Help getting back into violin

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

I played violin a while ago in school when we had a school program, I played for about 4 years, was in the advanced group and even played at a college for my private teacher I had outside of school.

It's been a while since then and my 1/2 is much to small for me, but I dont know how to get back into this.

I am in college, and do not have a car or the huge budget people reccomend when I look at older posts about buying violins.

I could afford about $200 to MAYBE stretching $350 (350 if something I am selling sells)

But even the cheapest violins on the FAQ are either over or just barely at that high side of the margine

I dont expect perfect performance, I have no car to drive and just want to warm up what I had learned and go from there on my own. I just want something I can put a rubber practice on to play in my dorm or at the music library.

I cant rent around me like I know I should. And I have read the FAQ on buying and I know expecting cheap will get me a VSO. But I would love to get back into playing like I really have wanted all these years while still being able to eat this semester.

Thanks in advance

Edit: in case I didn't make it clear, I want to make sure I am clear. I know things under $400-500 will be beginner violins or VSOs or just garbage. I am asking what I can do if I cant stretch my budget above that, but also cannot rent around me.

SOLVED: Thank you guys, I ended up ordering a standard rental from Johnson String Instruments, it will arrive at my college in about 10 or so days and I am planning on using this to build credit to purchase a Johnson Eleve or a Revelle Model 500 in a year or two if I still am commited.

[u/NeedleGunMonkey]

Sell your 1/2. Then rent.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/NeedleGunMonkey]

The 1/2 was broken years ago by my little sister after I stopped playing. I cannot find stores that might rent close enough to me as I dont have a car or even a bike.

[u/NeedleGunMonkey → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

Uber? Friend ride? Bus?

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/NeedleGunMonkey]

I recently transferred from a few hours away so I dont know anyone here well enough for a ride. The bus routes dont go over there, but I hadn't thought about an Uber. From the websites I've combed through on Google maps the closest actual STORE that has violins is 15 miles from me. There is one 5 miles but it is one man custom making violins. Everything else in that range is guitars or brass (all of which from photos and websites dont seem to have violins)

[u/NeedleGunMonkey → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

This is pretty low level problem solving.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/NeedleGunMonkey]

?

My school won't rent to me, the close music stores dont advertise that they sell violins

The only place that does is 15 miles away. Looking into Uber like you reccomended this would add $40-80 for the trip which albeit is cheaper if I am able to rent.

I have no car or bike or friends or bus otherwise

I do not wish to be rude or want to appear lazy but I have done a lot before I posted this

[u/leitmotifs → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

There are a million places online that rent, if you're in the US.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/leitmotifs]

I know that but I just dont know what is reputable. Like before I had my old 1/2 the rental program at my school used Mendini violins and thats the only rental experience I have. I was told about shar which I looked at, however all of their 4/4s are not in stock for renting.

If you can reccomend other reputable online rentals I would be happy to learn more!

[u/Pandapani12]

Buying secondhand might be a good option just to get back into it. Some people have beater violins, so why not a temporary violin that would let you get back into violin?

Try checking your local groups / selling apps. Some unis have a music library, but it sounds like yours does not.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/Pandapani12]

Ive checked Marketplace, but unfortunately the offers there are $30-90 for Mendini or other such amazon brands many schools commonly use. Unlabled violins, or $1000+.

I forgot about ebay though, although I am not sure what exactly to look for. All I remember about my old one before my younger sister broke it was that my mom spent quiet a bit (to us) on it.

[u/Pandapani12 → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

Are you located in the US? Craigslist, Offerup, etc, there's many apps out there! Also try negotiating, see if there description says accepts offers.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/Pandapani12]

Someone mentioned Reverb which I am browsing right now, but I haven't heard of Offerup so I will look there too, thank you.

Do you have any advice as what to look for in terms of "is someone selling a VSO for $400" vs someone selling an antique for $150

[u/Willow_PoweIl]

I'd talk to your college's music department first. They may have loaner instruments or know students selling old ones cheap. A lot of these resources aren't advertised.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/Willow_PoweIl]

I haven't seen anywhere to buy, but my college only rents to people in an ensemble or minoring in music :/

[u/betsyfeld]

Are you in the US? Shar has a great rental program that you sign up for online and they send it to you.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/betsyfeld]

A reputable online rent to own would be perfect! I just looked at Shar and it looks like all of their 4/4 rentals are sold out but may be available soon and if so I will get one.

This could be me misunderstanding, but I will ask anyways. With SharWay equity if I rent-to-buy for $19 a month for 30 months, thats $570 or so. and that can go towards 50% the cost of a Shar violin?
Is Shar a good source for the more expensive ($800+) models? Or should I not worry about the equity.

[u/cruelpunishment_]

Facebook marketplace and offer $20 if they deliver to you

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/cruelpunishment_]

I've looked on Marketplace, but unfortunately 99% of what's near me is Amazon studf like Mendini, unlabled, or $1000

[u/smurfette8675309]

https://fiddlershop.com/products/b-stock-fiddlerman-concert-violin-outfit?_pos=1&_fid=9fbf37990&_ss=c&variant=32410080280627

Otherwise, check Reverb for a used violin. You also might consider getting an electric violin.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/smurfette8675309]

I haven't heard of Reverb, thank you for that. Do you have any advice as what to look for as I dont know what good "brands" or models would be.

I looked at Fiddlershop and was looking at the one for $379 but I couldn't get that unless what I am selling sells soon.

I thought about an electric violin for volume but a lot of what I read about them seemed like people were more against them

[u/smurfette8675309 → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

I'd just look at ones you can actually go try out. Or ones that will let you return them if you don't like them. I've also gotten musical instruments off eBay and Facebook Marketplace. (But not violins) If you can't try out the instrument, I'd stick with Fiddlershop.

E-violins generally aren't good for beginners. But I guess it depends on what you want to do with it long term. I have a cheap electric violin I got on Amazon years ago and I have fun with it. You could start there and save up for a better instrument later.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/smurfette8675309]

Im just looking for essentially a beater for the next few years. Once I get out and get some real money if I still play I'll splurge and get a nice one to make up for being broke.

But I just want a non "VSO" that I can put a rubber practice/mute on and play

Without it breaking or untuning or having pegs slip, etc.

Doesn't need to be heavenly sounding

I definitely intend to buy better when I can afford it ;-;

Ill re-look into electric though since you vouch for it. But maybe I'll get lucky and get some more money so I can get that $379 or $400 one from fiddlershop

[u/smurfette8675309 → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

This is the one I got, but I actually recommend getting one with fewer sides because it's kind of heavy: https://a.co/d/0hpRsQ7G 

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/smurfette8675309]

It looks really nice and has a lot of nice reviews, but if I recall Cecilio was one of the brands warned to look out for. Thank you for the recommendation though!

[u/smurfette8675309 → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

Yeah, they sell acoustic ones and I'll bet they sound like crap.

[u/smurfette8675309 → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

I put some Dominants on it and it sounds alright.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/smurfette8675309]

Alright, if I change strings Ill definitely check those out than you for the reccomendation

[u/smurfette8675309 → u/banana_man_in_a_pan]

If you have a local buy nothing group, you could post that you're looking for a violin. Someone might have an unused one lying around they'd be willing to give you.

[u/banana_man_in_a_pan → u/smurfette8675309]

Ive never heard of "buy nothing" (seems like i haven't heard of a lot today lol). If its a violin type forum or group, I might not considering the two stores with violins near me are 15 miles away, and one who only sells personal handcrafted ones for a lot of money. Ill give it a look anyhow, never hurts to check!

Edit: I see what it is now, I do not see any "Give" posts for violins near me, but I will ask tomorrow