What You Need to Know Before You Buy a Chinese Violin

At Strings That Sing, we often see violins that have been directly imported into Australia—sometimes brought back by family members after a trip to Asia, or ordered online via platforms like eBay, AliExpress, or Amazon. While there are good instruments available from overseas, we’ve learned a few important lessons over the years that we’d love to share to help you avoid disappointment and unexpected costs.

1. Some Are Just Not Real Instruments

Let’s start with the harsh truth: the cheapest violins online can be what’s jokingly called a “Violin Shaped Object” (VSO). These look like violins but are made with substandard materials, often including plastic parts, poorly finished wood, and components that simply don’t function as they should. They are often unplayable, and the cost to make them playable frequently exceeds the price you paid. Even then, they rarely sound good.

We strongly recommend reading Fiddler Dan’s excellent article on VSOs before clicking “buy now” on any bargain violin.

2. Same Factory, But Different Standards

It’s true that some imported violins are made in the same factories as those sold by Australian violin shops. But here’s the catch: reputable Australian importers have strict quality control processes. Instruments that don’t make the cut are often sold elsewhere—sometimes out the back door, literally.

So even though your violin may look identical to one hanging on a music shop wall, it might be a factory second that never went through proper checks. What you’re buying online might have cosmetic flaws, structural issues, or subtle problems that affect playability and tone.

3. Most Aren’t Properly Set Up

A huge issue we see with imported violins is that they aren’t set up for playing. Bridges are often too tall or too short, string heights are off, pegs don’t turn smoothly, and the soundpost (a critical internal component) might be the wrong size or badly positioned. This isn’t just a matter of inconvenience—these issues directly impact sound and playability.

Learn more about what a proper setup involves in this guide on violin setup essentials.

4. Budget Parts = Budget Sound

To keep costs low, many online sellers bundle violins with very basic accessories. We often see:

Low-grade or mismatched strings
Poor-quality bows that don’t hold rosin properly
Inferior bridges and soundposts made of soft or inappropriate wood

All of these parts play a role in your instrument’s tone and responsiveness. Upgrading these components can dramatically improve the instrument’s performance.

5. Climate Matters More Than You Think

Violins are sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. Instruments made and stored in a different climate may shift or warp slightly once they arrive in Australia, affecting string height, bridge position, or the soundpost fit. A proper setup for Australian conditions is often necessary to get the most out of an imported instrument.

Thinking of Importing a Chinese Violin?