To the first question much depends on the financial condition of the customer. Violins are to be obtained at 1,000.-, 1,500.-, or 2,000.- Euro, but the buyer who desires to own a good, well-made, serviceable instrument must leave such violins quite out of his consideration. It is impossible to construct an instrument with any quality of tone at such price.
Secondly, buy your instrument from any well-established firm or dealer in whom you can place confidence, and who is in a position to place before purchasers an ample selection of good and thoroughly reliable makes.
Thirdly, a violin at a low price may perhaps be said to answer the purpose of the beginner, is the beginner is a juvenile, and where a small size may have to be discarded after a time for an instrument of full dimensions. As proficiency is attained, a better instrument is very essential. The adult performer is well advised in buying a good instrument from the beginning. A good violin is an incentive to practice, a bad one a deterrent to progress.
Fourthly, much could be written with regard to the difference in prices of violins. There is a general idea amongst even experienced players, that all cheap violins are "factory-made", which may lead one to suppose that they are turned our in quantities, like chairs, doors, etc.; but this is not quite the case. Although there are many large factories in the great centres of violin making--viz. Markneukirchen and Mirecourt--it must also be explained that the environs of these places are studded with small independent workshops, in which violins are made more or less complete, and got ready for a commission agent, who often advertises himself to be the actual producer. The violins, when finished, are handed to the agent, who sells them to the
best advantage, and sometimes one can pick out a fairly good instrument incidentally from amongst a parcel that has been brought in.
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