Eastman Strings VL100
A fully carved violin outfit from Eastman Strings' "Samuel Eastman" Model 100 line, described by the manufacturer as a staple of string programs suited to both beginning and advancing players — built with aged solid tonewoods and genuine ebony fittings rather than the laminated construction typical of the lowest price tier.
A fully carved violin outfit from Eastman Strings' "Samuel Eastman" Model 100 line, described by the manufacturer as a staple of string programs suited to both beginning and advancing players — built with aged solid tonewoods and genuine ebony fittings rather than the laminated construction typical of the lowest price tier. Suited to beginner-through-intermediate players wanting solid-wood construction without stepping all the way up to a professional-tier instrument.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Eastman Strings |
|---|---|
| Product status | Current |
| Top | Aged solid spruce |
| Back / Ribs | Aged solid maple |
| Fittings | Genuine ebony (pegs, fingerboard, chinrest) |
| Purfling | Genuine hand-inlaid |
| Bridge | Despiau |
| Varnish | High-gloss, amber-brown |
| Bow | K. Holtz Fiberglass BL10 (included) |
| Sizes Available | 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 7/8, 4/4 |
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- Aged solid tonewoods, genuine hand-inlaid purfling, and genuine ebony fittings are real, verifiable construction upgrades over laminated budget instruments, at a still widely available price point (multiple sizes confirmed in stock on Amazon).
Weaknesses
- No hands-on or independent third-party expert playability assessment was located for this specific model in this research pass.
Playability and construction
Not assessed hands-on — this review is based on specification and market analysis (see the badge above), so no subjective playing-feel claim (response, intonation tendencies, resistance) is made here. See the Verdict below for what this assessment is and isn't.
Construction
Aged solid spruce top and maple back/ribs, genuine ebony fittings, genuine hand-inlaid purfling.
Competing models
Verdict
A fully carved violin outfit from Eastman Strings' "Samuel Eastman" Model 100 line, described by the manufacturer as a staple of string programs suited to both beginning and advancing players — built with aged solid tonewoods and genuine ebony fittings rather than the laminated construction typical of the lowest price tier. Suited to beginner-through-intermediate players wanting solid-wood construction without stepping all the way up to a professional-tier instrument. See our full The Best Beginner Violins guide for how it compares to alternatives.
Where to buy
Prices and availability are checked periodically, not a real-time feed.
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