GET OFF TO THE BEST START WITH EASTMAN STRINGS!

Does not include bow or case.

THE FIRST VIOLIN THAT TAKES YOUNG MUSICIANS SERIOUSLY.

The violin that a child begins on will shape their relationship with music for years. A poorly made instrument — one that resists their bow, sounds thin and nasal under their uncertain fingers, and feels physically awkward in their hands — can end a musical journey before it begins. The Andreas Eastman VL200 in small fractional sizes was built with that understanding at its core.

At Vermont Violins, these are the instruments we put in the hands of our youngest beginners. They are the backbone of our fractional rental programme, and they represent our clearest possible endorsement: we would not rent out an instrument we would not recommend for purchase.

Built for Young Players.

Available in all sizes.

• Finish:Shaded Spirit Varnish

• Fingerboard:Ebony

• Top:European or Chinese Spruce

• Back/Ribs:European or Chinese Maple

• Purfling:Genuine Hand-inlaid

• Bridge:Despiau or Aubert

• Fittings:Boxwood

• Available Patterns:Stradivari

• Available Sizes:4/4 - 1/16

One of the most persistent myths in string instrument retail is that a child's instrument needs to be "good enough for now." The truth is precisely the opposite. A beginning student — especially a young child — is the player who most needs a high-quality, accurately set-up instrument. They lack the technique to compensate for a poorly fitted nut, an incorrectly angled neck, or a bridge that sits a millimetre too high. These are not academic distinctions; they determine whether learning feels achievable or frustrating.

The VL200 in fractional sizes is built to the same specifications as the full-size model. The same solid ebony fingerboard. The same genuine hand-inlaid purfling. The same European or Chinese spruce top, graduated to vibrate freely. The same Despiau or Aubert bridge, fitted with precision. The geometry is accurate, the setup is consistent, and the sound — even from a 1/16 violin held by a five-year-old — is recognisably musical.

Why Setup Matters More Than Anything Else

We inspect and adjust every instrument we sell or rent. Even a well-made instrument benefits from the attention of a skilled luthier who can verify neck projection, fit the bridge precisely, check string height at the nut and saddle, and ensure the soundpost is correctly positioned. These adjustments are invisible on a spec sheet, but they are the difference between an instrument that a child can actually play and one that discourages them.

Eastman instruments arrive in consistently good condition from the factory — which is why we trust them with our rental programme. We send back almost none. That consistency is the result of Eastman's manufacturing process and quality control, and it reflects the company's reputation as one of the world's most respected student instrument makers.

The Vermont Violins Verdict

For a young child beginning their string instrument journey, the Eastman VL200 in the appropriate fractional size is our first recommendation — consistently, without reservation. It is the instrument we trust with our own programme, and it is the instrument we recommend to the families who trust us with their children's musical education.

Does not include bow or case.

THE BEGINNER VIOLIN WE RECOMMEND MORE THAN ANY OTHER.

When parents, teachers, and adult learners ask us — after decades of selling and renting string instruments — what the single best violin is for someone starting out, our answer is consistent: the Andreas Eastman VL200.

That is not a reflexive answer. Vermont Violins was one of Eastman Strings' very first customers. We have sold and rented these instruments in the hundreds. We send back almost none of them. They arrive consistently well-built, consistently well-finished, and consistently ready for the modest adjustments that bring out their best performance. That track record of reliability is itself a recommendation.

Available in all sizes.

Outfit includes a Holst fiberglass bow with genuine horsehair and a sturdy cloth-covered, shaped case with ample interior space to house your tuner, shoulder rest, rosin and other accessories.

• Finish: Shaded Spirit Varnish

• Fingerboard: Ebony

• Top: European or Chinese Spruce

• Back/Ribs: European or Chinese Maple

• Purfling: Genuine Hand-inlaid

• Bridge: Despiau or Aubert

• Fittings: Boxwood

• Available Patterns: Stradivari

• Available Sizes: 4/4 - 1/16

Who Is This Violin For?

The VL200 is the entry point to Eastman Strings' Step-Up student line — a designation that means something. This is not an instrument designed to be discarded after a year. It is built to carry a student through the early and intermediate stages of their development, responding well enough to grow with them and sound well enough to sustain their motivation.

We use the VL200 as the foundation of our rental programme precisely because of those qualities. A beginner on a poorly made instrument faces a hidden obstacle: the instrument itself resists them. An instrument with too much wood in the top, imprecise neck projection, or a poorly fitted bridge will sound nasal, respond sluggishly, and demand more bow pressure than a beginner can confidently apply. The VL200 does not create those problems. Its geometry is accurate, its response is generous, and even a tentative bow stroke produces a sound that is recognisably musical.

Construction & Materials

Every detail of the VL200's construction is selected to deliver acoustic performance and long-term durability at a student-accessible price:

• Top: European or Chinese Spruce — carved to a graduation that allows the top to vibrate freely, producing the open, resonant response beginners need to develop good bow technique.

• Back & Ribs: European or Chinese Maple — providing structural rigidity and the reflective quality that contributes to the instrument's projection.

• Fingerboard: Solid Ebony — hard-wearing, smooth under the fingers, and acoustically neutral. Many instruments at this price point use painted softwood; the VL200 does not.

• Purfling: Genuine hand-inlaid — a hallmark of careful construction. Inlaid purfling reinforces the top against cracks radiating from the edges; decorative-only purfling provides none of that protection.

• Bridge: Despiau or Aubert — two of the most respected bridge makers in the industry. A well-fitted bridge from either maker is the single largest determinant of an instrument's playability and tone after the top graduation.

• Fittings: Boxwood

• Finish: Shaded Spirit Varnish — applied in a manner that allows the top and back to vibrate freely, rather than dampening their resonance as thick lacquer finishes can.

• Pattern: Stradivari

Sound Character

The VL200 produces a bright, uplifting tone with strong overtone presence and good projection. It fills a room. For young players — who often play tentatively and benefit enormously from an instrument that rewards light bow contact with real sound — this responsiveness is not a luxury; it is a pedagogical asset. A child who hears themselves produce a full, warm tone is a child who practises. An instrument that fights them does not.

The Vermont Violins Verdict

We have built our rental programme around this instrument. We recommend it to more beginners than any other violin we carry. If you are looking for one answer to "what is the best violin to start on," the Eastman VL200 is ours — consistent, well-made, responsive, and priced fairly.

The beginning of Eastman Strings Step-Up line of student violins, this is our preferred starting point for a beginner violinist. You’ll play this violin for years before needing more…it has a string, resonant response and offers a tone rich in vibrant overtone. A great instrument for anyone who has a discerning ear and wants to appreciate their violin well into the intermediate level of play. Available in all sizes.

Outfit includes a Holst fiberglass bow with genuine horsehair and a sturdy cloth-covered, shaped case with ample interior space to house your tuner, shoulder rest, rosin and other accessories.

• Finish:Shaded Spirit Varnish

• Fingerboard:Ebony

• Top:European or Chinese Spruce

• Back/Ribs:European or Chinese Maple

• Purfling:Genuine Hand-inlaid

• Bridge:Despiau or Aubert

• Fittings:Boxwood

• Available Patterns:Stradivari

• Available Sizes:4/4 - 1/16

The beginning of Eastman Strings Step-Up line of student violins, this is our preferred starting point for a beginner violinist. You’ll play this violin for years before needing more…it has a string, resonant response and offers a tone rich in vibrant overtone. A great instrument for anyone who has a discerning ear and wants to appreciate their violin well into the intermediate level of play. Available in all sizes.

Outfit includes a Holst fiberglass bow with genuine horsehair and a sturdy cloth-covered, shaped case with ample interior space to house your tuner, shoulder rest, rosin and other accessories.

• Finish:Shaded Spirit Varnish

• Fingerboard:Ebony

• Top:European or Chinese Spruce

• Back/Ribs:European or Chinese Maple

• Purfling:Genuine Hand-inlaid

• Bridge:Despiau or Aubert

• Fittings:Boxwood

• Available Patterns:Stradivari

• Available Sizes:4/4 - 1/16