String Instruments: Consider the Crucial Aspects When Shopping

The rich and varied tones and melodies of stringed instruments like the bowed violin, viola, cello and bass certainly has something to do with them being the classics they are to this day. And, they’re not only reserved for classical music, as they’ve become ubiquitous across different music genres thanks to how they allow a person to use them to express their deepest emotions.

It’s never too early or too late to welcome one of these beautiful instruments into your life, and give playing them a chance. They can provide your life with so much value in the emotional sense, and there’s something in it for those who are after overall health benefits as well as they help boost problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Yes, it’s common knowledge that bowed instruments aren’t exactly an easy option and can be a bit more difficult for a beginner to learn compared to guitars, mandolins and banjos, yet it’s nothing to fear as a little love and dedication can work wonders. However, to be able to make the most of all this, you have to get the right instrument.

How to Pick the Right String Instrument?

With such a vast array of fine string instruments available at the specialised shops, it can be a bit difficult to make up your mind. More so if you don’t know exactly what it is you should be looking for. Start off with the simple aspects, such as:

Giving Your Goals a Thought

What do you plan on making out of this purchase? Is it for beginner level? What is your preferred genre? Are you just starting out with the intention of playing years from now? Do you have some experience with playing bowed instruments?

Answering these questions would point out whether you should acquire something more geared towards ease of use with a beginner-friendly design that’s also more affordable. This in price would be about $300 to $400 for beginner violins, $600 for beginner violas, $1,500 for cellos, and $2,500 for double bass.

Mid-range for intermediate level players could be from $1,000 to $3,000, or even $5,000 in the case with double bass. Or maybe you’re up for something completely on the other side with superior craftsmanship, high performance, high responsiveness, projection and tonal quality as the better choice for your skill and preference. The range of advanced and professional instruments here could be from $5,000 to $10,000, and above in the case with some violins and cellos.

The quality goes to all the details as well, from the materials, to the durability of each of the components, including that of strings, pegs, fingerboards, tailpieces, shoulder rests and chinrests. This makes these pricier alternatives truly valuable music pieces.

Weighing in All the Expenses

And, while we’re at valuable investments, don’t forget the string instruments aren’t the only purchase you’d do at the chosen violin shop – essential accessories like the bow are another must-have you should acquire, remembering quality bows can make a difference in the sound production. The better the bow, the better the sound. Prices can range from as little as less than $75 to as high as $2,500 for violins and violas, or even $3,500 for cellos.

The same can be said about rosins. Endpins and stands are another essential when your instrument of choice is a cello or a double bass. Lastly, even though these are durable instruments, it’s advisable to consider the purchase of an adequate storage case to protect them when not in use and prolong their longevity, unless you want to be doing more maintenance later on.

This is especially the case with violins and violas. If you’re a beginner who’s still figuring out if this hobby is for you, then getting a low-budget option would be the best course of action. And, one can’t talk about expenses overlooking the investment in instrument cleaning kits for proper maintenance. The occasional visit to the local luthier for a professional checkup and adjustment should also be part of your musts expense-wise.

Choosing Your Supplier Wisely

It’s understandable if you feel inclined to go for a second-hand instrument after weighing in all of the expenses, but before you give eBay a look, why not look for something more professional and safer. This is in the example of a specialised violin store run by a team of experts like teachers, players, and luthiers. It’s a safer option as it would give you the peace of mind regarding the choice of instrument you make, plus reliability on warranties and servicing.

It may be a slightly more expensive option than the cheap alternative but it’s worth it in the end as you get the coverage you need should something go wrong. Moreover, these are experts who can provide you with professional opinion and advice in terms of proper sizing and setup too for optimal playability, performance and utmost comfort. What’s more, there are some specialised stores that even have great offers on the available options, convenient return policies, as well as solutions for the budget-conscious in the form of rentals and second hand instruments.