Customer Reviews

Cremona SV-225 Premier Student Violin, Full-Size

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Well, I ordered the Cremona SV-225 violin on Sept. 16th, and I received it on the 18th and am looking at the tuned instrument as I write this. I bought this brand and model based on numerous written and video reviews over the last month or so. I wanted a decent quality, student violin for 200-300 dollars, that would serve me without frustration until and if I get good enough to upgrade. The Cremona cost me $206.00 shipped. I am not a violinist (YET), my instrument of choice to this point being the piano. But, that said, I do know quality when I see it, and when I hear it.

The violin came UPS, adequately packed in a large and undamaged box. (No offense, UPS, but this has to be a first...) Under the paper packing was a light but substantial hard shell case. Inside was the violin and bow, a compartment containing rosin and a shoulder strap for the case, and the violin bridge, wrapped in foam and stuck under the tailpiece. The case had a built-in hygrometer for humidity that actually seemed to read accurately. So far, so good.

I soon discovered that this is really a very nice violin, on many levels. In appearance, it is stained a pleasing reddish brown, with a satin varnish that does not easily show fingerprints. The spruce top is very tight grained, and appears to be one piece. The back is two piece maple with a very attractive and visible flame pattern. The neck/peg box/scroll also have a nice pattern and compliment the instrument. The pegs, chin rest, end button and the bow frog are all apparently ebony of decent quality, and the tailpiece with its 4 fine tuners seems to be some sort of composite plastic. The f-holes are cleanly cut.

Time to install the bridge. There are no instructions, but there are a million websites showing this. The strings need to be loosened some, and the bridge carefully stood up under the strings. The flat back of the bridge labeled 'Cremona' faces the tailpiece, and the edges of the bridge are lined up with the inside notches cut into the f-holes. The back should wind up perfectly vertical with the strings placed in the four small notches along the top. The lowest height part of the bridge is under the E-string. Also, there is a tiny piece of tubing about a 1/4" long slipped over the E-string, and this needs to rest over the top of the bridge notch to protect the bridge from the thin E-string.

Tuning is done gradually, in stages back and forth between all strings. It is important to check the vertical alignment of the bridge frequently, as tuning will pull it forward and so the top must be carefully slid back to vertical until the tuning is complete. I used my piano to tune the violin, based on a Google Images diagram. GDAE, with the D being 1 white key above middle C. If unsure, read.

I opened the rosin and scratched the surface several times using the edge of the bow adjusting screw. I then tensioned the bow, and dragged it across the rosin for quite some time. NEVER touch the bow hair with your bare fingers while doing this or any other time; the oil from your skin will ruin the 'bite' of the hair and you won't get a sound.

The strings will stretch for a day, and so need adjusted several times, especially the first hour or so. Once I had the instrument decently tuned I played a number of open notes on 1 or 2 strings, and the sound was really surprising--at least to me. I've never touched a violin before, and thought for sure I'd be screeching and bouncing and waking the dead. What came out was a clear, bright, loud, and most pleasant sound. I was amazed! This little wooden box actually sounded great! And, I hadn't broken a string, the bow, the bridge, or my wallet in the process.

Along with the violin, I ordered extra Helicore strings, some 'peg drops' (based on a number of people's recommendations), a different bridge, a fingering chart, and higher quality rosin. What can I say; I like to be prepared.

So, that's where I'm at. I may never be a virtuoso, but I think this thing and I will wind up being good friends. Next--lessons!!

A reviewer (R. Seehoffer) that gave this five stars was spot on in regards to issues that need to be addressed when purchasing (bridge possible strings and so on. Just in case reviews are buried I'll attach his findings here "along with the violin, I ordered extra Helicore strings, some 'peg drops' (based on a number of people's recommendations), a different bridge, a fingering chart, and higher quality rosin. What can I say; I like to be prepared. "

I would look at all those items (except fingering chart) as requirements and add that to your purchase price to determine the real cost.

I know very little about violins and purchased for my wife.

Took the violin after purchase into a repair shop for tuning and critique because we had some issues doing this ourselves and we were wondering if it was flawed.

The bridge is indeed flawed. The gentleman there stated it was good enough for a beginner/intermediate and to replace when we're ready for the next level of play.

The strings were not set quite right and had to be redone. In addition while tightening one had popped out of the peg.

We learned that the pegs for tuning are tapered so if you have slip issues you need to push them in. This was not something I was aware of, but it's helped.

Overall the person who looked it over said it was a decent quality violin. I'll update when my wife actually spends some time playing this.

The case is a great case with a compartment for music, a humidity measuring device and room for two bows. The violin itself looks pretty, but I'm more concerned about sound and hope to hear something out of it soon to update a review here with. (she's been busy)

***EDIT 2011.08.16***

My wife has let this collect dust so I apologize that I don't have anything new to review. I'm hoping my recent tenor Sax purchase will inspire her to play again, but right now she's into photography and painting so the violin is a beautiful paper weight at the moment. Sadly.

My level of experience: I played violin when I was a little kid and I would have been close to the advanced beginner/entry-level intermediate stage, and I wanted to get back and see how I would do as an adult.

I bought this after visiting local stores who tried to intimidate you by saying, "You will get glued wood blocks online!", and showing entry level violins that at-least cost half a grand. Well, yes, I'm sure I got one, but, the good thing is, it actually played like a violin. Decent sound, something for you to try out before you decide to get serious. To make things clear, this is definitely an entry-level violin, so, don't expect magic out of it. There are going to be rough edges, but this is a nice price point at which you can get started and see if you get enough interest to continue.

The bad:
Stock strings are really *bad*. I broke my E string while attempting to set it up, and then my A string got unwound near the groove (it could also be my fault). Either way, it does seem like the strings don't sound good. I would suggest upgrading to a nicer set of strings.
Bridge cut may not be perfect. But then, you can always replace it after a while.
Pegs could be a little problem; just push it in while tightening and it should hold up.

At this price level, you can expect some quality control issues, so YMMV may vary.

P.S: When you get your instrument, attempt to make sure it has all required parts (i.e., I got shipped one without a sound-post from a different retailer).

This shipment came just on time, and for once, UPS has done it's job right; package came perfectly, in a timely fashion, and no damage was done to any of the accessories in the package.
Violin
Pros:
- Very Good Varnish/Finish
- Has a very nice sound to it (timbre)
- Fine Tuners and pegs work more often
- Bridge was pre-set
Cons:
- Strings are not violin strings, after trying to tune to GDAE fifths, i noticed the density of the strings and realized that they were instead viola strings that could only be tuned to CGDA; but these strings are very good for both instruments
- Pegs can be very slippery
- Bow has stray/lost hairs

Accessories:
Pros:
-Very nice rectangular case
- Bow slots are very convenient
- Rosin and extra compartments are very useful
Cons:
- Rosin was a cheap make
- Strap is very loose and unreliable

Purchased this for my 5th grade grandson who is in his second year of school orchestra. Did lots of research since I know nothing about string instruments. This seemed to hit all the craftmenship details. Received in less than 24 hours. Wow! Grandpa and I set it up using a google search of "how to set the bridge on a violin" and "how to tune a violin". Delivered it to him and told him what I learned from research: play often, play loudly, play near the bridge, and play double stops (I think that is two notes at once). Three days later he had his next orchestra practice; his teacher is impressed. She is in love with the sound of his violin.
His mother even noticed how nice it sounded compared to the school-owned violin that he has now passed on to his little brother. I was expecting the finish to not be great and it isn't. It's OK, but it's not shiny. A suggestion I also picked up somewhere is to use jewelers rouge and olive oil to polish it. Ordered the jewelers rouge from Amazon at same time, but wanted to make sure we were not returning the instrument. We're not -- it's a keeper!
Also purchased a Cremona SV-200 viola for my grandaughter. It is fine, but their music teacher was not wowed as she is with the violin.

I decided to buy this fiddle for my beguinner little daughter. so I didn't know what to choose: cremona, palatino, vif, stagg and others.My choice was cremona because of many reviews I saw.Ok now I can feedback and:1) the violin is beautiful,great antique finish.2)the case worths a lot by itself.really elegant and nice outfit. 3)the strings are terrible. this is the point the cremona makers should pay attention to. the only strings sound is the worst i've ever heard in a violin. I noticed the strings are too tigth and hard to press. 4) Every customer can fix that point buying a brand new set of fine strings like pirastro or d'addario.(violin players must send your outfits to adjust the bridge with some luthier. i'ts absolutly necessary. believe me) 5) I recommend this violin for beguinners but gotta take my points. 6) deliverying was rigth at the time. not before not after.6) the bow that i received is just a piece of wood. hair does not adjust. i'm sending it back. Ok I hope my review really helps for some of you. good luck.

I searched many local stores and online prior to purchase. This violin was delivered in perfect, new condition. Very nice case. Strings were attached. Needed to place bridge and tighten/tune strings. Wood is warm with beautiful yet subtle flaming. This violin was a great choice for a 40 year old beginner. My instructor, who plays a $5000 violin, was quite impressed with the quality and tone from this instrument. Saved over $100 buying online. Was at my door in 23 hours!

just be sure not to discard the bridge tucked under the strings, lol. if you know nothing about violins, as i didn't, a few pointers:
1. Scrape the rosin and then apply it to the bow slowly starting at the bottom and moving to the opposite end.
2. When installing the bridge, loosen strings enough and tighten slowly when finished.
3. Enjoy!

The bridge was cut crooked and my son's orchestra teacher recommended be return it for a refund.