String Musical Instruments UK are an authorised eBay affiliate and we are delighted to bring together for you an extensive range of second hand string instruments and new string instruments available on eBay along with some unbeatable savings!We are delighted to offer a superb range - please scroll down to take a look. If you can't find the instrument you're looking for on this page, you're sure to on the next!

If you're looking for a rewarding new hobby, string instruments might just be for you! Perhaps your child is just starting lessons, or you are an experienced player. We stock a huge range, and are delighted to offer some fabulous discounts!

Children's String Instruments

Tiny hands will struggle with full-sized string musical instruments. Its weight may make it unmanageable; its size too cumbersome. Learning to play should be fun! When it's an uphill struggle just to get to grips with the string instrument, a child will soon get frustrated and give up. They key for the parent is to make playing a breeze, and enjoyable from the word go! Most instruments are available in several down-scaled sizes, suitable for children. If your child is very small, your little impresario may have years of playing ahead! He or she will progress through a number of sizes until they are ready for the full sized model. Does all of this sounds a little expensive? Well, it needn't be! The great news is that second hand string instruments as well as new string instruments can be sourced online at hugely discounted prices. What's more, when your child outgrows their old string instrument, there are plenty more parents looking to pick up second-hand instruments. Placing your unwanted musical instruments on online auction sites like ebay couldn't be simpler, and it's a great way to finance your next purchase!

Choosing the correctly sized string instrument for your child is imperative. Practicing on the wrong sized instrument could lead to poor posture and bad habits which will be detrimental to his or her playing and thus enjoyment - early mistakes could grow to be problems which might be difficult to put right. Your child's music teacher will be only too happy to point you in the right direction as far as purchasing the right size of instrument string is concerned.

Violins

Of all the stringed instruments, the violin has the highest pitch. The violin is very versatile: from the formal orchestra to the gypsy fiddler, the violinist often steals the show.

Violins are one of the most popular instruments with children. Any budding Paganini's will certainly be in good company!

Violas

At first glance, the viola looks like a violin. It sits on the player's shoulder in the same way. The sound, however, is deeper and mellower. This string instrument has a very long history, and emits a wonderful, poignant sound. Throughout history, many classical composers have opted for the viola when practising their own compositions.

Because violas are not so well known, violists are something of a scarcity. Professional viola players are in constant demand.

Cellos

The cello is another musical instrument which is popular amongst children. It is a large instrument which sits between the knees. The end pin, a metal peg, can be extended to raise the cello in height. Like the violin and viola, the cello is played with a bow, with the exception of pizzicato pieces where the strings are plucked with the fingertips. The cello has a beautiful, deep sound. Only the double bass is lower in pitch. In string quartets, the cellist plays root parts, anchoring the group in chamber music.

Double basses

The double bass is the root of the classical orchestra and has the lowest pitch. Full sized models are so vast in size that they are, in fact, beyond the scope of the average-sized adult. Indeed, the majority of adults opt for three-quarter sized double basses, including professional players.

As with the violin, viola and cello, the double bass is played with a bow, apart from in pizzicato pieces such as the iconic 'walking bass' sound synonymous with jazz. There are, however, two types of bow available to the bassist: the German bow and the French bow. The German bow has a longer frog, and is held with the hand tilted upwards. With the French bow the palm of the hand faces the double bass. The French bow is a newer version, made popular by Giovani Bottesini. Bass players are not only irreplaceable in classical music, but also play a vital role in jazz and swing orchestras, and even some pop compositions.

Guitars

Guitars are the most popular of all string instruments, and are used in a huge variety of mediums, from classical orchestral pieces to flamenco, blues, jazz, pop and rock, and much, much more. Of all the string instruments, the guitar must surely be the most versatile, making it a great choice for children.

We have a great selection of children's musical insruments and musical instrument strings! Our listings are fully searchable - just scroll up to the search facility at the top of the page, type in what you are looking for and we'll do our best to find it for you!

Banjos

Banjos have a long history. It is difficult to pinpoint their origins: they are believed by some to hail from the Far East, others the Middle East.

We can say with some certainty, however, that the banjo as we know it was based on African instruments and spread across the globe with the onslaught of the slave trade. Banjo players are relatively scarce in the UK and this string instrument would make an interesting choice for the beginner.

Bass Guitars

The bass guitar, as made famous in its electric form by the legendary Leo Fender, is actually a direct descendent of the double bass. Just as the double bass is the anchor to the classical orchestra, the bass guitarist anchors the pop and rock band. Bass guitars are used in folk, blues, jazz and funk, along with countless other types of modern music.

Bouzouki

The Bouzouki, with its haunting melodies, is synonymous with Greek music. If you've ever visited Greece, you're sure to have heard the bouzouki played - just click on the video link below to refresh yourself with the sound. This makes for an interesting choice of musical instrument for the beginner who wants to stand out from the crowd!

Harp

The harp is the world's oldest stringed instrument. There is great debate as to the harp's origins. Images found in the Pharoahs' tombs reveal the harp's popularity in Egypt as long ago as 5,000 BC. Cave paintings in France dating back to 15,000 BC similarly reveal harp like instruments.

The harp may appear very complicated, but in musical terms, it is actually one of the simpler string instruments to learn to play.

Playing the harp is therapeutic with it's soothing tones, and a wonderful way to wind down after a busy day. Harp players are in huge demand for weddings and social functions, so picking up this pastime could be potentially rewarding financially too!

Lute

The lute is a very old musical instrument. We tend to associate the lute with the medieval period, but it is actually a good deal older, originating in Persia.

Lute players are few and far between in the UK, making them very much in demand.

Mandolin

The mandolin, a descendent of the lute, has a long history in music, featuring in cave paintings found in europe dating back as far as 15,000 BC.

The mandolin remains popular today throughout the Mediterranian, with it's popularity burgeoning in the UK since the blockbusting film, Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

Sitar

The sitar is perhaps the best known of all Indian classical string instruments.

Ravi Shankar, the trail-blazing 20th century sitar player, introduced the sitar to the modern pop world, attending Woodstock and working with top bands such as the Beatles who incorporated the sitar into later works such as Norwegian Wood and Tomorrow Never Knows.

Ukulele

The ukulele is a down-sized guitar shaped instrument which hails from Portugal. The ukulele was adopted by the people of Hawaii when it was introduced by Portuguese settlers. It was the Hawaiins who came up with the name of ukulele, which means jumping flea - a reference to the way in which the hands jumped around when playing the instrument.

Zither

Zithers are composed of a soundboard and strings which may be bowed, plucked and fretted. It is difficult to pinpoint the zither's origins as they are popular all over the globe: from Africa to Persia, Eastern Europe to Asia, and are still widely played in Chinese and Hungarian classical music today.

We are delighted to offer an extensive selection of string musical instruments! Scroll down to take a look at our showcase of items available on eBay today and check out some fantastic offers. Be sure to bookmark us as our stocklist is continously updated. We stock an excellent range of second hand string instruments and new string instruments.  If the string musical instrument you're looking for isn't here today, it's sure to be tomorrow!