There has been a belief that when we choose a violin that is highly-priced, it must be of higher quality, better tone, and that is the violin we should get. However, this is not necessarily true. Violin players should not choose a violin just based on its price.
There are violinists who are able to get good quality violin for a low sum of money, but there are others who spend a lot of money on a low quality violin.
So, below are some of the criteria to help you in making the job of choosing a violin better, wiser, and easier...
Let's view each criteria one by one, and see how important it can help in your decision making...
Condition
When buying a violin, check its condition, by looking at its cracks and damages around the violin. A violin with cracks and repairs may still sound well when it is purchased. However, do ask the number of times the violin is being repaired, and if the present condition requires more repairs in the future.
Some of the cracks are caused by extreme climate differences, and violins not suitable in these conditions may crack multiple times. It may cost more to repair an old violin, than getting a new one.
A new violin will still be preferred than a violin with many repairs, as a fine new violin will improve with age. Older violins are generally more resonant, as their wood hardens with age. Hence, it is advised to assess the condition of the old violin, with the virtue of a flawless new violin.
Appearance
Appearance do plays an important role, not only when we choose a violin, but in almost everything we buy. We do want to feel great wearing a high quality, comfortable dress, and appear elegant on the outside too.
Often or not, most customers walk into a violin store go for a violin that catches their eyes first. "Never judge a book by its cover". Ultimately, most violinists choose violins which produce tones that pleases their ears.
However, if you get a violin with both the beauty of the appearance and the tone, you got yourself a real deal. It shows how much time and effort the luthier has used to optimise these two qualities. But do note that choosing wood's beauty over its acoustical attributes would deem a very unwise decision.
Tone
Tone can be one of the decisive factors in choosing violins. Customers will always pick up violins at violin stores and test them with a few notes. There are many descriptive phrases that are used to describe tones, but there is one aspect which violinist should know - Volume.
The loudness of the violin is what most professional violinists look into when they choose violins to play, usually as soloists. Tone is usually determined by the wood used for making the violins, and probably affected by the violin strings and bridges used.
Adjustments can be done to the bridges, sound poles of the violins to change their tones or volumes. If required, it is recommended to get a professional to do so.
Size
Choosing a violin of correct size for playing is important, and that is usually the case for student violins. An easy way to determine the size, would be to measure the length from the students' neck to palm of their extended left hand.
35.5 cm or 14 inches : 1/16 size
42 cm or 16.5 inches : 1/8 size
47 cm or 18.5 inches : 1/4 size
50 cm or 20 inches : 1/2 size
56 cm or 22 inches : 3/4 size
Adults will use 4/4 size.
Purchase a Violin
From a Violin Store
While purchasing a violin, there are some points to note. It's recommended to shop in a violin store, instead of a music shop which sells a wide variety of musical instruments.
A violin store will provide the necessary expertise and professionalism indealing with violins and strings. Experts with specialised training there will be able to meet your needs to the fullest extent. It will be easier for you to choose a violin there, as there would be more types and choices to select from.
Online
I would not highly recommend purchasing of violins online, as much as purchasing violin accessories. Before any purchase, a customer has to choose a violin based on several qualities, and quality such as tone, is subjective.
Other aspects such as condition and appearance can be proven with close-up pictures or photographs on the webpage, but not tone, even though it can be written down as 'warm, vibrant tone' on the sales page.
Purchasing violins online can be a great deal sometimes, but I would recommend it to be purchased through credible sources, reputable music companies, and reliable online sellers.
Hope this page helps you to make a better choice when you choose a violin that fits you.
