How much should I spend on an instrument?
Here’s a rough guide to what we recommend for a beginning instrument purchase, especially for grade 4 and 5 orchestra. Let’s take this violin package from SHAR: Here’s their beginning instrument, a Franz Hoffman Amadeus (It comes in all sizes, this link is to a 1/2 size violin). https://www.sharmusic.com/products/franz-hoffmann-amadeus-violin-outfit-1-2-size?variant=45603983425767
It’s a package, including the instrument, bow, rosin and case.
Also, the bridge has been fit to the instrument, it’s set up, and ready to play.
This instrument will hold its value.
This is also the exact instrument that we would purchase for our grade 3 violin program fleet here in MBRSD. The rental instruments (while time worn) are of at least this quality, and likely a higher quality. (again, well-worn and not brand new, but set-up, good playing and good sounding instruments).
Anything of lower quality than the SHAR Hoffman violin would be below the quality of both our school and the rental instruments. The rental company and reputable string instrument retailer will always help you, mail order from certain discount retail websites will not.
You may consider adding a bow upgrade, we prefer Glasser fiberglass bows over the wooden bows that come with lower priced packages:
We hope that’s valuable information - our goal is for our orchestra students to have the best possible instrument, giving them them the best chance at success. We also want you to avoid frustration and for you to get the best value for your money.