Branded violin is usually not the best. Handmade by a violin maker usually have higher quality. Why? Cause many branded violin is mass produced products (although still handmade), while individual violin maker will pay full attention to the whole process of making a violin.

oh, hmm, wow...colourful violins!

yamaha subang has got some nice violins for beginner violins (rm350). they don't have their own brand of violins except electric violins. not sure if it's china made but they're much better than most beginner violins i've heard in the rm300~350 range, doesn't have that harsh sound, sounded more round and plenty of volume, great for beginner.

however, that's all they have. you'll have more luck if you go to shops like chamber music @ sungei wang, or euro music/carismen dolce @ hartamas shopping center. there's also a shop called "early music venture" at taman desa, where i highly recommend it because the onwer is knowledgable person and he know what he's selling.

those shops i mentioned (except chamber music) also have a in-house luthier (repairman specialized on stringed instruments) and will take care your violin if you have any problem. if you buy your violin from anywhere you can also bring them to these shops to repair.

don't underestimate a proper setup for violin, it's important to have a proper setup instrument along your learning journey, even a rm300 violin. buy from people who know what they're selling.

This post has been edited by little ice: Apr 18 2009, 12:53 AM

you judge the age by the label, or appraised by true expert? sometime the smell and look won't tell you anything.

the best violin i've tried is a real italian Nicolo Gagliano made around 250 years ago, the look/smell didn't felt anything that "old", doesn't even feel like it's 100 years old. it's priced at 6 digits USD$, exhibited at KLCC last time.