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Violin - Buying tips & guidelines

It is always best to try out an instrument before you buy it and your music teacher or local retailer will be able to provide advice on makes and sizes. Below you will find some good information and advice to take into account. Find out more by clicking on the tile below. There are so many different makers it is impossible to list them all. It is always best to try out an instrument before you buy it and your music teacher or local retailer will be able to provide advice on makes and sizes. Below you will find some good information and advice to take into account.

Choosing the right size

Violins come in various sizes. As an adult or teenager you would buy a full size (or“4/4”) violin. For younger children, violins come in smaller sizes.
​The table below can be used as a guide. The Arm Length measurement is the distance between your neck and the middle of your left-hand palm.

Violin size​	Violin body length	Child height	Approximate age
4/4 (Full size)	60+ cm	152+ cm	12+ years old
3/4 (Three quarters)	56 - 60 cm	137 - 152 cm	9 - 11 years old
1/2 (Half size)	51 - 56 cm	122 - 137 cm	6 - 10 years old
1/4 (Quarter size)	45 - 51 cm	Below 122 cm	5 - 7 years old
1/8 (Eighth size)	43 - 45 cm	Below 122 cm	4 - 6 years old
1/10 (Tenth size)	39 - 43 cm	​Below 122 cm	3 - 5 years old
1/16 (Sixteenth size)	36 - 39 cm	Below 122 cm	-

If you have the opportunity to try out an instrument prior to purchase (recommended), stretch out your left arm and curl your fingers around the scroll at the top of the violin. If your fingers can get all the way around such that your fingertips touch the front of the peg box then the violin is about the right size. If not, you will need a smaller size. If your left arm is much longer than the violin, then you will need a larger size. If you're in between sizes, you should probably take the larger size, especially if you're buying for a child as they grow very quickly. 

If your preference is to buy online, visit a local retailer first to determine the correct size before you purchase online.  If buying from a private individual (eg on Ebay), you may need to confirm the actual size. Ask the seller to look inside the instrument through the sound holes - the label inside should say 1/2, 3/4, etc. if it is a small sized instrument.  Full size instruments usually do not have the size listed (4/4). You should also ask the seller what the length of the instrument is.  A full size violin has a body that is about 35.56 centimetres long, that is the length from the 'shoulder' of the instrument to the end of the body is 35.6 centimetres, this does not include the neck and scroll. 3/4 size has a body a little over 33 centimetres, 1/2 size a little over 30.5 centimetres, 1/4 is about 28 centimetres, 1/8 is about 27 centimetres, and 1/10 is 22.2 centimetres approximately.  Different models will vary in the smaller sizes.

Additional sizing tips

Tip 1

Sit up or stand straight, when sitting, your feet must be touching the floor

Tip 2

Fully extend your left hand straight, your extended hand should be vertical to your body

Tip 3

Measure the length between the players neck and the middle of the left-hand palm or wrist

Tip 4

Most teachers prefer the measurement from the neck to the wrist instead of neck to mid-palm approach 

Tip 5

The chin of the player must rest at the centre of the chin rest

Tip 6

If a child is neither particularly small nor tall for their age, then use the age table to choose the right instrument for them

Choosing the right one

The guidelines to buying a violin, is somewhat similar to that of a cello. This is because the violin is just like a cello, only smaller. 

• Learn the parts of the violin before you begin looking for one, so you will be able to tell if something is broken or missing.
• Generally, any violin that produces a good sound and remains in tune for the duration of a performance will be suitable for a beginning student. You will want to be sure that the violin you intend to buy is in good condition.
• It is always advisable to bring along a pro. If you have a relative or friend who plays the violin or know a violin teacher, bring them along when you shop. Let them test the instrument, listen to their opinions and take their advice into consideration before you buy.

If you are looking at a violin and are unable to have any assistance, then here is a set of steps that will help you when deciding whether or not this is a good investment : -​

Skwiix tips

Tip 1

Use both your fingers and eyes to examine the body of the violin. You do not want to buy a violin if it has cracks or soft spots. The seams along the ribs should be completely sealed. 

Tip 2

Listen as you tilt and rotate the instrument. Rattling sounds are a very bad sign. There should not be any foreign objects inside the violin. It is a sign that it has not been handled with care or that it is damaged inside.

Tip 3

Use one hand to turn the pegs, one at a time. If the pegs are too tight to turn with one hand, they can be loosened. However, if they are so loose that they slip out of place, and especially if it does not fit snuggly in the holes of the peg box, the violin will not stay in tune. Cracked pegs will need to be replaced.

Tip 4

Check that the bridge should be a little thicker at the bottom than at the top, and it should be free of cracks. 

Tip 5

Turn the violin so that one of the f- sound hole opens toward you. In case you find yourself in a shop that is not well-lit, you will want to have a flashlight handy for this step. Look down into the violin at the sound post, then turn the violin again so you can look at the sound post from the other side. If the sound post is cracked or disconnected, the instrument will be virtually useless until it undergoes major repairs.

​A knowledgeable violin dealer should not display a violin in this condition. Therefore, if you see this in a music store, I would recommend walking away without considering anything else they may have to offer.

Tip 6

Optionally, you may be able to read the tag inside the violin.  The label is mostly a marketing strategy and generally tells you nothing about the quality of the violin.

Buy vs Rent

The cost of a violin can vary considerable from under one hundred to several hundred pounds. Buying a violin usually costs about the same as renting it for a year. The main reason for renting is when a younger child needs a smaller than full size violin and will need to replace it one or more times as they grow towards a full size instrument.

You may also consider renting an instrument from a shop when starting out rather than buying. This is an expensive way to get an instrument, but it's very convenient. The advantages are that you get a good instrument in excellent repair - it will probably be brand new - and you don't have to pay for its upkeep. If it is a string instrument it will come in different sizes and most rental schemes will automatically provide the next size up when you're ready. This is an excellent method of starting out.

Music Shops can sometimes have instruments that have been used by the shop. They should be sold at a reduced rate as these instruments may also have some minor damage to it. Before purchasing, you should expect the shop to give your instrument a full service. Always ask – you may strike lucky!

New vs Second hand

Generally an older violin has a more mellow sound.  A really cheap new instrument may have a sound that is harsh, while many newer instruments sound just as good as older ones. We recommend going for the best sound and worrying less about the age of the instrument. Warning:  in buying a used violin make sure that there are no cracks--strings can be easily replaced, but cracks can be expensive to fix.

Visit the Skwiix Outlet to see the price range of violins on offer. You may also find them in pawn shops, auctions, flea markets, classified ads, and online.