Choosing the Best Student Violin: The Only Purchasing Guide You Need

Great Student Violin Selections at a Glance:

Product	Feature Image	Rating	Relative Price
#1 Overall Best Value! Cecilio CVN-300 Solidwood Ebony Fitted Violin Outfit	No products found.		$$$
#2 Best Budget Model Mendini MV300 Solid Wood Satin Antique Violin with Hard Case			$$
#3 Best Cheap Violin Crescent Student Violin Starter Kit			$$
#4 Best Premium Deal Bunnel Premier Clearance Violin Outfit			$$$$
#5 Second Best Choice Cecilio CVN-200 Solidwood Violin Outfit			$$$

Have your kids told you that they are interested in learning how to play the violin?, but you are worried that the interest is fleeting, and don’t want to spend a lot of money on an expensive instrument?

There are plenty of quality violins available that are perfect for beginners and students, and many cost less than $250. In this article, we’ll take a look at five of our best student violin packages that give a novice student everything they need to start learning, and decide if this is the instrument for them.

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!

Top 5 Student Violins for Beginners Reviewed

1. Best Student Violin: Cecilio CVN-300 Ebony Fitted Violin

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Cecilio CVN-300 Ebony Fitted Violin

Here is one of the most popular student violins from Cecilio. The CVN-300 is made with a solid spruce top, with maple on the back, neck, and sides. There is also inlaid purfling with an antique varnish.

The fingerboard is made from ebony, along with the pegs and chin rest, and there is a tailpiece with four detachable, nickel-plated fine tuners.

Overall, this is a good violin for the beginner or student, and it even comes quality D’Addario Prelude strings, which are already installed (note, there is no extra set of strings included).

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Features

• This is a bundle package that includes the CVN-300 violin, a Cecilio chromatic tuner, a lightweight hard case, two Brazil wood bows with unbleached, genuine Mongolian horsehair, a rosin cake, an adjustable shoulder rest, an additional bridge, and a lesson book
• Enjoy awesome sound clarity and terrific responsiveness. The tone is bright and warm, so it is exciting yet smooth at the same time
• This is a durable instrument that is particularly good for younger students who often have a tendency to be rough on things

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What are Cecilio Customers Saying? >>

Pros and Cons

Cecilio CVN-300 Violin Review

What Do Cecilio CVN-300 Violin Customers Think? >>

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Verdict

Not all student violins are actually teacher-approved, but the Cecilio CVN-300 is loved by teachers of beginner and intermediate students.

It comes pre-strung with a set of quality D’Addario Prelude strings, and the Cecilio tuner even has a metronome, which is going to help students stay in time while they are practicing.

Overall, this is a great package for any beginning violin student, and many students who have been playing for a while also like it.

For more information, read our full review on this student model violin here.

2. Best Budget Violin for Students: Mendini MV300 Solid Wood Violin with Hard Case

Mendini MV300 Violin Outfit

If your kids are old enough to handle a full-size violin, the Mendini 4/4 MV300 is a great option. It is also a violin that produces a quality sound, which is necessary when learning in order to be able to correctly hear what is being played.

Priced at less than $75, this attractive violin has a satin antique finish. The top is made from hand-carved, solid spruce, and the sides, back, fingerboards, chin rest, and pegs are made from maple. The alloy tailpiece has four integrated fine tuners.

Features

• The Brazil wood bow features unbleached, genuine, Mongolian horsehair, whereas other inexpensive violins come with bows that have synthetic hairs
• Bundle package includes a lightweight hard case, bow, rosin, an adjustable shoulder rest, two bridges, and extra strings
• This violin comes with a one-year warranty that protects you against any manufacturer defects. Contact customer service if there are any manufacturing issues with this product

Click Here to Check Mendini MV300 Availability >>

Pros and Cons

Mendini MV300 Violin Review

What Are Mendini MV300 Violin Customers Saying? >>

Verdict

Obviously, you are not going to get a symphony-quality violin at this price, but the Mendini MV300 is pretty impressive overall, for the price. This is a great violin for the beginner, and it is also popular with students who are not quite ready to move up to a more expensive model.

All in all, if you are looking for a violin that costs less than $100, this is an excellent option. It comes with everything needed to start learning right away, so you don’t have to go out and buy any extras before you send them off to their first violin lesson.

Read our full review of the Mendini MV300 here.

3. Best Cheap Violin for Students: Crescent Student Violin Starter Kit

Crescent Student Violin kit

If you want to spend as little as possible but still get a decent violin for your kids to learn on, the Crescent 4/4 full size student violin starter kit is definitely one to consider. This is a full size violin that is ideal for beginners.

It’s not expensive, so if they do lose interest, you won’t be out a lot of money (and maybe you or someone else in your family might decide to take it up). Everything needed to start learning to play the violin is included in this student package, including the bow and carrying case.

Features

• This is a full size, 4/4 violin that is ideal for most beginners and students, with the exception of smaller children who may need a smaller instrument to start out with
• Made from quality materials, this violin has a solid maple back and sides, with a solid spruce top, and an alloy tailpiece with four fine tuners
• This is an attractive violin with a smooth, glossy finish. It plays well and has a better sound than one would expect at this price point
• Available in a rainbow of colorful choices

Click Here for the Latest Crescent Reviews >>

Pros and Cons

Crescent Student Violin Starter Kit Review

What Do Crescent Student Violin Customers Think? >>

Verdict

When it comes to a beginner violin, many students and teachers are impressed with the Crescent 4/4 Beginners Violin. It’s well-made with materials that you would find in more expensive models, and it works as well as many that cost twice as much.

This is an attractive violin that delivers excellent sound quality. The biggest drawback is that it doesn’t come with a shoulder rest, but you can add one to your order for just $5, so it isn’t that big of a deal.

4. Best Premium Violin for Students: Bunnel Premier Clearance Violin Outfit

Bunnel Clearance Violin Outfit

If you’re worried that a violin priced at less than $100 isn’t going to have the sound quality that your budding musician needs, particularly for ear training, you can spend a bit more and purchase the Bunnel Premier Clearance Violin Outfit, 4/4 full size.

This is actually one of the highest-rated student violins on Amazon, and it is backed by not only a lifetime warranty, but also a 45-day money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied with this violin, which is not something you will find in most other stringed instruments.

Features

• This violin is set up and ready to play. The final assembly and setup is performed by the professional luthiers at Kennedy Violins in Washington state
• This instrument is hand-crafted using solid maple and spruce tone woods. The fittings are 100 percent ebony, and the violin has a nice oil finish
• This is a clearance violin, meaning that it does have some minor imperfections. These are generally only with the appearance, and do not affect the playing quality

What are Bunnel Clearance Customers Saying? >>

Pros and Cons

Bunnel Premier Clearance Violin Outfit Review

Are Bunnel Premier Clearance Violin Customers Happy? >>

Verdict

When you want to make sure that your kids have a quality instrument to learn on, but you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars, The Bunnel Premier Clearance Violin is a great choice.

his bundle package comes with everything students need to start learning how to play the violin, including a durable, high-grade Brazil wood bow with genuine Mongolian horsehair, an oblong case with straps and compartments, Kennedy Natural Rosin, and extra strings.

Read our full review of the Bunnel Clearance model here.

5. Our Alternative Best Choice for a Student Violin: Cecilio CVN-200 Solid Wood Student Violin

Cecilio CVN-200 Violin Outfit

The Cecilio CVN-200 violin is a perfect violin for beginners or students. It includes a hand-carved maple back, hand-carved solid spruce top, and sides completed with attractive varnish.

This violin is tailored with a chin rest, maple fingerboard, and alloy tailpiece comprising of four detachable fine tuners.

Accessories included with the violin are a two Brazilwood bows with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, modifiable shoulder rest with soft foam stuffing and soft rubber feet.

Also included is a light hard-shell case with straps and pockets (making it ideal to carry if you’re in an orchestra or to school), violin bridge, rosin cake, and additional strings.

Features

• Size 4/4 (Full Size)
• Maple back & sides and hand-carved solid spruce top
• Boxwood Pegs, Maple fingerboard, chin rest and includes four fine tuners
• Consists of: Cecilio tuner, 2 Brazilwood bows, hard case, rosin, two bridges, adjustable shoulder rest, extra set of strings, and lesson book
• 1 Year warranty

Click Here to Read the Latest Cecilio CVN-200 Reviews

Pros and Cons

Cecilio CVN-200 Student Violin Review

What Do Cecilio CVN-100 Student Violin Customers Think? >>

Verdict

So, it is a nice idea to buy the CVN-200 for yourself if you’re a beginner or student at playing the violin. It is definitely good enough for somebody who’s taking small steps to becoming an immediate to advanced player.

It can be a great gift if you have a son or daughter that is eager to learn how to play.

Based on how it works, its appearance and with the case and accessories that accompany it, this is a great violin for students.

Compare Featured Student Violin Models:

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Best Budget Model

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Best Cheap Student Violin

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Conclusion: Which Student Violin is the Best for You?

As you can plainly see, there is no need to go out and spend a fortune on an instrument that you aren’t even sure will be used by next year.

There are plenty of quality violins priced at well below $250, and they come with all of the accessories needed to jump right into learning how to play the violin.

Any of the above packages will be ideal for your little learners, and if they decide to keep on playing, you can always upgrade to a higher quality instrument later on

In our humble opinion, if you have the budget for it and the student has a committed attitude, the Bunnel Premier Clearance Violin Outfit 4/4 offers the best overall value as you’re getting an exceptional instrument at a reduced price.

But, as most parents of new students are naturally more sensitive to the combination of price point and commitment level, our top pick is the Cecilio CVN-300 as the overall best choice for a student violin outfit.

Editor’s Pick

The Cecilio CVN-300 Violin Outfit

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What Do Cecilio CVN-300 Violin Owners Think? >>

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Bunnel Premiere Clearance Violin at a Glance:

Bunnel Premiere Clearance Violin

Bunnel Premiere Clearance Student Violin Outfit Review – Why Is It Rated 4.6/5?

For the beginner or student violinist, picking up the instrument is a big investment. And that goes for mom or dad, too. There is practice time, maybe an instructor, shuttling the budding violist to lessons, and then, of course, the costs of a respectable instrument and the accessories.

But a good deal is a good deal.

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!

What you want to do is purchase something that is so well designed or manufactured that it:

• Stays in tune
• Has a tight properly anchored chin rest
• Features pegs that are a quality wood like ebony
• Can withstand a couple of bumps or being dropped
• Comes with all the parts and pieces

Bunnel Premier Clearance Student Violin Overview

This Bunnel model is handcrafted of maple and spruce. These are quality tonewoods. The fittings are ebony, and that means your pegs are ebony—the right wood for a tuner.

Bunnel offers these clearance outfits due to cosmetic imperfections—such as the finish or some little scratch or dent during its manufacture.

You’re still getting a new violin, it is just one having a less than perfect finish; there is nothing wrong with the violin’s mechanics: tunability, playability, and so on, are good to go.

On the whole, it represents a superior value as one of the best student violins on market.

Read the Latest Bunnel Clearance Reviews >>

Shopping for a Clearance Sale Violin

You have choices. You can try local music stores that sell violins. They, most certainly, have a reputation to maintain. Or, if you’re an online shopper, you will come across all kinds of new and used violins and violin outfits.

As for used violins sold online—again, there are reputable, long-term online sellers, and then, there are the great unknowns. You have to feel comfortable with the images you see, looking for wear and tear, as well as the return policies and the ratings of the seller.

It can be a gamble, but if you do your homework and know something about how a healthy violin should look (even though looks can be deceiving in photos…), you may find a good deal.

What’s Included In the Bunnel Student Violin Outfit?

The Bunnel Clearance Student Violin Outfit includes most everything you need, except the tuner we talked about earlier. The violin comes stringed with a case, Brazilwood bow, rosin, and an extra set of strings. Hand-carved, custom-fit maple bridge

What Do Bunnel Premier Clearance Customers Think? >>

The finish is hand-rubbed and oil-based. There is no thick lacquer on the finish. The Bunnel meets or exceeds all MENC and Suzuki standards for violins. If you’re ordering one that is represented as “set-up,” it means the string height has been precisely measured and is ready to play.

Made of high-grade Brazilwood, the bow shows great responsiveness and nice bounce. For as full a tone as possible, the bow features Mongolian horse hair which glides more smoothly on the strings.

The ebony frog is metal mounted to provide good balance to the instrument overall. There also are nice mother-of-pearl accents—and it is genuine mother-of-pearl, not an imitation.

Available in a Number of Sizes

The Bunnel Basic Clearance Violin Outfit is available in many sizes – 1/16, 1/8, 1/2 and 3/4. If you’re looking for a full-size (4/4) violin, read our complete review here.

On certain sites, you’ll find that they ship the Bunnell Basic outfit assembled and setup by professional luthiers. That means the strings will be on the violin, the bridge in place, and the rosin and pegs and other details already taken care of. That reduces a lot of hassles for first-timers.

All you would need to do from there is to check the tuning when you take it out of the case. For that, you may want to purchase a chromatic tuner. These are relatively inexpensive and most anyone can tune any stringed instrument with minimal learning curve.

How Does the Bunnel Student Violin Sound?

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Pros and Cons

Bunnel Premier Clearance Student Violin Review

What Do Bunnel Premier Clearance Outfit Customers Think? >>

Read What Bunnel Customers are Saying >>

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Conclusion – Is The Bunnel Premiere Student Outfit Worth Your Investment?

The Bunnel Clearance Student Outfit is a great deal. This is a classic-looking model, it has above average tone quality for the price, and the bow is of a quality to match making the violin an excellent choice for a beginner or student.

The inclusion of the case with a strap, extra strings, and so on are really nice to have. But buying from a reputable seller that sets up the violin in advance of shipping is icing on the cake.

It is a strong value-for-the-money proposition, and an instrument that will get years of use with reliable tuning and playability.

What Do New Owners Say About the Bunnel Premier Student Violin? >>