would think seriously about this one. It will probably need setup work and wear item replacement .pegs .maybe a neck planing …. but that would still bring it in at your 1500.00$ level of cost……. then again if you are expecting a bow / case / shoulder rest etc to boot then no it won’t…. Good Luck in your search…. R/
ebay.com/itm/Ernst-Kreusler-Sa…28wt_1105
Like UsuallyPickin, I’m a big advocate of old workshop fiddles. You can find some really nice ones at your price point, with the added bonus of old wood (and potentially a century of someone playing that wood in). However, if you do this I’d buy from a reputable dealer who’s examined the instrument and has addressed any condition issues (or at least can make you aware of them). I got an excellent Mirecourt French workshop fiddle for $1600 a few years back, and I still play it: it had a couple well-repaired cracks, but it sounds great and I wasn’t getting it for investment purposes.
Having said that, (assuming you don’t overpay in the first place) the value of these old instruments will probably remain the same or improve (also assuming nothing bad happens to them). If you buy a contemporary new fiddle, you can probably expect a drop in resale value similar to a new car being driven off the lot (unless you buy from somewhere that allows good value for trade-in).
Not to discourage you too much from new instruments. I’d investigate also the KCFiddles of which Peghead spoke. If I was to buy a new fiddle in that price range, they’d be the ones that I’d consider.
Intermediate Level Violin – Discussion Forums
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epm72 – Posted – 05/28/2019: 11:47:36
Hi. My daughter is going into high school and wants to continue on playing in the orchestra. She’s been playing for 4 years. We used to have a rental and now I’m looking to purchase. Can I please get your input on these brands? Which do you prefer and/or recommend for an intermediate player. Ton-Klar Kayser or Dancla, Cremona SV-600, Scherl & Roth (circa 1987) or Strausberg VL20-44 “shop adjusted by Yamaha Musical Products to exceed M.E.N.C. Specs”. Thanks in advance!
Earworm – Posted – 05/28/2019: 15:11:37
Do you have a local music shop, where where violins are sold so she can try out some instruments firsthand? It is the only way for her to really know what she’s getting.
DougD – Posted – 05/28/2019: 15:37:04
That’s true, but have you checked out the online offerings from shops like Shar, Johnson Strings, Quinn, Southwest Strings and others? They will send instruments on approval, and if you don’t like it you can return it. Also the instruments from Eastman and Gliga are often considered good values.
Without knowing your budget its hard to advise, but I think some of the violins you mentioned would be considered beginner/student instruments at best.
rosinhead – Posted – 05/28/2019: 15:40:58
I agree with Donna. However, if I had to pick based on brand/make from those you listed it would be between the Scherl & Roth and the Cremona SV-600. You can get a lot for your money with certain makers on ebay too. I have purchased two Yita Music violins there and they are the two that I play the most. I paid less than $300 each for both of them and I think they sound better than my others that exceed the $1,000 mark.
Even with the deals to be had online I recommend going to a store where she can demo instruments. Also, you need to consider the bow as an equal investment too. A good bow goes a lot further for me than a good violin.
epm72 – Posted – 05/28/2019: 16:04:23
quote:
Originally posted by EarwormDo you have a local music shop, where where violins are sold so she can try out some instruments firsthand? It is the only way for her to really know what she’s getting.
Thank you. Unfortunately the music shop near us where we rented wanted $1300 for an intermediate Pegasus brand. Couldn’t find much reviews on that brand either.
epm72 – Posted – 05/28/2019: 16:08:20
quote:
Originally posted by DougDThat’s true, but have you checked out the online offerings from shops like Shar, Johnson Strings, Quinn, Southwest Strings and others? They will send instruments on approval, and if you don’t like it you can return it. Also the instruments from Eastman and Gliga are often considered good values.
Without knowing your budget its hard to advise, but I think some of the violins you mentioned would be considered beginner/student instruments at best.
Thank you for the suggestion on checking online music shops. I didn’t know some shops will do that. I’m trying not to spend more than $500 on a violin because my daughter has been playing both violin and bass tho she’s leaning more towards the violin for high school. I’ve found some of the above mentioned brands in good-very good conditions for less than $400. I don’t mind spending a little bit more for a well made violin of course.
epm72 – Posted – 05/28/2019: 16:11:44
quote:
Originally posted by rosinheadI agree with Donna. However, if I had to pick based on brand/make from those you listed it would be between the Scherl & Roth and the Cremona SV-600. You can get a lot for your money with certain makers on ebay too. I have purchased two Yita Music violins there and they are the two that I play the most. I paid less than $300 each for both of them and I think they sound better than my others that exceed the $1,000 mark.
Even with the deals to be had online I recommend going to a store where she can demo instruments. Also, you need to consider the bow as an equal investment too. A good bow goes a lot further for me than a good violin.
Thank you for your response. I found quite a bit of info on the cremonas except i think they are made in China? I couldn’t find much info about the other brands so I’m hesitant. I’ll check out the Yita too. 🙂
Earworm – Posted – 05/28/2019: 16:13:15
Does she take lessons? That teacher and/or her conductor are bound to know something about local resources. Also, she plays with other students, no doubt, and those students or their parents (who may also play) may be trading up, and looking for buyers. You don’t have to pay $1300 for an intermediate instrument, but IMO, the lower the price, the smarter you have to be.
Edited by – Earworm on 05/28/2019 16:15:12
rosinhead – Posted – 05/28/2019: 16:35:09
The Yita Music violins on Ebay that I mentioned are coming out of China as well. My experience has been excellent, but you really are taking a chance buying any instrument online.
Doug’s idea of dealing with Shar, Johnson, etc…is a very good one because that way she could at least decide after playing a few.
I have pics in my profile of the last Yita Violin I purchased and the one i’m playing in my profile pic is the other one. They auction some and have others at set “buy it now” prices. The deals are to be had with the auctions if you decide to go that route.
I wish you luck in finding the right one.
DougD – Posted – 05/28/2019: 17:21:16
The problem with local “general purpose” music stores is that their prices are often inflated and they also may not even know much about violins. If there’s a specialty violin shop in your region it can be worth a longish drive to visit. The advantage to the online stores (most of which are actual brick and mortar shops) is that you can see what they have in your price range and then call them for advice. I think most will be genuinely helpful.
Of course there are also used instruments, but you might need a little trusted guidance there.
Several members here have purchased Chinese violins on ebay and been very satisfied, but sometimes it took a couple tries.
Edited by – DougD on 05/28/2019 17:24:27
bluenote23 – Posted – 05/28/2019: 19:06:37
For $500 you could get a used Eastman 305 or 400 series (or maybe higher number series. Eastman’s go up in series number as the price goes up). Out of all the chinese violins, they probably have the best reputation (partly because they have been making them seriously for longer than the other chinese workshops).
amwildman – Posted – 05/28/2019: 21:00:14
Almost all violins under $2000-3000 are made in China. You cant escape it, but there really are good instruments , you just have to buy from somebody trustworthy and knowledgable.
Setup is just as important or more than the instrument. Improper string height etc could result in discouragement, or even injury.
There are not many big brands. There are no monoliths like Yamaha here. Every good shop will have their China factory make the instrument, and then slap their own label in it. Because there are so many makers and so many sellers, the only way to know is to play them yourself.
$500 will not typically get you an intermediate violin. Maybe a good fiddle.
Save yourself the headache of the chase and buy from Shar or SW strings. They generally have good prices and are extremely reputable.
epm72 – Posted – 05/29/2019: 06:04:41
quote:
Originally posted by bluenote23For $500 you could get a used Eastman 305 or 400 series (or maybe higher number series. Eastman’s go up in series number as the price goes up). Out of all the chinese violins, they probably have the best reputation (partly because they have been making them seriously for longer than the other chinese workshops).
Thank you. I’ll look into the Eastmans as well. I have seen them in the sites I’ve been stalking. 🙂
epm72 – Posted – 05/29/2019: 06:11:15
Than quote:
Originally posted by amwildmanAlmost all violins under $2000-3000 are made in China. You cant escape it, but there really are good instruments , you just have to buy from somebody trustworthy and knowledgable.
Setup is just as important or more than the instrument. Improper string height etc could result in discouragement, or even injury.
There are not many big brands. There are no monoliths like Yamaha here. Every good shop will have their China factory make the instrument, and then slap their own label in it. Because there are so many makers and so many sellers, the only way to know is to play them yourself.
$500 will not typically get you an intermediate violin. Maybe a good fiddle.
Save yourself the headache of the chase and buy from Shar or SW strings. They generally have good prices and are extremely reputable.
Thanks so much for the advice. I’m giving myself 3 more weeks to chase and research and then jumping on one. We went to other music stores in the area and they’re all quite expensive and definitely the online stores have better pricing by the hundreds. Did pull up SHAR and SW sites yesterday and will dig in more today. 🙂
mrneil2 – Posted – 05/29/2019: 09:19:19
I agree you can’t go wrong with an Eastman. Well made with a pleasing sound. Good resale value also as they are a known entity. VL-200 and above as fits your wallet.
epm72 – Posted – 05/29/2019: 09:34:14
quote:
Originally posted by mrneil2I agree you can’t go wrong with an Eastman. Well made with a pleasing sound. Good resale value also as they are a known entity. VL-200 and above as fits your wallet.
Thank you for the info and for including a model number I should be looking at. Very helpful!
bluenote23 – Posted – 05/29/2019: 09:57:59
I have an Eastman 908 which is a pretty nice violin. The VL200 is a student violin. I have never played one and I don’t really know what that term ‘student’ implies.
Some folk here play VL 305s and report good results. The VL401s and 402s (Ivan Dunov) also have good anecdotal internet reviews. These are a step up from ‘student’ violins but cost new, a lot more than your budget.
On ebay however, these instruments get lumped in with other chinese violins and can be found at pretty good prices sometimes (sometimes, you have to be patient and diligent). As used instruments, unless they have been abused, they are probably also set up to play.
Edited by – bluenote23 on 05/29/2019 09:59:46
ChickenMan – Posted – 05/29/2019: 10:02:25
But know this: amwildman sold me his Eastman which was a few notches above the VL-200 and he sold it because he needed a better violin for playing up the neck (as per his instructor). That and a few other reasons. Aaron can correct me if I’m wrong.
epm72 – Posted – 05/29/2019: 10:04:49
quote:
Originally posted by bluenote23I have an Eastman 908 which is a pretty nice violin. The VL200 is a student violin. I have never played one and I don’t really know what that term ‘student’ implies.
Some folk here play VL 305s and report good results. The VL401s and 402s (Ivan Dunov) also have good anecdotal internet reviews. These are a step up from ‘student’ violins but cost new, a lot more than your budget.
On ebay however, these instruments get lumped in with other chinese violins and can be found at pretty good prices sometimes (sometimes, you have to be patient and diligent). As used instruments, unless they have been abused, they are probably also set up to play.
Thank you for the advice. I’ve been searching several auction and sales sites for different brands. Knowing which model to look for is very helpful. I’m in no hurry to purchase since my daughter is currently playing the bass and she doesn’t start high school until Aug. Wanted to give myself time to replace/upgrade easy parts to have it play better. Also been looking at bows. What do you think of carbon fiber bows?
bluenote23 – Posted – 05/29/2019: 12:32:27
A friend had an inexpensive Fiddlerman carbon fibre bow that I tried. It was okay but the tone of my relatively cheap Ebay Yita bows were much nicer and I think they handled a bit better.
A forum member bought a Yita carbon fibre bow. It was $125 or $165 or so (it was their most expensive model) and was very impressed with it saying it compared well to his pernambuco bows worth several hundred dollars.
As a result, I bid on some of Yita’s pernambuco Master model bows. On auction these average a little under $200 before shipping. It’s not exactly hit or miss but you need to understand the weight and balance points in order to have an idea of what you are bidding on.
I won three auctions. One of the bows, I really like a lot. The other two are okay (better than the Fiddlerman carbon bow) but not as nice as my favorite to my taste.
For Eastmans, just remember that the higher the model number, the better the instrument should be. My Eastman 908 sold for $2695 in 2002 but I have seen three for well under $1000 in the past on Ebay (though one had a grafted neck). When I got my violin, the same seller only managed $400 for an Eastman Ivan Dunov 405 on auction. So you can find them heavily discounted.
Edited by – bluenote23 on 05/29/2019 12:39:43
epm72 – Posted – 05/29/2019: 14:10:03
quote:
Originally posted by bluenote23A friend had an inexpensive Fiddlerman carbon fibre bow that I tried. It was okay but the tone of my relatively cheap Ebay Yita bows were much nicer and I think they handled a bit better.
A forum member bought a Yita carbon fibre bow. It was $125 or $165 or so (it was their most expensive model) and was very impressed with it saying it compared well to his pernambuco bows worth several hundred dollars.
As a result, I bid on some of Yita’s pernambuco Master model bows. On auction these average a little under $200 before shipping. It’s not exactly hit or miss but you need to understand the weight and balance points in order to have an idea of what you are bidding on.
I won three auctions. One of the bows, I really like a lot. The other two are okay (better than the Fiddlerman carbon bow) but not as nice as my favorite to my taste.
For Eastmans, just remember that the higher the model number, the better the instrument should be. My Eastman 908 sold for $2695 in 2002 but I have seen three for well under $1000 in the past on Ebay (though one had a grafted neck). When I got my violin, the same seller only managed $400 for an Eastman Ivan Dunov 405 on auction. So you can find them heavily discounted.
Thanks so much for all the helpful info. I found a couple Eastman 305s that I’m watching and waiting on. 🙂
DougD – Posted – 05/29/2019: 14:23:35
As far as carbon fiber bows, they are probably more durable, and potentially more consistent than wooden ones (I’m a little out of my depth here as I’ve never even played one). Better than the worst wooden ones, and probably not as good as the best. However, carbon fiber bows are available in a wide range of quality and price, but quality may track better with price than with wood bows. In other words, you mighf be more likely to “get what you pay for.” The bow is very important, and it would be good if your daughter can “try before you buy.” Again, the good online stores will send bows on approval so she can try them.
epm72 – Posted – 05/29/2019: 14:29:51
quote:
Originally posted by DougDAs far as carbon fiber bows, they are probably more durable, and potentially more consistent than wooden ones (I’m a little out of my depth here as I’ve never even played one). Better than the worst wooden ones, and probably not as good as the best. However, carbon fiber bows are available in a wide range of quality and price, but quality may track better with price than with wood bows. In other words, you mighf be more likely to “get what you pay for.” The bow is very important, and it would be good if your daughter can “try before you buy.” Again, the good online stores will send bows on approval so she can try them.
Thanks so much. We’ll definitely go to a local store and check out the bows. We’ve been concentrating on the violin that I didn’t even realize the bow plays a major part too.
DougD – Posted – 05/29/2019: 14:36:54
Yes, some people would say that the bow is even more important than the violin. You may find the same problems in local stores that I mentioned earlier – inflated prices and lack of knowledge. Your daughter really needs to play the actual bow you might buy – even with carbon fiber there may be variation. Here’s a discussion of carbon fiber bows that seems pretty good to me: consordini.com/best-carbon-fib…lin-bows/
DougD – Posted – 05/29/2019: 14:41:27
PS – There is also a review of violins at the bottom of that page. It does not include Eastman or Gliga instruments, but I suspect there mighf be commercial reasons for that.
Edited by – DougD on 05/29/2019 14:48:29
amwildman – Posted – 05/29/2019: 14:42:58
My Eastman 305 was just fine. It just only had a basic setup. There fingerboard didn’t have much scoop etc. It would play, I just had to work to get clean tone in the upper positions. My normal luthier was not doing repairs at the time, so I elected to get a new fiddle.
Setup is just as important the instrument itself.
epm72 – Posted – 05/29/2019: 19:03:54
quote:
Originally posted by DougDYes, some people would say that the bow is even more important than the violin. You may find the same problems in local stores that I mentioned earlier – inflated prices and lack of knowledge. Your daughter really needs to play the actual bow you might buy – even with carbon fiber there may be variation. Here’s a discussion of carbon fiber bows that seems pretty good to me: consordini.com/best-carbon-fib…lin-bows/
Thank you for the link! I’ll read up on it.
Dick Hauser – Posted – 05/30/2019: 10:03:07
I would check with Shar Music. You can call them and discuss your situation. They have a very large inventory and will send bows on a trial basis. I once had the opportunity to buy a discontinued model Eastman (Eastman 805 model). I wish I hadn’t sold it. I now have some instruments that cost twice as much and they don’t sound as good as the Eastman.
Best Violins & Brands Reviewed and Rated in 2021
Did you know that having the best violin can also make you a better violinist? You already know a skilled player can bring out the best in the instrument, but the opposite also occurs. Having a quality violin will allow you to produce the best sound possible with less effort so you can focus on the music.
Good instruments allow you to develop much more naturally whereas violins of less quality can hinder the playability and make development much harder.
Here you can find details on the best violin brands, reviews on beginner, intermediate and professional violins, an electric violin guide and much more. This site provides you with a wealth of information to help you make an informed decision before purchasing a violin for you or your child.
Our Top Recommended Violins
Best Violin Reviews
The violin is the classic acoustic instrument. It produces a unique sound, not only among our world’s musical instruments but within the string family it belongs to. It’s sweet tone has a rich history dating back many centuries. Today, you still here it in the wide range of Classical and orchestral music as well as modern genres which incorporate it into bluegrass and country as well as pop and classical-crossover/new age music. Popular solo artists of today include orchestral violinist/conductor André Rieu and Josua Bell, as well as many other pop new age artists that you’ll see filling up various YouTube channels and PBS music specials.
The sound of the violin is like a poem. It’s often characterized as “divine”. Of course the violin takes practice to play with efficiency and to master a consistent production of sound.The very first note you attempt to play will sound much different than the violins you’ve heard on your speakers or in concerts. It will sound like you are just scratching. The violin as an instrument has some of the most unnatural ways of holding and playing and can certainly be a tricky task until you learn it well. With patience and persistence, the awkwardness eventually becomes more natural as the violin becomes more a part of you.
As you get started and learn more about the violin, you’ll become aware that it’s an instrument that requires much care and maintenance. Just take a good look at how a violinist meticulously cares for their instrument. You can see the attention they give to their violin, from handling and carrying to tuning and playing.
Once you start playing the violin, you’ll notice the appreciation from fellow musicians, band and orchestra members, and your friends and your family too. You’ll become a part of a sophisticated musician community. You and your violin will virtually bond together as you practice, take lessons, and of course attend and play in orchestra and ensemble events. First things first, you’ll need to choose your violin to begin with. And we’ve got you covered with our 5 reviews for the best violin for beginners available on the market today.
Best Violin for Beginners
1. Stentor 1500 Violin Review
Stentor is one of the best student violin brands, and the Stentor 1500 model is a wonderful instrument for beginner players. This model produces good sound, is easy to play and is often recommended by violin instructors as the best student violin.
It is hand-crafted with a fine-grained solid spruce top, a solid maple back and full ebony fittings. It features a hardwood chin rest, nylon tailpiece loop, red label strings and an alloy tailpiece with four tuners.
For its price, this model is one of the best violins for beginners with its quality and build. Those with little experience may find it difficult to set up the bridge or tune the instrument, but experienced players should find it easy.
It is a resonant instrument that stays tuned much better as compared to other inexpensive models in this price rage. It also comes with numerous accessories, including a horsehair bow with ebony frog, rosin and a lightweight case.
2. Cremona SV-500 Premier Artist Violin Review
Cremona is a brand well known for producing some of the best violins for beginners due to their playability. Having an easier time working with the instrument will encourage new players to keep progressing through their developing skill.
This particular model was recommended by Strings Magazine as a good choice for a first or second violin. It boasts superior sound, playability and workmanship that is impressive for its price.
For the violin beginner or the advanced student, it presents a remarkable tonal quality. This model is the most popular of the brand’s beginner violins because of its sound in relation to its price. It produces warm tones that are resonant and balanced.
The model is constructed of solid maple and hand-carved solid spruce with a red-brown varnish. It features Swiss-style ebony fittings and an ebony fingerboard with a lightweight tailpiece for easier tuning. It comes with a Stradivarius-style chin rest, deluxe Brazilwood bow and oblong case.
3. Knilling 114VN Sebastian London Violin Review
Knilling is also held highly by violin teachers as one of the best violin brands for beginners, and it is one of the largest producers of student string instruments in the world.
These instruments are made with superior materials and craftsmanship with quality components in order to ensure excellent sound quality, easy tuning and practical playability. As a good violin for beginners, the Knilling 114VN model is an affordable instrument that can be tuned easily enough, even by new players.
The violin is fully carved and graduated for a superb tone, and it features an even grain spruce top, solid carved maple back and maple neck, scroll and ribs. Its pegs, fingerboard and saddle are made of ebony, and it features built-in tuners and D’Addario Prelude steel-core strings.
The best beginner violin should be easy to set up and play, and this model includes a genuine white horsehair Brazilwood bow with ebony frog and rosin. It also features a shaped case with a zippered cover, fully lined interior with a matching blanket, two bow holders and an accessory compartment.
4. Cecilio CVN-500 Solidwood Ebony Violin Review
The Cecilio CVN-500 is an instructor-approved model that is suitable for intermediate violinists and more serious and dedcated beginners. It is constructed of hand-carved solid spruce in its top with its back, neck and sides made of hand-carved flamed maple. The model has a satin antique varnish, and it is strung with D’Addario Prelude Strings.
Its fingerboard, pegs, tailpiece and chin rest are made of ebony, and its fine tuners are nickel-plated. Users appreciate the quality of the fine tuners and the strings as the model tunes very well for a student violin.
Aside from tuning, this beginner’s violin requires no other setup. The bridge is already placed correctly, the tuners are wound and the string height is just right. Buyers also appreciate the fingerboard and the ease of playability.
The Cecilio CVN-500 is one of the best starter violins for serious players, and it comes with a Cecilio chromatic tuner, lesson book and metronome. Also included are the rosin cake, extra bridge, shoulder rest, hard case and two Brazilwood bows with unbleached Mongolian horsehair.
5. Mendini MV500 Solid Wood Violin Review
The Mendini MV500 is a high-quality beginner violin with a solid hand-carved one-piece maple back, maple neck, maple sides and a solid hand-carved spruce top with a varnish finish. It features an ebony fingerboard, pegs and tailpiece with four fine tuners.
This model is one of the most impressive student violins in terms of appearance, and it rivals the looks of more advanced string instruments. The unit arrives set up with the bridge in place. It eventually opens its sound over time after initial use, and it can stay in tune for weeks.
As one of the best beginner violins to buy, the MV500 comes included with the Cecilio 92D string tuner with a metronome, two Brazilwood bows with unbleached Mongolian horsehair, two bridges, rosin cake, additional strings, a shoulder rest and a lightweight hard case.
Best Intermediate Violin Reviews
1. Scott Cao 3/4 Violin Review
The Scott Cao 3/4 Violin is a highly-recommended model for the intermediate player looking for an upgrade or even the committed beginner with a more flexible budget. Instruments from the Scott Cao line are known for their fine tone and quality workmanship.
This model is fully-carved with a hand-painted varnish. It features a spruce top with an ebony fingerboard, chin rest and pegs. The tailpiece has fine tuners built in, and the violin comes with Thomastik Dominant strings installed.
It is one of Scott Cao’s best intermediate violins in terms of sound quality, and the sound only improves over time to match close to that of a high-quality full size model.
It is very easy to play, especially for adults with smaller hands that struggle with 4/4 violins. The outfit comes with a Brazilwood bow and a carrying case.
2. Johannes Kohr K500 Violin Review
Johannes Kohr violins are some of the finest student instruments from around the world. The K500 violin model is a professionally crafted and easily playable intermediate violin. This model is a best-seller in the industry likely because this popular violin is known for its impressive tone.
It features a flamed maple back with a hand-crafted and hand-varnished glossy red-brown body. Its sides are made of maple with a solid spruce top and solid ebony fittings.
In addition to its beautiful appearance, the sound in the lower strings is rich and dark while the higher tones are sweet and mellow.
The Kohr K500 outfit comes with a Brazilwood natural horsehair bow, shaped hard shell case, rosin cake and Dominant strings. Even when upgrading to a more advanced violin, the K500 makes a very nice instrument to keep as a backup.
3. Louis Carpini G2 Violin Review
The Louis Carpini G2 violin is an upgrade from the brand’s Carpini G3 model. It is one of the most popular violin outfits for adult players, and it is made with even more select maple and spruce tone woods by comparison to the previous model.
Even long-time players and instructors are impressed with the G2 and approve of them as intermediate violins for developing players.
The Carpini G2 model is strung with professional steel-core D’Addario Prelude Strings to produce a warmer and more refined sound, and this rich sound resonates fully across all tones.
The violin is made from solid hand-carved maple and spruce with genuine ebony fittings. It features a hand-rubbed oil-based finish with a warm red-brown color. The unit includes a hand-crafted Aubert bridge that is customized to fit each instrument.
The model comes included with a high-quality bow and rosin. It is one of the best instruments for its price point to offer such quality, detail, durability and fine craftsmanship.
4. Ricard Bunnel G1 Violin Reivew
The Bunnel G1 is the most popular violin from the brand, and it makes an excellent model for intermediate to advanced students. It features professional upgrades from the Bunnel G2 model, and professionals describe its sound as sweet and strong.
The G1 performs very well projecting its sound, and it comes with proof in the form of a checklist and date of the professional set-up performed before packaging.
This model is made from solid hand-carved maple and spruce with fittings made of ebony, and it has a rich, dark oil-based finish.
Bunnel violins come with a custom fitted French Aubert bridge, and the bridge height is properly adjusted for easy playability. It also features pegs and fine tuners that are easy to turn. The unit comes with a bow, Kaplan dark rosin and D’Addario Prelude strings installed with an extra set.
5. Cremona SV-600 Premier Artist Violin
Cremona has years of expertise as a leading maker of high-quality instruments, and the Cremona Artist series violins are perfectly suited for serious developing students.
Strings Magazine described the Cremona SV-600 as having an enhanced feel and tone, and the instrument delivers more than enough for advanced students in terms of tone quality and looks. The well-designed violin is also lightweight and easy to set up.
The SV-600 is hand-carved from the best tonewoods to produce an exceptional tone with remarkable carrying power.
With its Dominant strings, the beautifully-designed instrument produces a tone that is powerful yet clear and sweet. It is constructed of highly flamed maple and hand-carved solid spruce. It is finished with a rich hand-applied red-orange varnish.
The unit features Swiss-style ebony fittings with an ebony fingerboard. The model features a Stradivarius-style chin rest, deluxe Brazilwood bow and oblong case.
Best Professional Violin Reviews
1. Yamaha Model 5 Violin Review
Yamaha is well-known as one of the world’s leading producers of quality musical instruments of all kinds. They are also known for producing some of the best professional violins. These models are hand-crafted using traditional methods of only fine violins.
The quality of the workmanship for the Yamaha Model 5 is superior, and it virtually lacks flaws or imperfections of any kind. The violin is easy and smooth to play, and it produces a sweet and mellow sound.
Though it is referred to by some as a “student instrument” it has the quality that advanced players would expect for their own needs.
The Yamaha 5 is made with a solid carved spruce top, solid carved maple back and sides, ebony fingerboard, rosewood tuning pegs, rosewood chin rest and tailpiece.
It features four fine tuners and comes with Prelude strings. The unit comes included with a lightweight cordura-covered case, Brazilwood bow and rosin.
2. D Z Strad Maestro Old Spruce Stradi Violin Review
D Z Strad is also well known for producing high-quality violin models, and the D Z Strad Maestro Stradi is one that is perfect for professional solo performances and ensemble play.
It produces a sophisticated sound that opens with color and depth, and it possesses a powerful and full voice. The tone of this model is remarkable, and it certainly stands out as a huge improvement for those accustomed to starter models.
The quality of the violin also helps learning players progress much more easily. This professional violin is meant for those players that are serious about continuing to play violin for years to come.
The model is made with aged European tonewoods including naturally seasoned spruce from the Italian Alps. It is 100 percent hand-made and is oil-varnished by hand.
The model features a hand-carved tailpiece, chin rest and pegs, and it comes with high-quality accessories. The outfit includes a Bricks Pilot case, rosin, carbon fiber bow and Pernambuco wood bow.
3. Snow SV400 Violin Review
Snow instruments are designed to make the process of shopping for violins much easier. The high-quality models are made by talented luthiers with the discerning violin player in mind.
Even professional violinists are sometimes stunned by the great sound of this well-made instrument. It has an even and powerful tone along with an attractive appearance. The SV400 is made with an Italian spruce top and deep enhanced-flame maple back.
It features quality ebony pegs that are precisely fitted and a well-designed fingerboard. All Snow violins are rubbed by hand with an Italian antique varnish finish.
One of the best benefits of this model is its balance of quality and affordability. Because of its price, more players are able to gain access to a professional-level instrument for performance. This model is suitable for every player from beginners to orchestral musicians.
4. Fiddlerman Soloist Violin Review
The Soloist is Fiddlerman’s premier level violin, and the workshop in which it is manufactured has won several awards from the Violin Society of America.
The instrument is professionally set up as it is tested, tuned and adjusted personally by Fiddlerman. Professional violin players with years of experience are impressed with the Soloist, and many are even more pleased with its price considering its high-quality and performance.
The wood used to construct the violin is aged for a minimum of ten years, and the unit is made with a spruce top and flamed maple back. It features an ebony fingerboard and Hill-style fine tuner for its E string.
Other qualities include superior boxwood fittings and a Despiau bridge. Its classy antique varnish is applied by hand, and it comes already set up with Dominant strings installed.
5. Sebastian Klotz Baroque Violin
Baroque music has its own distinguishable sound, and many desire this sound in their violin performance. Baroque music centers around well-sustained sound created as an airy arch of tones.
It is rare to find violins that produce these sounds as few violin manufacturers actually create Baroque instruments in modern times. Those that do often charge highly for their creations.
The Sebastian Klotz copy model is a well-researched and carefully planned instrument made to accurately produce the sound desired by seasoned players. As one of the most unique professional violins for sale, it provides a very authentic Baroque sound. Its sound is clear, rich and open in general with excellent range.
This model is handmade and varnished. It is created with naturally air dried 20-year-old spruce with maple ribs, back and scroll. It also features a maple fingerboard, tailpiece, chin rest and hand-carved pegs.
Best Violins for Kids
Not all violins are sold in smaller sizes, but this is an important factor in choosing a violin for kids. Childrens’ violins should be small enough to allow them to play comfortably.
Courtesy of Joe Utsler
It is also helpful to find models that have quality accessories included so you don’t have to spend as much for your child to start playing. Cremona is a reliable brand for violins for kids.
They are a top brand in student level instruments, and their models are available at affordable prices. Mendini and ADM also make quality violins for children.
The Cremona SV-175 is a child violin that is affordable, comes in various sizes and has a traditional look. It was reviewed by Music Inc. Magazine as being “designed to meet the needs of beginning students.”
The tonewoods for this Cremona violin are carefully chosen, and the outfit comes with a case, D’Addario Prelude strings and a Brazilwood bow.
For parents or instructors looking for a more affordable starter violin, there is also the Cremona SV- 130 or Cremona SV- 150 for a smaller price. It is one of the brand’s top selling models as it appeals to newer players with its simplicity. It has surprisingly good quality for new players not expecting the bells and whistles.
The Mendini MV300 violin is another quality kids violin. It is available in various sizes from full size all the way down to 1/32 size. The outfit includes a variety of accessories including an extra bridge and set of strings, and it also comes in a variety of colors.
The ADM Violin is one of the most affordable kids violins available. This is helpful for parents that are unsure of their child’s dedication or natural skill development.
Despite its low cost, it offers a number of accessories including a luggage case, horsehair bow, an extra bridge, extra strings and rosin. It offers one of the most complete kid violin packages.
Best Electric Violin
Electric violins have become more popular for charismatic players and younger players that want to draw more attention with their instruments.
Courtesy of Thomas Hawk
The best electric violins offer the thrilling experience of a cool instrument with the playability of the standard violin. While they are similar to acoustics in some ways, one should not expect to replace their standard violin with an electric.
Here we have compiled some of the most impressive electric models based off of electric violin reviews along with expert opinions and personal experiences.
The Cecilio CEVN-2BL 4/4 is an affordable model available in many colors. This Cecilio electric violin is made of hand-carved maple, and it has quality components made of natural materials.
The Yamaha SV-130 is arguably the best electric violin on the market. The cost for this Yamaha electric violin is quite steep, but the quality surpasses that of any cheap electric violin tenfold.
This model is more suitable for professional players who will get more out of the investment. Any Yamaha electric violin review will rave about the sound quality of this instrument. In addition, this model is mp3-compatible for those with expanded needs.
The Fender FV-1 features an impressive wood body made of spruce and maple. It offers a feel very similar to that of a standard acoustic, and it can accommodate many styles of strings. This Fender electric violin features high-quality components and accessories as well.
The Stagg EVN BK has a solid maple body with a bold appearance. Though it is an affordable model, the Stagg electric violin is better suited for those who may not have such ambitious aims.
The ViolinSmart electric violin is one of the most unique looking models available. The futuristic electronic violin is capable of producing impressive sound, and it is also very affordable. It comes with a genuine Mongolian horsehair bow, bridge, rosin and headphones.
Best Violin Brands
Stentor
Stentor is one of the most well-known brands of violins on the market due to their high-quality, long-lasting and great sounding instruments. Stentor violins are hand-crafted but still within reach for those looking to stay within a budget.
They are one of the best violin makers when it comes to offering premium quality and tone from beginner to expert level violins. The Stentor II Violin is an affordable model often recommended by instructors for its craftsmanship and sound.
The Stentor Conservatoire violin is another of their best with its impressive tone, fine craftsmanship and quality accessories.
Best Stentor Violins
Choosing a violin may seem a bit overwhelming to a beginner student or the parent of a beginner. You are making quite a significant investment for an instrument and if you are not quite sure what you are looking for, you may find that you have overpaid significantly for a poor quality instrument that sounds awful and is virtually built to break. With keeping that thought in mind, we will be exploring some of the finest Stentor violin instruments that are broken down and reviewed in a clear and concise manner so that you are guaranteed to get the most for your investment.
Stentor is a well-renowned, leading manufacturer of student violins and orchestral stringed instruments on a global scale. In fact, a Stentor violin is well-known for its value, consistency, and reliability, and is always highly recommended by music teachers and music services for their trusted quality. If you are seeking a violin, it should be noted that a Stentor violin can take your violin student from their very first beginner instrument right up to a professional level. Here are the top three rated Stentor violins; perfect to fit your needs and desires for the violin student in your life.
1. Stentor 1500 4/4 Violin
The Stentor 1500 4/4 violin is a choice violin if you or your student is brand new to the world of violin practice and performance. Weighing in at a mere 4.2 lbs. this stunning handcrafted violin boasts a fine-grained solid spruce top and solid maple back and sides. Additionally featuring inlaid purfling, full ebony fittings, and hardwood chin rest. The red label strings are super sensitive and provide an alloy tailpiece with four string adjusters, including a nylon tailpiece loop. The violin is polished in warm brown lacquer finish. The Stentor 1500 4/4 is also outfitted with an octagonal wood horsehair bow with an ebony frog. Also included is a super lightweight canvas-covered case, that additionally includes a much-needed instrument blanket and super comfortable exterior shoulder rest pocket. Not to mention the fact that this case makes it super convenient and easy to carry to and from violin practice!
It should be noted that this instrument is certainly not recommended for an intermediate or advanced violin student. However, it is the perfect “bang for your buck” for your beginner. The quality of sound and ease of use if a wonderful option for students who are just getting started in the world of violin. The tone itself is incredibly smooth and rich in tone, especially for a beginner violin.
2. Stentor 1550 4/4 Violin
A slight weight difference sets this The Stentor 1550 4/4 violin just a bit ahead of Stentor 1500 4/4. The Stentor 1550 weighs in at approximately 5.6 lbs. and is handcrafted from gorgeously figured solid tonewoods that include a fine-grained spruce top and flamed solid maple back and sides. The instrument also includes inlaid purfling, full ebony fittings, and a hardwood chin rest. Not the mention the ever-important super-sensitive red label strings, an alloy tailpiece (including four string adjusters) and a nylon tailpiece loop. The violin comes fully assembled and is presented in an elegant rich red-brown color with a Shellac TM clear-coated lacquer finish. Your new Stentor 1550 is also guaranteed to be supplied with a full mounted wooden horsehair bow, a deluxe oblong case that includes an added instrument blanket and shoulder rest compartment.
This is a high quality, beautifully toned violin! It looks far more like a professional violin than most beginner violins. The tone is excellent, it is a bit deeper in tune and not so “sweet”. It is also solidly built, and it stays in tune, not to mention the fact that it comes with a decent bow (as opposed to a lot of “beginner” violin sets). Tuning is incredibly simple and this is a super clean and clear violin. This is a wonderful, beautiful instrument that is great for a beginner and also beginner-intermediate. As the cost for violins will in turn start to increase as your violin student’s development and skills grow and progress this is the perfect violin to aid in their growth.
3. Stentor 1500 3/4 Violin
This beautiful Stentor 1500 weighs in at only 4 lbs! The elegant violin comes fully assembled and is hand-crafted with only the finest fine-grained solid spruce top, and solid maple back and sides. The Stentor 1500 also boasts the inlaid purfling, full ebony fittings, hardwood chin rest, and super sensitive red label strings with the alloy tailpiece that features the four string adjusters and nylon tailpiece loop. The stunning instrument is also polished with warm brown lacquer finish and its outfits include the octagonal wooden horsehair bow with ebony frog. Also included is the convenient to carry, lightweight canvas covered case with added instrument blanket and exterior shoulder rest pocket. As the Stentor 1500 ¾ violin weighs in at such a delicate weight, this one as well is perfect for the violinist in your life to take to and from their violin practice with ease and convenience.
This violin is finished quite nicely, and the workmanship is clean. Not to mention the fact that the action is good, and the bridge is properly mounted. This violin has been remarked as perfect for those who have a bit of a violin background but possibly have not played in a few years; a great violin for beginner-intermediate students. One thing that should be noted is that if you are seeking a warmer, rich tone, you may find this tone quality to be a bit subjective, and can be described as almost loud. Again, this Stentor is perfect for a beginner-intermediate, but as tones of a warmer nature are generally preferred by advanced students, this one may prove to be a bit much. The Stentor 1500 also boasts remarkable, ease and comfortability to play. Not to mention that with all of these benefits, for the price, you will certainly not be disappointed.
Additional notes about Stentor Violins
Be sure to take into consideration that those the aforementioned Stentor violins all come fully assembled with a great carrying case, bow and instrument blanket, there are additional accessories that you may need to purchase in addition to the violin itself. Many even prefer to upgrade the strings that are on their Stentor violin as you can certainly place the top of the line strings on this incredible instrument to change and enhance the “out of the box” tone that you will receive. With that in mind, however, even with the standard strings and no additional upgrades, you will most certainly not be disappointed with any of these instruments.
Yet another feature to add about Stentor violins, is that they are carved from the only finest solid tonewood (and yes, wood most certainly matters!) and are individually thicknessed for only the most superb quality of sound. Not to mention the fact that on each and every Stentor violin, the bridge and soundpost are carefully fitted to ensure the only the very best playability. If you are in the market for the finest and most cost effective violin solution to the violin student in your life, be sure to take advantage of all the incredible quality that Stentor has to offer.
Mendini
Mendini violins are made to be budget-friendly for young and beginner players. Unlike many cheap violin manufacturers, Mendini instruments are low in price but still very durable.
This makes them a favorite among parents with children with a new interest in playing. Mendini violin quality is also impressive despite the low cost of many models. Two of the brand’s best models include the Mendini 4/4 MV300 and Mendini MV500.
The Mendini MV300 is an extremely affordable model that comes in many sizes and colors. The Mendini MV500 has an impressive sound and look, and it comes with a string tuner with a metronome.
Cecilio
Cecilio is one of the best violin brands that is appreciated for the great models it produces. Players of all levels love their well-constructed violins and the high-quality bows that accompany them.
These instruments are also strung with D’Addario strings to meet the expectations of serious players. Two of the most impressive Cecilio violins are the Cecilio CVN 300 and Cecilio CEVN 2BL.
The Cecilio CVN 300 is an affordable full size violin that looks and sounds great even to long-time players. The Cecilio CEVN 2BL is a quality electric model with a bold appearance and great sound quality.
Cremona
Cremona violins are some of the most popular models for beginners. This is arguably the best violin brand in terms of fine craftsmanship as Cremona violin makers create models in the traditional style of fine European violins.
Upon purchasing a Cremona violin, you can expect a durable instrument with a beautifully clear tone. Three great models from this brand are the Cremona SV-75, Cremona SV- 150 and Cremona SV-175.
Cremona Violins
The Cremona SV-130 is one of the brand’s top selling novice models, and it comes in many colors and sizes. The Cremona SV-175 is built with quality woods and strings, and it produces a sound even instructors appreciate.
When it comes to shopping around for a violin for the student or beginner in your life, you may feel a bit at a means to an end when it comes to the overabundance of options that are available. With keeping that thought in mind, there is one company in particular whose violins are not only incredible in terms of their quality, but also their affordability. If you are in the market for a violin that is perfect for a beginner or student, look no further than Cremona. Here, are the top three rated Cremona violins that are wonderful options for new violin students. And they are all guaranteed to not break your bank!
Best Cremona Violins
1. Cremona SV 75
It is no great surprise why the Cremona SV 75 is a favorite school violin. The outfit itself comes fully equipped with the finest quality instrument, a super protective hard-shell case, bow and made in the USA, top of the line D’Addario Prelude strings.
For the price, you receive a high-quality instrument that includes literally everything that the student in your life needs to kick out their violin learning experience.
All of the fittings and woods on the incredible Cremona SV 75 are hand selected and beautifully carved of hand-carved spruce and maple, including a gorgeous inlaid purfling and exquisite workmanship which excels this Cremona model into being able to boast an impeccable reputation of both tone as well as value.
2. Cremona SV 150
At a mere 1.1 lbs. the Cremona SV 150 violin is an exceptional example of a violin with both quality and value of which significantly exceeds its actual price. The violin is hand carved from the finest selection of solid tonewoods (and yes, wood matters greatly). Along with a quality workmanship for the finest possible tone of which is all too often not seen in terms of violin craftsmanship for beginner violins.
The violin is additionally fitted with high-quality boxwood pegs, composite tailpiece, and chinrest; of which exceeds the fact that not only does the violin sound incredible, but is also boasts a complete look of refinement that is certainly not the norm for violins in this price range. Another great feature that comes with this violin is that it is outfitted with top of the line D’Addario Prelude strings of which significantly improve the overall playing experience, while in turn highlighting only the finest tone possible.
Each of the Cremona SV 150 violin’s comes in its very own TL-33 case, which of course provides extreme impact protection in a classically designed lightweight case. The violin also comes with a super high-quality J.LaSalle Brazilwood bow that is guaranteed to take this already superb set and skyrocket it to the top of the list as one of the best available in this particular price range!
3. Cremona SV 175
This Cremona SV 175 Premier Student Violin is specifically designed to meet the needs of beginning and advancing violin students. The Cremona SV 175 features the renowned finely selected tonewoods. And is crafted with the finest workmanship available in order to create a tone that is simply beyond compare, especially for its price! Each violin is additionally fine tuned in order to meet the essential NAFME / MENC specifications. Not to mention the fact that every violin is also finished with a stunning translucent brown coat that permits the one of a kind grain of the wood to vibrantly show through.
Each of the Cremona SV 175 violins comes with an upgraded Travelite oblong violin case that includes a built-in hygrometer, and a stunning octagonal Brazilwood bow completed with an ebony frog and genuine horsehair!
Additional notes about Cremona Violins
With each of the aforementioned Cremona student violins, you will note that the finishes of will range from a warm translucent brown and red to an antique brown. Each of the finishes is additionally applied with multiple, thin coats that provides superior protection for the wood of the violin, while also giving it an elegant, classical look. The necks as well are all oiled for an unmatched feel of comfort and luxury for the player. And traditionally shaped hardwood fittings of both boxwood and ebony are used to ensure proper intonation as well as an overall ease in playability that is particularly essential for a beginner. Regarding the fingerboards, Cremona uses only the finest quality ebony as it is renown for its stability and overall sense of smooth playability.
While of course when it comes to beginners and students, price plays a huge factor in the decision process when deciding which violin the parent, teacher or even student is seeking to buy. Which is one of the things that make Cremona violins so incredible. It is a rare occasion that one can purchase an instrument for an actually affordable price and also receive top of the line quality as well. And that is exactly what you will find when opting to select a Cremona violin, you will find a great price that also comes in association with the best quality tonewoods and not find yourself sacrificing the instrument’s tone or even its playability!
Cremona violins are additionally crafted in the USA and all of the Premier Student Violins are hand-carved and crafted to be able to achieve only the finest and most balanced tones available. With such a striking attention to detail is applied to the student can trust that their instrument will guide them through the early learning process and will aid and assist on their journey and development as they build upon their playing skills.
Franz Hoffmann
Franz Hoffmann is one of the best beginner violin brands. These models are loved by instructors for their warm tone and projection, so buying a Franz Hoffmann violin is usually a good purchase.
Both the Franz Hoffmann Amadeus and Franz Hoffmann Etude 1/10 Violin are two of the best models from the brand. The Franz Hoffmann Amadeus violin is an affordable model made for beginners that is made to help them develop form and play with ease.
The Franz Hoffmann Etude violin has great projection with a full and clear tone, and it’s a popular choice for students and their parents.
Scott Cao
The Scott Cao name is known as one of the best violin makers, and the top-of-the-line instruments from this brand are used by soloists and orchestra performers all over the world.
Any model from student all the way to professional sold under this name will be of high-quality. Any Scott Cao violin review will reveal that even violin instructors praise Scott Cao violins for their excellent tone and quality.
The 1679 model is a superior Scott Cao violin made in the method of the Stradivari 1679 Hellier. The Scott Cao 1714 is a reproduction of the Stradivari 1714 Soil, one of the most celebrated violins ever made.
Knilling
Knilling is a reliable violin maker with of 90 years of history creating violins sold in North America. They are reasonably priced and selected for their tone and build.
These instruments are made with high-quality European woods, and they feature quality strings such as D’Addario Prelude or Thomastik Dominant.
Knilling violins you should look for include the Bucharest 4/4 and Sinfonia 4/4 models. The Knilling Bucharest violin is made of aged Bavarian spruce and maple, and its playability and tone quality are its selling points.
The Sinfonia is a high-quality Knilling violin that is constructed well, and it produces fluid sound.
Windsor
A Windsor violin is typically a beginner model meant for players and parents on a budget. The low price comes from the fact that many models are factory produced.
These violins may not be sufficient enough for those that plan to upgrade to more advanced models, but they serve the need of young students just starting to play just fine. The Windsor SVO34 3/4 and Windsor SVO44 4/4 models are the most impressive.
The SVO34 3/4 is an affordable student violin in an accommodating size while the full-size SVO44 4/4 model is also affordable, and it comes with accessories including rosin, a carrying case and a genuine horsehair bow.
Primavera
Primavera is one of the top violin brands for students at the beginning of their skill development. Their range includes affordable models that feature components found on more expensive and advanced instruments.
If you opt for a Primavera violin, the Primavera Prima 200 and Primavera Prima Loreato are some of your best options. The Primavera Prima 200 is the choice of many retailers due to its durability and price while the Primavera Prima Loreato is a superb hand-crafted model meant for serious students.
It is the most detailed and finished model in the Primavera student range.
D Z Strad
D Z Strad rounds off the violin brands list with their versatile models that feature high-quality materials and offer impressive sound.
The D Z Strad Model 101 and D Z Model 601F 4/4 violins are two of the best from the brand. The Model 101 is a favorite among teachers and their students due to its playability, tone and feel that all help students play consistently enough to stay motivated.
The Model 601F is hand-crafted from top-quality materials that help it produce an open and sophisticated sound. According to one D Z Strad violin review, the sound on the 601F is “unbelievably clear and rich.”
What is a Violin?
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A violin is a stringed instrument that requires a bow to be played traditionally. Its main components include its body, fingerboard, strings and bridge.
These instruments have maintained many of their features throughout history without changing. Quality violins take years to create, and they are made with the best woods and natural materials possible.
Because of the craftsmanship and natural materials needed to make them, they can range in price from less than $100 to thousands.
Like many other instruments, violins are suitable for children and adults to play. They are also created as traditional acoustic styles or modern electric models.
Different Types of Violins Available
Violins for Kids
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Kids’ violins are unique in that they are usually smaller in size and often have basic features. Unlike standard models, they are not usually made with providing the highest quality in mind.
Violins for kids are smaller, but they also come in various sizes. It is important to get the size correct to ensure the child will be able to play comfortably. This can be determined by matching arm length to instrument size.
Violin descriptions may be misleading when distinguishing between adult and kid models, but there are a few quality brands that have affordable violins for kids with accessories.
The amount of money you spend on a kid’s violin will depend on their skill level, your personal budget and their dedication to playing.
Instructors and other players may add opinions, but it takes personal discretion to decide how much to spend.
Violins for Students and Beginners
Courtesy of Etienne Valois
Student violins are the most common types of violins purchased by new buyers. Beginner violins are appropriate for those players that are interested in learning but not quite sure if they intend to continue playing down the line.
One can expect a decrease in tonal quality compared to more advanced models, and they often require the user to set up the violin components on their own. Compared to professional models, they may be more difficult to play easily.
Student violins are made from lower-quality woods compared to advanced violins, and they employ less hand crafting during the carving, assembling and finishing processes.
These violins may feature plastic parts such as the pegs and chin rest, and they may come with lower quality accessories as well.
The upside to this is the fact that they are much more affordable by comparison.
Violins for Intermediate Players
Courtesy of Guus Krol
Intermediate violins have capabilities and playability beyond those of student violins, but they are still not up to par with professional level instruments.
They are useful for filling the gap for players that are beyond amateur development but still not near the expert level of mastery of the violin.
Intermediate violins are purchased when the player wants to or already has advanced their skills beyond the capabilities of the beginner instrument.
They are more affordable than professional models, and they are suitable for those that may not have performance or professional necessity in having expert models.
Those that buy intermediate violins are those that are continuing to advance in their skills. Some violin manufacturers as well as shops and stores completely omit this category of violins while focusing only on student level and professional level.
It is a necessary category for players that have serious passion and have developed their playing ability but are not ready to spend the sometimes thousands of dollars necessary to own a professional violin.
Violins for Professionals
Courtesy of Guus Krol
Professional violins are obviously the cream of the crop models that most players eventually hope to own. They are the models upon which the most dedicated players, performance artists, instructors and other professionals rely.
They provide the best sounds without as much effort needed by lower end models. Intermediate violins are purchased when the player has had years of experience and has outgrown violins of lower skill levels.
They are also purchased when the player needs a reliable instrument for performance purposes.
There are different types of violins at the professional level, and many of them allow the player to have a specific sound that may be unique from standard models. This is not common with beginner or intermediate violins.
Professional violins are the most expensive because they are made with the highest quality aged wood with natural components and accessories, and they are hand-crafted and assembled by master luthiers.
Factors To Consider When Buying a Violin
Manufacturer
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Check with fellow players, instructors or violinists in your family about their favorite types of violins and accessories to play and purchase.
Many players and their circles prefer certain brands over others because of the quality they can expect in each instrument. Before purchasing a violin, determine who makes it and where.
The best violins in the world are crafted in traditional European workshops. There is a great history with violin making along with the access to the best woods in the world.
More popular brands also have more buyers that can share their opinions through product reviews. This allows you to gain an understanding of the manufacturer’s reputation and history for producing instruments.
Wood
Courtesy of Jeremy Hiebert
The wood used in making a violin is important to the final sound of the instrument. Traditional violins are made of maple and spruce, and this is the combination you can expect to find from most violin makers.
The top of the violin is usually made of spruce while the back, sides and neck are made from flamed maple.
Other components (such as the chin rest, pegs, fingerboard and tailpiece) are made from ebony.
Wood changes its dimensions based on changes in surrounding temperature and humidity, so wood used for violins must be dried naturally in the open.
Leaving it to dry among the elements exposes it to natural environmental conditions. This prevents the finished violin from experiencing cracks in its wood because the wood has changed on its own over a period of years and adapted to the fluctuations.
Age
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Most people prefer to purchase their violins new, but there are also benefits to using older models. If the violin is loaned or given as a gift, you can save the costs of purchasing a new one.
It is well known that it takes time for a violin to produce its true sound, so it can help to have an instrument that has already been played for years on end.
Newer models may present technological innovations that make it easier or more enjoyable for you to play and increase your skill.
There is also the excitement of experiencing the enhanced sound that the instrument eventually produces. This change has already passed with a violin that is used.
Tone and Sound
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Aside from comfort and playability, the sound of the violin is essentially the most important feature. There’s no use in playing any musical instrument if you are not pleased with the sound it produces.
For a violin, you should make sure there are no undertones or buzzing effects as you play. The best violin should create the projection and tone that you need. A good violin will produce a beautiful tone, but some players desire even more than that.
Some players want a violin that creates a certain kind of sound, so you may want to buy a special model that provides the sound you desire.
Some people have a general preference for tones with more mellow, warm or bright sounds depending on how they play.
Setup and Package
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Most violins of the highest quality will come already prepared and set up. Your violin’s chin rest, pegs, strings and bridge should fit well for fluid playing.
You should be able to play each string without brushing against any others. If this is not the case, your bridge likely needs adjustment.
The pegs should be tightly wound, the neck should sit at the right angle and each string should be able to be pressed even down near the bridge.
You can have these components adjusted at a violin shop, but it’s much easier to already have a model set up so you can play it immediately.
The accessories that come with the outfit are also important in determining how easy or enjoyable your playing experience can be. Many violins come with accessories, but these should be quality pieces as well.
The quality should also be consistent across all components. You should look for a bow that is made from wood with genuine horsehair (some high-end violins may include quality synthetic bows as well). The included case should actually be able to protect the instrument in addition to carrying it around.
The rosin should be usable without much fuss, and it should actually make a difference in your ability to produce a good sound. Some models also include a chin rest or strings, and these should also be usable and helpful.
You can always purchase your own accessories and add them in with included parts, but this adds to the overall cost of the instrument.
Courtesy of Gisela Giardino
Varnish
Quality violins are usually finished with an oil varnish. This type is applied by hand with a brush, and it is applied in several coats.
Compared to a nitro varnish, the oil varnish is applied sometimes as slowly as one day at a time to allow each layer to dry completely.
It has a much better resistance over time, and the oil varnish is elastic enough to handle any dimensional changes to the violin’s body.
Color
Courtesy of Garry Knight
The color of a violin can enhance its aesthetic appeal and overall beauty. Most violins have a brown or red-brown appearance due to the wood and/or varnish used.
Some players prefer a more exciting appearance with colored violins, and this is even more common for electric models.
Black violins can usually be expected to have a bold shape as can red, green, orange or blue violins.
White violins may be more traditional or classy, but these types can have outrageous looks as well.
Size
Courtesy of Jeremy Hiebert
Violins are made in many sizes to accommodate violin players of different sizes and ages. Choosing the right violin size involves extending your arm and measuring the length from your neck to the center of your palm.
Most adults will require a full size violin. Children and smaller adults may need a half size violin or smaller. In general, arm length will correspond with instrument size:
| Arm Length | Violin Size |
|---|---|
| Over 23″ | 4/4 violin |
| 22″ | 3/4 size violin |
| 20″ | 1/2 size violin |
| 18″ | 1/4 violin |
| 16″ | 1/8 violin |
| 15″ | 1/10 violin |
| 14″ | 1/16 violin |
Courtesy of Pictures of Money
Price
The price is an important factor for those looking for the best instrument, but it is also important for those shopping within a budget.
The difference in price between most models is the quality of the wood used in construction, the workmanship of the model and the initial set up.
The more carefully a violin is constructed, the better the sound. With better sound comes a higher price tag. The price will also be increased with add-ons, adjustments, services and replacement parts.
Tips on Choosing the Best Violin
Decide ahead of time if you’d rather buy or rent. Your decision to buy or rent the instrument will depend upon the age and skill level of the player. It’s important to make this decision ahead of time because it will likely affect the type and quality of violin you buy.
Bring another violinist along. Having another opinion (especially one with more experience or advanced skill that already knows how to buy a violin) will help you better avoid models you don’t need to get the most from your investment.
Check the quality of the construction. There are several factors that show a violin to be well-made. You should check any model in which you have interest for cracks, warps, weak spots, off-center components, etc. A violin worth your time will look virtually flawless.”
If possible, try it before buying. You should never purchase a violin without testing it out and comparing it to other models. You may actually get to go off into a practice room with your own bow. Even when buying online, try to find your model at a local violin shop for a test run.”
Test the sound as much as possible. It helps to have another ear with you to provide opinions on the things you cannot hear. The projection of a violin is better assessed at a distance, and having input in that area is essential.
Take it home first. Many violin shops will let you borrow a model for a week or more. You may be able to visit multiple shops to compare models at home before purchase.”
What to Look for When Buying a Violin
Violin Parts and Accessories
Violin Cases
The best violin case is clearly one that will do the best job to protect your instrument, but there are many factors that work together to make this happen.
When choosing a case, you should align your priorities when it comes to security, features and weight. The best violin cases offer extra suspension and cushioning, weatherproofing and durability.
Some even come in exciting colors for esthetic value. Cases we recommend that have these features include the Stylus 5001S Bam violin case and Featherlite 1003 Bobelock violin case.
Violin Strings
Choosing the best violin strings involves considering the material, gauge, price and brand. The best strings for violin players will depend upon their skill and the sound they desire to create.
Violin strings are available in different thicknesses and tensions. A thin violin string provides brighter sound while thick string offers louder more centered sound. Pirastro Evah Pirazzi violin strings have a synthetic core and produce powerful sound matched with easy response and playability.
They are available in thin, medium and thick. D’Addario Helicore violin strings are steel-core strings with a warm sound. They are very responsive and produce unique overtones due to their winding pattern.
Violin Bows
Choosing the best violin bow requires you to consider the most important components of a violin bow. These include the stick and hair material, weight, shape and sound quality.
Testing violins means you bring a bow, but testing bows means you should bring the violin you plan to play to the shop and try out new bow models before committing. The Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Violin Bow 4/4 is one of the best violin bows that balances quality and cost well.
The weight and material allow for improved form and execution, and this is especially important for new players.
Violin Rosin
You should decide if you prefer more grip and traction (dark rosin) or a smoother glide (light rosin). Quality rosin should make a significant change in your ability to play your instrument, so it should be easy to apply.
The best rosin for violin is soft enough to use immediately and able to resist shattering. Rosins that are more high-quality will leave less residue behind, and the best violin rosin also works with an individual’s unique circumstances including their strings, sound preferences and climate.
Two quality rosin products include Petz VP-054V Light Rosin and Andrea Vienna Rosin.
New Violins vs Used Violins
If you are a new buyer, you have probably come across debates online about whether it is best for new players to start with new or used violins.
Courtesy of en.wikipedia.org
Like other factors involved with buying a new instrument, there are pros and cons to owning both new and old violins.
There is an excitement players experience upon opening a brand new instrument. A modern violin will be fresh in appearance with no wear, chips or cracks. It should be set up, fun to play and responsive.
A new violin will improve over time due to being broken in through constant play and through continuous aging of its wood. With a new violin, you are less likely to need repetitive repairs or to notice sudden worsening of appearance.
A used violin can be just as good as a brand new one. The wood has already matured and will be less likely to warp when exposed to environmental changes.
Many older used violins produce more mellow tones due to age and the trend of making modern violins sound louder. It is ultimately up to the buyer to choose a new or used violin, but the owner and staff here all agree that buying newer is better in the long run.
Violin FAQ
How often should I re-hair my bow?
Some people must re-hair their bows as often as twice a year (or every six months) while some players can last as long as 18 months. The frequency with which a player must do this depends on how much wear is put on the hair due to how often they play.
What is the best violin size for a __ year old?
Children use violins of all sizes, but the correct size is not just dependent upon the child’s age. The child’s arms must be measured to ensure a precise fit. Going by age alone may result in a model that is too large, and this will hinder his or her development.
My violin is damaged. How do I fix it?
Violins are precious crafts made with natural materials and often worked by hand. It is never wise to attempt to fix any major issues by yourself. If your instrument is in need of significant repair, you should take it to a violin shop to have it professionally serviced.
How should I store my violin?
Keep your violin in a safe place when not in use. Never leave it in places with extreme temperatures or humidity. Always place it with the string side up, and never place it in a chair or on the floor as it can get sat on or stepped on. If you prefer to keep your violin within easy reach, consider buying a violin wall hanger.
Where to Buy Violins
Violins are some of the oldest, most classic and most celebrated instruments in history, and they can be purchased and owned nearly anywhere.
After trying and testing out preferred models, many people choose to purchase their instruments in stores and shops as they are within quick access.
The secret of how to buy a violin with reduced price? Though it comes with the waiting for delivery, buying violins online can often be a much more beneficial option. You can order your instrument whenever you need it and often save on violin costs.
Expensive violins can burn a hole in your pocket, but many online retailers offer discounts on these and other models.
The best violin to buy is the one that best meets your needs, and taking advantage of reduced prices is a big need for those shopping on a budget. The cost of a violin can increase if it must be professionally set up or if you buy your own accessories.
Manufacturers and online stores such as Amazon offer popular fiddles for sale much lower than prices in violin shops. Another benefit is the ability to compare more models than those they may only have in your local area.
Making the Decision
There is a virtually never-ending span of information when it comes to purchasing a new violin. It can be hard enough for experienced players to sort through this information, but it is completely overwhelming for beginners.
Hopefully the violin buying process has been made simpler with the guide provided here.
It is important to learn the most significant aspects of owning a violin, so every player should look for the same basic traits before considering any instrument.
The model must produce good sound, be comfortable to maneuver and easy to play. Many buyers have special circumstances that require them to look for certain things in a new instrument.
Some people are budding players or are the parents of young amateurs. Other buyers are intermediate and advanced players looking for the right models that will help them enhance their skill while suiting their current skill level. Still others are curious to try out electric models.
At this point you should have a better understanding of the factors that are necessary to choose a great violin and also how to choose one for your unique situation.
As you or your child’s skill level increases, you will already have a wealth of information to which you can refer to know how to move up the violin ladder.
Consider all of the options available to you, and use this guide to help you narrow down your choices. Now that you know you can make an informed decision, get started testing out instruments today so you can start playing as soon as you want.
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How to choose a violin? Overview of Tononi
tools
The violin, as the most widespread stringed bowed instrument, is called the “queen of the orchestra” for a reason. And not only the fact that there are about a hundred musicians in a large symphony orchestra, and one third of them are violinists, confirms this. The expressiveness, warmth and tenderness of its timbre, the melodiousness of the sound, as well as the enormous performing opportunities rightfully give the violin a leading position both in the symphony orchestra and in solo practice.
It is extremely important to find a decent violin even for the initial stage of training, because a good instrument is a great help on the way to becoming a professional musician. It’s no secret that music lessons require a lot of diligence and hard work. A responsive and easy-to-use instrument with a beautiful timbre not only creates conditions for more productive activities, but also enhances interest in music.
The founders of Tononi – music teachers Yi-Ru Kehler-Chen and Tobias Kehler, teaching in various music schools, were often surprised how many students play bad instruments.The musicians approached this problem constructively – they began to create string instruments that would not only meet high requirements, but would also be available to most students.
Before the instrument is released for sale, the violin is tested: the pegs are lubricated, the strings are stretched, the position of the soul and stand is adjusted, the tension of the strings is checked. Then the instrument is tuned, and a trial beating takes place. Further adjustments are made if necessary.Only after such a thorough check is the violin sent to the buyer or to the store.
The chief violin maker and consultant to Tononi today is Otto Felix Krupp. He also makes custom-made high quality master tools under the Tononi brand. Prior to joining Tononi in 2010, Krupp had his own workshop in Duisburg, and before that he studied bow-making in Cologne and Dusseldorf.
Tononi’s line of violins is extensive and includes instruments of different levels – both in price and in purpose.It may seem that the information on the Tononi violin series presented in this review is too laconic and even scanty. Do not be confused by this impression. As often happens, the masters do not reveal all their secrets.
Violins 100 and 300 series
(previously 1000 and 3000 respectively) are intended for beginner musicians. Smooth across the entire range, a pleasant sound is born thanks to high-quality materials and competent technologies. The 100 series violins are distinguished by the even color of the top soundboard and the smoothness of the wood texture.Series 300
has a more pronounced texture of the material. In addition, it is made according to other patterns and slightly differs in size downward. However, this does not deprive the instrument of a spacious, rich sound.
Series 520
(formerly 5200) is aimed at discerning advanced musicians, including music students at intermediate and advanced levels. It was created by a team of leading violin manufacturers who consulted regularly with concert musicians, educators and students.As a result, taking into account all the wishes to the smallest detail, this line of violins was developed. The instruments have a semi-matt finish, which gives the impression of antiquity. Often it is the interesting appearance that attracts attention in the first place when choosing a tool.
Series 920
(formerly 9200) The violin is crafted from carefully selected wood. Modern factory technology is based on the tradition of making artisanal tools. Violins are responsive and meet the high demands of musicians.In the 920 model, under the noble glossy luster of the lacquer, a deep and rich tone of wood is visible, which shimmers in various shades from honey to golden brown.
Series 950
(formerly 9500) This is the top violin model from the German manufacturer. Each tononi 950 violin is unique and is hand-finished in the company’s workshop in Münster. An original French stand and professional strings deliver a strong, vibrant sound. Alcohol varnish, also applied by hand, gives the instrument a warm, expressive tone.The model is distinguished by a pronounced wood grain texture. The level of professionalism shown in the production of the 950 series tools is close to that of artisanal tools. When placed in the hands of a professional violinist or craftsman, a violin invariably receives high marks for its workmanship and sonic characteristics.
A few questions to the violin maker.
Oleg Tsolakovich Muradyan, a master of stringed instruments at the Mikhailovsky Theater for more than 20 years, is currently a master of the City Palace of Youth Creativity.
– There is an opinion that every professional violinist dreams of a Stradivarius violin. For a long time mathematicians, physicists, master-tuners studied in detail the sound of the violins of this master, but they could not theoretically substantiate their unique acoustics and give recommendations on how to make such an instrument. But maybe there are some canons of violin construction that the masters follow?
– Today there are various schools and trends in the art of violin making, the most outstanding are the Italian, French and German schools.Of course, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. They are noticeably different from each other in the way they are made and in sound. Although, in all schools sometimes came across instruments with characteristics unusual for this school, “alien”.
– What materials are used today in the manufacture of violins and why?
– I can note that in the process of making a violin, three types of wood are used: spruce, maple and ebony (black) wood. Various parts of the tool are made from these species, which depends on the properties of the wood.Since the sound of the bass strings is largely dependent on the top deck, the most ideal combination of elasticity and softness is ideal for it. Spruce wood possesses these qualities. Maple is used to prepare the lower deck, head and sides, since this deck is responsible for the operation of the upper register, the frequencies of which correspond to the density of maple. The neck is made of ebony, which, due to its excellent strength and rigidity (by the way, it belongs to the wood that sinks in water) is as resistant to wear as possible from the work of the strings.Only an iron tree can become a rival to him, but it is very heavy, moreover, green in color.
– Is it possible to evaluate in some way the work of the master who made it by taking the violin in hand?
– Yes, absolutely. First, a competent selection of a piece of material. In addition to a proven wood species and proper preparation, you also need to select the most successful fragment for each element of the violin. Secondly, the neatness of the connections, the quality of the mustache inset and many other small details.If you are a violin maker yourself, you will see it with the naked eye. Finally, the lacquer covering the body, the composition of which is usually kept secret by each master. This means that, despite the abundance of computer technology, the art and talent of the master is still in the first place in the craft of making violins. It is his intuition that ultimately determines how the instrument will turn out and how it will sound.
– What is your impression of Tononi violins? How can you rate the models you saw (520, 920, 950)?
– I can say that if you are going to buy a violin, then this is a surprisingly good option.All the violins I have seen so far meet all the criteria we just talked about. It can be seen that they are produced “according to the mind”, competently and competently. These instruments have everything to sound great. It is possible to improve some of the nuances, but this is already the work of the master after purchasing the instrument. In general, one can only rejoice and express a wish that Tononi continue to maintain the same approach to the production of bowed strings. Today it is rare to find violins of such high quality on sale at a reasonable price.
A few questions to the violin teacher.
Fedorenko Evgeniya Solomonovna, teacher of the Children’s School of Arts named after P. A. Serebryakova
– The violin is a special instrument, it requires a delicate approach both when choosing and handling. What do you need to know first of all in order to choose the right violin for a person starting to learn to play this instrument?
– The first thing to start with is the size of the violin.There can be no link to the age of the child, since the physical development of children varies greatly. A universal way is to place the instrument on your shoulder, as you would when playing, and extend your left hand parallel to the violin. The curl should rest against the bottom edge of the palm. In other words, only the entire palm should be visible from under the violin. As a teacher, I also judge by the size of the child’s hand. It should be proportional to the bar so that the position of the hand and fingers when playing is natural.
Then comes the quality of the wood.Unfortunately, most new modern violins are made from raw, under-dried wood. It is unprofitable for manufacturers in a competitive environment to observe the aging time of the tree, and the artificially dried material will still differ in properties from naturally dried wood. Therefore, it is often difficult to understand what a new instrument is, what timbre potential it has. Such a violin will really sound in 3-5 years, when the wood dries up naturally.
On the other hand, if the sound of the instrument at the time of selection is good enough, then hopefully it will get even better over time. One condition is that the violin must be constantly played, it will not play itself out. In connection with the above, it is better to try a new instrument by sound. Although my personal opinion is that in the early stages of learning, sonic characteristics are not critical for a small violinist. In any case, up to the size of 1 / 4-1 / 2 ;, the child is just beginning to learn to work with sound.This is the stage where you can get by with a not very expensive tool. But, already starting from size 1/2; I make sure that all students have violins of at least European production – Czech Republic or Germany.
– What other nuances related to sound should be considered when choosing an instrument?
– In general, there are no insignificant details in the quality of the violin sound. Everything has its meaning and adds up to the overall result.
With regard to the factors that influence sound, I would prioritize as follows.In the first place is the correct setting of the shower and stand. There should be a small distance between them, which only a violin maker can determine. The stand should be tailored to the shape of the deck and fit snugly. I usually recommend taking a not too thick stand, this is also important.
The next in importance is the underwire (tailpiece), it is better that it be made of wood. Metal and plastic can produce unwanted overtones. In addition, the metal cradle often makes the violin heavier and should be avoided.On the first two strings, you can put machines for fine tuning, but I advise you to tune the third and fourth strings only with the help of tuning pegs, without machines.
The rest of the parts – bridge, chin, loop, button, tuning pegs – also have an impact on the sound, but here comfort is in many ways the determining factor. Although the tradition of making them from the same type of wood also arose not by chance. Ideally, you can put a headset made in the same style and from the same material (ebony, rosewood, walnut, etc.)- usually it includes a chin, pegs, buttons, and a vein.
Many now put a pillow instead of a bridge, someone does without it altogether – it depends on physiology. In my class, many children start off without a bridge – this is how I think they feel better with the instrument. Initially, this is more important than the benefits of using the bridge.
– What importance do you attach to the choice of bow for your students?
– The bow is a separate, extremely essential element in the process of playing, it is worth paying close attention to the choice of the bow.It must meet many requirements, and this is important for novice violinists – maybe somewhere even more important than the instrument. If we are talking about wooden bows, then the first condition is that the cane must be straight! That is, if you take the bow with a stretched hair by the block, rest the head against a horizontal surface and press so that the cane bends down – it should move parallel to the hair. In any case, it should be easy to control, keep it centered. If it goes to the side, you shouldn’t expect that this bow will be comfortable when playing.The second option is modern carbon bows. For little violinists, they are often a godsend, because even if a child sits on it, the cane will not break and, moreover, will remain straight. Children don’t always take care of their tools, no matter how much we want it.
Check that the screw in the shoe is in good condition and allows you to properly tighten and loosen the hair. Be sure to release the hair on the bow after class – this will significantly increase its service life, and will allow you to change your hair less often.For a child, I usually choose a bow with a thinner cane so that it is comfortable for the child’s hand to hold it. The same, by the way, applies to the neck – sometimes you can find a violin (1/4 or 1/8, for example) with a thick neck, which just does not really fit in your hand. Of course, effective lessons with such instruments are no longer discussed, the child is uncomfortable.
I have no specific wishes for the weight of the bow, this is a moment from the category of “whoever is comfortable.” Although there is one rule – I give girls heavier bows so that they can play more with the weight of the bow itself, and apply less physical strength.
If a violinist studies seriously and wants to achieve any noticeable results, then there can be only one bow material – fernambuck, I simply do not consider other types of wood. This is the only material that has properties suitable for comfortable play – first of all, sufficient elasticity. Despite this, if you are going to buy such a bow, then you should not think that a particular instance will not require verification. In any case, you need to test it for curvature or screw defects, as well as for the quality and quantity of hair.
A few questions to the student violinist of the Conservatory.
Elizaveta Goldenberg, 2nd year student of St. Rimsky-Korsakov, (class of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Gantvarg M. Kh.), Accompanist of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of St. Petersburg.
– Elizabeth, everyone knows that professional violinists play master violins. Such an instrument is acquired when the violinist reaches a certain level of skill.I would like to know what was your very first instrument?
– My first violin was the most ordinary factory “eight”, which was given to me by my teacher at a music school. It is a very common situation when the teacher at the initial stage of teaching gives students the tools from his “collection”. And I was no exception. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you how good that violin was.
– What do you think is the first thing to pay attention to when choosing a violin for those who are just taking their first steps?
– I must say that it is great when there is a possibility of choice, because, as a rule, a child plays the instrument that was given to him at school.But if there is an opportunity to choose, then convenience is of paramount importance. It is very important to decide on the size. The tool should be comfortable for the child. Perhaps this is the most important thing. I don’t think it’s worth paying much attention to the sound, because at the initial stage it is more important to learn how to hold the instrument correctly.
– What did you pay attention to when you chose a more serious instrument for yourself?
– For me, the essential point is the uniformity of the timbre of all four strings.The fact is that often the outer strings (E and G) are too loud, and the middle strings (A and D) fall out in timbre and sound very dull.
The degree of curvature of the stand is also important. The contour of the bridge should follow the curve of the neck, and the curve of the bridge should not be too flat, because then the three strings will be on the same level, and it will be inconvenient to play.
But this is all individual. The main thing is that you just like the instrument, as they say, lie in your hand.Almost every violinist immediately understands whether it is his instrument or not. From my own experience I can tell you that it is not the musician who chooses the instrument, but the violin chooses the musician.
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What is important to know and how to decide?
In our time, every person is faced with the question of choice everywhere.This also applies to shopping in supermarkets, shops, online shopping and so on. In order to make the right choice and give preference to the highest quality product or product, it is worth exploring several possible options. And only after that make a purchase.
Many people believe that choosing a particular product should be by name (brand). If the company is widely known, then the quality of its products will be quite high. Someone thinks that you need to pay more attention to the price, because a good thing will not be cheap.The choice of musical instruments and equipment is especially relevant. So we continue.
Violins caught our attention today – compare 4 models: Hora V-100 4/4, Stentor Graduate 1542 / A (4/4), Stagg VN-3/4 and Strunal 15w (3/4).
Initially, let’s consider what all four models have in common:
- All four violins are made from the same materials. Namely: the top is made of spruce and the bottom is made of maple. Due to the resonant properties of spruce wood, it is often the choice for strings and bowed instruments.
- All represent the class of training models .
- Classical tailpieces are micro-tuned, which means you have the ability to more carefully adjust the pitch of the strings, their bend, and change their length, which will affect the sound of the music you play.
- The color of all presented violins is natural (lacquered wood).
Now let’s take a closer look at each tool separately.
Hora V-100 4/4
This violin belongs to the student class.It is considered the benchmark for those who are just starting to learn to play this fragile musical instrument.
The lacquer finish gives the violin more sophistication. This is an excellent version of a quality violin from a well-known Romanian manufacturer. It has unique sound and offers excellent value for money.
Violin Micro Tuning – at E and A. The 4/4 violin size is full size violin . The strings are made of metal.
Stentor Graduate 1542 / A (4/4)
A full-size violin (4/4) made in China with an eye-catching Shaded Satin lacquer finish.Perfect for students, as well as those who are just starting to learn the instrument.
The strings of the violin are made of a special synthetic fiber. Includes stylish storage case for violin. The violin bow is made of ebony and natural horsehair.
Stagg VN-3/4
This violin differs from the previous two in size (3/4) and in its price, which is significantly lower than that of other comparable violins. If the average price of “neighboring” models is 6.5 thousand hryvnia, then this violin will cost you just a little more than 2.6 thousand hryvnia.
Tailpiece is made of black metal, neck and bridge are made of maple.
Belgian model of decent quality . Belongs to the class of student violins. Great for beginners. It is especially convenient for children to play on it.
Strunal 15w (3/4)
Violin of Czech production. This is a student violin of the Stradivari model. The fingerboard is made of ebony and the neck is made of maple.
Unlike other comparable violins, this model has a micro-tuning bridge for all strings, rather than selectively.
We also see that the price for this model is slightly higher than for similar student models.
Results
Of course, when choosing this or that tool, you should not rely only on the price. It is necessary to take into account all the characteristics of the tool, in accordance with your requests and requirements that you “put” in front of the tool. If you are a beginner, you should also first consult with a teacher.
Before buying a violin, it is important to understand which features are your priority.Thanks to the table below, you can visually see the general and different in the presented models, as well as get to know each of them in more detail by clicking on the links below.
| Model | Hora V-100 (4/4) | Stentor Graduate 1542 / A (4/4) | Stagg VN-3/4 | Strunal 15w (3/4) |
| Price, UAH | 6 655.88 ₴ | 6 431.00 ₴ | 2 658.00 ₴ | 7,050.00 ₴ |
| Size | 4/4 | 4/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 |
| Top deck | Spruce | Spruce | Spruce | Spruce |
| Bottom deck, sides | Maple | Maple | Maple | Maple |
| Tailpiece | With micro-trimmer | With micro-trimmer | With micro-trimmer | With micro-trimmer |
| Color | Natural | Natural | Natural | Natural |
| Case | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bow | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Production | Romania | China | Belgium | Czech Republic |
| Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy |
Make your choice consciously: MUSICIAN.ukr is always ready to help – get acquainted with the models, ask questions to our consultants online, by phone or in our offline stores. Take action!
90,000 Best Violin Brand Custom Made in China German 4/4 Violin Musical Instruments
Description and reviews
Specifications
Product series: factory, you can
Panel: Tianshan Snow Ridge Spruce
Size selection: 1/4 1/2 3/4 4/4
Product positioning: professional advanced musicians
Special craft: original, factory, factory price, hand – made lute code Retro Craft lute head hand polished
| Best Brand Violin Runners For Made in China German 4/4 Violin Instruments Musical | |
| Style | Violin |
| Top | Carved spruce |
| Rear cover | Fire Maple |
| Side and Neck View | Maple |
| Guitar Neck | Ebony |
| Tail | Carbon fiber blade and 4 adjustments |
| Pegs and chinrest | Ebony |
| Size | 4 / 4-1 / 16 |
Taixing Factory, You Can Musical Instruments Co ,.ltd is located in 2013. Located in Huangqiao-violin China city, we have a professional group of products, scientific research, favorable price, accounting and management. Our factory has over 2000 squareters and over 100 employees. Our monthly output of violins, 6000 units. The academic result is more than USD 10 million. We have 5 production lines for making violins, cello, violin, cases, kids guitars and accessories. From student leval to professional leval, you can buy all kinds and sizes of goods from us.Our products are sold all over the world, including the Middle East, East Asia, Europe, North America, Europe, and so on. With the motto of the manufacturer, people-oriented quality first, customer first, we will do our best to be your best partner in music venues. Welcome our friends and music lovers from all over the world to visit us.
1. Q: Are you a manufacturer or a trading company?
Q: We are a manufacturer located in Taixing Jiangsu Violin City.We have made violin products, guitar, ukulele and violin case. We made all grades and all sizes. Our price is Competitive and with good service. We have an export license and are professional in export. If necessary, so that we can help you export other musical instruments, moreover.
2. Q: What is your minimum order for your products?
Q: Usually our MOQ is 1 carton, which means 10 pieces.But if we accept payment for the sample through the systems, we can send 1 piece; In case of problems with delivery by courier. We accept orders for sewing small ones with a large order. Welcome to order from us.
3. Q: Do you do OEM products?
Q: We do OEM products for most of our customers. Especially overseas partners. Your brand can be printed on violin products and accessories as well.
4.Q: How long will it take for delivery if I place an order?
Q: We have stock for some normal items you ordered. If your order amount does not have special products, then we can send the goods within one week. If you place a large order, depending on your quantity, we will have a schedule for you, usually within 30 days.
5. Q: How do I pay?
Q: We prefer 30% down payment at the time of ordering.And the rest before shipping. We will send goods checking photos for you to confirm and pay.
6. A: What is your usual export port?
Q: We mainly export from Shanghai and our prices you can quote free on board Shanghai. For a full container consignment, it is better to export from Shanghai and save shipping cost. And the second port’s close and popular Ningbo. Okay, we can deliver the goods as soon as possible to Guangzhou or Tianjin or some other ports for dispatch if necessary.
7. Q: Can I buy related products and ship from your company?
Q: We are happy to work with stores and send them all products from our warehouse. If you order an accessory and shipped together, it can save you a lot of money.
Secrets of violins by Antonio Stradivari – Rossiyskaya Gazeta
On December 18, 1737, Antonio Stradivari, a master who left behind an immortal legacy, died at the age of 93 in his native Cremona.About 650 musical instruments delight the ear of sophisticated fans of classical sound today. For almost three centuries, the question has haunted the manufacturers of musical instruments: why the sound of Stradivari violins is similar to the sonorous and gentle female voice?
Strings from veins
In 1655, Antonio was only one of the many disciples of the best violin maker in Italy, Nicolo Amati.
Being at that time just an errand boy for the famous master, Stradivari sincerely did not understand: why the butcher, in response to the signora’s note, sends him guts.
Amati revealed the first of the secrets of making instruments to his student: strings are made from the insides of lambs. According to the technology of that time, they were soaked in an alkaline solution based on soap, dried and then rolled. It was believed that not all strands were suitable for strings. The best material is the veins of 7-8 month old lambs raised in Central and Southern Italy. Amati taught his charges that the quality of the strings depends on the pasture, on the time of slaughter, on water and many other factors.
Tyrolean Wood
At the age of 60, when most people are already retiring, Antonio developed a violin model that brought him immortal fame.
His violins sang so extraordinarily that some seriously argued that the wood from which the instruments were made was the wreckage of Noah’s ark.
Scientists suggest that Stradivari used alpine fir trees that grew in unusually cold weather. Such wood had an increased density, which gave a distinctive sound to the instruments made from it.
Stradivari, undoubtedly, chose only the highest quality wood for his tools: well dried, seasoned. A special spruce was used to make the soundboard, maple was used for the bottom. In addition, he cut the lumps not into boards, but into sectors: “orange slices” were obtained. The researchers came to this conclusion based on the location of the annual layers.
Furniture varnish
It was said that Stradivari learned the secret of varnish in one of the pharmacies and improved the recipe by adding “insect wings and dust from the floor of his own workshop.”
Another legend says that the Cremona master prepared his mixtures from the resin of trees that grew in those days in the Tyrolean forests, and later they were cleanly cut down.
In fact, everything is quite prosaic: scientists have found that the varnish with which Stradivari covered his famous violins was no different from that used by furniture makers in that era.
At the same time, many instruments were generally “repainted” during restoration in the 19th century. Even a risky experiment was carried out: the varnish was washed off from one of the violins with caustic mixtures.The instrument has faded, peeled off, but did not sound worse.
Ideal shape
Stradivari had a special way of hollowing out the decks, a unique pattern of holes, a characteristic outline of the outer lines. Historians argue that among the violins known today, no two are exactly the same in relief and sound.
In an attempt to repeat the success of Stradivari, the masters went to extreme measures: they opened an old violin and made ten new ones using it, reproducing the shape to the smallest detail.So, in the USSR in the 1930-1950s, scientific research of Stradivari violins was carried out in order to establish the production of similar instruments on automatic lines. The most successful experimental instruments turned out to be quite comparable to Stradivarius instruments in sound.
The most successful imitations, experts believe, are on account of Simon Fernando Sacconi. This Italian master of bowed instruments, who worked in the first half of the 20th century, used the model of Antonio Stradivari to create instruments and achieved excellent results.
Scientist and Carver Talent
Stradivari possessed the intuition of a scientist, the dexterous hands of a cabinet-maker, the sharp eye of an artist, the fine ear of a musician. And all this, multiplied a thousandfold by inexhaustible hard work, he put into his creations. Perhaps, it is in the talent of the master that the secret of the sound of his instruments is hidden?
The master did not strive to imitate anyone, he strove to achieve beauty and power of sound at any cost. His work became the work of a researcher. His violins are acoustic experiments, some more successful, others less.Sometimes the subtlest change in the properties of wood forced him to correct the configuration of the decks, their thickness, bulge. Rumor told the master how to do this.
And, of course, the value of the “brand” should not be disregarded: it is believed that Stradivari’s fame was brought about by about 20 percent of his musical instruments. The rest, less outstanding, were perceived as works of art only because their author is “the very Cremona genius.”
History of the violin | Articles
01-25-2016
Tool prototype
The violin, as the most widespread stringed bowed instrument, is not without reason called the “queen of the orchestra”.And not only the fact that there are more than a hundred musicians in a large orchestra, and one third of them are violinists, confirms this. The expressiveness, warmth and tenderness of her timbre, the melodiousness of sound, as well as enormous performing opportunities rightfully give her a leading position, both in a symphony orchestra and in solo practice.
Of course, we all represent the modern appearance of the violin, which was given to it by the famous Italian masters, but its origin is still unclear.
Around this issue, disputes are ongoing to this day. There are many versions of the history of this instrument. According to some reports, India is considered the birthplace of bowed instruments. Someone suggests that China and Persia. Many versions are based on the so-called “bare facts” from literature, painting, sculpture, or on early documents confirming the origin of the violin in such and such a year, in such and such a city. From other sources, it follows that many centuries before the appearance of the violin as such, almost every cultural ethnic group already had similar bowed instruments and therefore it is inexpedient to look for the roots of the origin of the violin in certain parts of the world.
Many researchers consider the synthesis of such instruments as the rebeck, the guitar-shaped fidel and the bowed lyre, which arose in Europe around the 13th-15th centuries, to be a certain prototype of the violin.
Rebecque is a three-stringed bowed instrument with a pear-shaped body that blends into the neck. Has a deck with resonator holes in the form of brackets and a fifth tuning.
Guitar-shaped fidel , like the rebeck, has a pear-shaped shape, but without a neck, with one to five strings.
The bowed lyre is the closest in external structure to the violin, and they coincide in time of occurrence (about the 16th century). History of the Lyre Violin has a violin-shaped body, on which corners appear over time. Later, a convex bottom and resonator holes in the form of f-holes (f) are formed. But the lyre, unlike the violin, was multi-stringed.
The issue of the history of the origin of the violin in the Slavic countries – Russia, Ukraine and Poland is also considered.This is evidenced by icon painting, archaeological excavations. Thus, the Polish bowed instruments include three-stringed gensle and hut , Russian – bows . By the 15th century, an instrument similar to the current violin appeared in Poland – violin , in Russia with a similar name – creak .
By its origin, the violin was still a folk instrument.In many countries, the violin is still widely used in folk instrumental music. This can be seen in the paintings of the artists D. Teniers (“Flemish Festival”), H.V.E. Dietrich (Wandering Musicians) and many others. Wandering musicians also liked to play the violin, who went from town to town, took part in festivals, festivities, performed in taverns and taverns.
For a long time, the violin remained in the background, noble people treated it with disdain, considering it a common instrument.
Beginning of the history of modern violin
In the 16th century, two main types of bowed instruments were clearly distinguished: the viola and the violin.
Undoubtedly, we all know that the violin acquired its modern look in the hands of Italian masters, and the violin business began to develop actively in Italy around the 16th century. This time can be considered the beginning of the history of the development of modern violin.
The earliest Italian violin makers were G asparo Bertolotti (or “da Salo” (1542-1609) and Giovanni Paolo Magini (1580-1632), both from Brescia in northern Italy.But very soon Cremona became the world center of violin production. And, of course, members of the family Amati (Andrea Amati – founder of the Cremona school) and Antonio Stradivari (a student of Nicolo Amati, who improved the look and sound of the violin) are considered the most outstanding and unsurpassed masters of violin making. And the family Guarneri (Giuseppe del Gesu is the most famous of the family; his best violins surpass Stradivari’s instruments with their warmth and sonority of tone) completes this great triumvirate.
For a long time, the violin was considered an accompanying instrument (for example, in France it was only suitable for dancing). Only in the 18th century, when music began to sound in concert halls, the violin, with its unsurpassed sound, became a solo instrument.
Many pieces of music of various genres have been written for the violin – from plays and etudes to monumental concerts. Works for violin by I.S. Bach, G.F. Handel, V.A. Mozart, L.V. Beethoven, I.Brahms, K. Debussy, A. Vivaldi (cycle “The Seasons”), J. Haydn, F. Mendelssohn, S.S. Prokofiev, P.I. Tchaikovsky, A.K. Glazunov, D.D. Shostakovich, I.F. Stravinsky, A.I. Khachaturian and others. The history of violin performance has brought forward a galaxy of brilliant virtuosos. These are the genius N. Paganini, A. Corelli, A. Vivaldi, G. Tartini, wonderful violinists and teachers A. Vieuxtemps, G. Veniavsky, J. Joachim, E. Isai, F. Kreisler, J. Thibault, B. Guberman, J. Heifets, Z. Francescatti, M.B. Polyakin, D.F. Oistrakh, L.B. Kogan, M.I. Weiman, B.L. Gutnikov. The art of I. Stern, I. Menuhin, I. Perelman, Sh. Mints, P. Tsukerman, V.A. Klimova, I. D. Oistrakh, V.V. Tretyakov, V.T. Spivakova and others. In the 30s, the first jazz violinists of world importance appeared, such as Stefan Grappelli, Joe Venuti, Staff Smith.
Currently, the violin in jazz is represented by one of the most popular jazz players – Jean-Luc Ponti.
