2024 Guide: Best Instrument Outfits on a Budget

A violin outfit is essentially a bundle of everything you need to start playing including, of course, the violin and bow, but also often things like mutes, tuners, a case, rosin, and more. If you are upgrading from a previous violin, you may already have some of these things, and therefore do not need an outfit. Or if this is your first violin, you may need these things and won’t have to buy them separately thanks to the outfit. A good outfit has all the essentials and can be helpful to get with a violin, even more so if the outfit is a great deal, so we’ve decided to take a look at some outfits and figure out which are the most budget-friendly while still being high quality.

Below are our top picks for the best violin outfits on a budget. Each of the outfits listed below has been personally tested by us, so we’re confident in our picks. Scroll down to see our top three choices, our reasons for choosing them, and the criteria you will want to consider when making your choice.

OUR TOP CHOICE

The best choice for the instrument Outfits on a budget. 

$989.00

How We Chose Our Top Choice

The Antonio Strad Heritage Violin outfit is our top choice for the best violin outfit on a budget. The Heritage is on the high side in terms of price, but it’s worth every penny. Not only does it include a great handmade intermediate violin, but it also has a respectable carbon fiber bow and the rest of the outfit is extensive without including useless add-ons. It includes a KPE Violin Shoulder Rest, Jade L’Opera Rosin (notable for it being higher quality than the rosin usually included in violin outfits), an Ultra Rubber Practice Mute (great for when you want to practice, but don’t want to disturb anyone), a Korg PC2 Tuner (invaluable to individuals improving their tuning ear), and the Antonio Triangle Case. The case has space for two bows, a couple of storage compartments and pockets, a tube for your strings, and back straps. It zips shut and has a clasp with a lock. 

The beautiful, handmade quality of the Heritage violin can’t be beaten. Its ability to adapt to new playstyles, skills, and techniques, as well as the variety and value of the items included in the outfit while still maintaining a reasonable price is what makes the Heritage outfit the best violin outfit on a budget.

For a more in-depth look, please read our review of the Antonio Strad Heritage Violin.

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OUR SECOND CHOICE

The next best option for the instrument Outfits on a budget.

$789.00

How We Chose Our Second Choice

The Antonio Strad Legacy Violin is our second choice for the best violin outfit on a budget. The violin itself has a warm, full-bodied voice and is probably best appreciated by intermediate students growing into their musicality. The outfit includes a carbon fiber bow, a KPE Violin Shoulder Rest, Jade L’Opera Rosin, an Ultra Rubber Practice Mute, a Korg PC2 Tuner, and the Antonio Triangle Case. The case has space for two bows, a couple of storage compartments and pockets, a tube for your strings, and back straps. It zips shut and has a clasp with a lock. So, aside from the violin itself the Heritage and Legacy outfits are identical.

The reason that the Legacy isn’t our first choice is that the Legacy is a slightly less advanced violin than the Antonio Strad Heritage, but that’s also reflected in the difference in price. If you’re on a tighter budget or if you’re not looking for a more advanced violin the Antonio Strad Legacy is a great pick for the best violin outfit on a budget.

For a more in-depth look, please read our review of the Antonio Strad Legacy Violin.

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OUR THIRD CHOICE

The last option for the instrument Outfits on a budget

$563.00

How We Chose Our Third Choice

The Scott Cao STV-017E Violin outfit is our last choice for the best violin outfits on a budget. This Scott Cao model is the cheapest of our top 3 violins, but don’t be fooled, this is an excellent upper-beginner violin. The outfit includes a good student brazilwood bow and an oblong student case. The case has space for two bows, a hygrometer, an inner and outer storage compartment, and a shoulder strap. It zips shut and has a clasp to close the case securely. 

As you can see the Scott Cao STV-017E outfit doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that the Heritage and Legacy do, but if you already own most of what you need this may be a plus. It comes in every size under the sun so regardless of what age or size you are there is a Scott Cao STV-017E outfit for you. If you are looking for a nicer beginner violin for around $500 with a smaller outfit, Scott Cao STV-017E might be for you!

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Picking the Best Violin for You

Now that you’ve seen the outfits we recommend here are some factors that are most important to consider when making your decision. Some may apply to you more than others, and those are the ones that will be most valuable when it comes to narrowing your options down.

Size

When choosing the best violin for you, size is often an important factor because many student violinists are also children. Making sure that a violinist has the correct size instrument is imperative as playing on the wrong size can damage not only your technique but also cause physical harm. If a model doesn’t carry the size you need right now, it is not worth buying. Save it for when you’ve grown into it, or find a similar model that carries your size.

Construction

You may have noticed that all of our picks are handmade or hand-carved in some capacity, this is because it makes a world of a difference over factory-made instruments. The expert touch of an experienced luthier means each instrument is optimized for its intended player. The construction, in general, will also be better; you can expect a handmade instrument to stand the test of time as long as it is maintained regularly.

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