Hi everyone!

I'm new here and new to violins - actually I haven't born to the violin world yet. I'm trying to buy one lately, but I'm not sure where to start.

I play the piano for many years, and playing the violin's always been my dream. I haven't touched it before, so I'll be an absolute beginner, but I do want to start with a very good violin, because that'll surely make my practice a more pleasant time. =)

I have tons of questions. Hope I could hear some advices! Much appreciated!!!!!!

I don't really know what to ask except laying out some criterias of what I want:

-I'm extremely attracted to the antique violins.
-I prefer a warmer sound (sound is my No.1 criteria), preferabally a professional sounding one
-I'm interested in a full size.
-My budge is $1000~$1800. Do you think I can get a decent antique violin with a bow within that price range?
-Also, I've seen German, France and Italian antique violins. Is there a region that's known for having the best antique ones?
-Is there a book anyone can suggest me to read before buying a violin? For example, there's the famous "The Piano Book" for piano buyers. Just wondering if there's such a thing for violins.
=)
Can't wait to find my violin! Thanks everyone!!!

You could probably find a very decent antique violin for that price, but usually the price is a bit higher for antique violins, they appreciate like a piece of artwork. I would not limit your search for just old violins. If you are looking to buy a violin in that price range, make sure it is a couple years old. Brand new violins can change in sound quality. That price range is a good price range for you right now, I would spend less as a beginner, but if you want great sounding violins, thats a good price range. People that have been playing for many years look into that price range. My advice to you is find a violin that is at least five years old. One more thing, make sure you bring along someone who has had a few years playing the violin, because you want to make sure you have a good sounding instrument for that price. Some instruments can have a bad sound called a "wolf" in high positions especially on the G string. This is where the instrument does not speak as well as it should. It sounds dull to put it more simply. If you are going to spend that kind of money on a violin, it is best to be able to have someone to check for a wolf sound.
Many new violins also have a nice warm sound, you just have to look. One more thing, don't buy the first violin you think is the best from a particular shop. Ask to take it home for a week, try to play anything you can on it and see if it is the kind of sound you want. When I go to purchase a violin, I sometimes go to three different shops to get a violin from each, then over the next week, I play them and see which is best from all the shops.
Hope this helped any.

Good luck