Violin, Viola, Cello Buying Tips: What's the difference between a $100 and a $4,000,000 violin? We often get asked How do I buy a Violin? Why are some violins more expensive than others? What are the differences in violin qualities? Are Chinese Violins a lower quality than others? and so the questions are asked.....
The average parent looking for an introductory instrument for their child may have no way of knowing the difference between a well made factory instrument and a poor one.  Very often we are asked about some brand of instrument being sold at very low prices on an online auction or elsewhere. Although it's not impossible to get a good deal, the best deals are made by informed consumers who are not taken in by promises of something for nothing. Any violin being sold for under $200 is very likely to need hundreds of dollars in repair work OR an extremely low quality instrument that will cause problems now and in the future.
The best assurance from any purchase comes from a local dealer who stands by his products wherever they come from. A few considerations... A cheap instrument is often more difficult to play and has an inferior sound. This is a leading cause of frustration for beginning students who give up playing because they can't make a good tone. It is an unfair test of a student's talent if he has to overcome problems with an instrument.
If something goes wrong with your mail order instrument, you may have no recourse.
Local dealers and repairmen often refuse to work on instruments that are substandard. Broken parts may not be replaceable or fixable.  A good instrument is a good investment. In most cases it retains much of its value. Should you decide to sell it for any reason there will be less cost in the long run.
Purchasing an instrument for a beginning student should always be done with the expert help of the student's teacher. There is no substitute for a hands on examination by a professional.
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