Violin Questions? What is a good one to buy? Student or better?

How advanced are you? Once you have a decent grasp of how to play and have developed preferences about what you like in a violin you can choose an intermediate violin. If the violin you're renting seems fine to you and nothing about it frustrates you, it's probably best to keep renting for now. If you're getting to the point where the one you're using just doesn't do what you want it to do and you're starting to hate the sound, it's a good time to upgrade.

You'll need to visit a string store and try several violins. Don't buy an intermediate violin online unless you absolutely have to, and then buy from a dealer that either has a liberal return policy or an in-home trial program. Shar is a good option if there is no string store near you.

As you play different violins, you'll notice definite preferences. Some you won't like at all. Some you'll enjoy playing. There will probably be one that you enjoy playing so much that you don't want to put it down. That's the one you should buy.

If you are serious about your violin playing I suggest you buy the best you can afford.

What to look for in a Violin

Two very trusted places to find a violin in any price range are.

www.sharmusic.com

and

www.swstrings.com

Even if you do not buy from them they have good descriptions of what you need to look for.

They also have catalogs. You should try and get on their mailing list.

There are tons of well manufacturers and tons of particularly terrible manufacturers. The approach to make certain you are getting probably the most first rate manufacturers is to stick a ways, a ways clear of web discounters, guitar retail outlets and regular song retail outlets. String purchasers deliver first rate newbie devices that they are inclined to face in the back of. Places like eBay, Amazon, and the gigantic reduction song retail outlets promote low-priced junk to individuals who have no idea any greater. You're correct, the low-priced violins are crap, are probably unplayable correct out of the field and commonly want a minimum of $one hundred-2 hundred valued at of upkeep within the first yr.