Best Acoustic Violins for Folk 2026
Perfect acoustic violins for folk - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 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
⭐
4.9/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Alfred Stingl by Höfner THO-175-V SE Violin Set 4/4
Folk
Jazz
Country
Key Feature:
• Most versatile bowed instrument
✓ PROS
- • Most versatile bowed instrument
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
✗ CONS
- • Expensive quality instruments
- • Regular maintenance needed
Alfred Stingl by Höfner THO-175-V SE Violin Set 4/4Violin SetSize: 4/4Solid violinSlightly flamedGold-brown...
⭐
4.9/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 603538
$548
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Franz Sandner Century De Luxe Strad. Vn
Jazz
Classical
World Music
Key Feature:
• Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Most versatile bowed instrument
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
✗ CONS
- • Regular maintenance needed
- • Requires years to master technique
Franz Sandner Century De Luxe Strad. VnConcert ViolinOrchestra violin for the 100th anniversary of the Franz Sandner...
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 607244
$2,299
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Scala Vilagio R.O. Guarneri Kochanski 1741
Jazz
Classical
Folk
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral lead voice
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of musical styles
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
✗ CONS
- • Expensive quality instruments
- • Regular maintenance needed
Scala Vilagio R.O. Guarneri Kochanski 1741ViolinR.O. Guarneri del Gesu ‘Kochanski’ 1741Built in the style of the...
⭐
4.9/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588220
$14,190
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Hidersine Melodioso Violin Set Guarneri
by
Hidersine
Solo Performance
Folk
Country
Key Feature:
• Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
✗ CONS
- • Requires years to master technique
- • Expensive quality instruments
Hidersine Melodioso Violin Set Guarneri4/4 Violin SetCompletely made of solid wood from well-seasoned European...
⭐
4.7/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610797
$1,749
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Violin Set GB
Jazz
Country
Folk
Key Feature:
• Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
✗ CONS
- • Competitive performance field
- • Expensive quality instruments
Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Violin Set GB*Bundle offer comprising*, Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Violin...
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610147
$908
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Hidersine Preciso Violin Set Stradivari
by
Hidersine
Country
World Music
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Most versatile bowed instrument
✓ PROS
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
✗ CONS
- • Requires years to master technique
- • Regular maintenance needed
Hidersine Preciso Violin Set StradivariViolin SetSize: 4/4Completely made of solid wood from well-seasoned European...
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610802
$1,749
#8
⭐
4.4/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Eastman Albert Nebel Violin VL601G+
by
Eastman
Jazz
Solo Performance
Country
Key Feature:
• Most versatile bowed instrument
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of musical styles
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
✗ CONS
- • Regular maintenance needed
- • Requires years to master technique
Eastman Albert Nebel Violin VL601G+Violin with PickupSize: 4/4Guarneri model with a pickup system embedded in the...
⭐
4.4/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 614271
$1,309
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Hidersine Espressione Violin Set Guarn.
by
Hidersine
Folk
Classical
World Music
Key Feature:
• Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
✗ CONS
- • Requires years to master technique
- • Expensive quality instruments
Hidersine Espressione Violin Set Guarn.Violin SetSize: 4/4Guarneri modelcompletely made of solid woodSolidhandcrafted...
⭐
4.5/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610787
$1,044
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Conrad Götz Signature Cantonate 123 Violin
by
Conrad Götz
Country
Jazz
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
✗ CONS
- • Regular maintenance needed
- • Competitive performance field
Conrad Götz Signature Cantonate 123 ViolinViolinSize: 4/4The Signature Series comes with 10-15% less weight and...
⭐
4.7/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 601963
$2,134
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Scala Vilagio R.O. Stradivari Viotti 1709
World Music
Classical
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Brilliant, expressive upper register
✓ PROS
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
- • Wide range of musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Expensive quality instruments
- • Sensitive to climate and handling
Scala Vilagio R.O. Stradivari Viotti 1709ViolinSize: 4/4Handmade by Ryszard Osowski in the finest craftsmanship in...
⭐
5.0/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 588203
$14,190
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Scala Vilagio S.I. Orchestra Violin Guarneri
Jazz
Country
World Music
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral lead voice
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of musical styles
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
✗ CONS
- • Requires years to master technique
- • Expensive quality instruments
Scala Vilagio S.I. Orchestra Violin GuarneriOrchestra Violin 4/4Guarneri modelSelected solid spruce...
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610465
$4,499
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Walter Mahr Lion`s Head Violin 4/4
by
Walter Mahr
Solo Performance
Classical
World Music
Key Feature:
• Wide range of musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of musical styles
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
✗ CONS
- • Requires years to master technique
- • Regular maintenance needed
Walter Mahr Lion`s Head Violin 4/4Lion's Head Violin 4/4Made in Germany in the workshop of master luthier Walter...
⭐
4.6/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 595701
$2,629
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Violin Gu/Eb
World Music
Jazz
Folk
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral lead voice
✓ PROS
- • Brilliant, expressive upper register
- • Essential orchestral lead voice
✗ CONS
- • Regular maintenance needed
- • Requires years to master technique
Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Violin Gu/Eb4/4 Orchestra ViolinGuarneri modelSolid wood violin made in...
⭐
4.4/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610139
$824
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Stentor SR1995 Violin Amati 4/4
by
Stentor
World Music
Country
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Most versatile bowed instrument
✓ PROS
- • Rich solo and ensemble repertoire
- • Wide range of musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Regular maintenance needed
- • Expensive quality instruments
Stentor SR1995 Violin Amati 4/44/4 ViolinIndividually handmade from European woodsFinished in EnglandSolid spruce...
⭐
4.7/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 613461
$1,694
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.
