Which is Better, Used or New Violin?

Which is Better, a Used or New Violin?

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Hmm. Which is better used or new violin? This post is the answer to 11 years of being asked this question. Every time someone asked me, “Which is better, used or new violin?” I would cringe. To save my time giving this answer, I decided to dedicate a video and post to this question.

First off, never, never ask this question if you want to be perceived as an informed and educated violinist or soon-to-be violinist.

The violin is not a car. It’s not oh it’s just better to buy a used car or a new car. This question absolutely does not relate to the world of violins at all.

So if you get one thing from this post, never ask this question.

Why should you never ask, “Which is better, a used or new violin?”

Some used or previously owned violins are considered to be the most expensive violins in the world.

Allow me to put this in perspective for you.

The 5 Most Expensive Violins in the World – Updated 2022

The Messiah Antonio Stradivari – $20 million.
The Lady Blunt Antonio Stradivari – 15.9 million.
The Vieuxtemps Guarneri del Gesù – 15.8 million.
The ‘Da Vinci’ Ex-Seidel Antonio Stradivari – 15.3 million.
Ex-Kochanski Guarneri del Gesù – $10 million.

Unlike cars, good violins that are used or older are actually more expensive and more valuable, if it’s a good violin.

The best violin to learn on is one of good quality.

Since you are asking this question, I suspect you are about to play the violin. You want to play the violin and you don’t know anything about violins.

The best advice I can give you is actually at the beginning of your violin journey is to rent a very good violin as opposed to purchasing one for fifty dollars or a hundred dollars or 150 because when you start off on the violin, if your equipment is faulty you can get discouraged very, very, very easily.

A better question to ask is, to rent or own a violin

Simply put, a lower-quality instrument is harder to play. If you want to save your time and energy, if you truly are interested in playing the violin, and dedicated to this journey then I would suggest renting a very good violin from a reputable luthier.

Then you can discover after three months of playing that violin, if you want to continue on the journey or not. If not, you can return the violin to where you rented it from.

The other plus of renting a violin at the start of your violin journey is that you’ll get a better quality instrument for less of the cost. Instead of asking the question “Which is better, used or new?” it’s better to ask the question “What is the best quality violin I can afford at the beginning of my violin Journey.”

What exactly is your budget?

If your budget is less than fifteen hundred dollars, I would suggest renting.

Don’t give yourself the headache of having to learn on a $50 instrument, $100 instrument or $150 dollars instrument. If you’re truly dedicated and you have a budget, purchase something that is going to make your life easier or you can rent.

So that is my answer to the question, used or new? Instead, ask the question what exactly is your budget and go from there to rent or own at the beginning of your violin Journey.

Learn Violin in 90 Days

Once you’ve gotten your violin you need to start to learn how to play. I have created a program specifically geared to new adult violinists and as a refresher for returning adult violinists.

Discover more and enroll in Learn Violin in 90 days, which walks you through note reading, scales, violin hold, bow hold, playing pieces in 90 days on the violin.

Wishing you all the success in your violin Journey. Ciao.

Happy Magical Practices,

Heather is a classically trained concert violinist residing in Bulgaria. She received her BM violin performance degree from CU-Boulder, studied with top teachers including Rachel Barton Pine. Heather has held leadership positions with multiple orchestras in the Greater Chicago-Milwaukee area. She has instructed millions of violinists globally via Youtube videos, online academies, group coaching and one on one sessions. Heather’s students have won multiple awards, concerto competitions, held concertmaster positions in orchestras and even performed in Carnegie Hall. Heather is an advocate of a holistic violin lifestyle – putting one’s mind, body and spirit as a violin journey priority.

Please share in the comments which above tips you will be implementing into your daily practices sessions.

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