What's in a Brand?

by Eigen Ignacio

One of the most common questions I hear from first-time students faced with the prospect of buying a violin or viola of their own is which brand they should buy. Unlike in Europe or America (or even Thailand, Korea, and Japan) where the handmade instruments are readily available, instruments of such quality and craftsmanship come at an astronomical premium here in the Philippines (read: are very, very, expensive). As a result, the kind of instruments available to the average beginner tend to be of the factory-made variety, all of which inveitably come from China.

For our purposes, we've drawn on our several-years worth of experience in servicing and playing student instruments and compiled this short description of the popular brands of stringed instruments in music stores, including the prices you can expect to pay for them. Bear in mind that as a general rule, quality increases with the price (the exception being Bachendorff).

Starter Violins

LAZER, PARROT

Can be found: In Lazer Superior Instrument Inc. outlets at most SM malls; Recto
Price: Php1500 - 2500
Comments: By far, the lowest-priced of the bunch. Recommended for beginners on a budget and for people who are not sure if they would like to pursue playing the violin seriously. Expect substandard attention to detail in this pricerange, such as nuts that are too high and tuning pegs that easily slip.

SCHINDLER, LARK

Can be found: In JB Music outlets at most SM malls; Recto
Price: Php2700 - 3500
Comments: These brands earn our vote as having the most value for money. They project clearly enough, and more importantly, construction shows proper attention to detail.

CREMONA

Can be found: Only in JB Music outlets at most SM malls.
Price: Php3000 - 3700
Comments: This brand was one of the first available when factory-made instruments started arriving. Quality has gone up markedly in the past years, and is now one of the more high-end brands for beginners. Power varies from instrument-to-instrument, ranging from "unremarkable" to "surprising for this price".

BACHENDORFF

Can be found: Only at Lyric Piano outlets at select malls.
Price: Php3500 - 24000
Comments: The instruments in the 3500-4500 pricerange are commendable, showing good attention to detail and having the added bonus of coming in a variety of colors (including the infamous "pink"). However, as the price increases into the 11000 range and above, the extra price seems to be going into merely cosmetic details, such as dragon-head scrolls, carved tuning pegs and tailpieces, and fancy purfling. I really have no knowledge of any serious musicians who have invested in their more expensive instruments and have not had any serious regrets.

ALFRED STINGL by Hofner

Can be found: Only at JB Music outlets at most SM malls.
Price: Php3500 - 5000
Comments: The price of these instruments fluctuates often, since JB Music holds sales frequently. This is the brand played by The Orchestra's concertmaster from 2006 to 2008, and I must say these instruments are excellent, balancing powerful, ferocious tone (heavy in the lower register) with an affordable price. For serious beginners who do not wish to purchase an upgrade instrument in the near-future, look no further.

The two brands that follow are considered as intermediate or pre-master instruments, with great power and beauty of tone, but also commanding much higher prices. The intruments under these brands are recommended to those select individuals who are willing to make a lifelong commitment to the violin.

Pre-Master Violins

SCHINDNER

Can be found: Only in Yamaha Music outlets in select SM Malls.
Price: Php10000
Comments: This is the brand from Germany I personally recommend as an educator who also performs publicly from time to time in a wide variety of situations. Possessing great power and beauty of tone, this is the first instrument I've encountered that was truly worth its price.

HOFNER

Can be found: Only in JB Music outlets in most SM Malls.
Price: Php14000 - 23000
Comments: These are instruments imported from Germany, and so possess a hefty price tag. Nevertheless, I have yet to encounter other factory-made violins that have more power than these. Desired by a majority of the violinists in the orchestra, these instruments will allow you to blend with the orchestra one moment, and then stand for a solo performance in the next.

Click here to read our review of brands for violas, cellos, and basses.