The fact that you’re here tells me that you’re several months or years into learning the violin and now feel ready to graduate from a student violin to an intermediate violin.
Well, if that’s the case, congratulations! That is no easy feat.
Let’s then help you pick the right intermediate violin to take your skills to the next level.
Table of Contents
Best Intermediate Violins in 2024 Reviewed
Delivering a good tone, a responsive sound, and reliable performance, the Stentor II is a quality intermediate violin.
The handcrafted instrument comprises a solid Spruce top, maple back and sides, a hardwood chinrest, and ebony fittings.
The inlaid purfling is neat and beautifully contrasts with the polished warm brown lacquer finish.
Better yet, the violin comes with fine tuners on every string.
This makes it a little easier to play for beginners who are slowly transitioning to a more advanced level.
This violin outfit comprises a lightweight canvas-covered case with an instrument blanket, a wood horsehair bow, and a piece of rosin.
- Sturdy and durable.
- Crafted with solid tonewoods.
- Good value for money.
- Excellent workmanship with fine attention to detail.
- It has excellent sound quality.
- The strings will need to be changed for better sound.
If what you need is an all-round reasonable budget intermediate violin, then consider getting the Mendini MV200 violin.
Besides producing high-quality performance-worthy sound quality, this is also the perfect instrument for advancing students.
The soundboard is made from Spruce while the back, sides, fingerboard, chinrest, and pegs are Maple.
There are four fine tuners integrated within the alloy tailpiece, and the fittings are made from ebony.
All these tonewoods help enhance the warm tone produced by the instrument, all the while guaranteeing its durability.
The violin comes complete with everything one would need to start playing. These include a lightweight hard case, bow, rosin, chin rest, and shoulder rest.
Additionally, the outfit conveniently includes a clip-on tuner, lesson book, and extra strings.
- Solid, sturdy construction.
- Incredible value for money.
- All accessories are included.
- Vibrant, bright sound quality.
- 1-year warranty.
- Some adjustments are needed right out of the box.
Yamaha is a household name for good reason.
You already know you can trust their higher-end models, so why would you expect anything less from their lower-level instruments?
The Yamaha Model 5 is a top-rated violin outfit perfect for the transitioning intermediate player.
To begin with, this nicely priced violin has a durable Spruce top and a beautifully carved Maple back.
The sides are made from whole sheets of Maple, whereas the premium fingerboard is made of Ebony. Just as well, you have the pegs and chin rest constructed from Rosewood.
For effortless playability, the instrument comes with four fine tuners on each of the strings.
This violin outfit comes with a lightweight case, rosin, and a brazilwood bow.
- Produces a beautiful mellow tone.
- Perfect, flawless craftsmanship.
- Incredible playability.
- Good quality bow.
- 5-year warranty.
- Higher price point.
Any intermediate player looking for an instrument that offers sophisticated tones with a rich open sound should consider getting the D Z Strad Model 220.
The seasoned Spruce and Maple used for the top and bottom plates have been naturally air-dried for 10 years, hence giving it excellent strength and stiffness.
The bridge is hand-carved from Rock Maple, and the fittings are made from Ebony.
Dominant string plays quite well, and there are fine tuners that help with playability.
This violin is 100% handmade, 100% hand-varnished, and 100% hand-adjusted to guarantee the player is getting nothing but the best quality instrument.
This outfit comes with a case, a brazilwood bow, rosin, and shoulder rest.
- Produces a distinctively clear, warm, and round tone.
- Great playability.
- Setup with superior quality Dominant strings.
- Impeccable craftsmanship.
- Very well priced.
- It only comes with one fine tuner.
Do not take the price of this instrument to mean that it is of inferior quality. You’ll be surprised by its tone as well as its pitch quality.
The solid curved back is made from a single piece of Maple, whereas the top is made from hand-carved Spruce.
Bearing a beautiful varnish finish, the MV500 has been aesthetically designed to have a flamed look.
So, it not only sounds great, but it looks fantastic as well.
This factory-made violin splendidly combines affordability and quality, and isn’t that what every intermediate violin player hopes for?
The inlaid purfling is really well done, and the Ebony pegs are a nice touch for a violin at this price point.
This outfit comes with a lightweight hard case, a bow, an adjustable shoulder rest, metronome, rosin, and an extra set of strings.
The brazilwood bow has unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair.
- Budget-friendly.
- Solid, durable construction.
- Produces a rich, warm sound.
- Great value for money.
- 1-year warranty.
- Requires a professional setup once purchased.
This Paititi is another great intermediate violin for the buyers who may be working with a tight budget.
The instrument looks great and plays just as beautifully.
One of the things that make it a fantastic purchase is that the violin comes professionally set up.
Now, high-end instruments always come set up right from the factory, but that’s not something you’ll find on lower-priced violins such as this one.
Also, this factory-made instrument is 100% hand oil varnished, which is a nice touch.
The finish gives a smooth appearance, in addition to projecting bright sound and enhancing comfort while holding the violin.
The top of the violin is constructed from Spruce while the solid hand-carved back is made from seasoned Maple, aged for over 15 years.
Pegs, fingerboard, and chinrest are constructed from solid Maple.
This outfit includes a lightweight case with matching blanket, brazilwood bow, Austrian rosin, digital E-tuner, shoulder rest, and extra string.
- It is constructed using high quality aged tonewoods.
- Very open, bright sound.
- Professionally set up, ready to play.
- High-quality backpackable case.
- 1-year warranty.
- The factory strings aren’t of the best quality.
Louis Carpini G2 is one of the few intermediate options out there that have a full lifetime warranty.
The sound produced by this instrument is similar to what you’d find on more expensive models.
The excellent sound produced is rich and true, and the violin is easy to tune as well.
The high-flames Maple back looks gorgeous, whereas the French Aubert Maple bridge has been hand-curved and custom fit.
Did I mention that this instrument is professionally set up right out of the factory? It doesn’t get any better than that, now does it?
Other features that speak of its quality include the inlaid Ebony Purfling, high-grade Ebony pegs, and the durable composite tailpiece that comes with built-in fine tuners.
The outfit includes a Portland Elite carrying case, string cloth, Giuliani Brazilwood bow, luggage tag, Kaplan Artcraft rosin, and a Portland string set.
- Exquisite craftsmanship.
- Professionally set up, ready to play.
- Produces smooth tone and full ringing notes.
- Stays in tune in all conditions.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Fine tuners aren’t detachable.
An amazingly bright tone and sturdy, durable construction are some of the things that make the Cremona SV-500 Premier Artist Violin a joy to own.
This dependable intermediate violin is actually Cremona’s most popular violin for the players who are particularly interested in sound quality.
The low profile, lightweight Stradivarius-style chinrest, is pretty well designed, and the Ebony Swiss-style fittings ensure the violin’s durability and ease of use.
The reddish-brown varnish finish looks great set against the flamed maple back.
Additionally, the instrument comes with a French-made Aubert bridge and US-made Prelude strings.
Accessories that come with this violin include a lightweight, rigid foam case, a deluxe brazilwood bow,
- First-rate workmanship.
- Attractive appearance.
- Delivers clean open sound and smooth tones.
- Stays in tune incredibly well.
- High-quality violin case.
- The soundpost would need to be adjusted.
Did you know that Scott Cao violins are widely acclaimed by famous violinists around the world? Well, now, you do.
This is the kind of instrument that offers far more than what you pay for.
STV017 is a model that’s entirely handmade, complete with a traditional oil finish and an Ebony fingerboard, chinrest, and pegs.
Rest assured that the hand-applied oil finish is very durable and won’t chip or splinter over time, as spray finishes tend to do.
At the same time, this oil finish allows the woods of the violin to resonate freely, thereby contributing towards the superior tone produced.
The tailpiece comes with built-in fine tuners, and the factory string that’s been used is Thomastik Dominant strings.
The complete outfit includes a case and a brazilwood bow.
- Sturdy and durable.
- Impressive craftsmanship.
- Very easy to play.
- Stays in tune for extended years.
- Has good resonance and plays consistently.
- Rosin isn’t provided.
For over 10 years now, the SV-130 has been Cremona’s top-selling novice violin.
This makes it an ideal choice for the player looking to transition from their student instrument.
The easy-to-play violin comes with properly fitted Swiss-style ebony pegs and a lightweight composite tailpiece.
Additionally, the low-profile Kaufman-style chinrest allows for ease of playing, as does the well-balanced bow too.
For easy tuning, the tailpiece has four fine tuners attached. The outfit comes with a case, bow, and rosin.
- Available in attractive colors.
- Easy to play.
- Features lightweight construction and quality workmanship.
- Well-balanced bow.
- Produces a rich, satisfying tone.
- The strings are of inferior quality.
What Is an Intermediate Violin Player?
Calling someone an ‘intermediate violin player’ sounds rather vague, now doesn’t it?
You know that a beginner player is one who’s relatively new to the instrument or even has just picked up a violin for the first time in their life; while a professional player is one who gets paid gigs as a violinist.
So, what makes someone an intermediate player?
An intermediate violin player can be defined as one who possesses one of two attributes: either they have good skills or they have good musicality. Never both characteristics at the same time.
Maybe you can pull off a few complicated music passages, but while doing so, you end up sounding dull. If this is the case, then what you have is good skill but poor musicality.
On the other hand, you may be able to put in a lot of passion in the music you play, but then lack the technique required to perform a musical piece as it should be done accurately. In this case, you have good musicality but poor technique.
If you fall under either of the categories mentioned above, then you qualify to be referred to as an intermediate player.
As an intermediate player, you should ideally be able to play chords, some scales and can also get a decent sound from the violin.
At this point, you are becoming more aware of the violin’s role in a group setting so you might begin to ask some crucial questions such as: “How do I back up another musician?” or “How do I learn to play faster?”
If you’re still not clear on what an intermediate player is, here are a few indicators to guide you:
- Can you play fingered double-stops in tune?
- Do you have good intonation?
- Can you sight-read well?
- Can you play by ear?
- Are you able to play attack bowing techniques?
- Can you maintain a good tone throughout the whole bow?
- Can you comfortably play vibrato on all fingers?
- Are you able to play well with others (in terms of blending in and timing)?
- Do you have a good understanding of all major and minor keys?
- Do you have reasonable control over dynamics?
Difference Between Student, Intermediate, And Professional Violins?
Level 1: Student
Student violins are generally designed to cost less and be easier to play.
The logic behind this is that you don’t have to spend a ton of money when you’re just learning to play. A beginner violin is simply meant to provide an enjoyable playing experience during the student’s first years.
Costing less isn’t to suggest that the instrument is of inferior quality. It merely means that a couple of cost-saving measures have been employed.
These include: using wood that’s been aged for a shorter time, using machines for the construction of the instrument, rather than handiwork, etc.
Beginner violins produce a reasonable tone, are very easy to find, and are available in a wide range of sizes and colors.
Besides the affordable price tag, these instruments also have the advantage of being very forgiving.
A student can learn proper bowing techniques without feeling like they have to be perfect, in order to see progress.
Level 2: Intermediate
Intermediate violins have a much nicer sound.
One reason behind this could be that the wood has been aged longer (say maybe 3 years). Ideally, an intermediate violin ought to have the playability of a beginner violin, but the craftsmanship of a more advanced violin.
Instruments at this level are clearer, louder, and more responsive compared to a student level violin.
At the same time, the sound will also have better projection and, likewise, have a broader range of pressure/sounding points.
Level 3: Professional
Professional violins are designed to last the ages.
They are made from aged wood, and some manufactures even go as far as to select a particular type of wood grain, which they believe has an impact on the sound quality.
These high-end instruments are often hand-carved, taking great care to match the grains, and the finishes are also applied by hand.
The bow is perfectly balanced, and the bridge is placed carefully in place before the instrument leaves the shop.
Professional violins have an immense amount of power, responsiveness, and projection, all of which are essential for a performer.
How Do I Choose Violin Size?
Violins are available in 8 different sizes: 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, and 1/16. While 4/4 is full size and the biggest violin, 1/16 is the smallest size. Most adults require a full size 4/4 violin.
The size of a violin corresponds to the length of its body (excluding neck and scroll). Therefore, the right violin size for you is one that you can hold and play with ease, without experiencing any strain or discomfort.
The idea is for you to be able to reach the notes comfortably with your left hand when holding up the violin. (1)
Think of it as buying a pair of shoes. There is no general rule regarding your age or body size. The goal is simply to find a pair that fits snug but comfortable.
Similarly, the right violin size for you will be determined by the length of your hand, as well as what you feel you can comfortably hold and play.
Step 1: Stand up straight and hold out your left arm with the palm facing upwards.
Step 2: Have someone measure the left side of your neck to your wrist.
Step 3: Check the length is cm or inches, against the table provided below.
| Violin Size | Measured Length (Neck to Wrist) | |
| 1/16 | 33.5 cm; or less | 13 ¼ inches |
| 1/10 | 36.0 cm | 14 ¼ inches |
| 1/8 | 38.5 cm | 15 ¼ inches |
| 1/4 | 44.0 cm | 17 ¼ inches |
| 1/2 | 48.5 cm | 19 inches |
| 3/4 | 52.0 cm | 20 ½ inches |
| 4/4 | 54.0 cm | 21 ¼ inches |
Suzuki teachers often favor this method of measuring to the wrist. Others may choose to measure to the middle of the palm, which gives a slightly bigger size than the former.
If your wrist measurements come very close to the next size up, then it would be okay to choose the bigger size.
It is crucial to size your violin correctly. Something that’s too big will be too heavy for you to hold, and something that’s too small will make it hard for you to reach all the notes.
Besides making it hard to play the instrument, either scenario could lead to sores, a hurt neck, a hurt back, and other types of discomfort.
Besides taking the measurements yourself, you could also consult a helpful retailer who would further help you decide on the right size violin for you.
What Should I Look for When Buying an Intermediate Violin?
Craftsmanship
Hand-crafted violins will be much more expensive compared to their manufactured counterparts. This is because of the time and effort that’s been used during the fabrication of a single violin.
Whether the instrument has been hand-crafted or manufactured in a factory, the violin should still feature quality construction.
The first thing to look out for is solid joints. There should be no squeaking or creaking when you gently press on the soundboard. Likewise, there shouldn’t be any gaps around the pegs or pegbox.
Ideally, go for solid wood rather than veneered materials. Solid wood will better allow for an excellent equal alignment, such that there isn’t any seam separation or visible cracks on the instrument.
Often, even on higher quality violins, you will find that the back is joined from two or three pieces. As long as solid construction has been employed, this will not affect the tonal quality of the instrument.
Secondly, observe the scrollwork. For a good quality intermediate violin, the scroll details should have a reasonably deep impression.
Thirdly, check for symmetry. When looking at the instrument, it should look symmetrical on all sides, from top to bottom, with the neck and end nut lining up accordingly.
Fourthly, the fitting of the bridge on the violin could tell a lot concerning the instrument’s quality. Ideally, what you want is a flush fitting bridge.
Indeed, any stringed instrument shop can effortlessly refashion a faulty violin bridge. However, a new violin that has an ill-fitting bridge would give the impression that there are other misaligned parts within the instrument.
Ultimately, whichever intermediate violin you buy needs to be structurally well made, with craftsmanship that pays close attention to detail.
Type and Quality of Wood Used
The tonewoods used will have an impact on the instrument’s durability, sound, and value.
A quality violin is never constructed using just one type of wood. It features a combination such as Spruce (for the table), Maple (for the sides and neck), and Ebony (for the chinrest, fingerboard, and neck).
The type of wood used has a significant impact on how the instrument resonates. Whereas the quality of the wood, including how it shaped, smoothed, and planed, determines the worth of the violin.
The stiff and dense nature of Spruce is what makes it such an ideal choice for the top of the violin body (soundboard). This tonewood can be curved delicately yet still maintain its shape. The density comes in handy in creating a better resonance than what you would get with more porous woods.
When it comes to the quality of the Spruce, the longer a block of Spruce is allowed to age, the drier and stronger it becomes. Additionally, Spruce trees grown in colder climates tend to be denser and more resonant, thereby making them more desirable and higher priced.
Similarly, the Maple used for the sides and neck of the violin isn’t created equally. What’s used on superior quality violins will be aged and carved with high precision.
As for the chinrest and fingerboard, economy violins may use less expensive wood, instead of Ebony.
Regardless, high-quality well-seasoned timbers that have been crafted in an artistic, aesthetically pleasing manner are the true mark of a quality violin.
Wood Grain
Besides just the aesthetics, the meticulosity of the wood grain joinery will give some insight into the instrument’s craftsmanship and pricing.
The type and quality of wood used have an impact on the beauty of the grain on the violin. The finest Spruce has a beautiful flame-like figuring.
This is why the tables of finely crafted violins consist of beautifully book-matched pieces of Spruce that have been meticulously joined, therefore creating an attractive pattern.
Similarly, when it comes to premium-quality violins, the Maple used for the violin’s neck, back and sides, would be a tightly grained wood.
Sound quality
Both materials and craftsmanship will contribute to the sound produced. However, each violin will have its own range, depth, and tonal abilities.
Any good intermediate violin needs to have an even tone over all the four strings. For an intermediate violin, the tones should be clearer than what you got from your student violin.
At this level, also, the violin should be more responsive all the way up the neck and have good action when advanced bowing techniques are used.
At the same time, it should have a carrying sound so that the instrument can be heard clearly even when being played in a concert hall.
Keep in mind that there is a huge difference between projection and loud tone. The idea here is for the violin to have a fuller and richer sound projection.
There is a difference between the sound quality under the ear and the sound quality of what’s projected from the violin. All players will, at one point, find their violins playing scratchy and noisy.
However, you simply need to be clear about whether this is the under ear sound quality or the overall projected sound quality.
So, when buying your intermediate violin, take along a few extra pairs of ears so that you can accurately judge the violin.
Even on the same instrument, tenor quality may vary depending on the playing technique, the type of strings, or the type of bow used to play.
If you find an instrument you like, and that looks good quality, but then it sounds wretched when played, consider having it checked out by a luthier. It could be that the sound post has shifted inside, thereby affecting sound quality.
Finish
Finely crafted instruments will come finished with an exceedingly thin coat of varnish that’s hand-applied, and the violin is carefully polished between coats.
Pigments within the varnish help give the violin a beautiful patina while at the same time, bringing out the beauty of the wood’s underlying grain patterns.
An intermediate trumpet is more aesthetically pleasing compared to a beginner model. The scrollwork is intricate, and the purfling is neat and evenly applied (in the case of painted on-purfling).
Best Violin Brands for Intermediate Players
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Cremona
Known for making high quality, high rated intermediate violins. The instruments have remarkable playability and are moderately priced.
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Mendini
Known for its low- to mid-budget violins that offer excellent value for money. The violins have medium quality tones that are decent enough.
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Stentor
A very popular acoustic violin brand in the market. Known for its long-lasting, high-quality hand-crafted instruments.
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Scott Cao
Known for its top-quality instruments that respect tradition, vintage tonality, and the classic violin design. One of the best contemporary violin makers in the world.
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Yamaha
A household name that makes all sorts of musical instruments. Their violins are reliable, of excellent quality, and reasonably priced.
FAQs About Violins for Intermediate Level
How Much Does A Good Intermediate Violin Cost?
Intermediate violins are available in a wide range of prices. Expect to pay anything from as low as $300 to as much as $2,000.
It all depends on the brand, tonewoods, and craftsmanship employed.
How Do You Know If A Violin Is Good Quality?
- Playability – the easier it is to play the instrument, the better it’s quality.
- Construction and craftsmanship – look for a violin that’s structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.
- Tone – the violin ought to have an even tone over all four strings.
- Projection – a good quality violin has a carrying sound, such that it can be heard even in the last row of a concert hall.
- Speaks easy – a good quality violin doesn’t require too much work. It speaks easy under all conditions and in all registers of all four strings.
Is It Better to Buy Violin In-store or Online?
Buying in-store allows you to hold the violin and check out its sound, finish quality, and playability. This way, it’s easy to pick a violin that ‘chooses you.’
Buying online conveniently allows you to compare prices across different stores, and you can also make a more informed decision by reading violin reviews.
Additionally, there is a wider variety online, than what you’d typically find in a physical store.
If you’re lucky even, you could find a company that offers home trials and refunds, thereby providing you somewhat of an in-store experience.
Regardless of whether buying in-store or online, make sure you do your research and take caution by dealing with a seller that’s reputable, genuine and authorized in selling violins.
Conclusion
Intermediate violins should be as playable as a beginner model yet still boasting the incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail found on a professional model.
Better yet, you can definitely find something befitting, whether you are looking for a budget model or are willing to part with a serious amount of money.
The differences between one intermediate violin and another may seem subtle.
However, with time, you’ll be able to distinguish between an instrument that’s worth its price and another that will present endless troubles.
Just take your time and trust your gut.
