If you’ve progressed far enough in your violin-playing skills, you need to consider getting the best violin for professionals to own. Surely, violins that are meant for just beginners and intermediate students just won’t do.
This is certainly true if you’re actually able to make a living playing your violin, or even find a way to play the violin to supplement your income. Nothing but the very best violin for professionals will do, because that’s what you are (or will be)—a pro.
Of course, you can always get the best violin for professionals simply to enjoy the best violin you can get. You may not be a professional, but you may be just as good an amateur. Or you can buy such an instrument to motivate yourself to be that good to deserve it.
But all these lead to a very natural question: exactly which violin for professionals will be the best for you? There’s no clear-cut answer, unfortunately. One that’s great for another violinist may not suit you at all. But in all likelihood, the violin you seek will be on our list of recommendations.
Top Reviews for the Best Violin for Professionals
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Product Name |
Rating & Highlighted Features |
Price |
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One Piece Back Maestro Old Spruce Stradi 4/4 Full Size Violin D Z Strad Model 509 Powerful tone Antique Varnish |
Sophisticated sound with warm and round tone
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D Z Strad Violin – Gasparo da Salo Adam Collection |
Warm and resonant sound with dynamic range |
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D Z Strad Violin Model 800 |
Rich tone with excellent sound projection | |||||
Ming Jiang Zhu 909 Violin |
More affordable than other pro-level violins |
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Aliyes Solid Wood Violin Designed for Beginners/Students with Hard Case Bow Rosin (4/4/Full-size) |
Hand-carved design with proper woods |
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D Z Strad Violin 120 with Case, Bow, Shoulder Rest, and Rosin- 4/4 |
Comes with plenty of accessories |
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Yamaha, 4-String Violin, 3/4 Size, (AV5-34SC) |
Sweet and mellow sound |
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Yamaha V3 Series Student Violin Outfit |
Among the very best when compared to other “entry-level” violins |
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Antonio Giuliani Primo Violin 1/4 size Bundle by Kennedy Violins – Carrying Case and Accessories Included – Solid Maple Wood and Ebony Fittings |
Warm and sweet tone |
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D Z Strad Violin Model 100 |
serves well as a secondary violin for pros |
If you’re still unsure about how you go about picking the right violin for your needs, try to consult your violin teacher (if you still have one). Or you can talk to your peers, especially those who are now getting paid to play the violin.
Chances are, many of the violins they recommend will be found on our list of excellent options:
One Piece Back Maestro Old Spruce Stradi 4/4 Full Size Violin D Z Strad Model 509 Powerful tone Antique Varnish
If you ask Suzuki school teachers along with private instructors about their recommended violins, quite a few of them will mention this model. It’s not cheap by any means, and it’s even more expensive than the Gasparo da Salo Adam Collection violin.
This is pricey due to how it’s completely made by hand, and that construction was done by prize-winning luthiers. The antique varnish finish here gives you that same look of much older violins.
In fact, you get basically the same sound. The tone wood has been naturally seasoned, with Alpine/Italian Spruce for the top wood and carefully chosen maple for the back and sides. The tone is round and warm, with excellent consistency. This sound is quite sophisticated, with great depth and color.
This is good enough that when lifelong violinists buy this for their backup violin, they find out to their utmost satisfaction that it’s basically as good as their main violin. If you’re a pro, this is one violin that you should seriously consider.
Pros
- Sophisticated sound with warm and round tone
- Very consistent
- Impressively antique look
- Often considered an equal of “primary” violins
Cons
- Non-pros will find this somewhat expensive
D Z Strad Violin – Gasparo da Salo Adam Collection
If you’re a professional violinist (or already as good as one), then you probably have heard of Gasparo da Salo. He’s one of the earliest known makers of violins, and he stands among the ranks of legendary violin craftsmen led by Stradivarius himself.
This particular model is based on the Adam Collection designed by da Salo himself, way back in the 1500s. Both the top and back plates feature a double purfling inlay. Then there are the 3 flourishes inlaid nicely on the backplate, which is a feature that distinguishes the Adam Collection.
This doesn’t have to be for just the pros, either. We got the 4/4 full-sized version, but there are smaller versions down to ½ size if you have kids determined to be great at the violin. This can certainly motivate them, and it also helps that the purchase comes with the popular Dominant strings, rosin, and of course a case as well.
This also comes with 2 bows. They’re great for student violinists, though if you’re already a professional then you probably will use your old bow or get a much nice one. These aren’t bad, however. One is a Pernambuco bow while the other one is carbon fiber.
The setup here is terrific, as it has been handled by the D Z Strad luthiers. The violin also comes with a Rock Maple bridge, and the aged maple used here on this hand-carved violin is finished with high-quality spirit varnish to make sure to bring out the sound.
This violin has been completely carved by hand, and the varnish has all been applied by hand as well. With the professional setup, all you really have to do after taking it out of the case is to fine-tune the strings and to check that there wasn’t any problem caused by the shipping process.
Once you’re all set, you’ll enjoy the dynamic range of the sound. It’s very resonant and warm, with the Dominant strings working nicely with the wood. The strings are designed to resist humidity, so that you won’t have to retune the strings too often. These strings come in medium tension, and with a synthetic core.
Don’t forget to bring in the violin to its case when you’re done. It’s an eye-catching case to be sure, with its striking blue color. More importantly, it has a weatherproof cover so you can travel with your violin anywhere.
Pros
- Gorgeous violin with classic design
- Warm and resonant sound with dynamic range
- Doesn’t need much of a setup
- Comes with 2 bows, high-quality rosin, and a weatherproof case
Cons
- The bows are suited for students instead of for pros
D Z Strad Violin Model 800
Now this one is a professional violin, if you simply check out the price tag. It’s not even available in a smaller size, though you can go for the left-handed version if you’re a southpaw.
This is surely beyond the budget of any newbie who isn’t sure about their desire to play the violin. But if you’re absolutely certain about your dedication to playing, then this may be the best violin for professionals that may suit your needs.
The price reflects the fact that this is among the most sophisticated violins in the D Z Strad lineup. Even with the high price, it’s still surprisingly popular. It does help that it comes with gorgeous aged woods obtained from the Italian Alps.
D Z Strad used 2 pieces of nicely flamed maple for the back and sides, along with the bridge. Spruce was used for the top panel. Both the maple and the spruce have been air-dried for many years, to make sure they’re absolutely ready for use.
The boxwood chinrest and tailpiece have all been carefully shaped and come with a deep brown color. You have ebony for the pegs and fingerboard, and these pegs turn without any trouble while they maintain their position nicely.
The varnish has also been carefully chosen and applied to bring out the natural character of the tone woods. This varnish is quite light, so that the tone remains powerful and smooth. If you want resonance and projection power, this violin will give you what you need.
You get a rich and full tone with this violin, with a terrific projection. This is certainly what you need when you’re performing for a crowd, especially in a concert hall. The sound will certainly match the skills you’ve already reached, if you are good enough for the professional level.
Your purchase comes with a rosin and a nice bow made of brazilwood. This bow shows off the iconic fleur-de-lis inlay of the D Z Strad brand, along with the mother-of-pearl slide on the frog. The Dominant strings are also good enough to resist humidity.
All in all, this is an outstanding violin that any pro would be proud to own. Its performance rivals that of many custom-made violins, and those violins cost many times more than the price of the Model 800. In a way, this is a bargain.
Pros
- Made from carefully chosen, air-dried maple and spruce
- Terrific looks
- Rich tone with excellent sound projection
- Its quality matches that of more expensive models
Cons
- It’s still quite expensive
- For true pro quality, you may have to replace the bow and the strings
Ming Jiang Zhu 909 Violin
If you’re new to the violin industry, then you may have instinctively hesitated about even considering a Chinese-made product due to worries about quality control. But Ming Jiang Zhu isn’t just a brand.
This craftsman is one of the most famous violin makers in the world. After his training, he has received almost 20 certifications and awards in violin-making. These awards include 2 Gold Medals for violin from the Violin Society of America. He even won a Silver Medal for viola.
He may have passed away, but his knowledge lives on in the workshop he established and the craftsmen he picked and trained. His son and brother-in-law continue his legacy with their family still in charge.
With this violin, the price indicates its professional quality—it costs more than 10 times that of even a good beginner violin. But it’s still a bargain. It’s just as good (and maybe even better) than many European-made violins, but comes at a fraction of those prices.
Let’s start with the violin itself, simply because it doesn’t come with any other accessories. It’s assumed that you’re a pro, which is why there’s no bow. Presumably, you already have your own bow and other needed accessories. At least this comes with a case, though that depends on the seller.
With the violin, you have a choice as to the design. You can pick the Guarneri design and get the G909 version. The tone here is somewhat darker with a bit more edge.
The other option is patterned after the Stradivarius, and for that you want the S909. The sound here is definitely sweeter and lighter.
Either way, the sound remains full, warm, and very rich. You can be forgiven if the sound reminds you of the sweet tones made by heritage Italian violins (which comes with rather prohibitive prices). In fact, quite a few double-blind tests have been conducted with this 909 model, and experts have regarded it as superior to more expensive models.
The look of the violin also matches the sound regardless of the version you pick. The classic make has been applied, with spruce for the top and 2 pieces of flamed maple for the back. The sides are also made with maple, while it’s ebony for the fingerboard. Boxwood has been used for the tailpiece, chinrest, and pegs.
Finally, a thin layer of varnish has been applied. The medium sheen of the varnish doesn’t mar the rich tone of the violin.
It’s great, all in all, but with great products you also have to be very careful about buying only from reputable sellers. It’s like buying a Rolex—you have to consider the risk of fake copies.
Pros
- Made by multi-awarded workshop
- Choice of 2 classic designs
- Excellent woods and materials
- Terrific sound with a rich tone and great projection
- More affordable than other pro-level violins
Cons
- No accessories (except perhaps a case depending on the seller)
- Lots of fake copies around
Aliyes Solid Wood Violin Designed for Beginners/Students with Hard Case Bow Rosin (4/4/Full-size)
Now we take a slight break from listing another expensive violin meant for those who have already reached professional-level violin-playing ability. This time, we have an extremely affordable violin. The price is so low that it seems like a toy in comparison, instead of a serious musical instrument.
So, what is this Aliyes violin doing on this list? It’s here because it offers great value for your money. This violin is quite good considering the price. With it, a newbie violinist may well get started on their journey to become a great violinist in the end. And this proves you don’t have to have a huge budget to get started.
In fact, you really get a lot for your money when you consider the accessories. Of course, it comes with a case. This is a traditional triangle case, made with oxford, velvet, and foam to protect the violin. The slider and the zipper on the case have been tested to make sure they don’t fail.
You also get a nice premium-grade horsetail bow made with brazilwood, featuring an ebony frog, a suede pad, and cupronickel winding. This also comes with rosin, a bridge, and the necessary strings as well.
The violin itself looks much more expensive than it seems. The top has been carved from solid spruce by hand, with solid maple for the back and sides. It uses ebony for the chinrest, pegs, and fingerboard, with an alloy tailpiece featuring 4 built-in tuners.
The weight of the violin has been carefully distributed and adjusted for each part. This means that beginners can learn to hold the violin properly and in the proper posture. Students will also find the sound they produce quite pleasant, as the tone is bright, clear, and pure.
Technically, this isn’t really among the best violins for actual pros. But it’s a great beginner violin for future pros, especially if they’re on a tight budget.
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Comes with accessories
- Hand-carved design with proper woods
- Clear and bright tone
- Terrific lightweight case
- Great value for money
Cons
- Not really for actual pros
D Z Strad Violin 120 with Case, Bow, Shoulder Rest, and Rosin- 4/4
D Z Strad calls their Model 120 as one of their “affordable” models, and from a certain point of view that may be true. After all, its price is basically 1/10 the price of the Model 800. Yet the price is also at least twice that of even the best beginner violins, so it’s not exactly a violin for absolute newbies.
This is a carved top violin that’s been adjusted by hand, and then topped off with high gloss lacquer finish. Underneath that finish you’ll find top-grade woods. There’s premium traditional spruce for the top, and figured maple for the back and sides.
The tailpiece is made with composite, and has been set up in the Wittner-style. Of course, the fine tuners have already been built in. The purchase also includes the mandatory brazilwood bow, rosin, and shoulder rest too.
It also comes with a case. Take out the violin from the case, and you’ll find that it’s already been set up properly so you can play it right away after finetuning the strings. The tone is consistently bright and clear, with a nice, shimmering sound.
While we tested the 4/4 full-sized version, this is actually available in 8 sizes overall. The smallest goes down to the 1/32 size, which means you have plenty of sizes to choose from if you’re buying a violin for smaller kids.
Of course, this may be somewhat more expensive than usual for kids and newbies, unless you have enough money to afford the very best even for a beginner. The quality and the price both indicate that it’s more suitable for more advanced players. With this, a student violinist can quickly advance in their violin studies and become a lot more proficient.
Pros
- Relatively affordable compared to pro-grade violins
- Comes with plenty of accessories
- Available in smaller sizes
- Lustrous sound with clear tone
- Ready to play
- Looks great, as it’s been made with high-grade woods
Cons
- Somewhat expensive for newbies
Yamaha, 4-String Violin, 3/4 Size, (AV5-34SC)
This is actually designed for younger students who need the very best violin right from the start. That’s why we went with the ¾ size.
This Yamaha violin has been set up and adjusted by professionals trained by Yamaha, and it shows. It also exceeds the standards set forth by the NAfME (National Association for Music Education.
The materials here have been carefully picked, with spruce for the top and maple for the back, neck, and sides. These have been aged and dried for 5 years before they were used to create the violin. For the fingerboard, you have ebony as well.
The materials here are so exceptional that the violin also features upgraded rosewood fittings, which you don’t normally see on violins in this price range. You generally only see these rosewood fittings on more expensive violins. This also comes with the Wittner-style tailpiece, along with the usual built-in fine tuners.
While this is marketed as a student violin, it also suits more advanced players nicely. The looks alone deserve a second glance, with its gorgeous reddish cast and nicely tight grain. The setup is perfect for the bridge, and the tuning pegs work very well.
The one we got came with D’Addario strings, which work beautifully with the tone woods. It plays smoothly, and we’re not the only ones to feel like it plays like butter. The sound is sweet as well, with its mellow tone projecting quite nicely.
Show this to any violin teacher, and they will quickly confirm that it’s among the best for beginner violins. It’s actually good enough that you don’t have to immediately upgrade your violin once you advance to the intermediate levels.
With other violins for newbies, there’s always a risk regarding the quality and sound of the violin. Here, there’s no risk at all. This Yamaha violin can certainly help you to become a much better violinist in the near future.
Pros
- Crafted to exceed NAfME standards
- Topnotch woods
- Rosewood fittings
- Plays very smoothly
- Sweet and mellow sound
- Works even for more advanced violinists
Cons
- Not exactly for true professionals
- More expensive than most beginner or intermediate violins
Yamaha V3 Series Student Violin Outfit
This is another Yamaha violin, and it’s also marketed as a student violin. This explains why we were able to get a complete kit, including a bow, rosin, and a lightweight case with a strap.
This is actually available in several sizes, though we opted for the 4/4 full-sized version. This may be a student violin, but it’s better than the Yamaha AV5. Of course, that also means the price is much higher, as the cost is double that of the AV5 as well.
But then again, plenty of people say that they got their money’s worth when they bought this.
The woods you find here are the usual suspects, with spruce for the top and maple for the back and sides. This also features ebony for the fingerboard, pegs, and chinrest.
But the woods used here have been painstakingly dried under meticulously controlled environmental conditions. This is to enhance the durability of the violin and to also make sure that the violin remains constant in its performance.
Each V3 violin has been crafted by hand, using the very same methods that craftsmen use for more expensive violins to make sure of the reliability of the violin. The tailpieces use Wittner-style adjusters for all the violin strings. It’s actually very easy for even newbies to use these tuners, unlike with other entry-level violins that make tuning a generally frustrating experience.
It’s true that this is an “entry-level” violin. But the price and its quality make it among the very best violins for beginners, and even more advanced violinists won’t turn away from this model. The sound is much better than what you’d get from just about any other “beginner” violin.
If you’re already serious about the violin even when you’re still starting out, try this V3. It may seem expensive, but it’s a bargain when you consider that you can continue to use it even when you get much better.
Pros
- Among the very best when compared to other “entry-level” violins
- Terrific sound
- Reliable construction
- Easy tuning
- Comes with case and other accessories
Cons
- Doesn’t include a shoulder rest
- More expensive than other beginner violins
Antonio Giuliani Primo Violin 1/4 size Bundle by Kennedy Violins – Carrying Case and Accessories Included – Solid Maple Wood and Ebony Fittings
We tried out the ¼ size version to see if kids can use this, and they sure can. But then again, the kids who tried this out weren’t beginners to the violin at all. They were more advanced, which is why this Antonio Giuliani Primo Violin is great for them. They may not be professionals quite yet, but they may be able to attain that skill level after using this model for a few years.
The price alone indicates that it’s not exactly marketed for newbies. But if you can afford it, why not? After all, the outfit comes with a long list of accessories.
This comes with extra Portland Strings, a Giuliani brazilwood bow, rosin (also Giuliani), a clip-on tuner, and even the Suzuki lesson book (volume 1).
The Giuliani brazilwood bow here is actually Kennedy Violins’ most popular violin bow for students. It features genuine brazilwood, along with real leather for the grip. You get the mother-of-pearl eye along with silver winding and the 100% ebony frog.
The case is also outstanding, with lots of compartments for 4 bows and many other accessories. It has lots of protective features, from the satin ribbon lining along the case wall to the protective weather flaps and blankets. It’s lightweight, and you’re even able to stand it on its bottom or on its side.
But the violin itself takes center stage, with its solid carved spruce and maple. Everything’s topped off with hand-rubbed oil and Spirit varnish. Frankly, the violin looks like a very serious instrument for all its good looks.
Nonetheless, the tone is bright and warm, and quite sweet as well. Your efforts will be rewarded as you get better, as the music you produce will encourage you to double your learning efforts. You may not be a professional now, but with this, you may become one.
Pros
- Excellent violin for advanced students
- Also works for newbies (who can afford it)
- Warm and sweet tone
- Comes with plenty of accessories
- Topnotch bow for students
- Excellent carrying case
Cons
- Not quite for actual pro violinists
- More expensive than the usual violins for newbies
D Z Strad Violin Model 100
We also tried out the ¾ size of this Model 100 from D Z Strad, though there’s a 4/4 version. There are actually quite a few available sizes, all the down to 1/8 size.
Ask your violin teacher about this model, and they’ll likely support your decision to get this if you’re a newbie or a student learner. It’s actually very popular among both private teachers and Suzuki instructors. It offers all the expected appointments that you’d find in a traditional violin, but it all comes with a nice affordable price. The price may be at the top end of the usual price range for beginner violins, but then this among the very best violins for plenty of students.
Your purchase also includes a brazilwood bow, a shoulder rest, rosin, an excellent case, and a set of medium tension D’Addario Prelude Strings. But the focus here is on this violin, which is quite simply the best that any newbie can hope for. If they’re planning to become pros later on, this can certainly help.
The violin comes with the usual solid spruce and maple, with ebony for the chinrest, pegs, and fingerboard. It also features a composite Wittner-style tailpiece.
Everything’s already been set up by professionals, so just take it out of the case, confirm the tuning, and play. The sound is quite even as well.
So how come we listed this here, on a list supposedly for professionals? That’s because it also serves well as a secondary violin for pros. If you’re already a pro and you need a backup violin or something for practice, then this will serve nicely. The price is just right, but then so is its quality and its sound.
Conclusion
It’s crucial that you pick the right violin for your skill level. If you’re still a newbie, normally any cheap but good violin will do. But if you’re really serious, a topnotch beginner violin can really help you get better. A good one can serve your needs even if you progress to more advanced playing levels.
If you’re already as good as a pro, then your secondary violin can be a high-priced violin for newbies and intermediate players. But your main instrument must match your skills, so that you can really find out how good you really are.
With the right violin for professionals, your skills can really squeeze the very best tones from the violin, and the music you make can be downright divine. What’s more, if you’re thinking about recording your music or performing live, then only the very best will do.
We understand that the very best violin for professionals normally cost a lot more. But if you choose right, you get your money’s worth. It’s not just because you use the violin to make a living. It’s because you’re able to create sublime violin music with your superb skills, and that’s worth the money.
Always practice, and do your best to get better. When you finally get good enough for the best violin for professionals, you’ll amaze even yourself with the music you can create.
If you’re still a newbie or intermediate, normally any cheap but good violin will do.Also here you get best violin for beginners and best violin for intermediates,
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