My 11-year-old daughter has been playing the violin for 5 years now. She says she wants to continue through high school, so I am considering purchasing a used violin for her. I don't want to spend more than $400. I also don't want to get her anything that is one level better than what I'd get from Toys R Us. She is not a "serious" player, but does enjoy it. What do you suggest? Thanks!

Hello. I would suggest checking out stringworks.com or to do a search to find a beginner violin. I would try to stay away from buying a violin from eBay. Another thing to consider is you may want to get a good violin for her instead of "toys R us" quality lol, because if she has a good violin and she sounds good, then she'll want to continue playing. Hope I helped!

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Please check out my site at www.classciolinist.viviti.com.

I got my violin for about $100 in Amazon. IT plays great. Heres the link:Vinci violin

I suggest this violin for beginners. But if you want a professional violin I suggest this:
http://www.amazon.com/Song-Violins-Stradivarius-Factory-Professional/dp/B001UKZC7K/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1245542984&sr=8-12

Hope that helps!

I would ask the music teacher what he would recommend at her level as I think he/she would know what is best suited to her level oof playing.

Hello, a standard 11 year old should have a violin that is around 3/4 size, I have one on my site for sale which was used by me when I was younger, It is German made and it comes with a free navy blue case and European made bow(might need rehairing).

Be very very very careful if you are thinking about buying an instrument of off a place like ebay or amazon. You have no idea what you might be getting. I have heard many horror stories from people who bought instruments from the internet.

Be sure to check out my blog http://www.violinlessonshq.com for free online violin lessons

Locally is always best as you can check out the instrument and if she has been playing for that lentgh of time she will know by the sound of the instrument. The kids today learn quickly and retain well, their hearing and eyes are sharp. Don't know where you are located, however i am in Las Vegas, NV and I have a couple of student violins that are of good quality and are recommended by most schools. bmyrc17@cox.net

Try SHARMUSIC. they have violins for good prices.

I am a violin dealer and have the two 3/4 violins that my daughter used. They are very nice and I can sell you one for about 1/2 the price you were consdering. I also have about 20 other 3/4 violins. I have tryed to keep my violins quality up and the pricese down.I sell out of my house to help keep my costs down. If you need a 4/4 violin I have thought too.

you can email me at: mr_violin@hotmail.com

For $400 you can definitely find a decent student instrument. Even though she may not be a serious player, the sound of the instrument will make a big difference in her experience of the instrument. So, I would try to find one with a good sound. Shar Music www.sharmusic.com has decent student violins in your price range. They allow you to try the violins out too. Local dealers are also good to check out, but be some instuemnts are not set propoerly. Just make sure you find a violin expert. You can talk to violin experts over the phone at shar music. You can obtain the telephone number from the website above.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

auatar14 you said: "But if you want a professional violin I suggest this:.....)
To me this add looks like a student violin. I sell violins like that to students for about $500.00 USD. also I don`t think the violin should have 4 fine tuners on it unless they are the ones that are built into the tailpeice. and I have not seen any pro violinist using more than 2 fine tunners on there violins!!

Just a thought

At 11 years old, a tiny or short kid may need 3/4 violin, but an average American kid may play full size violin. She will outgrow the violin within one year.
Shar is good place to buy, but the price is high, and the violins are China made.
eBay is equally good to Shar, for its warranty and return policy is equally as good as Shar.
You do not buy more than $400 on eBay, but within this range, you are safe. I bought more than ten violins from YitaMusic on eBay for my friends, and save about 1 hundred dollars each violin in comparision against local shops. If you want to try, please, search for "T20 violin" or "M20 viiolin" on eBay, and do not offer more than $400, even others may offer up to $500. If you are not confident with a violin there, just contact me, and I will tell you how good it can be, what value and price it can be. You will have a chance to watch this violin until it is sold on eBay against my estimation.
It worths to spend $400 on your kids, regardless it is Violin, or Piano, or Flute, or Trompet.