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Howler - Posted - 01/26/2016: 09:29:54
I'm 30 years old, and I've been playing guitar for 20 years. I've always loved the violin, and I want to learn to play. Unfortunately, I am not a rich man. Do you have any suggestions for the best bottom dollar violin?
JRice - Posted - 01/26/2016: 09:53:59
Douglas, There are many economical instruments available. Some beginner outfits (violin, bow, rosin, and case) can be purchased for whatever your budget can do. Even the high end violin shops in my area sells beginner outfits. As you advance, some shops will let you trade in and purchase other instruments. See if you can find an established player to go with you to try out different ones. Even with beginner student sets, the sound can be different from one to another. From my observation, quite a few beginning students find outfits on Ebay. This is my opinion. Hope it helps.
Howler - Posted - 01/26/2016: 10:14:32
Thanks! I've been looking at some package deals online (primarily amazon), and I wondered if there was a 'best' cheap brand. Or, what should I be looking for?
Dick Hauser - Posted - 01/26/2016: 10:52:39
I think that buying a used instrument could provide your best opportunity. Just make sure a qualified person checks the instrument out before you buy it. Paying for things like a bridge and tuners wouldn't bother me. Structural repair can be expensive. Some FHO members recondition violins and sell them. Royce Burt in Plant City FL does that. You can see him demonstrate his instruments on Youtube. He is very easy to work with. You wouldn't have to worry about one of his fiddles.
UsuallyPickin - Posted - 01/26/2016: 14:17:08
Get the best violin and bow you can afford. Make sure that it is properly setup by a violin luthier. If you shop on Ebay I can recommend the Gliga Workshop instruments as being a satisfactory beginner / intermediate instrument. Good luck ... R/
fiddlepogo - Posted - 01/26/2016: 19:57:47
Two aspects of a "good cheap brand":
1. It's GOT to be set up properly. If your cheap violin needs to be taken in for a paid setup, well, it's no longer cheap!
2. Whether your fiddle experiment succeeds or fails, you will probably be looking to sell the instrument in a year or two.
If it succeeds, you will probably outgrow the first fiddle and want a better one!
An instrument with a name buyers will recognize is a plus. Many buyers are parents of students who know nothing about buying, and they will ask their students teacher.
Brands like Eastman, Scott Cao, Yamaha, and Gliga are known quantities for violin teachers, and would likely get approval from them. And they would be likely to be well set up from the factory.
You could also buy from the local store that's known for hosting violin lessons. Then, you might even get to hear it. And they would likely take the instrument as a trade in on a better one, or confirm to a private buyer that they sold it, or put it on consignment.
OR.... you could just rent from them for a while. LOTS of people start that way.
giannaviolins - Posted - 02/06/2016: 12:57:43
Gatchell's Luger CV500 does well. I'm sure Michael has something. About $450 should be enough for an OK outfit.
