Purchasing a new instrument

October 12, 2025, 7:45 PM · Hi Nickie, A couple of suggestions - The Ming Jiang Zhu 905 model is under that price point at about $1700, their 907 is just over that price at about $2100. Also, the Fiddlershop Soloist is also under that price with a case and decent bow; I had one of those as my first intermediate some years ago and it was not bad at all, but I'd put the Ming Jiang Zhu 905 and 907 above it. Fiddlershop and many other violin shops sell those. Corilon in the UK has some good prices as well; you can find JTL French instruments there sometimes for well under your price point. Fiddlershop, Metzler, Corilon, and any good shop will have either trial periods or guaranteed returns with no fee for 30 days and will also offer trade in guarantees. Others will probably also have some great suggestions. Good luck!!

October 12, 2025, 9:42 PM · Thanks Richard!

October 12, 2025, 10:02 PM · If you have a shop you’re comfortable with, just ask the luthier or salesman for some guidance on violins in your range. There is a wide range of options there, from Chinese to Romanian to new German to old German. If you’re buying online, you can prioritize sellers that offers trial period so that you can play the violins yourself before making a decision.

October 12, 2025, 10:10 PM · Jay Haide is something of a standard brand for this errand, although they retail now for a bit over your budget. Perhaps worth trying to see what is out there. And maybe you will hear of a student, or student’s mom, who is looking to get rid of one.

October 13, 2025, 12:25 AM · Thanks Rich. You always have great advice.
Thanks Stephen. I’ll look up Jay.

October 13, 2025, 5:09 AM · Each violin is unique. Factory made instruments may have model names, but for a given model can vary in quality.

I recommend getting in person help in choosing the instrument. Someone to play the instrument, run it through its paces. Someone to hear you play it. Can your teacher help?

With someone to help judge the quality you can shop anywhere.

I would not shop online. Shipping is a mess, and you need to be able to return the item if you dont like it.

Craigslist and facebook can be fine. But you need to bring an instrument to compare it to.

Most important in all circumstances is getting someone to judge the instrument.

Buying from a shop is usually good. They are in the business of selling good instruments. Ones that are set up properly, etc. Shops also have many instruments to compare. This is an important part of the process. Most shops will allow you to trade in an instrument that you bought there. They will not be as cheap as finding a great used one, or the pick of the litter. However, it is not necessarily easy to find great used ones cheap.