I am new to the violin and know very little about them. Im worried about paying lots for something poor and as theres no music shops near me online is the only realistic way of purchasing one.
Ive heard mixed comments about purchasing one via ebay but its all i have found so far.
Would this purchase be a bad idea?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-4-Full-Size-Violin-Varnish-in-Blue-V5E_W0QQitemZ260319474787QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments?hash=item260319474787&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:2|39:1|240:1318

If so any better suggestions?
Last but not least would this have everything I need to start off?

Thanks for your time

I would try to do better.....You may find a nice one on ebay but if it were me I wouldn't get that violin. Why not try Sharmusic. They let you do rentals for as long as you want http://www.sharmusic.com/rentals.asp and I think they even let you "rent to own" if you don't want to do that look at these violins still here at shar http://www.sharmusic.com/violins_beg_body.asp?catID=2

Hope this help Hope you find what your looking for!!!

Hi,
It's better to buy or rent a better violin instead of buying an inexpensive one from EBay. The sound of the inexpensive violin is awful. Would you continue playing an instruments if you sound bad? Too many times, I see music student quit because the instruments which they play sounds bad. Always buy a violin from a Violin Shop, Shar Music is great if you don't have any in town. The General Music Stores or EBay usually do not have a Violin Repair person on site. The folks at the Violin Shops will check for Sound Post, Bridge, Nut, Pegs, Fine Tuners, the right strings, the right bow & all the fine details. Mail Order companies will ship with the bridge off to prevent damage in transit. Hopefully, you'll have a music teacher help you put it on & tune the violin for you. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice I'll look for a Violin shop just means I will have to wait and blag someone to take me into town. Hopefully there will be somewhere there I can look. I will up my budget a bit to get a better sounding one as my guitar sounds good and I have stuck with that for many years. I would of had problems setting one up my self, all I had to do with my guitar was tune it in

Thanks for your replys

If you are indeed new to the instrument, then just rent. But if you have your mind set on a purchase then buy an inexpensive violin somewhere around the $200 range. I say this because as a beginner you don't need a really good sounding violin.

You just need something to practice with. I only suggest good quality if you intend to perform in a gig or something.

Sharmusic.com or swstrings.com should do the trick.

<Added>

Beginners always sound bad no matter what instrument. If they quit its more than likely for other reasons than the fact that they just sound bad. Lack of determination, poor instruction, no patience, etc. At least that is the case for music students here where I live. All new students should be aware of the fact that they won't sound great at the start.

Aha,that's true.No mater what quality violins you choose,it often sounds terrible for the begginer.The best choice is by a suitable violin not very expensive in a professional shop.They could help you adjust and repair for the after long time. But it'd better not by the machine build instrument.That would make you a lot of trouble when playing.

I would suggest renting one for a few years and then buying an expensive one when you know you will stick with it and have gotten better.

I ordered mine online from sharmusic.com and i really love it.

I don't think that you should buy your violin on the internet, because IRL you can try different violins and see which one you like best.

Hi

I would defo recommend saving your money and purchasing a better violin from a local dealer, you just never quite know what you are going to get from ebay (i have had too many bad experiences with bad packaging and damaged goods). For advice on getting your hands on the best instruments, learning where and when to aquire the most valuable violins and other string instruments at discounted prices and sometimes even free try TheViolinMaster.com.

hope this helps!!!

Musiciansfriend.com is a reliable site. I've gotten many things from them, and everything but one bridge was fine. And the bridge only snapped because I got the wrong height... so it wasn't they're fault. They have scratch and dent deals,which means you'll get a violin for up to half off because it has a scratch on it (which doesn't effect sound at all). My violin is a bit scratched up... no shame there. Luck!

Do yourself a favor and avoid the ebay violins. I would recommend the Becker or the Marinelli Master Model I offer at my site.
Either that or rent one locally. Good Luck!

www.ViolinRentals.com

Free 2 Month Violin Rental Promo with purchase of a Violin Lesson package @ http://www.violinrentals.com/violinlessonpromo.htm

here is an amazing website for searching violin-buyers "www.southweststrings.com"
it is expecially helpful for beginners because you can buy beginners sets that come with everything you need to get started- a violin, bow, rosin, case, and tuner.

hope this helped!
mrviolin