Thinking of Buying a Cheap Violin?

When you are just starting out on the violin, it may seem like a bit of an expensive hobby to start. It is understandable not wanting to spend large sums of money initially but are there violin brands to avoid?

Can you take a chance on a cheap violin, or should you just spend the extra money on good violin brands? Many a beginner, or parent of a beginner, has asked themselves, “What violin brands should I avoid?” and it is a fair question.

The truth is that you do not have to spend a fortune getting the best of the best, but going for the cheapest brand is also not necessarily a good idea either. A badly-made violin will never sound quite right, and this makes it a lot harder to master the skill.

Students might give up, thinking that they are no good when, in reality, it is actually the instrument that is letting them down.

In this post, we will look at what kind of violin brands to stay away from and the best violin brands for beginners.

We certainly hope you benefit from the information we provide in this article! Just so you know, we may receive compensation if you use the links on this page. If you do, thank you so much!

Warning Signs of Violin Brands to Avoid

Unfortunately, the price is not always going to be a good indicator. You can get some options priced quite reasonably at around $400 or sometimes less that actually perform pretty well.

Here are some things that might indicate that you need to look elsewhere:

• The tailpiece, fingerboard, and pegs are plastic: These being made out of plastic is a bad sign. A plastic tailpiece is not going to last very long. Plastic pegs are not going to hold pitches very well, meaning that you will need to tune the violin frequently. This kind of violin is never going to sound quite right.
• A composite wood violin body: The body and parts of the violin are under a lot of pressure, even when the violin is not being played. A violin made of wood composite is not going to last very long. Go for a model that is made out of solid wood.
• Deals that look too good to be true: Deals that look too good to be true normally are. You are not going to find a genuine Rosewood violin for under a few hundred dollars. So, if you are looking at one being advertised for $60, you need to be suspicious.
• The fingerboard should preferably be ebony: Be weary of cheaper fingerboards that have been painted black to resemble ebony. So, if the fingerboard is painted, steer clear.

The Difference Between Student, Intermediate, and Professional Violin Brands

Student brands are entry-level brands. They are not bad quality and are great for learning on, but it is kind of like the difference between student grade and artist grade paints – you are not going to get the same results or longevity from the student grade option.

However, price-wise, the student grade is the least expensive option. If you have a kid that always changes their mind about their hobbies, this is probably the safest bet.

An intermediate brand is better crafted than the student brand and will last longer. It produces a good sound and is a good investment if you know that you are going to stick to it.

A professional violin is the most expensive because of the materials used. It could last for a few hundred years and, if you are taking your playing seriously, could be a good investment.

Features of Better Instruments

Look for instruments that are solidly constructed. The most important features to look for are the bridge and the materials used.

• Check the shape of the bridge: The bridge should be nicely shaped to compliment the shape of the violin. You shouldn’t need to “customize” it so steer clear of offerings that insist that you do. A curved bridge makes it easier to play individual notes. The bridge should fit flush against the body of the violin without any gaps
• Avoid plastic parts: The better violins are constructed completely out of wood.
• Nylon bow hairs are fine: Some companies stress how important it is to get bow hair that is made out of real horse hair instead of nylon. This is not essential, however.

Are There Good Violin Brands That are Cheap?

Yes, there are.

Not all brands are as well established, and that means that they need to charge less for their services. Cheap does not always mean badly made.

And, now that you know what kind of violin brands to avoid and what to look for in a good violin, you can find something that fits your needs and your budget.

Inexpensive Violin Brands You Can Be Comfortable With

Sticking with reasonable budget oriented instruments can make the difference between a new violinist enjoying a lifetime of creating music, or being discouraged right from the beginning.

There are certainly a good number of less expensive violins available under established names.

To help you get started, here are a few examples of good beginner violins:

Mendini MV400 Ebony Fitted Solid Wood Violin with...

ADM Violin 4/4 Full Size Solid Wood Polishing...

What is the Best Violin Brand for a Beginner? Read the Reviews:

Committing to buy a starter violin should only be done after you’ve researched the instruments you’re interested in.

Since violins aren’t necessarily the most affordable musical instrument on the market, the advice In this article will help you discover some of the best violin brands. You’ll also be able to pick up some useful tips about making an informed decision in selecting a violin that’s right for you.

We certainly hope you benefit from the information we provide in this article! Just so you know, we may receive compensation if you use the links on this page. If you do, thank you so much!

The Top 6 Best Brand-Name Violins Compared:

Now that you know what to consider when purchasing a violin, it is time to get to know the best brands of violins and why they are considered among the best.

1. Yamaha Violins

Although most of the best violins are handcrafted by an artisan, there are still some commercial brands that offer great choices when it comes to violins. Yamaha is one of these brands and they are known not only for their violins, but other musical instruments too.

For a beginner, it may not be best to purchase an artisan violin because they still need a lot of practice to play it. Most often than not, the best-quality violins are more difficult to play and learn from.

Top Yamaha Violin Choices:

Yamaha V3 Series Student Violin Outfit 3/4 Size

Yamaha Electric Violin-YEV104BL-Black-4 String...

Yamaha V3 Series Student Violin Outfit 4/4 Size

Yamaha is a Japanese manufacturer and their violins are known to be sturdy and reliable. They have violins for players of different levels. The “Standard” line is meant for students and beginners.

They also have more professional or higher level violins that even the more experienced players will greatly appreciate. Some of their violins are inspired by the famous handcrafted violins that well-known luthiers have crafted in the past.

2. Cremona Violins

Cremona is a brand that was founded in 1899 and is currently controlled by Saga Musical Instruments who maintain an exceptional level of quality standards for all of the many different instruments they offer.

They provide various models of violins suitable for beginners and more intermediate players alike. They produce high-quality violins because the makers were trained by the Italian and German masters themselves.

They are a well-recognized brand and are recipients of multiple honors and authentications because of how they create their products. They not only create quality violins, they also manufacture bows.

Top Cremona Violin Choices:

Cremona SV-75 Premier Novice Violin Outfit - 4/4...

Cremona SV-130 Premier Novice Violin Outfit - 4/4...

Sale

Cremona SV-500 Premier Artist Violin Outfit - 4/4...

They make use of high-quality wood and are careful in their assembly to make sure that the product is properly made. This may be the reason why they price their violins at a higher price than other brands.

The great thing about buying a violin from this well-known brand is that you can easily resell it as a used violin if you decide not to pursue playing it. There are many people who would love to buy this kind of violin, even if used.

3. Stentor Violins

Another very popular brand, and one of the best is Stentor. They provide high-quality violins that are also very durable, which may be one of the reasons why it is one of the most recommended brand by teachers.

Stentor has been around since the late 1800’s but it was in the 1960’s that they first crafted their own violins instead of previously importing them. This means that the quality of their instruments has improved and since then, they have built a great name for themselves.

Top Stentor Violin Choices:

Stentor, 4-String Violin, Brown, 1/2 (1500

Stentor 1400 3/4 Violin

Stentor, 4-String Violin, Brown,Red (1500 3/4)

Most Stentor violins, such as the Stentor 1500 model, are meant for beginners, but they also have other higher quality violins that are meant for orchestra play. It makes it possible for students to practice with them, as well as grow with their violins as they reach higher levels of expertise.

They make use of high-quality tone woods which produce a warm sound. Most models, if not all, make use of ebony fingerboards and pegs, which not only improves the sound, but the appearance as well.

4. Cecilio Violins

Cecilio gives you a taste of what a handcrafted violin can do, at a fraction of the cost of an artisan violin. The company has built a name for itself as one of the best violin brands for beginners because it offers a range of options at reasonable prices.

They pride themselves on offering solid workmanship, and a wide range of different violins. The company may not be one of the most famous violin brands just yet, but that’s changing fast.

The company takes its name from the patron saint of musicians, St Cecilia. The techniques used by the luthiers have been handed down by craftsmen over the centuries.

Top Cecilio Violin Choices:

Cecilio CVN-200 Full Size Violin with D'Addario...

Cecilio CVN-500 Solidwood Ebony Fitted Violin with...

This is the best violin brand if you want a decent instrument at an affordable price, such as the top selling Cecilio CVN-300. The company prides itself on giving you access to higher quality instruments at reasonable rates.

So, if you have a kid who is just starting, you’ll find that this is one of the best violin brands to start with. These instruments provide reasonable performance and are perfect for honing your craft.

Can you do better? Yes, but not without paying a lot more money for one of the more established violin brand names. These instruments come very close to professional-level instruments. If your child becomes serious about playing, they’ll want to upgrade later.

Until then, though, they get a high-quality instrument without you needing to mortgage your home.

5. Mendini

This is one of the most popular budget violin brands. Cecilio makes the instruments on behalf of Mendini, but they come in at a lower price point. The advantage of this set-up is that you get the quality that you’ve come to expect from Cecilio at an excellent price.

If you’re a beginner, unsure whether or not you will continue, this is a good option. You’ll usually get everything that you need to get started with most instruments this brand offers.

What you’re not getting here is a hand-crafted, artisan instrument – the Mendini MV300 is a perfect example of this. But then, at this price point, you cannot expect that. That said, these do produce a good sound and are ideal for beginners to practice on.

Top Mendini Violin Choices:

Sale

Mendini By Cecilio Violin 4/4 Full Size for...

Mendini by Cecilio Violin 4/4 Full Set For Kids &...

One of the areas where the company does cut corners is with the strings. We’d recommend replacing the strings with something of better quality as soon as possible.

Nine times out of ten, you’re also going to want to look into upgrading your bow at some stage. The bows supplied are fine, but they’re not the highest quality.

Generally, though, this brand wins points as being the best budget-friendly option. You’ll find it necessary to upgrade as you advance. That said, if you decide that playing the violin is not an option for you, you won’t feel as bad sticking these models in the back of the garage or selling them.

6. Knilling Violins

Knilling has established a solid reputation since they started in 1922. It’s one of the most popular violin brands amongst students and teachers because of the high-quality craftsmanship they offer. They have established themselves as one of the leading brands of student violins.

Every instrument that leaves the premises is thoroughly checked to ensure that it is up to the high-quality standards that Knilling maintains. You’re not going to get a dud if you’re ordering a Knilling. As part of the inspection process, the violin is also set up for you.

Top Knilling Violin Choices:

Knilling Europa 1/2 Size Violin Outfit (3K) - with...

Knilling Perfection I Violin Outfit Outfit 4/4...

That means that beginners can get started right away, without going to the extra expense of getting the instrument set up first. The price tag does reflect their popularity. These are not the cheapest on the market, so do expect to pay a little more.

That said, the extra cost is a worthwhile expense for a student who is eager to make progress. The pegs that Knilling makes are unique and one of the best selling points for their instruments.

The pegs have gears incorporated into the shank, which allows tuning to be as painless as possible and is one of the reasons that beginners love these models.

You can order the precision pegs, or request a model without them, as you prefer. We’d recommend sticking to the precision pegs because they make tuning so much simpler.

Worth Mentioning: Bunnel Violins

Bunnel is a range that is supplied by Kennedy. Kennedy Violins is based in Washington state and is a reasonably new name in the market. That hasn’t stopped them becoming extremely popular in the time they’ve been open.

The instruments are excellent quality and reasonably affordable as well. They are typically received with rave reviews. This is hardly surprising considering the care and craftsmanship that goes into every model.

They typically use spruce tonewoods and good-quality solid maple instead of composites. This does add to the cost a little, but it does make for instruments that are more durable and that sound amazing.

Top Bunnel Violin Choices:

Bunnel Pupil Violin Outfit 3/4 Size Clearance By...

Bunnel Premier Violin Clearance Outfit 3/4 Size -...

Ricard Bunnel G2 Violin Outfit 4/4 Size - Carrying...

The company was initially started by a music teacher who saw a big gap in the market. At the time, student violins didn’t offer the kind of performance needed for students to get the best out of their lessons.

Now, while there is a saying that a poor workman always blames their tools, quality does make a difference for a student.

The better the quality of the instrument, such as the Ricard Bunnel G2 Violin Outfit, the better the performance. Students using sub-standard instruments might well be put off because they sound flat.

Another aspect that we like about this brand is that it does offer great options for the intermediate user as well. So, as you advance, you can stick with the brand that you’ve come to know and trust.

How to Choose a Good Violin for Beginners

In selecting a violin to purchase, it is very important to consider the following:

Skill or level of expertise

One of the first things to consider is the skills or capability of the player. There are violins that are meant for beginners and there are also others that may best for more experienced or intermediate players.

It’s best to match the level of the player with the violin design so that the beginner player doesn’t get to frustrated in trying to play a violin meant for a more experienced one.

It also prevents the more experienced player from being limited with what they can do with the beginner violin.

Budget

The budget is another very important aspect to consider in purchasing a violin. Violins come at different prices and this depends on what materials are used, how it is constructed and even the brand that makes them. It is very important to compare the price with what you are exactly getting.

The most expensive violins are handcrafted and are mostly from Europe. Although they can be the most sought after for violin enthusiasts, there are also some lower priced ones that can be a great instrument too.

Make sure that the budget is realistic because violins don’t come cheap. You also wouldn’t want a very low-priced violin that is also low quality; you’ll just end up replacing it and spending more just to be able to play.

Type of playing

Some may want to learn how to play the violin for classical music, while others may want to play it, fiddle style, for folk music. Either way, the player should identify how they want to play so that they can find a violin more suited for them.

Violins that have a flatter bridge are best for folk music while those with an arch bridge are best for classical music players.

Usability of the violin

Another thing to consider is how long the player can use the violin. Although it is great that there are beginner violins, it is still best that the violin grows with the player. With that, the player won’t have to change and upgrade violins every few years.

Choose the Right Violin Size

With any brand of violin that you choose, you should also make sure that the size fits the intended user. Violins actually come in many sizes, with full sizes for adults, also known as 4/4 size, to the smallest for children, known as 1/32.

Measurements of the extended arm of the player from the base of the neck to the wrist will be taken to make sure that the right size is purchased.

If you are already an adult, then it will be much easier to buy a violin in the right size because you won’t have to change the violin every couple of years to accommodate growth.

What About Acoustic vs. Electric Violins?

The traditional acoustic violins may be more common to us but there are also electric violins. Just like electric guitars, they are fitted with electric pickups.

Electric Violin Choices:

Cecilio Silent Electric Solid Wood Violin Kit with...

Kinglos 4/4 White Blue Flower Colored Solid Wood...

Bunnel EDGE Clearance Electric Violin Outfit Jet...

Traditional acoustic violins produce a warmer and rounder sound because of the tone woods used. On the other hand, the sound produced by the electric violins can be easily enhanced or edited.

When it comes to appearance, the acoustic violins come in their traditional shape. Electronic violins, on the other hand, can come in different shapes. Due to the lack of the bulk of the violin, it can be very lightweight and modern looking.

In Closing, How Do Violin Brands for Beginners Stack Up?

Purchasing a violin should be carefully done and with research in order to end up with a worthy purchase. There are a few well-known brands in the market such as Yamaha, Stentor and Cremona, as well as Mendini, Cecilio and Ricard-Bunnel which all offer great-quality violins.

When purchasing a violin, it is important to consider your budget, the skill level of the violinist, type of playing done, and the usability of the instrument. Players can also decide whether to get a traditional acoustic violin or a more modern electric violin.

Choosing a violin to purchase is a personal choice, but that doesn’t mean that you just have to rely on your gut instincts. A better way to do it is to first do some research here so you end up with the right brand and model for the player.

OUR TOP PICKS

Best Major Brand: Yamaha

Yamaha V3 Series Student Violin Outfit 3/4 Size

Four stringed acoustic violin; Black carrying case with adjustable strap; Rosin; One bow

Best Budget Brand: Cremona

Cremona SV-130 Premier Novice Violin Outfit - 4/4 Size,Traditional...

EDUCATOR APPROVED: US-made Prelude strings, the top choice for students.; PLAYER COMFORT: Kaufman-style chinrest, oiled neck, and balanced bow for easy playing.

Best Intermediate Brand: Stentor

Stentor, 4-String Violin, Brown,Red (1500 3/4)

Hand crafted with fine-grained solid Spruce top; Solid maple back; Full ebony fittings

Best Electric Brand: Cecilio

Cecilio Silent Electric Solid Wood Violin Kit with Ebony Fittings in...

Overall Ratings For Beginner Violin Brands:

Which Brand Makes the Best Violin Strings for Students and Beginners?

Student Violin String Choices at a Glance:

Product	Feature Image	Rating	Relative Price
#1 Overall Best Value! D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set		4.4	$$$
#2 Best Pro Pick Fiddlerman Violin String Set		4.5	$$$$
#3 Best Multi-Pack Vizcaya 2 Full Sets Violin Strings		4.6	$$
#4 Best Budget Set Stravilio Full Set High Quality Violin Strings		4.5	$$
#5 Best Mellow Tone Artisan’s Violin Strings		3.3	$$$

Whether you’re a new violinist or have been playing for years, your violin strings will wear out. Therefor it’s good to know where you can get a good set of strings to replace them.

Compared to traditional gut strings, modern violin strings are much much stable. They hold their tuning much better by being less susceptible to fluctuations in heat, humidity and environment.

This article is here to help you get a good feel for five different popular brands of strings available for your violin. They come in a range of prices so you can find what works best and fits your budget.

We certainly hope you benefit from the information we provide in this article! Just so you know, we may receive compensation if you use the links on this page. If you do, thank you so much!

Beginner Violin and Fiddle Strings Reviewed

1. Best value Violin Strings: D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set

D'Addario Prelude Violin String Set, 4/4 Scale, Medium Tension –...

D’Addario Prelude Violin Strings Specs

D’Addario Prelude Strings are available in ½ scale, ¼ scale, 1/8 scale, 1/16 scale, ¾ scale and full size.

This gives them a wider range of string variety than many other brands. They also have the option of coming in light, medium or heavy tension depending on the sound you’re going for.

They are built with a solid steel core made to create the warmest sounding strings available. Because of their combination of warm tone, low price and durability they are often highly sought after by violin educators.

D’Addario Prelude Violin Strings in Review

Read What D’Addario Prelude Users Have Said >>

2. Best Professional Level Violin Strings: Fiddlerman Violin String Set

Fiddlerman Violin String Set, Synthetic Core w/Ball-End for both 4/4...

Full String Set Includes: G, D, A, E; Synthetic Core (Perlon Core) String Set - No cheap Steel strings here!

Fiddlerman Violin Strings Specs

Fiddlerman Violin Violin Strings have a synthetic core, which has allowed them to stand apart from other violin string brands.

These strings are made to fit ¾ scale and full size violins. The full set comes in at just under $30.00 on Amazon, making them a little more expensive than other string sets, but these high quality strings are sure to more than make up for the price.

Fiddlerman Violin Strings in Review

Read the Latest Fiddlerman String Reviews Here >>

3. Best Multi-Pack: Vizcaya 2 Full Sets Violin Strings

Vizcaya 2 Packs Full Sets Violin String (G-D-A-E) for 4/4-3/4 Size...

High quality solid steel core for nice warm tone and longevity.; Steel core composite aluminum-magnesium alloy wound with ball end.

Vizcaya Violin Strings Specs

These Vizcaya Violin Strings present a low cost option for those who don’t want to spend a lot on replacement strings. They work for both ¾ scale and full size violins. Like many other brands, they are made with a solid steel core in order to allow for durability and a nice, warm sound.

These strings are flexible and soft to the touch, making them easy for players of any experience level to use.

Each package comes with 4 E strings, 4 A strings, 2 D strings and 2 G strings. With that many extra strings, it’s likely you won’t have to worry about buying new strings again for quite a while.

They come in at under $10.00, making them the budget pick for this article.

Vizcaya 2 Full Violin String Sets in Review

Click Here to Check Vizcaya Strings Availability >>

4. Best Economy Violin Strings: Stravilio Full Set High Quality Violin Strings

Sale

Top Race 4/4 & 3/4 Violin Strings Replacement - Bronze Violin Strings...

−$8.00

Stravilio Violin Strings Specs

This is a set of four high quality violin strings, including one of each different note.

They work on both ¾ scale violins as well as full sized ones. These Stravilio Strings come in at just slightly more than the Vizcaya ones, which still makes them very budget friendly.

They have a steel core, similar to other brands. While these don’t come in a huge pack, each string is likely to have a little higher quality which ultimately makes it less likely to break.

Stravilio Violin Strings in Review

Read What Stravilio String Customers are Saying >>

5. Best Mellow Tone: Artisan’s Violin Strings

Artisan Violin Strings Premium Quality - For 4 4 or 3 4 Size. 4 String...

Artisan’s Violin Strings Specs

The Artisan’s Violin Strings strings create warm, clear tones that will make even those with a minimal amount of violin experience sound like pros.

They are made with a stainless steel core that allows them to have a lot of strength and durability. It also means they keep their pitch easier and require less tuning.

They work well for those of any experience level and come in both full size and ¾ scale.

Artisan Strings have been known to be one of the most popular brands for violin strings on Amazon, which goes to show they already get a lot of attention.

These strings also come with a no risk, 30 day 100% money back guarantee so you can feel safe in trying them out.

Artisan’s Violin Strings in Review

Read What Artisan’s String Customers are Saying

Compare Featured Violin Strings:

Best Overall Value

D'Addario Prelude Violin String Set, 4/4 Scale,...

Best Pro Pick

Sale

Top Race 4/4 & 3/4 Violin Strings Replacement -...

Best Multi-Pack

Fiddlerman Violin String Set, Synthetic Core...

Conclusion: Who Makes the Best Entry Level Violin Strings?

If you’re okay spending a little more money, a lot of customers really enjoy the D’Addario Violin Strings over other brands. Largely it’s going to be up to you to decide which ones are going to work best. Luckily, there are articles like this one to help you with getting through that process.

If you’re extremely budget-minded then the Vizcaya strings are an excellent option. They are inexpensive and include 2 or 4 extra strings, so if any of them do happen to break you will still have backups.

Overall, a lot of people find a brand of string they prefer through trial and error. Unless you want to spend a lot on new violin strings and make sure they are put on by a professional, it’s going to be tough to tell what kind of issues you may or may not come across.

Editor’s Pick!

D’Addario Prelude Violin String Set

What are D'Addario Prelude Violin Strings Users Saying? >>