Ok, value in instruments is interesting.  But the OP and title are about beginner violins.

I've been taking a class lately on teaching violin basics, and the quality of violins for a beginner was discussed in the forums there.  (No big surprise, right?)

There were only a couple things that most of the teachers and possible future teachers were actually concerned with. 

Does it hold tune?

Is the action low enough that it is actually reasonably possible to play?

That was it, really.  A few mentioned having seen instruments where the fine tuners were so poor that they wouldn't even turn or fell apart the first time they were adjusted.  Strings were mentioned and that super cheap ones aren't so good, but the general consensus was that Preludes or better are just fine.

There was no talk about thickness of tops, or what tonewoods were used.  No mention of the finish.  No mention of things like the chinrest other than that it should be comfortable for the student.

Even on the matter of it staying in tune, one of the suggestions was that it might be necessary to teach a parent (or the student, if they are old enough) to tune it at home.  So they aren't practising on a badly out-of-tune instrument.

For the bow, reasonably straight and the frog adjusts properly.  Nice if the hair is also straight.

But that, from what I saw, is all that most teachers are looking for in a beginner instrument.

Pierre's review of some of the low end Cecilios, he gives the opinion that they would work fine for a beginner.  I did not see anything to contradict that in the posts/thread i read by teachers and people getting training to maybe eventually be teachers.

Not saying there is anything wrong with discussing quality instruments and etc.  But an actual beginner reading this thread should understand that what a beginner actually needs and even what a teacher will expect is usually not near as complex as some of the quality points being discussed here.

It isn't that they want beginners playing on junk, so much as that issues like tone production, higher positions and etc, where you really need an instrument that is maybe a bit better, is not really a concern at beginner level.

I also asked (obvious personal interest) the instructor how long it typically takes a player to get beyond beginner and into intermediate.  I was told it takes usually about 5 yrs, but that is assuming they are taking lessons that whole time and putting in an hour or more of practice every day.

Much as my ego would prefer to have heard otherwise, I haven't even been playing for 3 yrs until late this coming spring, and so I have a ways to go before I am anything but a beginner.  LOL

I did ask if there was a difference in how adults and small children should be taught.  I was surprised that other than maybe leaving off some of the cutesy names and some of the games that are more child related, I was told that lessons and what they cover should be pretty much the same. 

Really, the bigger concern by far was how to get students to actually put in their practice time and how to make sure that learn and understand the techniques and exercises related to the bowing, work on their intonation and timing, etc.

Not saying it is bad at all to discuss violin quality in a violin forum.  But I might suggest that you consider if the degree that we're going into "quality" might be more confusing than helpful for actual beginners that read this thread.  Violins beyond the quality of what a beginner should be looking for is a great topic for discussion, but you may want to start a new thread for it.  Just a suggestion. 

Regraduated/re-voiced antique German violins are probably a bit more than a typical beginner actually will need.  LOL

Well, the "buy/sell/upgrade path" isn't something that everyone is keen on.  Myself, for example, I've been playing assorted instruments since the mid 1970s.  Over those decades, I have sold exactly one piece of my gear.  Even that, I sometimes regret, since it was an old Vox amp in nice shape.  LOL

Most of the musicians I've known over the years didn't sell or "trade in/up" either.  A few did, certainly.  But not the majority.  Most just keep the previous instrument for it's sound on some pieces or genres or give or sell (usually at a loss) to someone starting out, to get them going.  I've given some away myself over the years, or donated it to the local college music department, if I really wasn't using it and didn't feel I was likely to. 

A lot of musicians don't take good enough care of their gear that it would have much resale or trade-in value is the sorry truth.  Many can't even be bothered with keeping it clean, much less in good repair.  So where a lot of old gear ends up is gathering dust, broken and/or eventually in the landfill. 

Sure, some might consider the buy/sell/upgrade thing an "amusing hobby".  I don't personally, but hey, if you like it, enjoy.  You would actually advise getting into that game to a beginner on their first violin, though??

The original poster was asking about beginner violins 350$ and under, though.. And the resale or trade-in value of beginner instruments in that price range is not going to be great anyway.   

Anyway, so far as being an adult beginner.. Some prior musical experience/education can be helpful, certainly.  Theory, reading, ear training etc are obviously going to be helpful since at least there is that much that one already knows.  If the person made it far enough in the other instrument to develop good timing and dynamics, some of that may travel a bit.  Hand flexibility, independent finger control, those will help if you already have them.  But unless the experience was on a closely related instrument, I don't think it automatically makes that much of a difference.

I know that having played guitar for most of my adult life has only been somewhat helpful with violin.  My left hand maybe has a better idea what to do with a set of strings.  But time spent with a pick and fingerstyle did nothing to prepare my right hand for knowing what to do with a bow.  LOL

I can't say for a fact if the 5 yrs estimate I was told was referring to adult beginners with prior musical experience or not.  I can say though, that the instructor was aware that I play several other instruments, that I have been playing since the 1970s, and that I have an Associate's Degree in music.  Whether she was taking that into account or not, I can't say for sure.  But it was not the first time I've heard "5 yrs".  I'd also heard that from my old piano teacher (she also taught violin), who was quite familiar with my musical background and education and considered me a "fast learner" on piano.  And still, she said 5 years.  She said that it has far more to do with how much time you spend with the bow actually on the strings than what you know, and that it takes time.

I do believe that prior education and experience have to make a positive difference.  But it may not be the shortcut on the road that some of us (myself included) may wish it was. LOL

About adult students in general, the thoughts I have seen is that we learn slower.  Mostly because we do not have a parent driving us to lessons to make sure we get there, or making sure that we actually practice.  Also adult students allegedly resist correction more than younger folks, insisting on doing things our own way.  We are more inclined to (even if we do practice) not actually practice the things a teacher/instructor asked us to, are more likely to rush into new songs because it is fun than to work on perfecting our technique on the recommended repertoire items for our level, and so on..

In any case, I would not agree that being an adult musician is any guarantee of level of commitment.  I have known plenty that weren't.  And some children are very committed and very diligent about their practice and eager learners.  So I am afraid that I can't agree that the difference in level of commitment is automatically in favor of the adults.  It would be comforting to think so.. But.. LOL

@bfurman:  Could you explain what you mean about renting and money "rolling forward"?  I haven't heard that expression before.

I've never gotten instruments via any sort of rent-to-own.  It never made sense to me personally to end up spending around twice the sticker price in payments over a couple years rather than saving/budgeting for it and just buying outright.  I can definitely understand the appeal for folks that want to start playing right away and where they feel the added expense is reasonable for not having to wait, though..  But it is possible I am overly conservative on such matters, so your comment was interesting.

I will add, under "advice", that some companies/vendors do offer some value if you want to trade in an instrument you bought from them towards an upgrade.  Some music shops do as well.  That could be a consideration for some beginners.

I think it will depend on the shop or vendor and rental may be a great idea from some places.  Like many things in life, you want to look into it and ask questions before going into it.  If it's a good deal and it gets you what you want?  It only makes sense to take it.

When I first started on violin, it was an impulse thing.  I had a small bit of budget to spare and i was looking for maybe some sort of a musical treat for myself.  It could have been a stomp box, it could have been a book, or a microphone, I was just sort of wandering Amazon.  I saw some really cheap acoustic violins.  Like 30-some dollar ones.  I've played guitar since the 70s, so yeah, I do know what kind of instruments one finds in that extreme of the price range.  To put it simply, odds are real good of getting nothing but junk.

But I'd never tried violin, and had always kind of wanted to.  And at that kind of a crazy price, I was considering I might at least be able to try it and tell if I would like learning to play.  Looked like fun.  But you never know.  

My wife said I should blow a bit more and get an electric, since I tend to be far more of an electric player for guitar and etc.  So I bought an 80$ electric instead.  Nothing great, and I wouldn't recommend the model I got to any beginner.  But it was enough to get a taste.  And with a fair amount of tinkering I got it to action and sound I was ok with.  I still play on it a fair bit, and at the price I am amazed it has held up this long.

But if I hadn't clicked the button that day, I might not ever have gotten around to trying violin/fiddle.  If I had taken another day or two to think about it or asked anyone sensible for good advice.. I might still never have tried playing violin, and to be honest.. I would have missed out on a lot of fun.

I have definitely been having fun the past couple of years.  More than I can recall for most times over my musical life.

I was no noob expecting a great instrument at that sort of price.  I considered it low enough that if I didn't like playing the instrument, I could just give it away to someone else to have some fun with and not lose a minute of sleep over it.  An acceptable risk, just to see if maybe I *would* like violin.  Acceptable to me personally, anyway.  Maybe not for other folks, I don't know.

If I had been looking at spending around 350$ like the original poster was talking about.. To be honest, I probably wouldn't have risked it on a violin.  There are accessories, mods and assorted bits of gear for other instruments I play where I know for a fact I could get some decent sounds for that amount of money.  But seeing that there were such things as seriously cheap violins, even electric.. Well it seemed like a fun idea to just give it a try.  

As an experienced musician, it is NOT what I would recommend to a beginner, if they can manage better.  Definitely not the way to start your child out on an instrument, if you have any other choice. 

But if it is all you can do or all you can convince yourself to feel comfortable with.. It can be a start, it can be a beginning to getting to know the instrument.  Sure, not the wisest start.  But quite a few folks in this community that are definitely learning and improving started on some pretty rough gear. 

Not everyone would agree, but I personally think it is better to just make a start than to think too much on it and give yourself a chance to talk yourself out of it.  Strictly my opinion.