Customer Reviews

Full Size Violin 4 X 4 with Case - Black Color

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

 

 

I have been using the violin now for two days (about 2 hours total during that span). I ordered it on Wednesday, and it was at the doorstep the following Tuesday. Pretty good shipping time, I can't complain.

So just like everyone says, there is some assembly required (and Austin Bazaar is up-front with this information). Basically, when you receive the violin, you will get five things: the violin itself, the bridge for the violin, the bow, a rosin piece, and a case. The assembly of the bridge is fairly straight-forward, but it would be nice if Austin Bazaar would mention somewhere how to do it (a few pictures and some instructions would be enough). To make it simple for anyone who buys this violin, do the following to assemble the bridge:

1. Set the violin on the floor, strings facing up.

2. Find the f-shaped holes on the main body of the violin. Each hole should have two notches in them (one on the left, one on the right).

3. Look at the bridge (the little wood piece with the four holes on it). There should be two little feet (the bottom), and a curved edge (the top). On the top (curved part), if you look at it from the front, you should see that one side of the curve is higher up than the other. That side goes on the side of the violin with the lower/thicker strings. The low side of the curve goes on the side with the higher/thinner strings.

4. Now you know how the bridge lines up. Slide the bridge under the strings (loosen them if it is too hard to slide it under; don't force it too much). The feet of the bridge touch the violin body, the curve touches the strings (don't put the strings through the holes in the bridge, they go right on top of the bridge, and rest along the curve).

5. Once the bridge is in place, tighten the strings enough to hold the bridge in place without your help. As you tighten the strings, make sure that the feet of the bridge stay flat against the body of the violin. If they start to tilt up, lightly slide them back to a flat placement.

6. Now, just tune the violin. The strings tune to (in order of lowest/thickest to highest/thinnest) G, D, A, and E (perfect 5ths between each string). Don't tune it too quickly, or the string may snap. You may want to tune the strings 3/4s of the way and then leave it for a few minutes, and then come back and slowly finish the tuning (if you've ever tuned a guitar, this is very similar). Once you get the strings properly tuned, they WILL un-tune themselves for a bit. This is day two, and I've tuned the violin probably 15 times so far. At first, it wouldn't tune at all, but it started to keep after a few tunes. Also, as Austin Bazaar says, push the pegs inward as you tune (not too hard though, as it can warp the wood slightly, and de-tune your other strings), and this should help. If that doesn't work, put some rosin on the pegs. As a last resort, us peg drops (which SHOULD have been included, but oh well).

7. Tighten your bow string fairly tight using the screw at the bottom of the bow (don't go crazy, just tight enough that the bow-string will barely touch the bow when you put pressure on it). Take your rosin out, and use some sandpaper to grit it up a bit. Once you have done that, slowly rub it up and down the length of the bow, stopping at each end and using the bow string to grit the rosin up a bit more (make a polishing sort of motion on the rosin). The first time you do this can take some work (10-15 minutes).

8. You should be all set to start playing! From here, you need to learn how to play, and that is more in-depth that I care to go on my Amazon.com violin review. :)

So in summary, if you have always wanted to play the violin, but aren't sure how much time you will dedicate towards it, this is a pretty good way to try it out. If I'm still playing in 2-3 years, I'll probably look at something a bit more refined, but until that time, this violin looks as if it will do a great job (perhaps I will even pass it on to my first child when I have one, as a starter instrument)!

I recieved this as a gift, and I love it! It is the perfect violin for beginners like me. I did have to look up a picture of a violin on the web so that i knew exactly where to put the bridge, but it wasn't difficult to figure out.
I do wish it came with care instructions - i didn't even know how to use the rosin! But overall i think this is a great violin for beginners. I would recommend this to anyone who is considering learning how to play.

The violin and case were as I expected...not the best, but that's not what I ordered. The only problem I had was as I was setting it up and tuning it, I realized that there was a piece loose on the inside. I found out that it is an important piece called the "soundpost," a dowel-like object that spans the front to back under the bridge on the inside of the instrument. Now I am going to attempt to return this violin in exchange for another. I hope I don't run into any return nightmares. I'll let you know how it goes.....

As of Aug 28: Update on problem

I contacted the Austin Bazaar Company and they were very prompt in sending an authorization number for me to ship the violin back. However, I decided to try and fix the problem myself with the help of some online directions on where and how to place the soundpost.

I'm happy to say that, with a little wrangling, I was able to place the soundpost correctly and now I have a beautiful sounding, inexpensive violin to on which to learn to play! It was worth the work, and I can't argue with the price. Thumbs up!!!

First off, there were a few inperfections that needed some attention. The spacing of the strings on the nut needed proper spacings. Also installation instructions of the bridge setup with proper string spacing was not included in the shipment. But that was O.K., because a little research online helped solve those problems. If the tuning pegs slip which usually occurs with peg tuning put some sandpaper and rosin to the shafts and that should reduce any slippage. This violin does have fine tuners which is a must for accurate tuning. If you are interested in beginner playing which does require the initial phases of learning the violin inside and out, then consider the few imperfections which needed attention as part of the learning process... For the price, I would buy another one!

Basically everything in the product information is true. But, pegs do have an excessive tendency to slip out of thir holes. It is nice that the rosin is included, but it would better if they peg drops were included too since the pegs seem to be so loose. Also, I ordered a black violin but the wood on the other side of the fingerboard is unpainted. Buyer beware: they state that the bridge is "easy" to install, but unless you've memorized the anatomy of a violin it can be very confusing. I panicked b/c I couldn't figure out if they strings went thru the holes first then the notches. It turns out you simply slide the bridge under the strings and place it upright, propping it up under the strings, and lining up the strings with the notches on top. Also, the curved side goes up. Maybe this isn't a problem for people who already play violin, but for an absolute beginner like me it was complicated, and this is supposed to be a good violin for beginners.

I bought this Violin a few days ago and already received it. The bridge was easy to install, and tuning is a process. I am just learning and even with the tuning half done it sounds wonderful already. I only had a few pet peeves. Unlike the picture in a similar product page from this seller, my case did not come with the cloth. Also, the delivery people (not sure if it was ups??) beat the heck out of the box. The rosin came in pieces and the strings were everywhere including one having a kink due to rough handling. The violin itself is very pretty and sounds better then i ever thought. Now all i need is a cloth and rosin and i'm good to go. Tuning is a bit difficult though so i'm spending an extra $3-$5 to have a music store tune it for me. I bought the Violin for dummies book and it's helping me a lot. i was even able to play several notes...even though i don't know how to read music.

The black finish on it looks great. I'm just surprised it's even painted because a case alone can easily be $60. You can prop it up on a shelf or something and it looks fabulous, not to mention it actually plays. You get exactly what you pay for not to mention a case and strap to carry the case by. The inside of the case was a little sawdusty but nothing vacuuming can't fix.
Pros: It plays, comes with a bow and everything you need, inexpensive, great decor, nice finish
Cons: Nothing much, considering the price

Don't expect the sound of a Strad but it does actually play well if you play well.

I have no real complaints it came in a nice amount of time and it made a nice present.

I couldn't get this violin to sound right even though I had a music store tune it. I had a professional violinist look at it and he said it is just too poor of quality to make any sort of nice quality sound. Never buy a cheap maple violin like this one if you intend to actually play it. The bow is also very very poor quality and doesn't grip the strings well. The Rosin that it comes with is also garbage. The only thing good about this is it has a nice case and the paint on the violin looks pretty. I put it on display but it's kind of embarrassing to tell someone you bought a violin you can't play. Other then a pretty display this is the worse $70 I have ever spent.

Beautiful violin. My granddaughter loves it! Very elegant looking. This was her favorite Christmas gift, and watching her face light up with joy was our wonderful reward. Perfect!