Why This Matters

A $400 violin with professional setup plays and sounds better than a $1,000 instrument shipped directly to customers without setup work. Students deserve instruments that support their learning rather than create unnecessary technical obstacles. Parents investing in their child's musical education deserve instruments that sound good enough to encourage practice. Our setup work—included in every purchase—ensures optimal performance regardless of price point. This represents our 48 years of experience since 1976 serving Melbourne's string playing community.

What size violin does my child need?

Violin sizing depends on the child's arm length, not age. Measure from the neck to the palm's center with arm extended—this measurement determines appropriate size. 1/16 violins (approximately 14" measurement) suit very young beginners age 3-5. 1/8 size (15.5") fits ages 4-5. 1/4 size (17.5") suits ages 4-7. 1/2 size (20") fits ages 6-9. 3/4 size (22") suits ages 9-11. Full size 4/4 (23.5"+) fits ages 12+ and adults. However, individual variation exists—some 8-year-olds use full size while some 12-year-olds still need 3/4. Visit our Altona showroom for proper sizing assessment. Incorrect sizing creates technical obstacles and physical discomfort hindering development. Call (03) 8360 7799 to schedule a sizing appointment.

How much should I spend on a beginner violin?

Beginner violins require minimum $350-$400 investment for instruments with acceptable construction, reliable hardware, and playable quality. The Raggetti RV-2 at $399 represents our entry point, delivering solid construction with our professional setup ensuring optimal playability. Violins under $300 typically feature poor construction with cheap fittings that won't hold tune, inadequate setup creating high action, and tone so poor it discourages practice. Spending $400-$700 on student violins like our Gliga models provides significantly better tone, more reliable tuning, and build quality supporting multiple years of use. However, a $400 violin with proper professional setup plays and sounds better than $800 instruments shipped without setup work. Our setup service—included with every purchase—adds value exceeding the price difference between basic and premium student models. For serious students, parents should budget $600-$900 for intermediate instruments featuring solid woods and enhanced tone supporting advancing technique. Adult beginners uncertain about long-term commitment can start at $399-$500, upgrading later if they continue playing.

Are violins hard to play?

Violins present unique challenges requiring dedicated practice and proper instruction. The fretless fingerboard demands precise finger placement for accurate intonation—unlike guitars where frets guarantee correct pitches. Bow technique requires coordination developing smooth, even tone without scratching or squeaking. Holding position—supporting the instrument under the chin and on the shoulder—takes time to feel natural. However, these challenges don't make violin impossible for motivated students. Children starting young (ages 5-7) develop technique naturally through regular practice and good teaching. Adults can successfully learn violin though progress may be slower than children's. Proper instruction is essential—attempting to self-teach violin typically results in poor technique requiring later correction. Group classes like Suzuki method provide structured learning for beginners. Private lessons offer personalized attention addressing individual challenges. Realistic expectations help: students won't sound beautiful immediately, but consistent practice under qualified instruction produces steady improvement. A properly set-up violin from Angkor Music—with correct action, properly fitted pegs, and appropriate bridge—makes learning significantly easier than poorly set-up instruments creating unnecessary technical obstacles.

What's the difference between student and professional violins?

Student violins ($399-$900) typically feature laminated woods or solid tops with laminated back and ribs, factory construction with basic finishing, and hardware meeting minimum functional standards. These instruments provide acceptable tone for beginners developing fundamental technique. Intermediate violins ($900-$2,000) incorporate solid spruce tops with solid maple backs and ribs, hand-carved elements with more refined finishing, and superior hardware including ebony fittings. Enhanced tonal complexity and projection support advancing students and adult amateurs. Advanced/professional violins ($2,000+) feature premium aged tonewoods selected for acoustic properties, hand-crafted construction by experienced makers, superior varnish enhancing tone and appearance, and meticulous setup supporting advanced technique. Professional instruments offer tonal complexity, dynamic range, and responsiveness demanded by serious players. However, the setup quality matters more than the instrument's grade for playability—our professional setup on student violins ensures they play properly despite lower materials quality. A well-set-up $600 Gliga plays and sounds better than a $2,000 violin with poor bridge fitting and incorrect soundpost position. Setup work—included with every Angkor Music purchase—bridges the gap between student and professional instruments for playability if not ultimate tonal sophistication.

Why does violin setup matter?

Professional violin setup transforms factory instruments into properly playing violins. The bridge must be cut and fitted precisely to the top's curve, positioned correctly relative to the f-holes, with feet matching the arch perfectly. Bridge height determines string action—too high creates difficult playing requiring excessive finger pressure, too low causes buzzing. String spacing at the bridge affects bowing clearance between strings. The soundpost position dramatically impacts tone and volume—slight adjustments of millimeters change the violin's voice significantly. Soundpost fitting requires matching the post's ends to the top and back's inside curves precisely, creating proper pressure without distorting the body. Tuning pegs must fit their holes exactly—too loose causes slipping, too tight makes tuning difficult and can crack the pegbox. Nut grooves require precise depths and spacing ensuring correct string height and spacing at the scroll end. Online retailers and general music shops typically ship violins without this critical work, providing generic bridges not fitted to the instrument, soundposts positioned approximately without fine adjustment, and pegs fitted inadequately. The result: violins that technically function but play poorly with inadequate tone. Our luthiers perform complete setup on every violin ensuring optimal performance regardless of price point. This included service—representing decades of specialized experience—adds hundreds of dollars of value beyond the instrument's base cost.

What makes Gliga violins special?

Gliga violins, handmade in Reghin, Romania, represent Europe's finest workshop instruments at accessible prices. The Gliga workshop uses select spruce and maple from the Carpathian Mountains—the same region supplying tonewoods to Stradivari and other master makers. Traditional construction methods including hand-carving and oil varnish combine with modern quality control ensuring consistency across instruments. Gliga's range spans student-grade Genial series ($699+) through professional Maestro models, each receiving individual attention during construction. The Genial I at $699 provides student violins with solid wood construction and reliable playability supporting years of development. Gama series instruments ($1,200-$1,800) suit advancing students and adult players seeking enhanced tone with European craftsmanship. Maestro models approach professional grade with premium aged woods and refined voicing. Unlike Asian factory violins mass-produced by workers with minimal training, Gliga instruments come from experienced Romanian luthiers maintaining workshop traditions. The result: better tone, more reliable construction, and character exceeding price points. Combined with our professional setup, Gliga violins deliver exceptional value whether for students requiring reliable instruments or advancing players seeking quality without boutique pricing.

Should I buy or rent a violin for my child?

Buying versus renting depends on commitment level, budget, and sizing considerations. Renting suits families uncertain about long-term commitment or those wanting trial periods before purchasing. Rental programs often include upgrade options and damage coverage beneficial for young children. However, rental costs accumulate—$30-$50 monthly means $360-$600 annually. After 18-24 months, rental costs exceed the purchase price of quality student violins. Purchasing makes economic sense for committed students expected to continue lessons for multiple years. The $399 Raggetti RV-2 costs less than 12 months of typical rental fees while providing better quality than most rental instruments. Purchased violins retain resale value—a well-maintained student violin resells for $200-$300, reducing net cost significantly. The sizing issue complicates purchasing for young children who outgrow fractional sizes every 1-2 years. However, fractional violins maintain resale value—parents can sell outgrown instruments and purchase the next size. For children age 10+ using 3/4 or full size instruments, purchasing makes clear economic sense as they won't outgrow sizes requiring replacement. Adult beginners should purchase rather than rent given consistent sizing and economic advantages. We recommend purchasing quality student instruments from Angkor Music where professional setup ensures optimal playability and our expertise guides appropriate sizing and model selection.

What accessories do I need with a new violin?

Essential violin accessories include a quality bow, hard case for protection, rosin for the bow hair, shoulder rest for comfortable playing position, and spare strings. Most complete outfits include basic versions of these items, though upgrading individual components improves performance. A quality bow dramatically affects tone and playability—budget an additional $100-$200 beyond the violin price for proper bows featuring genuine horsehair, correct weight and balance, and reliable frog mechanisms. Hard cases protect instruments from damage during transport—quality cases with hygrometer humidity monitoring preserve violins in Melbourne's variable climate. Shoulder rests create comfortable playing positions reducing neck and shoulder strain, particularly important for students developing proper posture. Rosin maintains bow hair grip on strings—light rosin suits orchestral playing, darker rosin provides more grip. Fine tuners on the tailpiece facilitate precise tuning for beginners before developing peg-tuning skill. Violin stands provide safe storage during practice sessions. Humidification systems protect instruments during dry winter months when central heating lowers humidity. A clip-on tuner helps students develop pitch awareness and maintain accurate tuning. Music stands support proper playing position and score visibility. Cleaning cloths remove rosin dust and fingerprints preserving varnish. Our staff recommend appropriate accessories matched to instrument quality and player level—contact us at (03) 8360 7799 for complete outfit pricing including quality accessories.

How often do violins need maintenance?

Violins require regular maintenance ensuring optimal performance and preventing major repairs. String changes every 6-12 months depending on playing frequency maintain tone and intonation—strings gradually deteriorate losing brightness and response. Bow rehairing every 12-18 months replaces worn horsehair maintaining proper grip and tone production. Professional setup checks annually verify bridge position hasn't shifted, soundpost remains properly fitted, and peg fitting maintains appropriate friction. Melbourne's humidity variations particularly affect violins—summer humidity can swell wood causing soundpost loosening, while dry winter air can cause seam openings. Humidification during dry months prevents cracks and maintains stable dimensions. Small adjustments—fine tuner replacement, peg compound application, bridge position correction—should be performed by experienced luthiers rather than attempted by players. Major maintenance including crack repair, neck resetting, varnish touch-up, fingerboard dressing, and nut replacement requires specialized luthiery work. We provide ongoing maintenance for all violins purchased from Angkor Music, with our luthiers available for setup checks, adjustments, and repairs. Regular professional maintenance preserves instrument value and ensures reliable performance supporting rather than hindering playing. Contact our violin specialists at (03) 8360 7799 to discuss maintenance schedules and current service pricing.

Where can I try violins in Melbourne before buying?

Visit Angkor Music at 4-6 Drake Boulevard, Altona to try our complete violin selection in comfortable, unpressured environments. Our showroom features violins across all price points from student Raggetti instruments at $399 through professional-grade Gliga models and restored European violins. Unlike online retailers offering no hands-on evaluation, our in-store trial allows you to hear tonal differences, feel playability variations, and assess comfort across multiple instruments and sizes. Our staff—working string players with decades of combined experience—provide expert guidance based on genuine playing knowledge rather than sales pressure. We assess children for proper sizing ensuring comfortable proportions supporting technical development. Adults receive honest recommendations matching skill level, musical goals, and budget constraints. Private testing areas allow evaluation without distraction or self-consciousness. We maintain proper humidity control preserving instrument condition and ensuring accurate tonal representation. Our professional relationships with Gliga, Raggetti, Sandner, and other manufacturers mean we understand each brand's characteristics and can explain differences clearly. Regional Victorian customers unable to visit can call (03) 8360 7799 for phone consultations, though we strongly recommend hands-on evaluation when possible given how significantly individual violins vary even within the same model and price point. We're open during standard business hours and can arrange appointments for families requiring dedicated time with our violin specialists. Remember: every violin purchased from Angkor Music receives complete professional setup by our experienced luthiers, ensuring optimal performance regardless of price point—a critical service online retailers and general music shops typically omit.

Visit Us: 4-6 Drake Boulevard, Altona VIC 3018
Call: (03) 8360 7799
Serving Melbourne since 1976