Best Acoustic Violins 2026
Top-rated acoustic violins 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Edgar Russ Ysaye Guarneri 1740
Classical
Jazz
World Music
Key Feature:
• Most versatile bowed instrument
✓ PROS
- • Most versatile bowed instrument
- • Wide range of musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Competitive performance field
- • Expensive quality instruments
Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Edgar Russ Ysaye Guarneri 1740ViolinHandcrafted master violin by master violin maker...
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 586428
$40,700
#2
⭐
4.4/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Linea Mauro Macchi Violin Str.
Folk
Jazz
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Brilliant, expressive upper register
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of musical styles
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to climate and handling
- • Regular maintenance needed
Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Linea Mauro Macchi Violin Str., ViolinThis 4/4 violin, made entirely from non-tropical...
⭐
4.4/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 379043
$10,329
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ernst Heinrich Roth 54/IV-R Concert Violin 4/4
Jazz
Classical
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Brilliant, expressive upper register
✓ PROS
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
- • Wide range of musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Competitive performance field
- • Expensive quality instruments
Ernst Heinrich Roth 54/IV-R Concert Violin 4/4Concert ViolinSize: 4/4Model: Antonius Stradivarius 1718Very good quality...
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 334855
$5,389
#4
⭐
4.4/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Bernd Hiller & Sohn Nicolo Amati Violin 4/4
Folk
Jazz
Country
Key Feature:
• Brilliant, expressive upper register
✓ PROS
- • Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
✗ CONS
- • Competitive performance field
- • Expensive quality instruments
Bernd Hiller & Sohn Nicolo Amati Violin 4/44/4 ViolinCompletely handmade in Germany by master violin maker Bernd...
⭐
4.4/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 565732
$10,780
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-190-V Violin Set 4/4
World Music
Folk
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
✗ CONS
- • Regular maintenance needed
- • Expensive quality instruments
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-190-V Violin Set 4/4Violin SetSize 4/4All-mass violinSlightly flamedTasteful gold-brown...
⭐
4.6/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 464562
$438
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Ernst Heinrich Roth 62/VII-R Master Violin 4/4
Folk
Classical
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Brilliant, expressive upper register
✓ PROS
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
- • Most versatile bowed instrument
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to climate and handling
- • Requires years to master technique
Ernst Heinrich Roth 62/VII-R Master Violin 4/4Master ViolinSize: 4/4Stradivari Model 1722High-quality concert...
⭐
4.7/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 334862
$6,182
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Andrea Varazzani Violin Model Capicchioni
Solo Performance
World Music
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral lead voice
✓ PROS
- • Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
✗ CONS
- • Requires years to master technique
- • Sensitive to climate and handling
Andrea Varazzani Violin Model CapicchioniViolinInspired by the work of violin maker Marino Capicchionithis violin...
⭐
4.8/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 578367
$16,390
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Ernst Heinrich Roth 61/VI-R Master Violin 4/4
World Music
Jazz
Folk
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral lead voice
✓ PROS
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
- • Most versatile bowed instrument
✗ CONS
- • Requires years to master technique
- • Regular maintenance needed
Ernst Heinrich Roth 61/VI-R Master Violin 4/4Concert ViolinSize: 4/4Model: Josef Guarneri 1732High-quality concert...
⭐
4.6/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 334858
$6,204
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Scala Perfetta Violin Guarneri
Country
Folk
Classical
Key Feature:
• Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Most versatile bowed instrument
- • Wide range of musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Requires years to master technique
- • Competitive performance field
Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Scala Perfetta Violin Guarneri, ViolinThis 4/4 violin, made entirely without tropical...
⭐
4.7/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 379040
$4,499
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Rainer W. Leonhardt No. 100/1 Master Violin 4/4
Classical
World Music
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral lead voice
✓ PROS
- • Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
- • Most versatile bowed instrument
✗ CONS
- • Expensive quality instruments
- • Sensitive to climate and handling
Rainer W. Leonhardt No. 100/1 Master Violin 4/4ViolinSize: 4/4Made from high-quality matured tonewoodsTop: Solid...
⭐
5.0/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 416551
$4,180
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Franz Sandner Francesca Orchestra Violin 4/4
Jazz
Solo Performance
Country
Key Feature:
• Most versatile bowed instrument
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of musical styles
- • Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
✗ CONS
- • Competitive performance field
- • Expensive quality instruments
Franz Sandner Francesca Orchestra Violin 4/4Orchestra ViolinSize: 4/4For the 90th anniversary of the company Franz...
⭐
4.5/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 375039
$1,374
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Scala Vilagio F.H. Andrea Amati 1570
Jazz
Country
Classical
Key Feature:
• Most versatile bowed instrument
✓ PROS
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
- • Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to climate and handling
- • Requires years to master technique
Scala Vilagio F.H. Andrea Amati 1570Violin 4/4Handmade in Germany by master violin maker Florian HertzschBuilt after...
⭐
4.5/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 530554
$7,469
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Scala Vilagio F.H. Nicolo Amati 1635
Country
Classical
World Music
Key Feature:
• Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
- • Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
✗ CONS
- • Regular maintenance needed
- • Competitive performance field
Scala Vilagio F.H. Nicolo Amati 16354/4 ViolinHandmade in Germany by master violin maker Florian HertzschMade according...
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 530576
$6,479
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Karl Höfner H225-GG-V Guarneri del Gesu
by
Karl Höfner
Folk
Country
Classical
Key Feature:
• Brilliant, expressive upper register
✓ PROS
- • Most versatile bowed instrument
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
✗ CONS
- • Requires years to master technique
- • Sensitive to climate and handling
Karl Höfner H225-GG-V Guarneri del GesuViolinMaster instrumentCopy of the Guarneri del Gesu (1741)Exquisite...
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 247910
$5,588
#15
⭐
5.0/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Scala Vilagio Bohemia Performance Violin 4/4
Classical
Solo Performance
Country
Key Feature:
• Brilliant, expressive upper register
✓ PROS
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
- • Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
✗ CONS
- • Requires years to master technique
- • Sensitive to climate and handling
Scala Vilagio Bohemia Performance Violin 4/4ViolinSize: 4/4Selected first-class solid spruce topDistinctive flamed...
⭐
5.0/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 546471
$1,648
How to Choose the Best Acoustic 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 acoustic 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.
