Best 3/4 and 7/8 Violins Under $500 2026
Affordable 3/4 and 7/8 violins under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha V5 SA34 Violin Set 3/4
by
Yamaha
Smaller Adults
Youth Orchestra
School Programs
Key Feature:
• Good transition size to full violin
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
- • Good transition size to full violin
✗ CONS
- • Limited resale market
- • Still temporary for most students
Yamaha V5 SA34 Violin Set 3/4Solid ViolinSize: 3/4Solid spruce topSolid maple base and maple framesEbony...
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 462933
$438
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Gewa Ideale Violin Set 3/4 OC MB
by
Gewa
Intermediate Players
School Programs
Student
Key Feature:
• Longer usage period
✓ PROS
- • Better projection than smaller sizes
- • Good transition size to full violin
✗ CONS
- • Still temporary for most students
- • May limit advanced repertoire
Gewa Ideale VL2 Violin Set 3/4 OC MBViolin SetSize: 3/4Solid violin made of European tonewoodsModerate flamingSolid...
⭐
4.7/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 472739
$439
#3
⭐
4.4/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Gewa Ideale Violin Set 3/4 OC CB
by
Gewa
Intermediate Players
Smaller Adults
Student
Key Feature:
• Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
✓ PROS
- • Better projection than smaller sizes
- • Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
✗ CONS
- • Limited resale market
- • Compromise between size and sound
Gewa Ideale Violin Set 3/4 OC CBViolin SetSize: 3/4Fully solid violin made of European tonewoodsMedium flamedSolid...
⭐
4.4/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 546375
$461
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Roth & Junius Europe Antiqued Violin Set 3/4
Smaller Adults
Student
Intermediate Players
Key Feature:
• Good for small-handed adults
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
- • Good transition size to full violin
✗ CONS
- • Compromise between size and sound
- • Still temporary for most students
Roth & Junius Europe Antiqued Violin Set 3/4Violin SetSize: 3/4Imitated antique varnishSolid spruce topSolid maple...
⭐
5.0/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 516584
$472
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-190-V Violin Set 3/4
Youth Orchestra
Smaller Adults
Intermediate Players
Key Feature:
• Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
✓ PROS
- • Good transition size to full violin
- • Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
✗ CONS
- • Professional models less available
- • Compromise between size and sound
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-190-V Violin Set 3/4Violin setSize 3/4Violin built completely out of solid woodSlightly...
⭐
4.6/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 464563
$461
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Gewa Allegro Violin Set 3/4 SC CB
by
Gewa
School Programs
Youth Orchestra
Intermediate Players
Key Feature:
• Good for small-handed adults
✓ PROS
- • Good transition size to full violin
- • Longer usage period
✗ CONS
- • Still temporary for most students
- • Professional models less available
Gewa Allegro Violin Set 3/4 SC CBSolid ViolinSize: 3/4Made of European tonewoodsSolid European spruce topSolid European...
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 546108
$373
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha V5 SC34 Violin 3/4
by
Yamaha
Intermediate Players
Youth Orchestra
Smaller Adults
Key Feature:
• Good transition size to full violin
✓ PROS
- • Good for small-handed adults
- • Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
✗ CONS
- • Limited resale market
- • Compromise between size and sound
Yamaha V5 SC34 Violin 3/43/4 ViolinBuilt completely out of solid woodHand-carved spruce topMaple backWith brush applied...
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 172521
$490
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Stentor SR1550 Conservatoire 3/4
by
Stentor
Student
School Programs
Intermediate Players
Key Feature:
• Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
✓ PROS
- • Longer usage period
- • Good for small-handed adults
✗ CONS
- • May limit advanced repertoire
- • Limited resale market
Stentor SR1550 Conservatoire 3/4Violin SetModel: ConservatoireSize: 3/4Solid spruce topSolid maple bodyStrongly...
⭐
4.9/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 137899
$413
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Gewa Ideale Violin Set 3/4 SC CB
by
Gewa
Youth Orchestra
Smaller Adults
Intermediate Players
Key Feature:
• Better projection than smaller sizes
✓ PROS
- • Good for small-handed adults
- • Good transition size to full violin
✗ CONS
- • Still temporary for most students
- • Professional models less available
Gewa Ideale Violin Set 3/4 SC CBViolin SetSize: 3/4Fully solid violin made of European tonewoodsMedium flamedSolid...
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 546373
$428
#10
⭐
4.4/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Gewa Maestro 2 Violin 3/4
by
Gewa
School Programs
Student
Intermediate Players
Key Feature:
• Better projection than smaller sizes
✓ PROS
- • Longer usage period
- • Better projection than smaller sizes
✗ CONS
- • Limited resale market
- • Professional models less available
Gewa Maestro 2 Violin 3/4ViolinSize: 3/4European tonewoodHand-selectedBack and sides made of solid well flamed European...
⭐
4.4/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 546500
$461
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha V3-SKA 3/4 Violinset
by
Yamaha
Youth Orchestra
School Programs
Intermediate Players
Key Feature:
• Good transition size to full violin
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
- • Longer usage period
✗ CONS
- • May limit advanced repertoire
- • Professional models less available
Yamaha V3-SKA 3/4 ViolinsetViolin OutfitSize: 3/4Made according to Guarneri del GesuTop: SpruceBack and sides:...
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 360736
$363
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Gewa Maestro 1 Violin 3/4
by
Gewa
Student
Intermediate Players
School Programs
Key Feature:
• Good for small-handed adults
✓ PROS
- • Good for small-handed adults
- • Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
✗ CONS
- • Limited resale market
- • Professional models less available
Gewa Maestro 1 Violin 3/4ViolinSize: 3/4European tonewoodHand-selectedBack and sides made of solid well flamed European...
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 546486
$406
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Gewa Ideale Violin Set 3/4 SC MB
by
Gewa
Intermediate Players
School Programs
Smaller Adults
Key Feature:
• Good for small-handed adults
✓ PROS
- • Good transition size to full violin
- • Good for small-handed adults
✗ CONS
- • Professional models less available
- • May limit advanced repertoire
Gewa Ideale VL2 Violin Set 3/4 SC MBViolin SetSize: 3/4Violin made completely from solid European tonewoodsMedium...
⭐
4.8/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 472751
$395
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Gewa Allegro Violin Set 3/4 OC MB
by
Gewa
Youth Orchestra
Student
Smaller Adults
Key Feature:
• Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
✓ PROS
- • Better projection than smaller sizes
- • Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
✗ CONS
- • Compromise between size and sound
- • May limit advanced repertoire
Gewa Allegro VL1 Violin Set 3/4 OC MBViolin SetSize: 3/4Violin made completely from solid European tonewoodsSolid...
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 472650
$373
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Gewa Allegro Violin Set 3/4 SC MB
by
Gewa
Youth Orchestra
Smaller Adults
Intermediate Players
Key Feature:
• Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for ages 9-12 typically
- • Longer usage period
✗ CONS
- • May limit advanced repertoire
- • Limited resale market
Gewa Allegro VL1 Violin Set 3/4 SC MBViolin SetSize: 3/4Violin made completely from solid European tonewoodsSolid...
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 472726
$351
How to Choose the Best 3/4 and 7/8 Violins
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 3/4 and 7/8 violins typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
