If you’re a beginner looking for a violin, you may have noticed that there are plenty of brands to choose from. If you’re a professional violinist, you probably have a favourite, but do you know exactly what each brand has to offer, its history, and manufacturing techniques?
In this article, we delve into the best violin brands for players of all ability levels, helping you choose the right one for you.
In a hurry?
Here are our three favourite violin brands:
Brand Why we like them Violin recommendation
Stentor A long-established teacher favourite. Stentor Student 2 Violin Outfit, Full Size
Primavera Comes with a bespoke setup chosen by our orchestral specialists. Primavera 100 Violin Outfit, With Gold Level Set Up
Hidersine Fine-tuning makes tuning quick and easy. They also work with ESTA to deliver a great teaching and learning experience. Hidersine Inizio Violin Outfit, Full Size
The best violin brands
1. Stentor
Suitable for beginner and intermediate players
- Recommended by violin teachers
- Student II violin is the most popular for beginners
Established in 1895, Stentor are known for quality, consistency, and reliable orchestral stringed instruments. Each violin is crafted from solid tonewoods, carved and thicknessed (reinforced) for superior sound quality. The robust construction ensures consistent playability and a rich, resonant tone.
Stentor offers a range of violins to suit various skill levels and budgets. The Student I and II models are perfect for beginners, while the Graduate and Conservatoire models cater to advanced players. Premium models like Messina and Arcadia provide professional-level quality with superior craftsmanship and antique finishes.
Affordable and reliable, Stentor violins are great for students and developing musicians alike.
Violin recommendation | Stentor Student 2 Violin Outfit, Full Size
Violin recommendation | Stentor Arcadia Violin Outfit With Pirastro Evah Pirazzi String Setup
2. Primavera
Suitable for students and are highly recommended by teachers
- Good quality construction
- Budget-friendly
Primavera violins are known for combining value and high-quality craftsmanship, making them ideal for students and educators. These are dependable instruments that are great for learning on; in fact, Primavera are a trusted brand across all string players, as they produce cellos and violas, too.
Crafted with quality materials and attention to detail, Primavera violins are durable and produce a very good sound. Some of the violins are particularly suited to beginners as they’re slightly smaller and are fitted with lightweight components. The range includes models for various skill levels, from entry-level to intermediate players.
Teachers recommend popular models like the Primavera 100 and 200 for their reliability and sound quality. These violins feature solid carved tops, hardwood fittings, and quality strings. It’s also worth noting that at Gear4music, our Primavera Gold Level setups are bespoke. Each element is selected by our specialists and set up with high-quality strings that teachers choose to improve tonal quality when getting started.
Violin recommendation | Primavera 100 Violin Outfit, With Gold Level Set Up
Violin recommendation | Primavera Loreato Violin Outfit, Full Size, Gold Level Set up
3. Hidersine
Suitable for intermediate and advanced players
- High-quality builds with affordable pricing
- Offer unique features such as fine-tuning, which is a tuner that acts as a machine head
Hidersine date back to 1890, making them one of the most respected names in stringed instruments. Known for their high-quality craftsmanship that results in durable violin builds, Hidersine has been a favourite among musicians of all levels for over a century. Their violins are also known for having a resounding projection, producing a rich, warm tone.
If you want a violin that’s been designed and built with great attention to detail, using carefully selected tonewoods, Hidersine are a great brand to opt for. They’re a go-to choice for many students and seasoned players as their instruments are both affordable and of good quality.
Plus, with a Hiderine violin, you’re getting the product of decades of violin craft. They’re a classic, highly admired brand.
Violin recommendation | Hidersine Inizio Violin Outfit, Full Size
Violin recommendation | Hidersine Venezia Finetune Violin Outfit, Full Size
4. Stagg
Individually check their violins for reliable quality
- Known for their electric violin range
- Budget-friendly
Stagg violins blend tradition and innovation, making them ideal for musicians of all levels. Known for crafting quality instruments, Stagg offer classical and electric models, all of which deliver great sound and playability.
Their range spans a variety of prices and ability levels, from budget-friendly options to more advanced models. Features like a solid maple construction, ebony fingerboards, and fine tuners all ensure durability and precise, excellent-sounding performance.
The VN series provides a complete package for beginners and intermediate players, while the EVN series offers stylish electric violins that can be played acoustically or amplified. Whichever series you go for, Stagg’s consistent quality means you can be sure you’re getting a reliable instrument that combines traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation.
Violin recommendation | Stagg Violin Outfit, Transparent Black, Full Size
Violin recommendation | Stagg S-Shaped Electric Violin Package, Metallic Blue
5. Eastman
Suitable for professional violinists- Violins are available as a bespoke gold-level setup
- Affordable for the quality of violin you receive
Eastman violins are a testament to centuries-old craftsmanship and modern precision. Founded in 1992 by Qian Ni, an accomplished flautist, the brand draws on the rich heritage of 17th-century German luthier traditions. Eastman has grown from humble beginnings to become a leading global supplier of high-quality string instruments.
Their violins are known for their outstanding sound, playability, and aesthetic appeal. But what makes Eastman so unique is that their instruments are crafted by expert luthiers using traditional hand tools, ensuring each violin possesses a unique and resonant voice. The brand offers a range of violins to suit different skill levels, from beginner models to professional-grade instruments.
At Gear4music, we have specialists who create bespoke Eastman violin outfits, including a carefully selected bow, a case, and high-quality branded string setup options. This is a great way to achieve the best quality possible from a reputable, historical brand.
Violin recommendation | Eastman Concertante Antiqued Violin Outfit with Gold Level Set Up
Violin recommendation | Eastman Master Series Stradivarius Violin Outfit with Gold Set Up
6. GEWA
Known for their electric violin range
- Incredible build quality
- Stunning finishes
GEWA were founded in 1925 by Georg Walther in Adorf, Vogtland. Drawing from the deep tradition of German luthier craftsmanship, GEWA are known for constantly innovating whilst staying true to their commitment to quality.
Their violins cater to a wide range of abilities, from beginners to advanced players. They’re particularly known for their exceptional build quality and sound, made possible using high-quality European tonewoods and precise craftsmanship, with violins produced in Germany and state-of-the-art facilities in Asia.
The price range of GEWA violins is varied, making them accessible to students as well as professional musicians.
However, it’s not just their acoustic violins that they’re known for. GEWA are also renowned for their electric violins, such as the Novita series.
Violin recommendation | GEWA Novita 3.0 Electric Violin with adapter, Gold Brown
Violin recommendation | GEWA Allegro VL1 4/4 Violin Outfit, Carbon Bow and Shaped Case
7. Gear4Music
Suitable for beginner and intermediate players
- Solid tonewood constructions
- Affordable price point
Gear4music violins cater to various skill levels and budgets. They team good-quality builds with affordable price points, making them ideal for beginner and intermediate players. Plus, they’re designed to be easy to play – another benefit for a beginner wanting an instrument that won’t take long to get to grips with.
Notable features of Gear4music violins include solid tonewoods, quality fittings, and comprehensive outfit packages that often include cases, bows, and rosin.
Violin recommendation | Electro Acoustic Violin by Gear4music
Violin recommendation | Student Full Size Violin by Gear4music, Antique Fade
Things to consider when choosing the right violin brand for you
Craftsmanship
The level of craftsmanship is crucial when selecting a violin brand. A well-crafted violin, made from high-quality materials, ensures superior sound and durability. Look for violins with solid carved tops and hand-finished details as these features enhance tone and playability.
Violins known for their meticulous construction and attention to detail, like Stradivarius and Guarneri violins, set the standard for excellence and are what violin brands today base their specs on.
Premium modern brands such as Stentor, Hidersine, and Eastman replicate the highly regarded and rare Stradivarius and Guarneri violins. They all prioritise craftsmanship and, as a result, produce instruments with better resonance and longevity.
History and reputation
When choosing a violin brand, look at the history and reputation of the brand. Respected brands like Eastman, Primavera, and Stentor, for example, are highly regarded for their consistent quality and innovation.
Have a look at customer reviews, too, to find out exactly how the violin performs and the general consensus of a brand. It’s also a good idea to try a few violins from the brand to get a feel of them and choose the right one for you.
Sound quality
Sound quality is paramount when selecting a violin brand. Different brands produce distinct tones, influenced by the materials and craftsmanship used. You’ll know a violin is of high quality by its rich, resonant sounds with clear projection and balanced frequencies.
It’s important to listen to violins from various brands to identify the tone that suits your style and preference. Established brands like Stentor and Hidersine provide reliable and consistent quality, so you can expect good sound quality across their whole range of violins. Always test-play violins, if possible, to ensure the sound meets your expectations and enhances your musical expression.
Budget
Finally, there’s your budget. Violins come in a wide range of prices, from affordable beginner models to high-end professional instruments.
Brands like Stentor and Primavera offer quality violins at reasonable prices for beginners and intermediate players. For those with a higher budget, brands like Eastman provide superior craftsmanship and sound quality. Remember, if you’re not getting a full outfit, you’ll need to factor things like a bow, resin, and a case into your budget.
FAQs
Are expensive violins better?
Expensive violins may be better for some violinists, such as professional players wanting a specific sound; however, beginners may find a cheaper violin better as it will be tailored to their ability level. As a general rule, more expensive violins will feature higher-quality materials, resulting in a more durable instrument and richer sound.
Do violins hold their value?
Some violins hold their value, but this depends on the brand’s market. If the brand’s violins are sought after, the price will be higher than a violin that is not in demand. For example, brands such as Hidersine, Stentor and Primavera will always hold their value. At Gear4music we have a second-hand trade-in service, which is a good way to see how much your violin is worth. This is particularly useful if you have a child who has a small violin and is looking to progress to a bigger size.
How can you tell if a violin is of high quality?
You can tell if a violin is of high quality through its construction, i.e., if the violin is free from gaps in the seams, doesn’t creak, and also has a straight neck. The material also contributes to the performance of the violin; look out for the grain quality on the violin top and flamed maple backs as these indicate high quality.
Final thoughts
There are various aspects of a violin to think about before you purchase the perfect one for you, and one of the key considerations is the brand as this gives you a good indication of the level of craftsmanship that has gone into the instrument. We hope our list of the best violin brands has helped you in your research!
It’s also important to take into account the materials used, the violin’s price, and the player it’s aimed at.
If you already have a violin and you want to give it an upgrade, adding high-quality strings is a great way to do this. Check out our guide to violin strings to help you choose the right set for you.
0 Comments