I am going to start taking violin lessons and am looking for advice regarding the types and/or kinds of violins that I need to look for and purchase. I have no idea what a beginner should look for in an instrument and would appreciate any forthcoming advice or direction as to where I may find the information that I am seeking. Pat

You still interested in violins, this seems to be a rather old msg, so either you have found info on a violin, or u have just given up. First and formost as with any instrument you need to purchase the best that you can afford. Like other instruments pianos, guitars etc, you get what you paid for. A violin today even for a biginner is a bit pricy. There are many production made violins that are just terrible. The second most important for a violin is the bow, most don't even cosider that in the overall picture. A bad bow will make it very difficult for a novice to learn, and also the bridge on the violin is very important. It is the soul of the sound you are going to get in a violn. Yes, an inexpensive violin is not going to give you a mellow strad sound, but yet there are good sounding beginning violins. Also the aging and playing is what gives the violin its own characteristics. Unlike electric instruments, and even acoustic guitars violins especially new violins have a harsher sound until they are played a lot. Strings are also a factor. So its the old pocket book and have a max that you are willing to spend. I would not go through a dealership, there are some good ones, but i would still go through a violin repair person, he knows the instrumet usually has a few laying around that are good beginner instruments. hope this helps. later

You's dont get a lot of busisuse do yous cause that one was from 1999 that person propably forgot abot it