Im wanting to buy my first violin or guitar (leaning more towards violin). Id rather buy a decent cheap one to start off with and see if i truly enjoy it. Should I just buy one from http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ or one of those other online merchants? Im willing to spend ~150 for it. Thanks.

1/11/2006 3:04:59 AM

i play cello

1/11/2006 3:16:27 AM

Musician's Friend is just Guitar Center's Online store, so you might as well just go give them a visit. That way you can check out most of the stuff and ask questions. I would also recommend renting a violin before you purchase one, since it's a pretty difficult instrument unless you have an excellent ear or a good teacher... but if you're only wanting to put $150 into it that may not work out. Visit John Montgomery's Violin shop on Hilsbourough street. He won't have any violins in your price range, but if you want to pick the instrument up you should definitely go there and he can probably give you way more advice than the Guitar Center Folk.

PS.. I would definitely want to check out a violin under $150 before I bought it - it's probably a piece of junk.

1/11/2006 2:29:35 PM

If you get a violin I'd go used. Unlike guitars, they don't seem to hold value very well. I guess too many kids have to get them for school and never touch it again when class is over whereas the guitar is something that people pick up because they really want to learn to play it.

I have a Karl Knilling violin/bow/hardcase I might sell around that range. I can't play it, but I always figured I'd learn to one day.

1/11/2006 2:47:24 PM

You're better off trying your hand at the dickallo. Much more fulfilling instrutment.

1/11/2006 3:01:03 PM

Cello's and viola's are cooler.
I play/have a cello and would love to get a viola (I know how to play that too).
One of the things you could do for a really cheap one is check out antique stores and maybe even some thrift shops.
I have been really surprised at some of the places that I have found decent old violins for cheap... and i would have bought them but I always happen to be out of money when i come across them.
And as for worrying about it being cheap... if you are just learning on it there is nothing wrong with getting a cheap one. Then once you get the hang of it and if you decide you like it and want to keep it up then get a decent one. The bow for my cello almost cost as much as my student model (full size)cello (I think the cello was around $2000 when i bought it forever ago)... if you want quality you are going to be up in the thousands, and the bow is just as important as the instrument itself (unless you just want to pick at it all the time).... so i suggest to make sure you like it first

1/11/2006 5:39:08 PM

don't store it in price music center if u get one... instruments get stolen from locked lockers there.

1/11/2006 6:15:41 PM

I've got a violin i'd sell you for like $60. Needs the bow re-strung or replaced. If you're interested I'll get details this weekend.

1/11/2006 8:59:23 PM

You can get a shitty violin for under $100 (I have one, and it seems okay) easily. I don't know about the quality because I've never taken the time to learn to play it.

1/11/2006 9:26:07 PM

i play viola

1/11/2006 11:02:44 PM

just fyi... a decent bow costs ~150. you can check out burrage's in n. raleigh... they have good cheap violins that you can learn on and then if you decide you like it, you can buy better stuff. john montgomery's on hillsborough is probably the best place to go in raleigh for a violin, but you'll end up spending thousands...

1/11/2006 11:14:38 PM

OP- i want to learn real bad, too. tell me if/where you find one for cheap? i have the same exact mindset you do about getting a cheap one first to see if ill like it.

1/12/2006 12:21:18 AM

i play cello

1/12/2006 12:26:57 AM

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?threadid=182835

1/12/2006 12:40:09 AM

i just saw that on slickdeals too. I live in statesville, nc now so i cant meet with anyone who is wanting to sale their violin/viola/etc. or check out any music stores in raleigh. Statesville has a music store here so i think ill check it out friday and see if they have any for rental to play with. thanks for everyones help. ill post something on friday after i check out the store.

1/12/2006 1:51:16 AM

I have both a cello and a viola

1/12/2006 9:30:30 AM

i wish i played the cello

1/12/2006 10:52:28 AM

on a side note - someone buy my trumpet too

1/12/2006 10:53:34 AM

I bought a violin b/c I thought it'd be cool to learn to play...... Now it's hanging on the wall in my foyer.... Cool little decoration

1/13/2006 11:07:59 PM

Quote :

"i play cello"

You rock

1/13/2006 11:30:49 PM

I've dealt with musiciansfriend on several occasions, and every experience I've had with them has been positive.

They replaced refunded a guitar that had a messed up potentiometer with very little hassle,

and I've since bought two cheaper instruments from them that I use to tool around, since I'm too cheap to pay for lessons.

1/14/2006 1:29:49 AM

anybody selling a flute? I'm thinking like $50-100. No, I don't play.

1/14/2006 2:28:35 PM

If I recall correctly you can easily get a flute for that price. When I started I think my beginer flute was maybe $100... possibly $200... but i don't really remember b/c it was awhile ago

1/15/2006 9:14:40 AM

There's a good violin shop on Hillsborough St, called John Montgomery violins, or something like that. They have super nice violins there and probably older used ones as well.


"I've got a violin i'd sell you for like $60. Needs the bow re-strung or replaced. If you're interested I'll get details this weekend."
-restringing a bow can be done for around 30 bucks, so that's not a bad deal at all once it's all said and done.


or.....Check ebay. They have everything

1/15/2006 10:48:31 PM