As @Pete_Violin said, if you can go to a violin shop, play a few. If you can’t and don’t know what to get, read reviews (with some grains of salt and read between the lines  at exactly what they are talking about), watch and videos with someone displaying its virtues, keeping in mind it won’t exactly sound like that. They have speakers and sound equipment, the quality bowing and strings also make a difference. If you remember that, you can get a decent idea if it is warm, bright, dark, etc.  But understand, it will be a long time before you will get it to sound like that. Also, the instrument, if new, is still “finding itself” and the sound may mellow or brighten over time (talking years).

My two new-to-me cellos are already set with their tones. 

You can always come here, to the forum, and start a thread. Tell us you are buying online, provide links to the ones, or one you are interested in, and ask for input, giving detail as to what you are looking for and why this one appeals to you. Maybe someone has experience with that brand and model, and store.

I do not know how much it costs to ship from Fiddlershop to your area overseas, you might want to ask. It could be they have a good quality violin, either new or used, that is slightly lower than the 500 Euro where the shipping will not put you over the 500 Euro. Or the shipping might not be too much where you can still get the 500 Euro violin. I do not have a Fiddlerman Violin. I found a violin shop in driving distance. I have heard great things about them. I know from experience they are a great company and trustworthy. Maybe @Fiddlerman can help you with some info. You won’t have to buy from him, but it will be one avenue to look at if you do not have violin shop availability and must go online. Can’t hurt to see what they have to offer.

Now, that said, when we mention the Fiddlershop, we are not trying to drum up business. We are just offering our experiences in hopes it helps others. 

Hope this is helpful.

I'm just wondering what he meant when he said he had to work at it, I suppose he meant that he had to adjust his technique to the violin? I have to admit, I'm a little bit worried about this but I think I will still give this violin a try. 

@Niklas 

It may be you have to work a little more to get the sound out? If you can play it when you try it, I wouldn’t be concerned. Given all the incorrect identifications in the description and video, who know which one he was talking about anyway. Make sure you are testing the one you wanted to test. LOL

I totally agree with what you said about the difference between the two Yamahas. If you know you want to play the violin, and you certainly sound it, and you can afford something above the bottom student level, you should get try it. The sound quality, no matter what your playing ability, really makes a big difference. I was not sure I would be able to play it so I started with a $67 violin. It only took a month before I was testing higher quality violins. I did not have an instructor yet, but using the books and YouTube, I fell in love with it. 

I am now using a violin I love. Lost my violin teacher, but still working on it. I have the same make in Viola. Their viola has the same wonderful warm tone the violin has. My cello is a different make. I have a great cello instructor, but I am moving along with my violin and viola. I find the violin and viola easier, so it is a good thing I have a cello instructor.

Point is, an instrument you love to hold and produces the basic sound qualities you like makes a big difference in your enjoyment and learning ability, in my opinion. It will be interesting to see how you feel about each, and which one you get. If you would like and willing, could you start a thread and keep us posted on your testing, what you like about each, thought process and decision? I am just curious.

I had fun doing violin tastings, viola tastings, and cello tastings.

Keep in mind, my opinions are not by a violinist who has a lot of experience. I am still, what I would consider, a beginner.

@Niklas 

I think in this case I will just try it out. Then I will see if I'm able to get along with it.

Your Story about this cheap violin fits quite well to mine about the Stentor. I just bought it because I wanted to try it and as I never played an instrument before, I was not sure if I would be able to play violing. So I wanted a cheap and not too bad instrument for the first months and for that the Stentor fitted quite well.. But now I just want something better.

You might find that the sound of the Stentor, if you are not trading it, will work for different types of songs. My Celilio (sp?) is pretty bright. Now that I bow better, I can get better sound from it. It works better for me for fiddle music. It still is rather hollow, but I can get more projection from it. The brightness, to me, is more fitting to the fiddle songs in my books, that I am able to play. I think I need a different bridge, though.

Just out of curiosity, because I really love books: Which books do you use? I allready own a book which contains several exercises, its "Violin Basics" by Fischer. The book arrived today and I am still trying to figure out how I could use it in the best way.. Do all exercises from the first to the last page once and stick to those exercises which make sense to me?

When I had an instructor, she used Suzuki. I absolutely hate the Suzuki method. The books really require a good trained Suzuki instructor because they are difficult without an trained Suzuki instructor. My violin instructor was trained, but did not use the training. Go figure. 

I love Essential Elements for Strings with the online interaction. Here is a link:

Essential Elements for String with Online Resources

I love the online interaction. It is excellent. This can be used on your own. I have the violin, viola and cello versions. I do have the Suzuki books. They are not really good to learn from, as stated, but there are a LOT of great tunes to play. You can find some songs in the books that will fit your level and try some a stepnup for a challenge. But for teaching yourself, The Essential Elements for Strings with online resources is excellent. Make sure it is with online resources.

I also have Harvey S Whistler “Scales in First Position” 

I also have “Elementary Scales and Bowings” by Harvey S Whistler and Herman A Hummel.

There are also a ton of videos on the Fiddlerman site. Look at the menu at the top of the forum page. He has made videos, posted songs for downloading. I print them off as I reach that level. Have not reached a very high level, yet 😉.

Personally, I like to start at the beginning with Essential Elements. It is very well organized. Take advantage of the online resources. Just create a free account. You can add book two to that same account when you reach it.

Also I am still looking for a good book about the playing technique..

I am not sure about playing technique books. I think that if you do not have an instructor to demonstrate, I would use videos and use the songs you have learned to practice those techniques with. Again, Fiddlerman has generously provided a wealth of videos and music downloads. I think he has some scale practice sheets to download, but not positive. I bought the books before I found this site. Maybe check this site for Fiddlerman’s information before inundating yourself with books, like I did.

If you reach a point where you think actual video lessons will help, if you can’t get an in person instructor, Google Alison Sparrow. 

Here is a link to one of her videos. It may be lesson 1, but not sure. 

She is pretty good.

I hope this was helpful.