The best violins for beginners, intermediate and advanced musicians.

The best violins for beginners:

1. Thomann Classic Violinset 4/4
2. Stentor SR1500 Violin Student II 4/4
3. Roth & Junius Europe 4/4 Student Violin Set

The best violins for intermediates:

1. Bazzini Violinset Studio 4/4
2. Yamaha V5 SC44 Violin 4/4

The best violins for advanced players:

1. Yamaha V 20 G violin 4/4

The best electric violin:

1. Yamaha YEV-104 NT Electric Violin

The best violin for children:

• Yamaha V5 SC110 Violin 1/10

The best violins for beginner musicians

We start with three violins for beginners that have won the hearts of their users, because they offer superior performance for an affordable price. We analyze the best types of violins for beginners by the sum of their positive aspects.

Wood:

Thomann doesn't specify the material used to manufacture the body, limiting itself to assuring that it's solid. However, from our point of view, it's not wood, but ABS. This choice of material to make the body may generate some skepticism because wood is always sought after in a musical instrument. However, ABS plastic is currently the most widely used material due to its high resistance to fracture and torsion.

As for the fingerboard, it‘s made of ebony, an excellent high-end selection. This wood has excellent hardness and sound capacity, and also creates a good visual contrast. On the headstock and chin rest we find an unusual material: jujube.

This wood is used in the production traditional Spanish music. It has a great acoustic capacity and its durability is very good. While it may not offer the best sound, this is a beginner's instrument and is an excellent value.

Ergonomics:

Although it's of the 4/4 type, the largest of all sizes, it's lightweight, thanks to the ABS plastic body. This weight benefit is what a student needs to begin the process of adapting to the posture and grip of the mast.

The neck also helps a lot because it's slim, and has good weight thanks to the ebony wood. This allows for a good grip and its ultra-thin design fits nicely in the palm of the hand. Microprecision tuning keys also have a good grip. They are a little hard at first due to lack of use, but when you start using them everything gets better in a few days.

On the other hand, the violin bow is made of composite, a light, cheap and low quality material. Nevertheless, it has a good grip and its weight is balanced, which facilitates basic string-rubbing posture. Overall we can rate the ergonomics an eight out of ten, which is pretty good because it comes at an excellent price.

Sound:

The sound has a good sustain, which benefits the rehearsals of the first lessons of the Suzuki method for violin, which requires sustained and well-tied notes for the first transitions. What does leave something to be desired is the reverb, which is poor. This is due to the body material, which is also responsible for the plastic and unrealistic sound of the instrument.

On the contrary, one aspect we can save is the great volume it has and the quality of precision in the musical notes. In this sense, legato highlights the volume of this instrument, while pizzicato allows us to recognize the precision in the violin's tuning.

However, although the sound is a bit plastic, all beginning pieces for beginners benefit from the volume and sustain . In addition, with good bowing technique the student will be able to improve the reverb and perform more complex and demanding compositions with greater richness.

The set consists of:

• Violin 4/4.
• Composite arch.
• Adjustable chin strap.
• Rosin.
• Semi-rigid sheath.

Conclusion:

The Thomann Classic 4/4 has a good value for money and is great for this level of learning. Teachers will also find it an affordable instrument, with good ergonomics and an acceptable sound, considering its price and the quality of its materials. Interested? Find the best violin price at thomann.

This model of violin for students manufactured by Stentor is characterized by using only solid woods. Users have informed us that they love it for the quality of its components, but also for the luthier's work.

Wood:

The Stentor SR1500 has a solid spruce top. This is one of the woods that work best on fretted stringed instruments, as it provides a classical sound and appearance.

The body is made entirely of solid maple and has slightly irregular and separated veins. This is the reason for its price, because it's type A wood for entry-level instruments.

The fingerboard and headstock are made of ebony, an excellent choice for low-end instruments with a mid-range look. Ebony is very strong, has good workability and doesn't bend easily. Finally, the chin guard is made of hardened cedar wood. It doesn't provide resistance, but it does provide sonority.

Ergonomics:

Despite being an instrument for beginners, this model has a very pleasant and dynamic feel. It weighs 1.4 kg, which is to be expected for solid A-wood. The touch is what we like the most because the movement of the hand through the neck is comfortable.

The grip fits very well in the palm and is ideal for practicing fast passages and wide scale extensions. The string action of the violin allows a pleasant passage while using the legato technique. Also the weight of the bow, made of light wood, facilitates staccato phrases.

Sound:

In terms of sound, its sustain is ample and has a range that improves with long phrases. The ritardando is a blast and the reverb feels great, especially with the nuanced forte and crescendo phrases.

The volume is on par with the quality of the sustain and reverb. At times it can be explosive, which will give dynamics to the interpretation of the beginner musician. If the right technique is used, it can be sensitive to the point of approaching the feeling of Paganini's Io ti penso amore.

Likewise, and thanks to its spruce top, this violin provides a very baroque sound: it's light, which enriches andantino interpretations such as Mozart's Symphony No. 40.

The set consists of:

• Violin 4/4.
• Semi-rigid red sheath.
• Wooden arch.

Conclusion:

We like several aspects of the Stentor SR1500. Its solid woods give it a high-end feel. We also like its sound because it has a certain facility for very varied musical expressions and nuances, as well as providing a baroque violin sound. We recommend it for students who wish to buy an inexpensive but quality violin. Find the best prices for beginner violins at thomann.

Thomann offers us an option for students with a quality superior to any other in this range. All the elements that went into it make it an instrument that goes beyond entry-level, to be an ideal instrument for intermediate players.

Timber:

The top of the Roth & Junius Europe 4/4 is solid spruce with an AA rating, which clearly indicates that this is a mid-range instrument. How do we know it's AA spruce? The answer lies in the wood grain, which is almost straight and meets 2 mm to 3 mm apart.

The back is made of solid maple which doesn't provide much durability but does provide elasticity. The sides are made of laminated maple which provides a good mix of durability and elasticity. The neck is made of solid maple and has a higher resistance because it's thicker. The fingerboard is made of ebony, a wood from South Asia that is more resistant and has a more uniform grain than other maple species.

Ergonomics:

It's a light instrument with AA class woods. The 1.4 kg weight makes it an ideal instrument for beginners. Its neck is a little thinner than that of the previous ones on the list and is more comfortable, although the lack of wood detracts from its balance.

Likewise, the string height of the violin is very good and this makes legato phrases easy to do. Because of this ease of legato displacement, we recommend the use of the Ševčík Opus 1 guide. In it the beginner will find interesting exercises to develop ligatures.

Sound:

In this instrument we find something atypical. It's supposed to have a classical sound because of the spruce top, but we find something more dynamic and capable of producing modern violin music.

The most outstanding feature of this violin for beginners is the volume, which is not excessive, but balanced and sober. It provides delicate notes, full of harmonics and the chords sound great.

The sustain is not enveloping but warm. It has a great delicacy and allows an expressive capacity that is highly valued. It also has a nice reverb reminiscent of romanticism, mainly the compositions of Camille Saint Saëns, such as the Violin Concerto No. 3.

The set consists of:

• Violin 4/4.
• Semi-rigid red violin case.
• ABS plastic arch.
• Rosin.

Conclusion:

Thomann's Roth and Junius has created a student violin that in many respects has mid-range characteristics. We like its woods and the ergonomics of the neck. The sound is delicate, romantic and full. We therefore recommend it for musicians of all learning levels who want a dynamic and delicate sounding approach. Find the best violin price at thomann.

Our recommendation:

We like the Stentor SR1500 for its sound power and the good details of its construction and finish. We also really like the balanced sound of the Roth & Junius Europe 4/4, because it's the clear example of how music evolved from the romantic period to the modern one. It's one of the best violins for beginners that you can find.

The best violins for intermediate musicians

Violins for intermediate level musicians must have certain characteristics that make a better ergonomic and sonorous performance possible. This is why luthiers look for a configuration of woods that provide the sonic nuances expected for this range of instruments. They also use elements that improve the action of the strings and add dynamics to the performance, either by improving the tailpiece or by adding specific types of strings.

Bazzini violins have the particularity that they are designed by Italians, assembled by Chinese and launched with strict German quality controls. The end result? Instruments of high quality materials and superior sound, thanks to all the experience accumulated by its designers and luthiers.

Wood:

The Bazzini Violinset Studio 4/4 is made with Class AA solid spruce for the soundboard, providing the most baroque sound possible for a fretted string musical instrument. We also find solid maple on the sides and back for a traditional instrument.

In addition, the fingerboard and pegs are made of ebony. The bridge, by Teller, is made of AAA+ Bosnian maple, the best quality you can expect. If we dig a little further on the Teller page, we see that the bridge is from the Joseph Teller 1891 series, therefore, it has a drying time of at least ten years, and the same is true for the other woods. This time is impressive because in addition to having the maximum hardness that wood can provide, it also offers the maximum sound capacity.

The Wittner Tuning Tailpiece, which facilitates the tuning of the violin, is made of composite with an ultra-light alloy of fiberglass, carbon fiber and aluminum. This is an instrument made with woods that may well be high-end.

Ergonomics:

Despite the fact that all parts of the violin are made of solid wood, the Bazzini 4/4 weighs only 1.44 kg. This is due to the ultra-lightweight design of the bridge and tailpiece, the rest of the weight comes from the body woods.

Consequently, it's very easy to pick up and the ergonomics of the neck make it fit like few others in the palm of the hand. Moving up the mast will never be a problem, which leaves the rest to the performer's technique. On the other hand, the carbon fiber bow becomes very light, which facilitates control over staccatos, as well as other techniques.

Sound:

It's great. The sustain is just right, while the reverb remains balanced and reminds us of Shlomo Mintz's playing. The sobriety of the sound is evident in the stability of the rubatos, as in most violins the reverb tends to get out of control.

In the trill, the maturity of the sound is also maintained because the sustain, although sustained, remains only as long as necessary. Nothing in this violin overflows and that is something that every musician appreciates.

The set consists of:

• Violin 4/4.
• Tailpiece with Wittner tuning tones.
• Teller Bridge.
• Includes carbon arc.
• Semi-rigid case.
• Thomastik Vision Stringing

Conclusion:

Finally, we can say that the Bazzini Studio doesn't look like a studio instrument, but a high-end one. Its woods are excellent and elements such as the tailpiece and bridge are a delight. It's an instrument that belongs to the advanced level or, at least, it's a transition to the professional level. Interested? Find the best violin price at thomann.

Yamaha has always been one of our favorite manufacturers for having great sound and build quality. The V5 SC44 is the warmest and loudest of all those we have heard.

Wood:

The Yamaha V5 SC44 violin is made of solid woods with a spruce top and spruce sides. The back is maple and the fingerboard is ebony, as are the headstock and chin rest. These woods are class AA and have a natural drying time of no less than five years. Yamaha reserves this type of materials for the best quality instruments and that is why we are surprised by the price of this violin.

Another big difference is that the soundboard was handcrafted. This manual work is the most valued because the finishes have a greater detail and care. In addition, the wooden chin guard and wooden pegs create a great visual impact.

On the other hand, the tailpiece and tuning machines are made by Wittner. They have a carbon fiber, fiberglass and aluminum alloy design for maximum durability and sound performance.

Ergonomics:

In terms of ergonomics, it‘s not the lightest instrument of its type. It weighs 3 kg, which is quite a lot for a relatively small instrument. In addition, the mast design is standard, so it doesn't have a significant improvement in grip.

However, as we are talking about an instrument for mid-range musicians, string height is not a problem. It performs well for fast phrases and the performance of arpeggios feels very pleasant. The bow is nothing special because it's typical ABS with a wooden look, but users have reported that it has good balance.

All in all, the feel and grip is quite common for intermediate level. This should not be a problem for experienced musicians.

Sound:

Traditionally, the spruce top provides a very baroque sound, as it has a tendency towards high frequencies. However, the most commonly used wood in this model is maple, which has a response of 8 dB in the bass, 4.9 dB for the mids and 5.1 dB for the treble, approximately

This sonorous tendency of the woods makes its response more inclined towards the bass and mids, but with a good transition in the treble. Therefore, the tone is warm, delicate and fits very well with the sound of the composers of the romantic period.

The versatility is very good and you can play pieces by classical composers such as Mozart. However, pieces such as Serenade and Ave Maria by Franz Schubert suit it much better and this is the style that should be sought after with the Yamaha V5 SC44. Perhaps the compositions that best do it justice are the violin concertos of Saint Saëns and the like, as these demand a clean but dynamic and sensitive sound.

The set consists of:

• Violin 4/4.
• Tailpiece with Wittner tuning tones.
• Yamaha custom bridge.
• Carbon fiber bow.
• Semi-rigid sheath.
• Daddario Prelude strings.

Conclusion:

The Yamaha V5 SC44 is one of our favorites for several reasons: the configuration of its woods is excellent, the decision to use wood in almost all parts is a great success and, finally, the sound seems to us the most versatile in this range.

It's not a Stradivarius violin but it certainly does the job. We recommend it for all levels of learning. Find the best violin good price at thomann.

Our recommendation:

Among the violins for intermediate musicians we have excellent options, but our favorite is the Yamaha V5 SC44. In this model we find the three elements that a good instrument should have: quality woods, optimal configuration of materials and a dynamic sound.

The best violin for advanced musicians

In the category of instruments for advanced musicians there is usually a certain prejudice and only violins with prices over 2,000 euros are considered high-end. However, when we look at models such as the Yamaha V 20 G, this prejudice quickly dissipates.

It's therefore the only option we have selected for professionals, as it probably has the best quality/price ratio in this range. If you are a professional and you are interested in the price of a good violin, you need to know about this one.

We have reached the top of the range and the best violin that can be found in this price range. The Yamaha V20 G is one of those instruments that every musician should have in their collection, because it offers a great variety of sound resources with impressive nuances that get better every day.

Wood:

This instrument is made with AAA class woods for the spruce and ebony soundboard. This is the highest classification within wood types because they have a drying time of more than ten years. Consequently, both durability and sound quality are the best.

The back is flamed and toasted AAA maple. This means that the aging of the wood can be more than twenty years and provides a durability similar to that of violins more than a century old. The sound quality is close to that of the Guarneri del Gesu and improves with age.

Another material used in the violin parts is exotic boxwood (buxus sempervirens) for the chin rest and tailpiece. It's classified as AAA+ and its use dates back to the times of Stradivari and Guarneri.

In addition to having the best types and kinds of woods, this Yamaha was made entirely by hand and according to the still surviving techniques of the luthier Guarneri del Gesu. This is not to be taken lightly because this is old-fashioned workmanship and complies to the standards of the only luthier who has ever lived up to Stradivari.

Ergonomics:

The Yamaha V 20 G offers perfect ergonomics and has a professional feel. The neck is ultra slim and features rounded “D” edges for better travel. Despite weighing three kilograms, it has a great balance between the neck and the body, which facilitates grip and posture.

The action of the strings makes it possible to execute legatos with a high level of comfort and facilitates the interpretation of pieces such as the Caprice 5, while arpeggios and chords feel quite good. All in all, on the ergonomic side, this model meets the highest requirements of the most complex compositions you can find in chamber music.

Sound:

The sound of this violin is classic thanks to the configuration of its woods. Spruce provides a high-frequency performance of about 10 dB, while ebony has a performance of about 10 dB in the low frequencies, 8 dB in the mids and 6 dB in the high frequencies. We also have the maple, with a tendency towards the bass close to 8 dB, -5 dB in the mids and +5 dB in the treble.

The relationship between spruce, ebony and maple results in a warm and beautiful sound. It has a balanced sustain, a good reverb and each musical note is rich in harmonics. The flamed maple also greatly improves overtone response.

Finally, the AAA+ boxwood of this Yahama was widely used by Stradivari and Guarneri. This material adds a special touch to the harmonics in up to three sound waves so that the final result is sublime.

Conclusion:

This is one of the best options in this price range and represents Yamaha's quality and musical tradition. Its woods are of excellent quality and its sound is the most versatile of all. It's unfortunate that it doesn't include a bow or holster, but it's still worth every penny. We recommend it as a dream instrument that every professional musician needs in their collection. Find the best price at thomann on this link.

What is the best electric violin?

An electric violin offers some advantages over an acoustic one. They are more versatile, lighter, can be perfectly adapted to the addition of effects and other features that make them the preferred choice for contemporary music: rock, pop, electronic and others. However, they generally do not have the same warm sound as a traditional one and therefore may not be the best for performing classical pieces. For this reason we have selected a versatile and capable model for all musical genres.

The Yamaha YEV-104 NT electric violin belongs to one of the most valued series by users and professionals. It has many exceptional features and is a delight to look at and feel.

Wood:

The first thing that stands out on this Yamaha electric violin is the beautifully curved edges. It's made of walnut wood, of which the density, durability and resistance to torsion are almost identical to mahogany, but with a better sound performance because of its greater elasticity.

The body is a wooden bar that runs through the instrument and is made of three types of wood: three-ply spruce, mahogany and maple. As we have already mentioned, spruce is one of the woods with the lowest strength and durability. Consequently, mahogany and maple are used to reinforce and also to improve the sound nuances.

The neck and bridge are made of maple, while the pegs, chin rest and fingerboard are made of ebony. These details provide the greatest sonority that an electric violin in this range can have. Finally, the tailpiece made of synthetic resin is excellent and has micro tuners.

Ergonomics:

This is one of the lightest instruments of its kind available on the market, weighing only 560 g. Almost all the weight is on the body and the mast is the lightest part, which produces a significant imbalance.

The imbalance in weight is compensated by the ergonomics of the neck, which has an ultra-slim “D” design. As a result, the grip is firm, while the scales are comfortable and dynamic to move around.

The string action is a bit loud, but this is an instrument for intermediate to professional players, so it should not be a problem.

Sound:

Spruce is the only wood that reproduces the most baroque sound in these instruments. But on the Yamaha YEV-104 NT this doesn't happen because it's not a harmonic top. Instead, there is only a bar made of three types of wood. This combination results in a very bright sound with little weight in the low frequencies, although it's saved by the great result in the transition from bass to mid range, which is almost imperceptible.

Walnut wood and edge design add further gain in sound response. These elements capture the sound and project it in an enveloping way towards the center of the instrument in the form of a loop so that the production of the notes is constant.

Consequently, the sound of the woods is a bit warm but not as warm as we would like. It's also enveloping but doesn't have a great sustain and only the reverb stands out , which can be a little hoarse at times. Now, it incorporates a system from the SV-250 series: a microphone consisting of a power button and a volume knob.

As for its sonic response, the SV-250 has a large 9 ohm output and projects with great fidelity the natural sound of these instruments. This can be interpreted as a weakness, because the sonic nuances are not the richest we can find. Although the harmonics do stand out, a great point in its favor.

Conclusion:

Although it's an instrument with few sonorous nuances, this is very common in these instruments. So we are not too fazed, and within this intermediate range, it's the best you can find. We recommend it for musicians of all learning levels who want to buy an electric violin for an affordable price. Find the best price at thomann.

What is the best violin for children?

The Yamaha V5 SC110 is one of the few children's instruments that doesn't have a lower quality of materials. On the other hand, the combination of its woods is comparable to any violin for adults and that is why we like it so much.

Timber:

Despite being a violin for children, Yamaha has not skimped on its materials and offers an instrument made of solid wood. The top is spruce, the back is AA maple and the fingerboard, headstock and chin rest are made of ebony. A noteworthy element is that the soundboard was carved by hand, which guarantees greater attention to detail and quality in the wood grain.

Due to the small size of the instrument, the range for twisting and fracturing is reduced. Therefore, it has greater durability and shock resistance capacity. However, its small size also limits the sound capacity.

The tuning fork is not made of wood but it's of high quality, with a Wittner tailpiece of ultra-light and very durable manufacture thanks to the combination of synthetic polymers with high resistance.

Ergonomics:

Although it has a very small size, it weighs 1.2 kg and can be a bit cumbersome to carry. The neck features a slim “D” design, with filed edges to facilitate the grip and improve the dynamics of the scales through it.

Smaller size means more tension on the strings. However, the Yamaha V5 SC110 has a great ratio that makes a gentle and comfortable feel for children possible.

Generally speaking, we can say that it's very well adapted to the touch of a child with developed motor skills, between the ages of three and five.

Sound:

The tuning is fast and the key mechanics allow precise movements. In addition, the Wittner violin micro tuner does a great job of making it easier for children to develop their musical ear.

The reduced size of the soundboard limits many sonorous elements such as sustain. This component is poor for what an instrument of this type should have and this also detracts from the dynamics.

We must recognize that it has a good reverb and that hoarse sound of the staccatos that many masters like so much, but to the detriment of harmonics that nuance the interpretation. This is due to the reduction in size, but not to the quality of the construction and woods used. So we should not blame Yamaha for the shortcomings in sound.

The set consists of:

• Violin 1/10.
• Tailpiece with Wittner tuning tones.
• Yamaha bridge.
• Carbon fiber bow.
• Semi-rigid sheath.
• Daddario Prelude strings.

Conclusion:

Yamaha has put a lot of effort into overcoming the problems involved in building an instrument for children. In several respects it has emerged victorious, while in others it continues to improve. Still, this is the best children's violin you can find on the market and that is why we recommend it. Take advantage of the best prices at thomann.

Remember that in culturasonora we make the best reviews of all your favorite musical instruments. You can also find the best buying guides on the web.

Technical Characteristics of Violins