Old Violin or New Violin: Which One Should You Choose for a Professional Career?

Choosing between an old violin and a new one is a rite of passage for professional players. It’s a bit like choosing between a vintage sports car and a brand-new performance model: one has history, stories, and maybe a few mysterious noises; the other promises reliability, customization, and fewer surprises from the repair shop.

Both choices can lead to a successful career — and both can lead to regret if chosen for the wrong reasons.

Myth vs. Reality: Does Older Automatically Mean Better?

There’s a long-standing belief in the violin world that older violins sound better simply because they’re old. Ideally, the violin has survived three centuries, two wars, and at least one dramatic concerto performance — and somehow sounds magical because of it.

But research suggests the truth is more nuanced.

In a well-known double-blind study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, professional violinists were asked to compare old Italian instruments with high-quality modern violins — without knowing which was which. The result? They could not reliably tell them apart, and several players actually preferred the new instruments in terms of playability and response.

In other words: your ears may not be as impressed by the birth certificate as your imagination is.

The Case for Old Violins (a.k.a. “They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To”)

Why players love them:

• Complex, mature sound: Many musicians feel older violins offer a depth and nuance developed over decades of vibration and playing.

• Historical character: There’s something undeniably inspiring about playing an instrument with a past — even if that past is mostly unknown.

• Prestige and investment value: Well-documented instruments by respected makers can appreciate in value (and occasionally require insurance policies that rival small houses).

  
  

The reality check:

• Maintenance costs: Old violins often come with old problems — cracks, patches, repairs, and a luthier on speed dial.

• Not all old violins are great: Age alone doesn’t guarantee quality. Plenty of 19th-century factory violins are old, loud, and… not particularly charming.

• Fear factor: Some players never fully relax when holding an instrument worth more than their car (or their apartment).

  
  

The Case for New Violins (a.k.a. “Built for Today’s Musicians”)

Why professionals choose them:

• Consistency and reliability: Modern makers can produce instruments with excellent balance, projection, and response — without hidden structural surprises.

• Customization: You can actually talk to the person who made your violin. Try doing that with Stradivari.

• Lower maintenance anxiety: New violins usually need adjustment, not restoration.

  
  

Things to keep in mind:

• They may need time to open up: Like a good conversation, some new violins get better after a few months.

• Less romance (initially): A new violin doesn’t come with legends — but it does come with potential.

  
  

What Professionals Say (When No One Is Selling Them Anything)

Across studies and professional opinion, one theme appears consistently:

The best violin is the one that works best for you.

Blind tests show that even seasoned professionals can’t consistently identify old versus new instruments by sound alone. What they can identify is:

• responsiveness

• comfort

• projection

• how well the violin cooperates during stressful performances

In short, your career will be shaped more by how the violin responds to your playing than by how impressive its label sounds at dinner parties.

How to Choose Without Losing Your Mind (or Savings)

Instead of asking “Is it old or new?”, ask:

1. Does it respond easily under pressure?

2. Does it project without forcing?

3. Can I afford to maintain it long-term?

4. Does it make me want to practice — or argue with it?

If possible, try instruments blind, with help from a trusted teacher or luthier. This removes expectations and reveals what your ears actually prefer — not what tradition tells you to like.

Final Thoughts

Old violins are not automatically better. New violins are not automatically inferior. And your audience will not know (or care) how old your violin is — as long as it sounds good.

Science suggests that quality, setup, and personal compatibility matter more than age, and professional experience confirms it.

Choose the instrument that supports your playing, your health, and your career — not just your mythology.

After all, the goal is to make music, not to win a trivia contest about violin labels.