Instruments with a beautiful tone that are also easy to play

Every beginner deserves an Instrument with a good sound

and a professional set-up that won’t hold them back

Browse Beginner Instruments by Range

Beginner Violins

6 Products

Beginner Violas

2 Products

Beginner Cellos

2 Products

Shop all instruments

Why is a violin with a professional set-up so important? Because beginners believe that when they learn to play the violin, viola or cello they will be able to make beautiful music…

Unfortunately most beginners will be disappointed, you see… most beginners will go to a professional music shop, believing that they will get a good instrument. The problem is, that most music shops sell something that I would call a VSA (Violin Shaped Object) or a toy, because they are not trained violinmakers and restorers. Yes, they sell the instrument in good faith, thinking that they have a good product, but most of the instruments they sell are unplayable.

The way most beginner instruments come out of the manufacturers, they really are unplayable…. They have horrible steel strings that sound like a cheap steel guitar. The strings are so high of the fingerboard that it hurts a beginners fingers. The strings are impossible to tune, the bridge is made from timber that I would use for firewood and the soundpost (in some languages called the “Soul” of the instrument is in the wrong place)… all in all a cigar box with a good set up and stings would probably sound better.

What can you do to make sure you don’t end up with one of those instruments?

The only way is to make sure that you deal with an expert, who knows how to choose a good instrument to sell and to set it up the same way they would set up a professional instrument. Read my story here.

I set up Olaf Grawert Violin Studio to truly support string players from the ground up all the way to concert level. Due to demand for beginner instruments I decided to sift through the lower end instruments available in Australia to find the best quality instruments that you can find here for their workmanship, sound and materials used.

Not only that, I also set them up like a professional instrument the way only an experienced violinmaker and restorer can.

If you are looking for a large variety of instruments regardless of quality, this is not the place to look for a beginner instrument. I only have one entry point price instrument, because I have looked at what else is out there, and as a violinmaker with 25 years experience, as well as a player, frankly the choice is frustrating… I have seen too many beginners give up in disgust thinking that they don’t have what it takes to become a good string players no knowing that a nice instrument could have made all the difference!! I just find that sad.

All instruments available at Olaf Grawert Violin Studio have been thoroughly researched and tested by a professional violinmaker as well as professional string players and teachers. Read about our set-up here.

I believe our instruments to be the best quality instruments available in Australia in their respective price classes. I get a lot of positive feedback from string teachers.

I have a 30-day100% money back satisfaction guarantee on all my new instruments, because I want to make sure that if you buy an instrument at Olaf Grawert Violin Studio, you really will love it.

So have a look at our beginner instruments if you would like to know more. You can also make an appointment and come in to try the instrument if you are in the vicinity of Brisbane (Queensland) Australia. The appointment form is below. I’m looking forward to hearing your story and finding a great instrument for you.

**Aluna and Garibaldi violins/violas are ONLY available in Australia**

Let us know if you have any questions.

Order Online NOW with free shipping

Or TRY OUT range of instruments by contacting us to make an appointment.

Get Expert Advice

With almost 35 years as a violin maker, I truly understand string instruments and the needs of string players of all levels. I have made hundreds of videos on my Youtube Channel (Ask Olaf the Violinmaker). Find out how to find the perfect instrument, and videos on instrument care and lots more.

Subscribe to my youtube channel

My son loves his violin

I bought my son’s violin from Olaf. I trust his a lot of experience and knowledge. He did his best for find a good violin to my son. My son loves his violin. I will buy again from Olaf when my son needs to upgrade Violin and I recommend him to everybody. he is just perfect person for who looking for violin maker, repairer or seller. I am impressed with his kindness, great service and professional mind. Thank you so much, I appreciate your help.

Chloe

A big thank you Olaf…

Last week me and my husband went to Olaf’s shop in Brisbane
to buy a violin for our 11 years daughter.
I want to Thank Olaf for the advice and vast knowledge on choosing the right violin for our daughter.Thank you for your generousity and kindness.
We are incredibly fortunate to have met you.
Beyond words …
A Big Thank you Olaf

Nina & Andreas

Thank you very much Olaf

Keegan is absolutely thrilled with his new full size violin. I would like to thank you for the thought you put into your sales. Knowing your customers and taking the time to appreciate what they expect from their instrument. Keegan has hardly put it down in his spare time. Practicing for a total of a hour and half just last night alone.
Once again, thank you

Mandi

I am impressed…

The Violin Studio has provided my students with beautiful and resonant instruments of excellent quality. My students come in all sizes, and so do their instruments. As I know how crucial it is for beginners to have a good sounding instrument, I must say that I am impressed by the quality of Olaf Grawert’s small violins such as quarter and half size.

Hanna, violin and viola teacher and professional player

My teacher was very impressed

Thanks for adding me to your email database. I had my first lesson on Monday and my teacher was very impressed with sound of the student violin you set up for me – she said you could tell it was not from a music store… Thanks

Lin R

Marvellous

Olaf’s service is impeccable! He helped us out to trade in a violin over the phone. We agreed on quality and price and within a week had received a beautiful instrument . It suited our needs perfectly, sounds amazing and we feel so confident now with Olaf for backup and service. Marvellous

Nicholas

Olaf went above and beyond…

Olaf went above and beyond to ensure I went home with an amazing cello. I can’t thank him enough for believing that I deserve to own such a beautiful instrument.

Coralie Nathan

Got my very first violin here nearly 11 years ago, and it is still in wonderful condition.

Clare

It made the selection for a relative newcomer effortless

Olaf has a wonderful wealth of knowledge which made the choice of violin purchase very easy. It made the selection for a relative newcomer effortless. He has a warmth which translates into the care that he puts into whether it is in servicing a customer or with any followup queries. Highly recommended.

Karen

We always come away with a beautiful instrument and my son with a new ambition

Over time we have purchased three violins from the Violin Studio for our son, as he has grown and needed to move to the next size. Olaf has a genuine interest in the musician and patiently shares his knowledge. In helping our son to find the best violin (within our budget) Olaf has been teaching him what he needs to consider when choosing a violin. Olaf is generous with his time, his knowledge, his enthusiasm for music and his encouragement for young musicians. We always come away with a beautiful instrument and my son with a new ambition.

Beth

It will make my practice sessions a joy

I received the violin! It sounds amazing! I’m in love! My teacher was impressed with it to the point of saying bravo to himself after giving it a test play. He said it was a very good purchase considering the risks of ordering violins online, and I think so too.

The violin had a very pleasing tone despite my mediocre skills. It will certainly make my practice sessions a joy.

Purchasing a violin from you was a very pleasant experience.

Once again, thank you.

Kim Komine (Japan) - 22/7/2020

Thank you for helping me find just the right violin. I am absolutely loving it!

Maddy A

Olaf is very knowledgeable…..

Olaf is very knowledgeable and he was so helpful with our son purchasing his new violin. Olaf set the new violin in such a way that it projects so nice!! Its a 3/4 violin and sounds like full size! definitely will follow up on my next purchase with Olaf. I have learn so much with Olaf’s youtube videos, highly recommended!. Thanks!!!

Rodney and Oscar

Thank you for the great instrument you guys put in his hands

Oscar won 1st place in AUSTA (intermediate), got high distinction in his AMEB 4 test and was successful in securing a place in a prestigious high school that has a strong focus on music.

Thank you for the great instrument you guys put in his hands

Rodney Borrego

Olaf Grawert Set up

Each instrument has been set up like a top quality professional instrument:

Fingerboard has been planed to a professional standard. This means that you will have a fingerboard that has the same shape as that of most instruments that you will hear in concert halls around the world. This gives you a clear tone.
You get the best sound possible, because each instrument is fitted with a professional quality French or German bridge crafted by a master violin maker with specialized acoustic knowledge to make the instrument sound the best that it can.
Fit a professional quality soundpost to really bring out the rich tonal qualities. There is a reason that in many languages the soundpost is called the “Soul”. It takes a master to fit and move the soundpost into the right position to really make the instrument sing.
I always fit the Instruments with great quality strings for that rich sound.
Each peg is carefully refitted to make sure that it is very easy to tune the instrument using the pegs.
The tailpiece is checked and refitted to make sure it is in the best acoustical position
I check and recheck the string height and spacing to make sure it is absolutely perfect. It is only easy to play the violin when the string height is absolutely right.
I make sure that everything about the bow works well
I always play each instrument and adjust it until I’m so happy with it that I want to keep the violin myself. I always try out the instruments far too long, because they are so much fun to play. This way you can be sure that when your instrument leaves my workshop, everything about it is perfect.
I always offer excellent after sale support & service

You will always talk to a real violin Expert (one who could make you an instrument or restore one if you ask, and not just a violin player)
You get better quality, because I pay more attention to every little detail that is important to string players when choosing instruments for the shop.
Being a violin maker as well as player allowed me to carefully choose a small selection of the best Instruments available, this means that the hardest part of your job of finding good quality is done for you.
Most importantly I choose the instruments for sound. They need to have a rich carrying clear tone. Of course instruments vary in tonal character.. there is always a good number of different instruments you can choose from
Every instrument in the shop has been carefully checked for quality materials and workmanship.
All Instruments in stock are set up to a professional level. I firmly believe that all musicians, students and professionals alike should have access to instruments set up to the highest standard. Playing an instrument is difficult enough without a bad set up.

Why Buy from Olaf Grawert Violin Studio?

At Olaf Grawert Violin Studio we make sure that absolutely every instrument that is sold is fully set up and carefully checked before it leaves the shop. I often come across Instruments sold through shops that still need to have up to $385 of work done just to be playable!! That is a risk just not worth taking. Our instruments may cost slightly more than at other music shops, but you get hundreds of dollars extra value and the assurance that each instrument has been set up, played and fully inspected by a fully trained violinmaker. Read my full story here.
I am always researching all instruments that are available. So when you buy and instrument with us, you will always find top quality and sounding instruments available in it’s price class.
I make sure that the pegs are easy to turn, that the fingerboard has the exact right shape, that the playing action is right, so the instrument is easy to play and that the sound is of good quality.
I only stock instruments that I can personally recommend as being of good quality.

Not sure where to begin?

Finding the right instrument can be confusing.

Avoid costly mistakes! Get our expert guide on what to check before buying an instrument. Perfect for students and professionals alike. Download to your inbox now!