How much does a violin cost? What's the difference? 2023 latest guide

Violins come in all shapes, sizes, colors and prices. But how can you really know what you should get within your budget price range? This guide will give you an overview of violin standards in each price range and give you a good starting point for finding the violin that best suits your needs. Every violin is different, and it's best to look for the best value for money within your budget.

如果你的孩子是个初学者，你不一定想在不适合他们水平的乐器上花太多钱，但如果他们已经开始使用从学校借来的基本乐器，你可能想开始寻找中级价格的小提琴，而不是最便宜的。

$200 – $500 dollar violin

These are the cheapest violins you can find in a music store. At this price, you're looking at an entry-level or entry-level instrument, usually made in a Chinese factory. The basic construction of these violins is well done, but they come "out of the box" without any adjustments – requiring professional setup services to get them to sound just right. We provide professional installation services for all musical instruments – at no additional cost.

For an instrument in this price range, it's also important to include or upgrade individual parts:

Bridge – This will affect the sound of the instrument

Strings – should be upgraded to complement the instrument and give it a better tone

Bow – Not all accessories are of the same quality, and since the bow is key to playing the violin, you should look to upgrade to a good quality bow that will help produce a better sound

Case – A basic beginner’s kit should include a case for transporting and protecting your violin.

Shop for beginner violins online and in-store.

$600 – $ $1000 violin

There's a shift in quality when you get into this price range. Higher grades of wood are used, thus requiring more highly skilled workers (resulting in higher quality workmanship). These violins are handmade using better parts, which further enhances the quality of the instrument. The combination of workmanship and accessories gives these instruments a more mature, louder tone.

Instruments in this range are generally more suitable for intermediate players as an upgrade from first to second violin. For beginners, an instrument of this caliber would be considered a "luxury item," but if you can afford it, the quality can really pay off in their early musical education.

To be careful of:

Upgraded Bow – Some intermediate violin equipment includes an upgraded bow, which will help improve tone and technique.

Upgraded Strings – Most intermediate violin equipment should include at least a set of Piranito strings, or even better, Tonica or Dominant strings.

Bridge – The quality of the bridge should be at least that of an Aubert or Despiot tree.

Shop for intermediate violins online and in-store.

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$1100 – $2000 dollar violin

From here we begin to see a higher level of craftsmanship and expertise go into the making of instruments. They are hand-finished with finer details and using more refined craftsmanship.

In these instruments, the grain of the wood is something you need to consider. Grain is the natural arrangement of fibers in wood and can produce more visual beauty as well as improve the tone and overtones of an instrument. You have to look at whether the texture on the front is tight and whether there are flames on the texture on the back.

These elements reflect the higher-grade wood used in the instrument, which produces better sound quality and overtones, making the sound more resonant and expressive when played. They also project their sounds better, producing higher volumes than previous ranges.

This level of instrument is usually the choice of advanced students because its sound quality allows them to play more solo repertoire and is suitable for more expressive playing.

Within this price range, keep in mind that you may need to invest in:

Upgraded Bows – Instruments in this price range may not necessarily include mid-level bows. If this is the case, you should spend around $300-$500 to choose a higher quality mid-level violin bow from brands such as Paesold and Coda.

Professional Strings – Instruments in this price range should include at least a set of synthetic core strings, however upgrading to Larsen, Obligato or Evah Pirazzi strings will produce a better tone.

$2000+ USD violin

At this point, you start to discover more individual products, and your considerations will change depending on where the instrument was produced. The reputation of the maker may influence your decision, as the levels of craftsmanship and woods will vary, and musicians may prefer the sound of one maker over another. The sound characteristics of the instrument will become more individual.

In this price range and above, you'll find many instruments made in European workshops. They are popular because people know Europe's reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and materials. Our best-selling premium violins come from the Helmut Illner workshop in Germany. They are favored by customers for their expressive, rich sound and very high-quality materials.

In these instruments, the quality of the wood and the grain of the wood are something you need to strongly consider. Grain is the natural arrangement of fibers in wood, which can produce more visual beauty and can also improve the sound quality and overtones of an instrument. You have to look at whether the texture on the front is tight and whether there are flames on the texture on the back. As mentioned above, these elements reflect the higher-grade woods used in the instrument, resulting in better tones and overtones.

Varnish is another consideration in this price range – many modern instruments are antiqued with varnish. Care is taken to ensure that the varnish is of high quality and is even across the entire instrument.

In this price range, you generally have to buy the bow and case separately. Generally speaking, you will have your own preferences for bows and cases. Learn more about choosing a bow here. You should expect to spend $400-$900 for a higher quality Pernambuco or carbon fiber bow.