With so many options and price points, it can be overwhelming to choose a beginner violin for your child or for yourself. As a certified violin teacher and a parent to four budding string players, I have seen and heard dozens of beginner violins. The quality and sound of violins can vary widely, depending on a number of factors, including the type of wood, type of varnish, and method of manufacture, among others.
Beginner violins can range in price from $50 to several thousand dollars. The difference in these violins is astonishing. While you can find a cheap violin online, be warned that when it comes to string instruments, you do get what you pay for.
Quality vs. the VSO Trap
Many of the violins sold online are what musicians call “Violin-shaped Objects” or “VSOs”. These violins, made of poor quality wood (often green wood), are likely to warp over time. They also have a terrible sound. The pegs on a VSO are often very difficult to keep in place, making it impossible to tune the instrument. The bows that come with VSOs have synthetic hair and often have warped sticks, which dramatically decreases the value of the sound.
Those who purchase a VSO often find themselves paying more for the instrument to be fixed than the amount they paid for the instrument in the first place. As a general rule, most VSOs are under $200. Don’t let yourself fall into the VSO trap. Instead, invest in a quality beginner violin. These instruments not only perform well, but they also retain or even increase in value.
Beginner Violin Essentials
- Real spruce or maple top
- Ebony fingerboard and nut (not merely painted to look like ebony)
- Solid wood pegs (not painted plastic)
- Student quality strings (VSOs come with cheap, thin strings
- Bridge cut to proper thickness and height
- Real horsehair bow with straight, strong wood stick or fiberglass stick
- Inlaid purfling (VSOs typically have purfling painted on)
Beyond these essentials, there are upgrades which will make the beginner violin (and the experience of playing it) more enjoyable. These include:
- Dominant strings, which have a more full, rich tone.
- A shoulder rest, which provides more comfort for the violinist.
Violin Assembly
*Important note: To keep the bridge from breaking, violins purchased online are often shipped without the bridge in place. You will have to put the bridge in place when you receive the violin. It is quite easy to do, if you carefully follow the instructions.
When it comes to violin bows, most musicians agree that a wood bow is the way to go. A quality wood bow with real horsehair produces a wonderful sound. The best types of wood bow are Brazilwood and Pernambuco. Both are hardwoods, with the Pernambuco being a harder wood and generally making for a more expensive bow. Carbon fiber bows are often easier for children to use when they are beginning.
The following is our list of top 5 beginner full-size violins. Fractional sizes are available in each of these models as well.
Violin Sizing Chart
| Size | Age |
|---|---|
| Full size (4/4) | Ages 12-Adult |
| 3/4 size | Ages 10-12 |
| 1/2 size | Ages 8-10 |
| 1/4 size | Ages 6-8 |
| 1/8 size | Ages 4-6 |
Each of the violins on our top 5 are factory-made and then hand adjusted to ensure good quality and precise placement of all parts.
Top 5 Beginner Violins
1. Eastman Strings Violin Outfit (includes violin, bow, and case)
1. Eastman Strings has been making quality violins for over 30 years. These violins have great tone and have become a favorite among teachers. In my nearly 30 years of playing and teaching violin, I have been impressed with every Eastman Strings violin I have heard.
These violins are made of quality spruce and maple woods and ebony and come with a fiberglass horsehair bow. Also included is a hard case. Eastman Strings offers a lifetime warranty. Although this violin is considerably more expensive than the others on this list, with instruments you get what you pay for. Just be glad your child isn’t playing the cello (your pocketbook will thank you)!!
2. Knilling 1/2 Violin Outfit (includes violin, bow, case, and book)
This Knilling violin outfit comes with a spruce top and maple back, quality steel core strings, and ebony pegs, fingerboard, and chinrest. The bow is made of fiberglass and horsehair. The inlaid purfling makes this instrument look beautiful.
Like almost all other violins in this price range, Knilling violins are factory made. They are imported from China and Korea. However, unlike many other companies, Knilling’s bridges are hand made for the specific violin they go to.
Once Knilling violins reach the U.S., they are shop-adjusted to ensure customer satisfaction. This instrument has good tone.
3. Klaus Mueller Allegro 4/4 Violin Outfit
The Klaus Mueller Allegro Violin Outfit from Southwest Strings is another good choice. Southwest Strings is a very reputable company known for quality instruments.
This violin is made in China and adjusted in the US. The Klaus Mueller Allegro violin has a spruce top and maple back. It comes with ebony fingerboard and pegs, steel core strings, and a composite tailpiece with four fine tuners. The bow is Brazilwood with genuine horsehair.
It comes with ebony fingerboard and pegs, steel core strings, and a composite tailpiece with four fine tuners. The bow is Brazilwood with genuine horsehair.
While this instrument has a good sound, it does not quite measure up to the rich tone of the Nagoya Suzuki 220 Outfit and Knilling Violin Outfit. Also, this violin comes with a lower quality case.
4. Cremona SV-500 Premier Artist Violin Outfit Full Size
The Cremona SV-500 Premier Violin Outfit is similar to the other violins on this list. It is made in China and set-up in the US. This violin is made of spruce and maple and has an ebony fingerboard and pegs.
Many customers prefer the look of this violin because of the beautiful flamed maple. This violin comes with one of three bows: Brazilwood, Pernambuco, or carbon fiber, depending on the specific instrument and what the company has in stock. Again, this is a quality violin with a good sound, but it pales in comparison to the Nagoya and
Many customers prefer the look of this violin because of the beautiful flamed maple. This violin comes with one of three bows: Brazilwood, Pernambuco, or carbon fiber, depending on the specific instrument and what the company has in stock. Again, this is a quality violin with a good sound, but it pales in comparison to the Nagoya and
Again, this is a quality violin with a good sound, but it pales in comparison to the Nagoya and Knilling.
5. Ricard Bunnel G2 Violin Outfit 4/4 (Full) Size
The Ricard Bunnel G2 Violin Outfit is much like the Cremona SV-500 Premier Violin Outfit and the Klaus Mueller Allegro Violin Outfit. It is a Chinese instrument made of quality maple and spruce and comes with ebony pegs, fingerboard, and fittings.
The bow is Brazilwood and real Mongolian horsehair. This is a beautiful bow with mother-of-pearl accents.
While the Ricard Bunnel G2 Violin Outfit does have good enough tone quality to round out our top 5, it is no match for the Nagoya Suzuki 220 Violin Outfit or the Knilling Violin Outfit.
Summary
All five of the violins on our list would be a great choice for a beginner violin. All are made of quality materials and have been set-up and adjusted by hand to give you an instrument which you can play and enjoy. The Eastman Strings and the Knilling Violin Outfit are our top choice because of their superior tone quality. Want to get started in violin visit the Suzuki Association to find a teacher near you.
FAQs
How old should a child be to play the violin?
A child as young as 3 or 4 years old can start learning to play the violin. However, starting that young requires a well trained teacher and parents who are willing to practice with the child. Once a child is around 8 years old, he or she is more capable of learning to play without as much parent supervision. Many children start playing around 10-12 years old.
What are the important features to look for in a violin?
You want a violin made of real wood–maple and spruce are good options. A real ebony fingerboard is important, not just one painted to look like ebony. Real wood pegs, quality strings, and a proper size bridge are necessary as well. Inlaid purfling means higher quality as well.
How much should a beginner violin cost?
A good beginner violin will cost at least a few hundred dollars. You can spend considerably more than that, though. Don’t expect good quality for anything less than $200. The internet is packed with cheap junk pretending to be violins.
