[nvnvgirl]

I don't think it's ever too late to start to learn something, even though they say that when you're older, you don't pick it up as quickly. I started taking piano lessons when I was 50. It's not to be a concert pianist, it's for my own pleasure and growth.

I have played violin since I was in 4th grade and I'd personally rather support my local businesses (especially music stores, who usually have a rough time of making it) and buy something used if I wasn't sure I was going to stick with it. You can always upgrade when you find that the instrument doesn't fit your needs any longer. It takes a long time to find just the RIGHT one for yourself anyway, so I'd tell her to check her local music store, see what they have or can procure for her. She'll probably be buying her other stuff there, like sheet music, rosin, bows, strings etc. so it's nice to have a repoire with them from the get go. Plus, they may have good suggestions as far as teachers go too. Good luck to your friend; the violin shouldn't bother her neighbors that much; at least it's not an electric guitar or drums or trumpet, LOL.