Purchasing a violin is a great investment, but it’s not always the easiest task. Should you buy it used or new? What manufacturers or models are the best? What’s the deal with student violins? There’s a lot to consider! To help you get started, here’s an excerpt from a great article on the Beginner Violin Tips website, detailing the 10 things you need to know before buying a violin from a shop:
- Price Range and Quality – Good quality intermediate violins usually start at around $500. If this is over your budget and you are looking to buy your first violin, we recommend ordering an inexpensive violin online rather than getting a less expensive instrument from a violin shop. It’s just not worth it. University-level violins usually start around $1,500 and professional violins start around $3,500. Again, if you are a beginner and are looking to buy your first or second violin, you most likely do not need to look in these ranges.Usually it’s a good idea that you don’t tell the dealer your price range. If you do, they may instantly mark up the price of each violin they hand you unless each one already has a price tag physically attached to it.Don’t change your price range just because a particular violin shop doesn’t have a violin you like in that range. Just visit a different dealer.Above all else, do not feel pressured to buy. There are lots of great violins out there. Take your time and make sure that the violin you buy is one that you really like. Don’t let anyone else talk you into anything you are unsure of.
- Try It Before You Buy It – Never buy a violin without trying it and many others first! It is absolutely normal to request to try out violins at the shop. Many shops actually have practice rooms for that exact purpose.Bring several bows with you to try out. You will most likely have to buy a violin bow and a violin case separately, as they are usually not included in the price of the violin. Mix and match bows with violins to make sure you find a combination you like. For more information on buying a violin bow, see our article on the topic.
- Take It Home With You – Most violin shops are very generous about letting you borrow a violin (or several) for up to 2 weeks. This allows you to visit multiple shops, bring several violins home, and try all of your favorite violins from several shops side-by-side. This is the best way to determine the right violin to buy (although don’t feel as though borrowing the violins obligates you to buy).
Continue reading the article here.
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Photo by Ivan McClellan
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