Best Violin Reviews & Best Violin Brands For Sale
Did you know that having the best violin can also make you a better violinist? You already know a skilled player can bring out the best in the instrument, but the opposite also occurs. Having a quality violin will allow you to produce the best sound possible with less effort so you can focus on the music.
Good instruments allow you to develop much more naturally whereas violins of less quality can hinder the playability and make development much harder.
Here you can find details on the best violin brands, reviews on beginner, intermediate and professional violins, an electric violin guide and much more. This site provides you with a wealth of information to help you make an informed decision before purchasing a violin for you or your child.
Our Top Recommended Violins
| Model | Level | Review |
|---|---|---|
Stentor 1500 Violin  | Beginner | Our Review |
Cremona SV-500 Premier Artist Violin | Beginner | Our Review |
Knilling 114VN Sebastian Violin | Beginner | Our Review |
Scott Cao 3/4 Violin  | Intermediate | Our Review |
Johannes Kohr K500  | Intermediate | Our Review |
Louis Carpini G2 Violin | Intermediate | Our Review |
Yamaha Model 5 Violin  | Professional | Our Review |
D Z Strad Maestro Old Spruce Stradi Violin  | Professional | Our Review |
Snow SV400 Violin  | Professional | Our Review |
Best Violin Reviews
The violin is the classic acoustic instrument. It produces a unique sound, not only among our world’s musical instruments but within the string family it belongs to. It’s sweet tone has a rich history dating back many centuries. Today, you still here it in the wide range of Classical and orchestral music as well as modern genres which incorporate it into bluegrass and country as well as pop and classical-crossover/new age music. Popular solo artists of today include orchestral violinist/conductor André Rieu and Josua Bell, as well as many other pop new age artists that you’ll see filling up various YouTube channels and PBS music specials.
The sound of the violin is like a poem. It’s often characterized as “divine”. Of course the violin takes practice to play with efficiency and to master a consistent production of sound.The very first note you attempt to play will sound much different than the violins you’ve heard on your speakers or in concerts. It will sound like you are just scratching. The violin as an instrument has some of the most unnatural ways of holding and playing and can certainly be a tricky task until you learn it well. With patience and persistence, the awkwardness eventually becomes more natural as the violin becomes more a part of you.
As you get started and learn more about the violin, you’ll become aware that it’s an instrument that requires much care and maintenance. Just take a good look at how a violinist meticulously cares for their instrument. You can see the attention they give to their violin, from handling and carrying to tuning and playing.
Once you start playing the violin, you’ll notice the appreciation from fellow musicians, band and orchestra members, and your friends and your family too. You’ll become a part of a sophisticated musician community. You and your violin will virtually bond together as you practice, take lessons, and of course attend and play in orchestra and ensemble events. First things first, you’ll need to choose your violin to begin with. And we’ve got you covered with our 5 reviews for the best violin for beginners available on the market today.
Best Violin for Beginners
1. Stentor 1500 Violin Review
Stentor is one of the best student violin brands, and the Stentor 1500 model is a wonderful instrument for beginner players. This model produces good sound, is easy to play and is often recommended by violin instructors as the best student violin.
It is hand-crafted with a fine-grained solid spruce top, a solid maple back and full ebony fittings. It features a hardwood chin rest, nylon tailpiece loop, red label strings and an alloy tailpiece with four tuners.
For its price, this model is one of the best violins for beginners with its quality and build. Those with little experience may find it difficult to set up the bridge or tune the instrument, but experienced players should find it easy.
It is a resonant instrument that stays tuned much better as compared to other inexpensive models in this price rage. It also comes with numerous accessories, including a horsehair bow with ebony frog, rosin and a lightweight case.
2. Cremona SV-500 Premier Artist Violin Review
This particular model was recommended by Strings Magazine as a good choice for a first or second violin. It boasts superior sound, playability and workmanship that is impressive for its price.
For the violin beginner or the advanced student, it presents a remarkable tonal quality. This model is the most popular of the brand’s beginner violins because of its sound in relation to its price. It produces warm tones that are resonant and balanced.
The model is constructed of solid maple and hand-carved solid spruce with a red-brown varnish. It features Swiss-style ebony fittings and an ebony fingerboard with a lightweight tailpiece for easier tuning. It comes with a Stradivarius-style chin rest, deluxe Brazilwood bow and oblong case.
3. Knilling 114VN Sebastian London Violin Review
These instruments are made with superior materials and craftsmanship with quality components in order to ensure excellent sound quality, easy tuning and practical playability. As a good violin for beginners, the Knilling 114VN model is an affordable instrument that can be tuned easily enough, even by new players.
The violin is fully carved and graduated for a superb tone, and it features an even grain spruce top, solid carved maple back and maple neck, scroll and ribs. Its pegs, fingerboard and saddle are made of ebony, and it features built-in tuners and D’Addario Prelude steel-core strings.
The best beginner violin should be easy to set up and play, and this model includes a genuine white horsehair Brazilwood bow with ebony frog and rosin. It also features a shaped case with a zippered cover, fully lined interior with a matching blanket, two bow holders and an accessory compartment.
4. Cecilio CVN-500 Solidwood Ebony Violin Review
Its fingerboard, pegs, tailpiece and chin rest are made of ebony, and its fine tuners are nickel-plated. Users appreciate the quality of the fine tuners and the strings as the model tunes very well for a student violin.
Aside from tuning, this beginner’s violin requires no other setup. The bridge is already placed correctly, the tuners are wound and the string height is just right. Buyers also appreciate the fingerboard and the ease of playability.
The Cecilio CVN-500 is one of the best starter violins for serious players, and it comes with a Cecilio chromatic tuner, lesson book and metronome. Also included are the rosin cake, extra bridge, shoulder rest, hard case and two Brazilwood bows with unbleached Mongolian horsehair.
5. Mendini MV500 Solid Wood Violin Review
This model is one of the most impressive student violins in terms of appearance, and it rivals the looks of more advanced string instruments. The unit arrives set up with the bridge in place. It eventually opens its sound over time after initial use, and it can stay in tune for weeks.
As one of the best beginner violins to buy, the MV500 comes included with the Cecilio 92D string tuner with a metronome, two Brazilwood bows with unbleached Mongolian horsehair, two bridges, rosin cake, additional strings, a shoulder rest and a lightweight hard case.
Best Intermediate Violin Reviews
1. Scott Cao 3/4 Violin Review
This model is fully-carved with a hand-painted varnish. It features a spruce top with an ebony fingerboard, chin rest and pegs. The tailpiece has fine tuners built in, and the violin comes with Thomastik Dominant strings installed.
It is one of Scott Cao’s best intermediate violins in terms of sound quality, and the sound only improves over time to match close to that of a high-quality full size model.
It is very easy to play, especially for adults with smaller hands that struggle with 4/4 violins. The outfit comes with a Brazilwood bow and a carrying case.
2. Johannes Kohr K500 Violin Review
Johannes Kohr violins are some of the finest student instruments from around the world. The K500 violin model is a professionally crafted and easily playable intermediate violin. This model is a best-seller in the industry likely because this popular violin is known for its impressive tone.
It features a flamed maple back with a hand-crafted and hand-varnished glossy red-brown body. Its sides are made of maple with a solid spruce top and solid ebony fittings.
In addition to its beautiful appearance, the sound in the lower strings is rich and dark while the higher tones are sweet and mellow.
The Kohr K500 outfit comes with a Brazilwood natural horsehair bow, shaped hard shell case, rosin cake and Dominant strings. Even when upgrading to a more advanced violin, the K500 makes a very nice instrument to keep as a backup.
3. Louis Carpini G2 Violin Review
Even long-time players and instructors are impressed with the G2 and approve of them as intermediate violins for developing players.
The Carpini G2 model is strung with professional steel-core D’Addario Prelude Strings to produce a warmer and more refined sound, and this rich sound resonates fully across all tones.
The violin is made from solid hand-carved maple and spruce with genuine ebony fittings. It features a hand-rubbed oil-based finish with a warm red-brown color. The unit includes a hand-crafted Aubert bridge that is customized to fit each instrument.
The model comes included with a high-quality bow and rosin. It is one of the best instruments for its price point to offer such quality, detail, durability and fine craftsmanship.
4. Ricard Bunnel G1 Violin Reivew
The Bunnel G1 is the most popular violin from the brand, and it makes an excellent model for intermediate to advanced students. It features professional upgrades from the Bunnel G2 model, and professionals describe its sound as sweet and strong.
The G1 performs very well projecting its sound, and it comes with proof in the form of a checklist and date of the professional set-up performed before packaging.
This model is made from solid hand-carved maple and spruce with fittings made of ebony, and it has a rich, dark oil-based finish.
Bunnel violins come with a custom fitted French Aubert bridge, and the bridge height is properly adjusted for easy playability. It also features pegs and fine tuners that are easy to turn. The unit comes with a bow, Kaplan dark rosin and D’Addario Prelude strings installed with an extra set.
5. Cremona SV-600 Premier Artist Violin
Strings Magazine described the Cremona SV-600 as having an enhanced feel and tone, and the instrument delivers more than enough for advanced students in terms of tone quality and looks. The well-designed violin is also lightweight and easy to set up.
The SV-600 is hand-carved from the best tonewoods to produce an exceptional tone with remarkable carrying power.
With its Dominant strings, the beautifully-designed instrument produces a tone that is powerful yet clear and sweet. It is constructed of highly flamed maple and hand-carved solid spruce. It is finished with a rich hand-applied red-orange varnish.
The unit features Swiss-style ebony fittings with an ebony fingerboard. The model features a Stradivarius-style chin rest, deluxe Brazilwood bow and oblong case.
Best Professional Violin Reviews
1. Yamaha Model 5 Violin Review
The quality of the workmanship for the Yamaha Model 5 is superior, and it virtually lacks flaws or imperfections of any kind. The violin is easy and smooth to play, and it produces a sweet and mellow sound.
Though it is referred to by some as a “student instrument” it has the quality that advanced players would expect for their own needs.
The Yamaha 5 is made with a solid carved spruce top, solid carved maple back and sides, ebony fingerboard, rosewood tuning pegs, rosewood chin rest and tailpiece.
It features four fine tuners and comes with Prelude strings. The unit comes included with a lightweight cordura-covered case, Brazilwood bow and rosin.
2. D Z Strad Maestro Old Spruce Stradi Violin Review
It produces a sophisticated sound that opens with color and depth, and it possesses a powerful and full voice. The tone of this model is remarkable, and it certainly stands out as a huge improvement for those accustomed to starter models.
The quality of the violin also helps learning players progress much more easily. This professional violin is meant for those players that are serious about continuing to play violin for years to come.
The model is made with aged European tonewoods including naturally seasoned spruce from the Italian Alps. It is 100 percent hand-made and is oil-varnished by hand.
The model features a hand-carved tailpiece, chin rest and pegs, and it comes with high-quality accessories. The outfit includes a Bricks Pilot case, rosin, carbon fiber bow and Pernambuco wood bow.
3. Snow SV400 Violin Review
Even professional violinists are sometimes stunned by the great sound of this well-made instrument. It has an even and powerful tone along with an attractive appearance. The SV400 is made with an Italian spruce top and deep enhanced-flame maple back.
It features quality ebony pegs that are precisely fitted and a well-designed fingerboard. All Snow violins are rubbed by hand with an Italian antique varnish finish.
One of the best benefits of this model is its balance of quality and affordability. Because of its price, more players are able to gain access to a professional-level instrument for performance. This model is suitable for every player from beginners to orchestral musicians.
4. Fiddlerman Soloist Violin Review
The instrument is professionally set up as it is tested, tuned and adjusted personally by Fiddlerman. Professional violin players with years of experience are impressed with the Soloist, and many are even more pleased with its price considering its high-quality and performance.
The wood used to construct the violin is aged for a minimum of ten years, and the unit is made with a spruce top and flamed maple back. It features an ebony fingerboard and Hill-style fine tuner for its E string.
Other qualities include superior boxwood fittings and a Despiau bridge. Its classy antique varnish is applied by hand, and it comes already set up with Dominant strings installed.
5. Sebastian Klotz Baroque Violin
Baroque music has its own distinguishable sound, and many desire this sound in their violin performance. Baroque music centers around well-sustained sound created as an airy arch of tones.
It is rare to find violins that produce these sounds as few violin manufacturers actually create Baroque instruments in modern times. Those that do often charge highly for their creations.
The Sebastian Klotz copy model is a well-researched and carefully planned instrument made to accurately produce the sound desired by seasoned players. As one of the most unique professional violins for sale, it provides a very authentic Baroque sound. Its sound is clear, rich and open in general with excellent range.
This model is handmade and varnished. It is created with naturally air dried 20-year-old spruce with maple ribs, back and scroll. It also features a maple fingerboard, tailpiece, chin rest and hand-carved pegs.
Best Violins for Kids
Not all violins are sold in smaller sizes, but this is an important factor in choosing a violin for kids. Childrens’ violins should be small enough to allow them to play comfortably.
Courtesy of Joe Utsler
It is also helpful to find models that have quality accessories included so you don’t have to spend as much for your child to start playing. Cremona is a reliable brand for violins for kids.
They are a top brand in student level instruments, and their models are available at affordable prices. Mendini and ADM also make quality violins for children.
The Cremona SV-175 is a child violin that is affordable, comes in various sizes and has a traditional look. It was reviewed by Music Inc. Magazine as being “designed to meet the needs of beginning students.”
The tonewoods for this Cremona violin are carefully chosen, and the outfit comes with a case, D’Addario Prelude strings and a Brazilwood bow.
For parents or instructors looking for a more affordable starter violin, there is also the Cremona SV- 130 or Cremona SV- 150 for a smaller price. It is one of the brand’s top selling models as it appeals to newer players with its simplicity. It has surprisingly good quality for new players not expecting the bells and whistles.
The Mendini MV300 violin is another quality kids violin. It is available in various sizes from full size all the way down to 1/32 size. The outfit includes a variety of accessories including an extra bridge and set of strings, and it also comes in a variety of colors.
The ADM Violin is one of the most affordable kids violins available. This is helpful for parents that are unsure of their child’s dedication or natural skill development.
Despite its low cost, it offers a number of accessories including a luggage case, horsehair bow, an extra bridge, extra strings and rosin. It offers one of the most complete kid violin packages.
Best Electric Violin
Electric violins have become more popular for charismatic players and younger players that want to draw more attention with their instruments.
Courtesy of Thomas Hawk
The best electric violins offer the thrilling experience of a cool instrument with the playability of the standard violin. While they are similar to acoustics in some ways, one should not expect to replace their standard violin with an electric.
Here we have compiled some of the most impressive electric models based off of electric violin reviews along with expert opinions and personal experiences.
The Cecilio CEVN-2BL 4/4 is an affordable model available in many colors. This Cecilio electric violin is made of hand-carved maple, and it has quality components made of natural materials.
The Yamaha SV-130 is arguably the best electric violin on the market. The cost for this Yamaha electric violin is quite steep, but the quality surpasses that of any cheap electric violin tenfold.
This model is more suitable for professional players who will get more out of the investment. Any Yamaha electric violin review will rave about the sound quality of this instrument. In addition, this model is mp3-compatible for those with expanded needs.
The Fender FV-1 features an impressive wood body made of spruce and maple. It offers a feel very similar to that of a standard acoustic, and it can accommodate many styles of strings. This Fender electric violin features high-quality components and accessories as well.
The Stagg EVN BK has a solid maple body with a bold appearance. Though it is an affordable model, the Stagg electric violin is better suited for those who may not have such ambitious aims.
The ViolinSmart electric violin is one of the most unique looking models available. The futuristic electronic violin is capable of producing impressive sound, and it is also very affordable. It comes with a genuine Mongolian horsehair bow, bridge, rosin and headphones.
Best Violin Brands
Stentor
Stentor is one of the most well-known brands of violins on the market due to their high-quality, long-lasting and great sounding instruments. Stentor violins are hand-crafted but still within reach for those looking to stay within a budget.
They are one of the best violin makers when it comes to offering premium quality and tone from beginner to expert level violins. The Stentor II Violin is an affordable model often recommended by instructors for its craftsmanship and sound.
The Stentor Conservatoire violin is another of their best with its impressive tone, fine craftsmanship and quality accessories.
Best Stentor Violins
Choosing a violin may seem a bit overwhelming to a beginner student or the parent of a beginner. You are making quite a significant investment for an instrument and if you are not quite sure what you are looking for, you may find that you have overpaid significantly for a poor quality instrument that sounds awful and is virtually built to break. With keeping that thought in mind, we will be exploring some of the finest Stentor violin instruments that are broken down and reviewed in a clear and concise manner so that you are guaranteed to get the most for your investment.
Stentor is a well-renowned, leading manufacturer of student violins and orchestral stringed instruments on a global scale. In fact, a Stentor violin is well-known for its value, consistency, and reliability, and is always highly recommended by music teachers and music services for their trusted quality. If you are seeking a violin, it should be noted that a Stentor violin can take your violin student from their very first beginner instrument right up to a professional level. Here are the top three rated Stentor violins; perfect to fit your needs and desires for the violin student in your life.
1. Stentor 1500 4/4 Violin
It should be noted that this instrument is certainly not recommended for an intermediate or advanced violin student. However, it is the perfect “bang for your buck” for your beginner. The quality of sound and ease of use if a wonderful option for students who are just getting started in the world of violin. The tone itself is incredibly smooth and rich in tone, especially for a beginner violin.
2. Stentor 1550 4/4 Violin
This is a high quality, beautifully toned violin! It looks far more like a professional violin than most beginner violins. The tone is excellent, it is a bit deeper in tune and not so “sweet”. It is also solidly built, and it stays in tune, not to mention the fact that it comes with a decent bow (as opposed to a lot of “beginner” violin sets). Tuning is incredibly simple and this is a super clean and clear violin. This is a wonderful, beautiful instrument that is great for a beginner and also beginner-intermediate. As the cost for violins will in turn start to increase as your violin student’s development and skills grow and progress this is the perfect violin to aid in their growth.
3. Stentor 1500 3/4 Violin
This violin is finished quite nicely, and the workmanship is clean. Not to mention the fact that the action is good, and the bridge is properly mounted. This violin has been remarked as perfect for those who have a bit of a violin background but possibly have not played in a few years; a great violin for beginner-intermediate students. One thing that should be noted is that if you are seeking a warmer, rich tone, you may find this tone quality to be a bit subjective, and can be described as almost loud. Again, this Stentor is perfect for a beginner-intermediate, but as tones of a warmer nature are generally preferred by advanced students, this one may prove to be a bit much. The Stentor 1500 also boasts remarkable, ease and comfortability to play. Not to mention that with all of these benefits, for the price, you will certainly not be disappointed.
Additional notes about Stentor Violins
Be sure to take into consideration that those the aforementioned Stentor violins all come fully assembled with a great carrying case, bow and instrument blanket, there are additional accessories that you may need to purchase in addition to the violin itself. Many even prefer to upgrade the strings that are on their Stentor violin as you can certainly place the top of the line strings on this incredible instrument to change and enhance the “out of the box” tone that you will receive. With that in mind, however, even with the standard strings and no additional upgrades, you will most certainly not be disappointed with any of these instruments.
Yet another feature to add about Stentor violins, is that they are carved from the only finest solid tonewood (and yes, wood most certainly matters!) and are individually thicknessed for only the most superb quality of sound. Not to mention the fact that on each and every Stentor violin, the bridge and soundpost are carefully fitted to ensure the only the very best playability. If you are in the market for the finest and most cost effective violin solution to the violin student in your life, be sure to take advantage of all the incredible quality that Stentor has to offer.
Mendini
Mendini violins are made to be budget-friendly for young and beginner players. Unlike many cheap violin manufacturers, Mendini instruments are low in price but still very durable.
This makes them a favorite among parents with children with a new interest in playing. Mendini violin quality is also impressive despite the low cost of many models. Two of the brand’s best models include the Mendini 4/4 MV300 and Mendini MV500.
The Mendini MV300 is an extremely affordable model that comes in many sizes and colors. The Mendini MV500 has an impressive sound and look, and it comes with a string tuner with a metronome.
Cecilio
Cecilio is one of the best violin brands that is appreciated for the great models it produces. Players of all levels love their well-constructed violins and the high-quality bows that accompany them.
These instruments are also strung with D’Addario strings to meet the expectations of serious players. Two of the most impressive Cecilio violins are the Cecilio CVN 300 and Cecilio CEVN 2BL.
The Cecilio CVN 300 is an affordable full size violin that looks and sounds great even to long-time players. The Cecilio CEVN 2BL is a quality electric model with a bold appearance and great sound quality.
Cremona
Cremona violins are some of the most popular models for beginners. This is arguably the best violin brand in terms of fine craftsmanship as Cremona violin makers create models in the traditional style of fine European violins.
Upon purchasing a Cremona violin, you can expect a durable instrument with a beautifully clear tone. Three great models from this brand are the Cremona SV-75, Cremona SV- 150 and Cremona SV-175.
Cremona Violins
The Cremona SV-130 is one of the brand’s top selling novice models, and it comes in many colors and sizes. The Cremona SV-175 is built with quality woods and strings, and it produces a sound even instructors appreciate.
When it comes to shopping around for a violin for the student or beginner in your life, you may feel a bit at a means to an end when it comes to the overabundance of options that are available. With keeping that thought in mind, there is one company in particular whose violins are not only incredible in terms of their quality, but also their affordability. If you are in the market for a violin that is perfect for a beginner or student, look no further than Cremona. Here, are the top three rated Cremona violins that are wonderful options for new violin students. And they are all guaranteed to not break your bank!
