I've finally stopped procrastinating and after many years of telling myself I'm going to learn to fiddle, I'm actually going to take lessons this summer
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If you have a teacher or classes lined up, that would be the best place to ask, they might have good leads on budget stuff or be able to recommened a good place to buy locally, and advise you what to look for..
I would also recommend shopping locally, asking your teacher, etc. etc. Being able to play different instruments before picking one is absolutely THE best thing to do.
HOWEVER, I bought a fiddle from Stringworks.com
While it's not going to be my lifetime instrument, I've thus far been very happy with it and they have reasonable prices. Although I would recommend going with one of their lines that's over $800 - simply put, price = quality, and if you start with a crappy fiddle, it's going to be difficult to play and you're going to hate it altogether. Yes it's buying sight unseen, but their salespeople will go to the ends of the earth to help figure out exactly what you need.
Overall though, definitely buy in person. Even though you don't know how to play yet, you'll still be able to see if it's comfortable, etc. and if their salesperson won't sit down with you for as long as it takes, don't buy there.
I recommend finding a local fiddler or violin teacher to accompany you to the music store and try the instruments there. I would be hesitant to buy an instrument online because even factory-made instruments that should be identical can sound very different. It's part of the magic of violins. If there isn't anyone to accompany you to the music store, you could ask the staff there to play a few choices and you can decide which one sounds best to you.
Good luck with your fiddling! I hope there is a local session where you can go for inspiration. =)
I also recommend asking friends and family that happen to be musical. You never know who has a violin in their attic or in a closet that they're not using.
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HOWEVER,
I bought a fiddle from Stringworks.com
While it's not going to be my lifetime instrument, I've thus far been very happy with it and they have reasonable prices. Although I would recommend going with one of their lines that's over $800 - simply put, price = quality, and if you start with a crappy fiddle, it's going to be difficult to play and you're going to hate it altogether.
Yes it's buying sight unseen, but their salespeople will go to the ends of the earth to help figure out exactly what you need.
Overall though, definitely buy in person. Even though you don't know how to play yet, you'll still be able to see if it's comfortable, etc. and if their salesperson won't sit down with you for as long as it takes, don't buy there.
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Good luck with your fiddling! I hope there is a local session where you can go for inspiration. =)
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Seceral people I know (and myself) have done this, and it's a good way to start out.
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