How Much Does A Violin Cost?
For Beginners: A good beginning violin will cost between $600 and $1000.
In our 35+ years of experience, often violins that fall below this price range have multiple issues making it difficult for the beginning player to be successful.
For Intermediate and Professional Level: These violins range from $1500 for an entry intermediate to $30,000 for a high end professional. Luckily for you, our most professional violins cap out much less than that, while still maintaining top tier quality.
What makes a good beginning violin?
The most important quality of good beginning violin needs is ease of use. Starting with an instrument that is difficult to tune and play will frustrate your student and make them feel that they are incapable of playing the violin, not realizing that the violin is probably the issue! We never want any student to feel like the problem is with them, which is why we recommend starting off right with a good quality beginning violin.
What are all the qualities that make a beginning violin actually good?
- Tuning – the violin can be tuned easily at the pegs, includes four fine tuners for when you get close, and stays in tune while being played
- Quality materials – the violin is made of the correct woods, adhesives, and varnish and comes with quality fittings and strings
- The Bridge – The bridge should be made of proper material and custom cut for the specific instrument, not matched to a template, or uncut entirely!
- Setup – The violin should have proper string height (also called the action) to allow for playability without buzzing, proper intonation and tailpiece setup, and properly fitted tuning pegs. This all allows for easier playability for beginning students.
- Repairable – The violin should use the proper construction methods to allow for repair without incurring a cost that will exceed the instrument’s value.
How long will a violin last?
As with all string instruments, violins come in what are called fractional sizes. This is so students can start learning the violin from an early age. A 3rd or 4th grade beginner will probably play on a 1/4 or 1/2 violin, and move up to a 3/4 size as they grow. Around late middle school age, many young violinists are big enough for a full-size (4/4) violin that they can play into adulthood. Purchasing a violin before your child is big enough for a full-size is possible, but you will end up needing a larger violin in a year or two–maybe more than once!
If your student should be using a fractional size violin, we would recommend that you take some extra time considering your purchase. We understand that instruments are a significant investment for you and your student, and we don’t want you to end up feeling like you have wasted your time and money.
In terms of playability, a violin that has regular maintenance, is kept in its case when not in use, and is not subject to extremes of temperature and humidity can last a lifetime.. In fact, many instruments that are still in use today are a hundred years old, or more!
What if we cannot afford to purchase a violin?
The cost of a good beginning violin can seem daunting, which is why many musical instrument stores offer rental programs which reduce the cost of a trial period with an instrument, as well as violins for sale. In addition, some music stores will allow you to apply your rent toward the purchase of a good beginning violin. This allows families to:
- Take time to decide if the violin is the right instrument for their child, and
- Purchase an instrument over time at a tremendous financial benefit.
If your student is just starting out, and especially if they are a fractional size, we recommend renting a good beginning violin first. This will give you and your student time to not only grow to a full size, but make sure that the violin is a good fit.
What makes a violin so expensive?
The cost of a good beginning violin comes from the actual labor and processes involved in making a violin as well as the use of quality woods. Inferior violins are often shaped with heat and pressure, rather than carved, tuned wood. They look similar to good violins, but often cannot be tuned and do not stay in tune. They also cannot be serviced. If the manufacturing processes and materials used are compromised, the overall playability of the violin for sale may be an issue.
When you are buying a violin, ask about materials. Are the fingerboard and tuning pegs made from Ebony? Is the bridge custom fit? Ask about manufacturing processes. Is there any handwork on the violin? Has it been playtested? Does it come set up or do you have to have it set up after it is purchased? What do you do if it has problems? What if it cannot be tuned? Is a bow included?
How long will my beginning violin last my child?
A good beginning violin will typically be enough to support a learning musician for the first 2-3 years of play, depending on the commitment level of the student. Some highly motivated students outgrow the level of their beginning violin more quickly. After that, most players will need to upgrade to a higher level or “step-up” instrument with more advanced features and higher quality materials if they intend to play in higher-level middle school and high school ensembles.
This is not to say that you can only use that instrument for your first 2-3 years of playing, but rather that if you play for longer than this period, your instrument will not help you sound any better, and you as a player will outperform what your instrument is capable of producing tonally. Many people will continue using their beginner instrument as a back-up for their step-up instrument when it is in the shop, or if they are going to be traveling and want something to continue practicing with.
What about a used violin?
The price of a used student violin for sale can vary greatly based on quality, condition, and appearance. Although you can save money on the purchase price of a used violin, you should always have any violin evaluated by a certified string instrument repair technician. Used violins can often need repairs that exceed the value of the instrument. The unknown history of the instrument may also be a factor as some issues from neglect of the instrument may not be immediately apparent, and could arise later.
How much does it cost to repair a violin?
Even when properly maintained, a violin typically requires some service every 6-12 months. Replacement strings are the biggest maintenance cost. Many music stores offer a maintenance program for their rental violins and instruments purchased from them. These programs can cover costs for repair and some even include coverage for theft and damage beyond repair with no deductible.
Repairing a violin can cost anywhere from around $50.00 to $500.00 or more. If a violin has not been played or properly maintained you could be in for an expensive repair and the money saved on buying a used violin can be lost with the cost of the repair. This is why we recommend having any used instrument evaluated by a professional technician before purchasing.
For More Advanced Students:
Advanced students need a more flexible instrument that can support their growing skills, and respond to the nuances of their playing. These instruments offer a more focused tone with greater projection as well as a superior response.
Intermediate and Professional violins feature:
- Higher-quality tone woods
- Oil or hybrid Varnishes
- More handcrafted processes
- Professional bridge and fitting setup
- More advanced strings
- Greater attention to detail in components, setup, tone, and responsiveness