i've been playing guitar for about 5 years, and after watching my friend play amazingly beautiful music on her violin i've decided to start playing too.

The only place i could think of to get on was on musiciansfriend (no violin shops/dealers near my home :[ )

the violins i was looking at were
1)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Bellafina-Model-50-Violin-Outfit?sku=471000
2)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Strunal-220-FH-Student-Violin-Outfit?sku=473140
3)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Strunal-260-FH-Student-Violin-Outfit?sku=473141

i ESPECIALLY like the third one, and even though its over $300 im still heavily considering buying it because of the reviews, and what i've read about it. Im willing to spend up to $400 or $500, but id MUCH RATHER prefer to stay around $200-$350ish.

soo what are you alls thoughts? any other beginner violins i should look at?(if so maybe a link to where to get them online would be nice)

also the only thing i know that i need right now is a 4/4 sized violin, cause im 6 foot tall :P

thanks for looking!

Hi nick,

I recommend going to a luthier, a specialist on violins to buy your first violin. Its because usually when a factory or violin maker makes the violin, they put low quality sound bridge, bridge, strings on the violin right off the rack. The luthier changes these parts and adjust it so it sounds much, much better. Although it might cost a little more, try to get a starter Gliga or Suzuki violin from your local luthier. I've heard pretty good things from people about it. Try to go to an retail shop with a store place. Also, grab a friend to come with you to test it out or to tell you how it sounds.

Good luck with finding a violin right for you!,
drus24

ps. a reasonable price for a first violin would be about $400

PSH.
If you're six feet tall (I'm almost there, I'm 17, so I've still got a bit more growing, haha), don't waste your time on a violin. =P

Get a viola!
Honestly, the tone is much richer, and you have a C string, a fifth lower.
A viola can go into the high range (not as high as a violin, but the really high notes on violins aren't even that important =P), and will sound good if you have a quality A string.

As for brands, honestly, my first viola was amazing for a first viola. Karl Bauer 16", but I replaced the bridge with a better one. As for strings, I use Pirastro (same for rosin), and I get a Larsen A string.

Really, though. Look into violas.
Especially as a guitarist, you might like it.


And in case you're wondering,
I DID start out on Violin.