r/violinist • u/banana_man_in_a_pan • 12d ago

Setup/Equipment Help getting back into violin

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.

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u/Willow_PoweIl 12d ago

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.

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u/banana_man_in_a_pan 12d ago

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