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Students first
learning the violin often start with a school fiddle or a rental
from the local music shop. Parents and teachers alike know that
these early days will foretell the student’s future musical career.
Will he learn to practice? Will she develop the discipline and
desire to continue to play? If the answer is yes, most teachers
will suggest purchasing that first violin, an exciting step for
young musicians. I can remember the thrill of picking out my first
instrument. My parents drove me to the nearest stringed-instrument
dealer and we spent the day with the shopkeeper, sorting through
instruments and testing each one for sound and playability. They
were supportive of this first step in my musical career, but the
three of us knew little about the process of choosing the best
instrument for my needs. We ended up with a great outfit, one
that I still have today. But looking back, I wish we’d had more
help—that heavily varnished, shiny instrument I chose has lost
much of the warmth and easy playability it once had.
As a Strings
reader you are probably a teacher or stringed-instrument advocate.
We encourage you to pass along this article to your students and
to parents whose children are in the market for their first student
violin. Or you may be an adult starting to play the violin in
your free time. Either way, this listing of violin outfits, along
with the help of a knowledgeable shop owner, will ensure finding
a first violin that best fits your needs or those of your child
or student.
All the outfits
under review—each includes violin, bow, and case—have qualities
we feel confident recommending to the early student. After surveying
more than 40 international stringed-instrument dealers, musicians,
and industry professionals, we used their suggestions, and our
own resources, to identify readily available outfits priced under
$1,500. With the help of Bobbi Nikles, a private violin teacher,
and Phoebe Dong and Robert Ness, public school string teachers,
as well as our editorial colleagues Teja Gerken, Paul Kotapish,
and Jessamyn Reeves-Brown, we evaluated each outfit.
Our team studied
sound and tone, setup and playability, quality of varnish, and
overall craftsmanship. We looked at the consistency of the entire
outfit, assessing whether the quality of the bow and case matched
that of the violin. The reviewers pointed out the strong and weak
points of each instrument, identifying those they would recommend
to their own students.
We did not concern
ourselves overmuch with accessories and fittings such as chin
rests, tailpieces, and fine tuners. These are easily, and cheaply,
replaceable, so inconsistent quality needn’t be a deterrent. Keep
your eyes on the fiddle itself, then consider the bow and case,
and finally look at the fittings and accessories. A new set of
strings, pegs, and fittings on higher-priced student violins might
be a worthwhile expense and could make an otherwise good-sounding
and good-looking instrument even better.
Before you begin
your search for that first violin, look around your local shops
and visit area dealers and makers. Choosing where you purchase
your new instrument is just as important as choosing the outfit
itself. Buying from a maker or shop equipped to provide you with
unbiased, expert advice as well as reputable instrument repair
and maintenance will alleviate many setup problems.
Also remember
that you are starting at the beginner’s end of the scale: none
of these instruments is going to compare with a custom-made bench
violin. In your own search—as in our review—it is best to compare
apples to apples.
Take some time
with your student or child to visit the shops where you are most
comfortable. If you are shopping for yourself, think about hiring
your teacher or inviting a violinist friend to accompany you and
help evaluate your options. You should know that some teachers
receive a commission payment from certain dealers, or make it
known that they receive commissions from shops. Knowing your teacher’s
practice will be helpful when considering his or her advice.
Henry Riedstra,
who owns The Violin Shop in Kitchener, Ontario, suggests visiting
a violin dealer or shop that has one or more knowledgeable makers
on staff. An experienced luthier, restorer, and player is far
more equipped to help you and your child than a part-time store
employee. Riedstra suggests actively involving the staff member
in the student’s shopping experience—good advice for an adult
beginner as well. "Be sure to ask the shop person to play
each instrument for you, as well as having your son or daughter
play them. This way even an inexperienced ear will pick out the
sound that is the best in the price range you can afford. You
should also ask your son or daughter and the shop player to comment
on the ease of response, as well as the quality of sound across
all strings."
Many dealers have
practice rooms available. Take in two to three instruments at
a time and play the same piece of music on each. Whether you play
just a basic G-major, two-octave scale, a short jig or reel, or
a few bars of your favorite piece, playing consistent musical
passages on each instrument will make it much easier to draw comparisons.
Some dealers will even offer overnight loans of your favorite
instruments. Remember to take breaks between your shopping trips,
since trying too many instruments in one sitting will do nothing
but confuse and frustrate you. Limit yourself to a handful of
instruments and be sure to bring paper and pen to take notes.
You may find it useful to create a shopping list of the qualities
you seek in a violin.
We were only able
to sample one or two instruments from each maker, and are reminded
by Henry Hultquist, who owns The Violin Shop in Lincoln, Nebraska,
that make and model number are not always a true indicator of
what to expect in sound and playability, especially with student
instruments. You may wish to try the same brand and model violin
at several different shops, to test for sound variance. "If
you take six violins [with the same model number and from the
same company or maker], there will be a noticeable difference
in sound among them—sometimes a dramatic difference." Hultquist
adds, "It should be noted that the same violin ‘shell’ may
be sold under a variety of brand names."
Brand names also
carry a price tag. Some companies’ reputations garner a higher
price that does not necessarily reflect accurately upon the instrument’s
value. Dealer Henry Riedstra says, "People think the more
one pays for the outfit, the better the sound. But that’s not
always the case." Kyozo Watanabe, owner of Cremona Violin
Shop, in Los Angeles, California, adds, "I have seen so many
customers, and several teachers, buying instruments by brand name
alone, and this leads to dangerous situations for the student."
The moral? Evaluate
the violins you test carefully, and listen to your own opinion.
With a little homework and research, the violin you find now will
provide years of musical enjoyment. And the discipline and self-awareness
you bring to your search may come in handy the next time you’re
making a large purchase—be it a car, a home, or that next violin.
To read more about what you should look for when buying your
first violin, click
here.
18 Outfits
under $1,500
Here are photos
plus brief reviews and comments on each of the outfits we considered,
in order of retail price from lowest to highest. Click
here to see a comparison chart with information about the
woods, finish, bow, case, accessories, and warranty for each outfit.
This chart also includes complete information about how to reach
each manufacturer.
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Stentor
Conservatoire, $299
For a beginning student, the Conservatoire provides a stalwart
and reliable starter fiddle. The craftsmanship, although clumsy
in spots (thick varnish, rough carving on the scroll and f-holes,
and slightly inconsistent purfling), doesn’t detract from the sound
of the violin. We detected slight wolf tones but found this instrument
very playable, with a warm, balanced tone. Replacing the chin rest
and tailpiece would enhance the look and feel of the violin tremendously,
and could be done cheaply. If you know of a student looking for
an inexpensive violin, this is a good outfit.
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Saga Musical Instruments
Cremona SV-220, $395
Although the projection seemed muted and the tone pinched, the
Cremona Violin scored high points for playability. For the price
tag, this instrument has great potential and with better fittings
could easily become a fine-looking and -sounding instrument for
students in their first year. Much like the Conservatoire outfit,
we recommend this package for beginning students who will undoubtedly
put their instruments through the rigors of youthful playing. Any
parent purchasing this outfit will have the security of knowing
this is a sturdy fiddle, and one that didn’t cost too much.
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Wm. Lewis & Son
Orchestra WL80E, $705
The violins from Wm. Lewis & Son are often a favorite among
many students. The company has all of its instruments initially
adjusted at its Ohio facility to meet MENC compliance—making for
easy tuning and great quality setup. The Orchestra violin outfit
includes rosin, a Glasser fiberglass bow with synthetic hair and
plastic grip, and is packaged in a heavy-duty, thermoplastic case.
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String Works
Artist Violin, $810
This violin displayed good playability and a bright, rich tone.
Our reviewers were drawn to the exceptional quality of this particular
setup, noting the rosewood fittings and well-adjusted pegs. Dong
and Ness didn’t care for the varnish on the violin neck, but Nikles
liked the chocolate-caramel color and the glossy appearance, describing
the look as "well-articulated and very attractive." The
pernambuco bow is set apart by its silver wrap and snakeskin thumb
padding. The review team agreed that this instrument is not only
visually appealing, but possesses a solid sound and a colorful tone.
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Horn & Son
Theo Kreutz, $825
"It feels fine," one judge reported of the Theo
Kreutz violin. But despite the smooth touch, we found some minor
setup problems; in particular, the instrument we reviewed had an
unusually fat bridge that tended to slide (although it would be
easy to replace it). The pegs, however, had far better movement
than those on many of the other instruments in our review. A basic
fiberglass bow and a straightforward case complete the outfit. Our
reviewers felt the craftsmanship, tone, and playability of this
violin were all very good. For a student looking for an advanced
fiddle, the Theo Kreutz offers a mature-sounding instrument.
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Angel
CA01AT, $1,200
We were surprised by this violin outfit, in part due to its sweet
tone—the Angel produced a huge, well-developed sound with very little
effort. The distressed antique finish is rough, but the overall
craftsmanship of the violin is good. The fittings are especially
interesting, with a tailpiece featuring a vintage-style, bas-relief
cherub. With an E-string fine tuner, a suspension case, and a pernambuco
bow, this is a nicely matched outfit. Each of our teacher reviewers
agreed that it is an exceptional choice for students because of
its intriguing appearance and expensive-sounding tone.
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Casa Del Sol (from Johnson String Instruments)
Albert Lee 2000, $1,200
This violin projects well and plays with a vivid, full timbre.
We liked the eye-catching craftsmanship but noticed a couple flaws
in the varnish. The thick pernambuco bow has an easy responsiveness
and produced first-rate sound. Our reviewers felt the basic case
provided was a cut below the instrument, and not very well matched
to the outfit. (However, purchasers may be able to choose a different
case.) This violin’s volume, attractive appearance, effortless playability,
and projection scored high points.
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Eastman Strings
Andreas Eastman VL305ST, $1,256
Excellent playability, mellow tone, subtle response, and dynamic
projection made this outfit a definitive favorite with our review
team. We detected a slight buzz, but this is probably an anomaly
singular to this instrument and not a characteristic of Eastman’s
violins in general (on occasion, buzzes can occur in any violin).
The setup proved better than that of many of the other violins we
looked at, the pegs worked smoothly and easily, and the striking
antique look and rich, dark-red varnish won high praise. The one-piece,
flamed maple back and the boxwood-and-ebony fittings displayed exceptional
craftsmanship. And the Eastman pernambuco bow, with its imitation
whalebone winding, has an effortless response and produces a refined
sound. We are confident recommending the Eastman violin to the advanced
student as well as the promising beginner—the violin is one of the
best higher-priced models we evaluated and its quality far that
of some instruments at comparable prices.
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Meisel Stringed Instruments
Mittenwald Model A, $1,295
"This really feels like a step-up and not a beginner instrument,"
said Nikles of the Meisel Mittenwald. Described best as an intermediate
student model rather than a starter, it had a smooth sound and good-looking
varnish that pleased us all. Our judges found it very playable,
with a clear and voluminous tone. The quality Meisel case (hygrometer,
string tube, padded handle) garnered high marks, and our reviewers
felt that craftsmanship and sound are this outfit’s strong points.
The Mittenwald could easily fulfill the needs of a junior-high or
high-school string player.
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Scherl & Roth
R301E4L, $1,305
This violin has a nice, even feel, noted one of our teacher reviewers.
The sound was rated good to excellent, with depth and clarity on
the first three strings, but a slightly whispery G string. The varnish
was heavy for our tastes but didn’t seem to harm the overall tone
and projection. The outfit comes with a brazilwood bow that is heavy
but plays well. Although the soft bridge, lack of an E-string tuner,
and tight pegs were frustrating, this instrument was more playable
than many of the other violins we assessed. The strong point of
the R301E4L violin is its deep, well-rounded sound and graceful
playability.
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Shar
OF 500, $1,370
This darker-sounding violin tended to be shrill and harsh in the
upper register but became robust and deep in the lower strings.
The instrument was set up properly to ensure easy tuning, a point
in its favor. A high-quality pernambuco bow and Heritage IV suspension
case (with hygrometer, instrument blanket, string tube) round out
the Shar outfit. The strong points of this violin are the bold sound
in the bottom register, the professional setup, and an accessory
package that includes rosin and a humidifier.
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Woodwind & Brasswind
Karl Willhelm 2000, $1,377
The Woodwind & Brasswind company offers a unique opportunity
for those players seeking out a violin outfit: you can mix and match
a bow and case to fit your needs and pocketbook. We reviewed the
Londoner One Star bow and the Bellafina model 500 case for this
review. The tone carried exceptionally well in this violin, giving
it a powerful sound. We also like the antiqued oil varnish and flaming.
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Potter’s Violins
Caprice, $1,450
If we were handing out awards, this instrument would take the blue
ribbon for Best Tone. It possessed the most focused sound and even
tone of all the instruments we reviewed. "Great responsiveness,
and what a big, sweet sound," remarked Dong and Ness. Although
the pegs stuck at first, they became manageable after a few minutes
of working them, and they held tune well. The violin boasts an unusual
varnish color, with hints of red, green, and blond highlights across
the belly. The craftsmanship and wood quality are high, and the
carving refined. The cleverly designed Meisel case is a modified
oblong with two corners rounded off. This apple-slice shape offers
very compact protection. The package won kudos from our review team
and could easily take a student through several years with a youth
orchestra.
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Knilling
30GM, $1,495
Knilling, a division of St. Louis Music Co., is
one of the largest suppliers of student-level instruments in the
world, and with good reason. The company produces a great product.
The outfit we reviewed included a violin with a rusty-orange antiqued
varnish and gold-accented fittings, a high-quality case (four bow
spinners, string tube, instrument blanket), and an exceptional bow
(a pernambuco bow made in Germany, by K. Mueller). We were impressed
with Knilling’s smooth sound and clear projection and our reviewers
found they could fluctuate between dynamics with very little effort.
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Mark Edwards Violins
(Imported by Howard Core Co.)
HC602 Toussaud, $1,495
This outfit from Mark Edwards earned high praise from our reviewers
and staff. The playability is superb, projecting well and not taking
much effort to elicit response. The tone also caught our attention
with a balanced and unclouded sound, with each note having a resonant
core. The wood is light and thinner on top, with a one-piece back
and slick, red varnish with blond highlights. The pernambuco bow
felt light and rather stiff but should open up with use. The violin
and bow rest in a Bobelock suspension case with a hygrometer. The
well-matched package revolves around an advanced-sounding violin
with first-rate playability and craftsmanship. Our reviewers had
a hard time choosing just one strong point for this instrument and
ranked it as one of the best violins we reviewed.
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JR Music
Enesco, $1,499
Receiving high praise for good looks, this violin sported some
exceptional carving work. The Enesco is very playable, although
it didn’t deliver as much volume in the upper register as some other
models. A different set of strings or an alternate bridge might
improve this. The clean craftsmanship is enhanced by the rich varnish
work, including some subtle antiquing. We did not care for the carbonfiber
bow, which felt heavy and unbalanced when we tested it. But be sure
to check with JR Music, or your dealer, for other bow options. This
violin’s unusual appearance and powerful lower register are its
strong points. (At press time JR Music just finished designing a
new case—pictured here is an older model.)
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Scott Cao Violins
STV-850, $1,499
The quality of the STV-850, made from top-grade European woods
(including Italian spruce and maple from Bosnia), ranked high with
our review team. The sound is complex, with good projection and
a lush tone. The instrument is well set up and holds its tuning
better than many of the others we tried. The craftsmanship is superior,
although the varnish is almost orange and heavy in spots. The fittings
were unusually refined for an instrument in this price range. We
recommend this as a good investment if you’re looking for a workshop
instrument with the price tag of a factory-made model.
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Heinrich Gill
No. 54, $1,500
This violin turned out to be a beautiful instrument.
Although it felt stiff at first, it produced a round tone and a
clear sound once the reviewer and instrument were properly warmed
up. The noteworthy points of this fiddle are its exceptional projection
and the tawny-colored finish. A high-scoring outfit, our review
team felt the tone, craftsmanship, and volume/projection offered
in the No. 54 violin made this one of the best-bet packages.
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Additional Options
There are several reputable companies that sell violins separately
for those players looking to mix and match their own outfits. If
you have a broader budget to work with and would like to choose
your own bow and case, here are some additional options.
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Glaesel
VI37E4, Andreas Horsteiner, $1,450
Glaesel has all of
its instruments shop adjusted and offers a full line of violins
for students of all levels. We looked at the VI37E4 Andreas Hornsteiner
violin. The instrument is made of European tonewoods and comes with
a brazilwood bow and the GL-5046 Glaesel case. Glaesel has also
just released a new Suzuki student violin outfit, model VI502EC.
Check www.glaesel.com
for additional information.
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Geneva Instruments
Harald Lorenz, $1,200
We also looked at the Harald Lorenz violin which sells separately
and not in an outfit. But for a student assembling his or her own
kit, Geneva Instruments offers a number or good-quality instruments
at affordable prices. The violin we reviewed had a flamed maple
back, spruce top, and ebon fittings with silver diamond accents.
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Excerpted
from Strings
magazine, August/September 2001, No. 96.
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