I received my violin on Tuesday, September 17. I’m writing this review after owning and playing it for one week now. This has been my experience with the violin so far.

The day I received the violin, I was unable to set it up because the tailcord that holds the tailpiece to the end pin of the violin kept loosening and eventually one of the little nuts that grip on to the tailcord to hold the tailpiece together came off. I found out on youtube that you can burn the end pieces of the tailcord so that the nut can get a good grip and keep it from coming off. I had to do that three times because every time I would set it up and tune it, the tailcord would snap after a couple hours of practicing. Finally the last time I did it, I burned the end piece a little further down before tightening the nut on the tailcord, my idea was that this would make it harder for the nut to slip, and since then the violin has stayed in tune and had no problems practicing.

Why 5 stars then? I’m giving this violin a high rating because thanks to the seller, SocalDailyDeals, I was able to not give up on this violin and it has been a great tool to learn a new skill. After having problems with the tailpiece of my violin, I contact them and they gave me the option to return it, exchange it, or have a new tailpiece sent to me. I was happy with the overall quality of the violin and did not want to return it if I could get it working and I asked them to send me the new tailpiece. I also requested for them to send me a new bridge because I had accidentally broken off a piece on the one it came with.

However, before the tailpiece arrived, my quick fix of burning the tailcord turned out to work and even now I’m still using the same tailpiece it came with and every morning when I wake up, my violin is still nicely set up and tuned. With the tailpiece, they also sent me a new set of strings, another end button pin for the violin and the new bridge I requested!

The violin has been playing nicely, I have had fun practicing on it and I’m incredibly happy that for that I spent, I now have the opportunity to learn a new instrument.

The strings on the violin are amazing. This was a shock for me because I wasn’t expecting decent strings, and I purchased the D’Addario Prelude strings and after trying both the stock strings and the D’Addario, I was surprise that there wasn’t enough difference to say one was better than the other. The strings ring out nice and sound beautiful.

I had similar doubts about the rosin it would come with and I also ordered another rosin, SuperSensitive ligh rosin, and again like the strings, both are of similar quality.

The bow is nicely curved how I have been reading on violin guides that a bow needs to be. The hairs can be tighten and loosen no problem and make the strings play great.

The digital tuner works just like any other chromatic digital tuner. It’s as accurate as the Snark tuners I own. Clamp it on, pluck a string, tighten or loosen it to tune it. Simple.

The case is nice and sturdy, it will be enough to safely carry your violin around. Has little compartment for your rosin, tuner and anything else you would like to bring. Has two clips that can hold two separate bows and a medium size compartment bag on the outside for books or strings.

You don’t need to go spend 0+ on your first violin to begin learning. This will be more than enough to start you off!

For reference purposes, I am not a professional, a performer, or even a student.. But I do have some musical background, on string and other various instruments. This is my first violin. I am self taught and when I learn something I research a LOT.

Speaking from my perspective, for anyone complaining of little details on quality… give me a break. I’m not sure how much more self-entitled one could possibly be… but.. With a little work, you have a working violin to play around with (for under WITH shipping; including a whole set of accessories) and get a feel for if this is an instrument you truly wish to INVEST in. For those unable to get any sound out.. Either you were truly sent something entirely defective.. or.. (most likely) you simply have no idea what you are doing. The bridge needs measured and sanded down, then notched in the right places, then assembled in the proper manner, in the proper location, if your’s is like mine, the endpin may need secured, the strings need tuned to the right note and octave and trained to stay put (try rubbing some of the bow rosin on the pegs if you re-string them if your slipping problem is bad), the rosin needs scored or abraded, and the bow needs properly rosined, as well as tightened to the proper tension when you wish to play (loosen it when not in use to avoid distortion of wood and hairs)… Research, research, research. Violins naturally are work to learn and play! Know what you are getting into! All of the above things are customary protocol for a violin, if you are beginner you may not know all of this.
It will not be professional quality, because well.. it isn’t! You aren’t paying that price for it, so just expect to get what you pay for.

**Accessories:
Yes this violin set will need some better rosin (just about all starter packs come with crap rosin. at least they were nice enough to include any, I guess!). I immediately ordered some nice D’addario rosin two days into attempting to play it.. ( is reasonable because I think this rosin will probably last several years to be honest) because I realized how heavily I was having to rosin the bow just to get any sound with the included rosin (which was of mid-quality when it would sound appropriately, before switching). Once I upgraded the rosin, the sound and playability already improved tremendously, and using all of the other parts included in this set, am able to get a nice enough sound. So having said that.. the rest of everything that came with this set works just fine!
(I’ve upgraded to D’addario strings, and an Aubert Teller bridge for better tonality to work with for my purposes)

I don’t really use the tuner, I already own a Snark SN-2 (very good tuner btw!).. but the one included does in fact work just fine.
The case really is very nice, and probably worth or itself.

**Instrument quality:
The wood feels kind of cheap… the craftsmanship is not the best.. and the tuning pegs could do a better job, but again… for the price; definitely acceptable.
The neck on mine is off center, ever so slightly tilted to the right.. Generally I’d say in a long-term instrument, this is entirely unacceptable. But as I explained, for my purposes for this set, knowing this, I will just have to keep in mind and accommodate accordingly until I do decide to upgrade to a much higher quality violin down the road. For learning technique, hold, and get a general feel for the instrument, this set suits my purposes just fine.

**Seller experience:
My initial purchase was delayed, but not because of the seller.. but because there was an issue with Fed Ex. Then I had an issue with USPS (lucky me! lol) But the company was always kind, always available, were more than willing to remedy my troubles and reimburse me for issues, and I finished the transaction a very happy customer (with a little extra patience unrelated to them 🙂 ) and I even returned to buy a 1/4 size red violin for my son for his birthday.

**Bottom line:
Overall, I am giving this product 4 stars, not because it is a 4-star quality violin in the world of instruments or serious musicians (it’s not, really), but because proportional to what you are paying, this is a great economical option for learning a new instrument before you shell out huge money. If you use this set as a stepping stone, and move onto that later once you are dedicated… do that!

I hope this review was helpful to a prospective customer, and that the issues also related to this product are clear and evident, and not unexpected.

-Kelsey

I am an absolute beginner with no experience with violin before and still able to play it with some help by youtube !!, loved it..