BUYING AN INSTRUMENT

What kind of instrument
should I purchase?

That depends on your budget and whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced player. Let your teacher help you find the best violin in your price category. The teacher can also tell you if a violin needs adjustments or repairs before you purchase. Never buy a violin off the internet (Kijiji, Craigslist, or Ebay, etc..), in a guitar shop or a big box store. There are a lot of inferior quality instruments out there. The set-up of a violin by a qualified luthier is as important as the violin itself. Guitar shops and box stores do no set-up at all. This means the bridge, nut, sound post and more, will not be in good playing condition, making it harder for a student to succeed. Most students purchase from a violin specialist shop and then trade in each time they need a bigger size or a better instrument. This is a cost effective way to do it. Sometimes, there are also good instruments and deals to be had by purchasing privately from another family (see sellers list).

Should I purchase the violin, bow and case separately
or as an outfit?

Most entry level instruments are sold as an outfit, with the bow and case included. If desired, you may opt to upgrade the bow or case.
By the intermediate level, it is better to buy these separately. By Book 5, violin students really need a well balanced and flexible bow
that will bounce well and respond easily to the advanced bow techniques they are learning.

Should I rent or purchase?

That is up to you. However, purchasing usually ends up being less costly in the long run. Most violin shops will let you trade in previously bought instruments, when you purchase a new one. Renting can be useful if you begin lessons at camp or in the summer, before you are certain about continuing lessons during the school year.

Many shops are pushing carbon fiber bows nowadays because the profit margin is greater. There are some nice carbon fiber or synthetic bows on the market, in the high price ranges. Inexpensive, student grade, carbon fiber bows tend to be imbalanced, too heavy or too rigid, making it difficult or impossible to learn bounce bow techniques. If you need a bow for under $100, synthetic might be the way to go. Very cheap wooden bows tend to warp. Or if your child is exceptionally rough on the instrument or accident prone, synthetic might be your best option, since they are harder to break. Nothing beats good quality, wooden violin bows, for playability and tone (yes, the bow changes the way a violin sounds!). As with the violin, let your teacher guide you with a bow purchase.