A violin is loud in an apartment, and most violinists practice less than they'd like because of it. That's why the best gifts for violinists are about practice and performance: an electric violin they can play through headphones, a microphone for the stage, a recorder for lessons. Every pick comes from our rankings, with tonight's Thomann price.
Gifts for violinists under $300
Harley Benton HBV 990BCF, $178
A 4/4 electric violin with an active pickup and a headphone output, sold with a case: silent practice for less than a set of good strings costs in some shops. #3 of 40 electric violins and violas.
the t.bone Lucan System Violin Bundle, $95
A condenser clip-on microphone with a gooseneck and a violin holder, for playing through a PA or recording. #4 of 5 string instrument microphones.
Zoom H5, $240
A portable recorder with an X/Y stereo microphone, for recording lessons, rehearsals and concerts in good quality. One of the highest-ranked recorders we track: #1 of 44 portable recorders.
Zoom Q2n-4K, $251
A small video recorder with a stereo microphone, for filming a performance with sound that's much better than a phone's. #3 of 44 portable recorders.
Bigger gifts for violinists
Thomann Europe 5-String Violin 4/4, $435
A violin with an extra low C string, so the player gets the viola's range on a violin-sized instrument. Solid spruce and maple, made in Europe. #7 of 217 acoustic violins.
DPA 4099 Violin, $659
A professional supercardioid clip-on microphone made for violin, the kind used on stages and in theaters. #1 of 5 string instrument microphones.
Yamaha YEV-104, $950
An electric violin with a spruce, mahogany and maple body and a piezo pickup in the bridge, for players who perform with an amp or PA. The highest-ranked electric violin we track: #1 of 40 electric violins and violas.
Questions
What is a good gift for a violin player?
For quiet practice, an electric violin with a headphone output like the Harley Benton HBV 990BCF ($178). For a student, a recorder to capture lessons.
What do you get a violinist who has everything?
A 5-string violin, or a professional clip-on mic like the DPA 4099.
How we picked. Every product comes from an AudioFu ranking, scored on demand, price, specs and brand; specs from Thomann's product data. Prices are converted from euros at the European Central Bank rate and updated every night, as are the ranks.
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Denis Kataev runs AudioFu. Every night the site records the prices of more than 38,000 instruments and studio tools at Thomann, and he writes about what those numbers show: what got cheaper, what just arrived, and which discounts are real.
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