Ready for More? Upgrading Your Instrument as Your Playing Progresses
For any string player, knowing when to upgrade your instrument can be a difficult decision. Whether you're a student progressing through the grades, a returning adult player, a dedicated orchestral musician or a young performer beginning to take their craft seriously, there comes a point where your current instrument might start holding you back.
So how do you know when you've outgrown your violin, viola, cello or bow? And what should you be looking for in your next step up?
1. Your Playing Has Outpaced Your Instrument
As your technique improves, so do your expectations (and rightly so). Entry-level instruments are designed to support early learning and are made with robustness and durability in mind more than quality of sound - they do have a purpose and we respect and value their place in the music world. Once you're working on more advanced repertoire or refining tone production, you might notice limitations. This could include:
Difficulty projecting in ensemble settings
A ‘boxy’ or dull tone that doesn’t reflect the nuance in your playing
Poor response in higher positions or with faster bow strokes
A general sense that you’re working harder than necessary to get a good sound
Orchestral players often notice this during rehearsals. If you’re finding it harder to blend or cut through the texture, your instrument might not be doing you justice.
2. You’re Taking Your Musicianship Seriously
For some players, upgrading marks a shift in identity: from violin player as hobbyist to violinist as a musician. If you're a young person preparing for music college auditions, youth orchestra placements or competitions, your setup needs to reflect the level of commitment you're bringing. A more responsive instrument and higher-grade bow can help you develop your own musical voice and take artistic ownership of your playing.
At this level, a good instrument is more than a tool, it becomes a partner in your musical journey. We refer to this as the magic triangle: the player, the instrument and the bow, all equally important to the sound and musical expression. If you find yourself researching repertoire, diving into recordings, or dreaming of life as a professional, it might be time to invest in the equipment that supports that ambition.
3. Your Teacher (or Conductor) Suggests It
Your teacher or ensemble director is often the first to notice when your instrument is holding you back. If they’ve commented on tone quality, responsiveness or intonation issues that don’t stem from your technique, it’s worth having a conversation.
Similarly, if you're auditioning for a more advanced ensemble and you're advised to look at an upgraded setup, it’s probably time to explore your options.
4. Your Instrument Is No Longer Reliable
As you progress, reliable tuning, stable tone and a consistent feel under the fingers become non-negotiable. If you're constantly adjusting pegs, dealing with open seams or battling wolf tones, an upgrade may be more cost-effective than another repair. While minor issues can usually be addressed by a luthier, persistent problems might indicate that your instrument has reached its limit.
For orchestral players, an unreliable instrument can be incredibly stressful: tuning problems or unpredictable response can affect not just your playing, but the whole section.
5. You’re Ready to Invest in Your Sound
Upgrading isn't just about ‘needing’ a better instrument; sometimes it's about being ready. If you're serious about your playing and want an instrument that rewards your efforts, it’s perfectly valid to upgrade simply because you're committed to developing your sound. A good-quality step-up instrument can be inspiring and transformative.
6. Your Bow Is Holding You Back
Sometimes it's not the instrument at all, a better bow can radically improve tone, articulation and ease of playing. If you’ve never tried your current violin or viola with a higher-grade bow, it’s worth doing. Orchestral players in particular often benefit from a bow upgrade, long sustained legato, fast passages, clean spiccato and dynamic shaping all depend on a versatile and responsive bow.
What to Look For in an Instrument Upgrade
Tone quality: Warmth, projection and colour across all registers
Responsiveness: How quickly and cleanly the instrument speaks under the bow
Playability: Comfort in higher positions, smooth string crossings and balanced feel
Craftsmanship: Look for hand-carved instruments with quality tonewoods and fittings
There is good news too: you don’t need to spend thousands to see a significant improvement. Many workshop-made instruments offer excellent value and real musical benefits. At Bridge Street Violins, we offer a carefully curated range of step-up instruments and bows suitable for intermediate to advanced players, including orchestral musicians and young professionals looking for reliability and character.
Not Sure If It’s Time? Try a Comparison.
One of the best ways to know if you’re ready to upgrade is simply to try. Play your current instrument alongside a higher-level option and listen for differences. You might be surprised how much more your playing can open up with the right setup.
We’re always happy to offer guidance — whether you're looking to upgrade from a rental instrument, prepare for music college auditions or find a bow that suits your style, we’re here to help.
Get in touch or book a visit to our Lincolnshire workshop to try out options. No pressure, just honest advice.