"The age of a violin is not determined in years, but in moments of happiness"

For many musicians, the violin [viˈolin] is more than just a string instrument. Old violins in particular, with their mature, individual character, are faithful companions in the orchestra, in chamber music, and for solo playing. Corilon violin's online shop presents high-quality violins for sale from Germany, France and Italy for high playing demands; old and antique violins, fine violins and precious pieces that inspire with their quality workmanship, selected woods and fine sound. Detailed instrument portraits with sound samples will help you to order the right violin online at Corilon.

The Corilon Shop offers you a handpicked selection of quality old and antique violins and violins from all eras in a unique price range to buy online. Every violin in our catalog is in top condition and has been professionally restored and checked by one of our qualified luthiers. Please note our special selection of small-sized violins for children. We present you the suitable violin bow in the category violin bows. Corilon violins you can also buy violin accessories and cases. Using our search box you can search for a specific origin, age or sound by entering e.g. Italian violin, German violin or French violin or mellow sound. Also read Corilon violins guide to choosing and quality features of a violin; and take advantage of our personal email advice on buying a violin.

Purchase fine violins: German, French and Italian violins

Italian violins enjoy an outstanding reputation in the music world and are widely regarded as the ultimate in virtuoso artisanry and excellent acoustic properties. And this belief not only applies solely to the Italian masterpieces of the “golden age” of Cremona in which Antonio Stradivari, Nicolò Amati and Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù brought the modern violin model to the heights which to this day serve as the internationally acknowledged and unsurpassed standard of artisanry. 

It is their accomplishments and the craft tradition of Italian violins and lutes dating far back to the late Middle Ages which even allowed the Cremonese to achieve what they did, and over the centuries their traditions assumed the nature of a benchmark standard that served as a point of reference, even for the characteristic styles of violin making traditions in other countries. 

For example, Italy served as an indispensable source of both knowledge and inspiration as well as premium-quality materials for the work of such masters as Tyrolean Jakob Stainer, whose violins were more popular than the Italian classics up until the early 19th century. In the 20th century, a new circle of excellent contemporary violin makers in Cremona formed on the fringes of the violin making school in Cremona.  Buy fine old German, French and Italian violins and violas in the store of Corilon violins: exquisite string instruments, ready to play, with 30 days return policy, trade-in guarantee and optional certificate.

Violin - or violin? Worth knowing

The violin is the smallest stringed instrument of the violin family, consisting of violin, viola, cello and double bass. The violin developed in Italy in the 16th century from its invention by the luthier Amati, culminating in the work of Antonio Stradivari. A violin consists of a carved scroll made of maple or sycamore maple, the one-piece or two-piece back made of flamed maple or sycamore maple, ribs made of maple, the one-piece or two-piece top made of spruce. The wood used to make the violin is called tonewood. A violin is traditionally made by a luthier by hand from raw blocks of wood. The tonewood is seasoned for several decades before a violin is made to remove as much moisture as possible and to prevent the wood from structurally working and warping with changes in temperature and humidity. The light brown boxwood is used for the pegs and tailpieces, but is less durable than hard woods like ebony or rosewood. The acoustic elements of the violin are the soundpost, bridge and bass bar. These significantly influence the sound and are regularly modified or renewed by the luthier. As usually expensive and high quality handwork, good violins are passed down from generation to generation. It is said that an old violin sounds better than a new one. Read more on the history of the violin in our library section and take a look at our helpful information on signs of quality and value of an old violin.

The violin in the violin family of string instruments

The violin is a wooden musical instrument held under the chin by the violinist and bowed. The violin has four strings tuned G-D-A-E and;is the smallest stringed instrument in the violin family of violin, viola, cello and double bass. Although the terms "violin" and "fiddle" are often used interchangeably, they are two different stringed instruments. A fiddle is a simpler, medieval stringed instrument that is considered the predecessor of the violin. Nowadays, the strings of the violin are usually synthetic strings, the most famous manufacturers of strings being Pirastro and Thomastik. The bow resin (rosin) is a sticky natural product, which is applied to the violin bow before playing music and causes a better adhesion of bow hair to the string.

Invention and construction of the violin

Traditionally, a violin has been handmade by a luthier since the 16th century. In the 19th century, larger manufactories were already established in France and Germany, where violins - of thoroughly good quality - were made with a division of labor. Since the invention of the violin in Italy by the Amati family of violin makers, the violin has reached its still unrivaled peak in the work of Antonio Stradivari.

Components and wood of the violin

The components of the violin are a carved scroll and upper, middle and lower bouts. A violin is made of tonewood. Tonewood is selected wood of spruce (genus Picea) and maple (genus Acer), which has particularly good acoustic properties. The tonewood is seasoned for several years to decades before the instrument is made. This storage removes moisture from the wood and prevents the violin from warping with fluctuations in temperature and humidity over the years. The violin scroll is made of maple or sycamore maple, the one- or two-piece back of flamed maple or sycamore maple, ribs of maple, the one- or two-piece top of spruce and internally glued hoops and blocks. Precious woods like ebony, rosewood and boxwood are used for the pegs, chinrest and tailpiece.

Acoustic elements

The acoustic elements of the violin are the soundpost, bridge and bass bar. The workmanship of the acoustic elements significantly influences the vibration characteristics and thus the sound of a violin. Work on the bridge, soundpost and bass bar should therefore only be carried out by an expert or luthier. Nowadays, fine master violins are built by a luthier by hand over a period of months and sold accordingly at a high new price. In our online catalog you will find old and new violins, which are already offered at a discount to the original price and are offered here at a low price. 

Buy the violin that suits the player in the Corilon Shop

From student violins to professional violins: every violin from Corilon violins is unique! The Corilon Shop presents you with a well-characterized carefully curated selection of quality old violins and violins in an unprecedented price range for players of all levels. From affordable violin sets to inexpensive old violins for students, high quality mid-priced violins, contemporary works, and certified investment pieces by historical masters, you will find the right violin for every playing style and budget. We are happy to help with personal recommendations: Please send us a message with your sound request, budget and some information about the violin player, playing style and your playing level (beginner, advanced amateur, enthusiast, professional musician, bowing technique, ...) via the contact form.

 The longer an old violin is played, the more beautiful its sound grows