They’re one of the most prominent parts of an orchestra, taking both melody and harmonic sections of a piece of music, but there’s such a vast range of violins out there that it can be hard to know what’s best suited to you. Whether you’re looking for your first violin or an upgrade, your budget is the first thing to consider. But if you don’t know what prices you could be looking at, how do you know what a reasonable budget is?
In this article, we’ll answer the question, how much does a violin cost? We’ll look at what you can expect in each price bracket and ability level, covering various features, materials, and tones that violins offer. Once you know the budget you’re working with, you’ll be able to narrow down your options and achieve a lot more clarity and understanding in choosing the right violin for you.
In a hurry?
At a glance, here are what you can expect at each price bracket:
| Price Bracket | Ability Level | Key Features | Our Violin Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| £50 - £300 | Beginner | Machine-made; ergonomic chinrest; student models usually come with accessories like a case and bow. | Student 3/4 Violin by Gear4music, Purple Sparkle |
| £300 - £1000 | Intermediate | Handmade or partially handmade/machine-made; durable materials; usually come with accessories like a case and bow. | Eastman Concertante Antiqued Violin Outfit with Gold Level Set Up |
| £1000 - £3000 | Advanced | Handmade; premium solid wood; durable varnish and fittings | Conrad Goetz Contemporary-Heritage 112 Violin |
| £10,000+ | Professional | Handmade by well-respected luthiers; hundreds of years old; premium wood and fittings. |
How much does a violin cost?
It all depends on your ability level and what you’re using it for!
Beginner (£50 – £300)
At a beginner level, you’ll find violins priced between £50 and £300. These affordable instruments aren’t necessarily ones you’ll keep forever (although you can find some, like the Stentor Student 2 that have durable, high-end features), but they’re great for starting with before you commit to a more expensive model.
Beginner violins are usually machine-made, meaning they lack the finer details of a handmade instrument.
You can expect wood like spruce and maple (standard wood for a violin) with ebony or maple fittings. These are designed to be comfortable for beginners, with ergonomic chinrests making it easy to get used to holding the instrument.
When shopping for an entry-level violin, it’s important to find the right size, especially if you’re a child or buying one for a child! Violins can be as small as 209mm in back length (a 1/16 violin) and can go up to 356mm in back length (a 4/4 violin).
To find the right one for you, check out our guide to measuring yourself and finding the right violin size.
Once you’ve found the violin you like, chances are you’ll also find it as part of a whole outfit. This can include accessories like a case and a bow, making it an efficient option if you want the full setup to get started quickly.
Purchase a violin at this price bracket if you’re…
- A child
- Beginner
- Intermediate-level
Our beginner violin recommendations:
Intermediate (£300 – £1000)
At the £300 – £1000 price bracket, we find violins that offer a big step up in quality compared to beginner models. These instruments usually feature better craftsmanship as many are handmade or partially handcrafted using higher-quality tonewoods such as solid spruce and maple.
The wood is often aged, which enhances the resonance and depth of sound.
Violins in this range tend to be more durable, with a richer tone that allows for more expressiveness and control. They also typically have improved fittings, such as ebony fingerboards and pegs, which contribute to a more comfortable playing experience.
Accessories like a case, bow, and rosin may not always be included, so it’s important to check if these are part of the package. However, the upgrade in sound quality and materials make these violins ideal for players looking to progress their skill.
Purchase a violin at this price bracket if you’re…
- Becoming more advanced in your violin skill
- An adult beginner
- Want something you can “grow” into
Our intermediate violin recommendations:
High-end/advanced (£1000 – £3000)
The £1000 to £3000 range is where you’ll find the highest standard of craftsmanship without having to spend crazy amounts of money. They’re typically handmade by skilled luthiers and feature premium hand-selected tonewoods, such as aged European spruce and flamed maple, which improve both durability and tonal richness.
Compared to intermediate models, these instruments have more nuanced sound quality, offering greater depth, warmth, and responsiveness.
Despite their premium components, most violinists don’t consider these violins “professional” instruments. Rather, violins in this price range are often purchased by advancing students or semi-professionals. Many professional violinists prefer older, antique violins for their unique tonal character, which develops over time.
You’re less likely to find accessories included with these violins, so it’s important to budget for these separately.
Purchase a violin at this price bracket if you’re…
- An advanced violinist
- A soloist
- Wanting the best without going into the top range of violins
Our high-end violin recommendation:
Professional old violins (£10,000+)
Professional violins can be centuries old and highly sought after. Their value stems from the masterful craftsmanship of renowned luthiers, such as Stradivari and Guarneri. Over the years, the wood and varnish age beautifully, resulting in a tonal quality that modern violins rarely achieve. They’ve also been carved in a way that enhances resonance.
Professional violinists deem these to be the best of the best not just for their incredible history but also for their rich, complex sound with a wide dynamic range and nuanced expression. Their scarcity and historical significance contribute to their high price – they’re as much valuable collectors’ items as well as musical instruments.
Purchase a violin at this price bracket if you’re…
- A professional violinist
- Someone who needs a long-lasting instrument
- A symphony musician
A word on electric violins
You’ll find electric violins at pretty much every price range up to an advanced level.
These are great for beginners who want something they can practise silently, and gigging musicians or buskers who need an instrument they can amplify.
However, keep in mind that with these instruments, you’re often paying for the electronics and the shape of the violin to ensure it’s comfortable to play.
You won’t have the same level of craftsmanship you get with an acoustic violin, but will get some contemporary designs and the benefit of amplifaction and sound sculpting.
Our electric violin recommendations:
The best violin brands
Of course, one of the best ways to tell if your chosen violin is of good quality is to research the brand. Our top three brands for violins are Stentor (highly recommended by teachers), Primavera (team affordability with high-quality features), and Hidersine (suitable for intermediate and advanced violinists).
For a more detailed guide, check out the list of our favourite violin brands.
Features that affect a violin’s price
The key things that determine a violin’s price are:
- Materials
- Age
- Whether it’s handmade or machine-made
- Country of origin
- Condition
FAQs
Is a £100-violin any good?
A £100-violin is a good option for a beginner as it will give you all the basic features of the instrument and comfortable playability without breaking the bank. However, it won’t last forever, and you may find you want an upgrade as you progress in skill.
Should a beginner buy an expensive violin?
A beginner might buy an expensive violin if they have committed to learning the instrument and want one that will last a long time without an upgrade. Affordable violins are suited to beginners because they mean you can try out the violin without breaking the bank, and once you know what to look for and how the violin feels to play, you can purchase a more expensive model.
Is 50 too old to learn the violin?
50 is not too old to learn the violin. You’re never too old to pick up a new instrument! Learning the violin can offer many benefits that are great for anyone at any age. These include cognitive benefits, improved hand-eye coordination, and having a fun, creative outlet.
Final thoughts
So, how much does a violin cost? It’s all down to your skill level, where you’ll be using the violin, and the kind of materials you’re looking for. Use this guide as something to refer to when shopping for your violin – it can be easy to get lost in the sheer number of options out there!
For further reading, check out some more of our orchestral guides:
The 11 Best Violins for Beginners
The 13 Best Violin Shoulder Rests
How Much Is a Flute? Here’s What You Can Get for Your Money
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