Violin Position Chart: August 2011

8/31/2011

Crescent 4/4 Full Size Violin with Case - Black Color - Complete Set Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was really unsatisfied with this product, even as a beginning violinist. But you get what you pay for, and I would recommend not getting this one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Crescent 4/4 Full Size Violin with Case - Black Color - Complete Set

Click here for more information about Crescent 4/4 Full Size Violin with Case - Black Color - Complete Set

Full Size 4/4 Electric Violin Set with Case and Accessories - Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Lets start by saying the final product has a tonal quality I didn't expect from an electric violin. It has that heavy Jim Hendrix, Star Spangled Banner sound when the bass and volume are cranked. Want to rip up some heavy metal, this baby has no problem. Want some sweet classical stuff, it does that also (less volume, less bass, more treble, if thats what you want). The violin arrived with the used look. Touchup paint and light scratch's. The bridge has sting marks on it like someone had tried to use it. Now for the work it took. Starting at the top. The pegs are made of genuine plastic and the string holes appear to be made with a hot pin punched by a machine. The holes were too shallow, only going half way thru the pegs and the strings wouldn't stay in when I started to wind them. I took a pin size drill bit and hand drilled each hole in all four pegs. Easily done. I order four fine tuners because this package only comes with one fine tuner on the E-string. I also upgraded the strings to Thomastik Dominant. Well worth it. The bridge was way too high and had a curve consistant with the neck. Each string was 3/8" over the neck. I sanded the neck down so my stings now were G 7/32", D 7/32", A 5/32" and E being 3/32". After sanding so much wood off, the bridge ends up being too thick and you must also sand this thinner. Having a lower bridge puts less stress on the neck which can lead to the bow and arrow look. You can order a medium size bridge but it may still need to be fitted correctly. The last issue was the head phone jack. The head phone jack is located directly above the 9v. battery and the two don't occupy the same space very well. I took the back off the violin by removing six small screws and was able to make small spacers to re-mount the jack outlet using some household glue that was good for plastic. Couple hours to dry and good as new. When you finally tune the stings, use adaquate amount of peg drop. Plastic on plastic tends to slip. Get yourself a decent electronic tuner that does G, D, A and E. The bow is decent, for it sound ok. Use light sandpaper on the rosin and plenty of rosin. A dry bow is a hissing bow and the electric part really picks it up. The better strings also help quell this effect. Once this is all accomplished. I had a ripping instrument. I would have given it 5 stars except for the work I had to do on it. I recommend beginners try this one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Full Size 4/4 Electric Violin Set with Case and Accessories - Black

Get 55% OFF

Click here for more information about Full Size 4/4 Electric Violin Set with Case and Accessories - Black

8/30/2011

ELECTRONIC VIOLIN Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My daughter was thrilled to see this toy. It's not as much like a real violin as I wanted but it makes a very nice toy. She's only 2 so it'll do for now. It has multiple songs and a holder which are both great. It' just on the small side. I can't say whether or not it's durable yet, as it hasn't been through any tough hits or falls. But it's size does make me uneasy about it breaking.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ELECTRONIC VIOLIN

Click here for more information about ELECTRONIC VIOLIN

Christino Professional Violin Shoulder Rest, 4/4 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am sad to report that I was told that Christino no longer makes shoulder rests with collapsable legs due to a patent infringement issue. It is hard to believe that a hinged leg can be patentable -- multiple other brands have folding legs. You can see the original design at the moment in the photos on this listing. I already have two with the foldable legs as pictured. When I made a new order here, I was shipped one with the replacement design, which has non-folding legs with two screw holes to mount them with two choices for angles. One choice tilts the pad forward, one tilts it back. Neither of the angles fits me right, like the old design does. It's a real shame, because of all they were the most comfortable of the 3 kinds I've tried - a Bon Musica, and a Chinese Kun copy. By comfort, I mean, not just the immediate feeling, but I get no neck cramps after hours of use.
The new design means they won't fit in the large pocket of my violin case without unscrewing and removing the legs, a real hassle and invitation to lose parts.
The foam on my 2-year old Christino shoulder rest is getting a bit worn, so I may keep the new item for the parts, which I can attach onto the old folding legs.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Christino Professional Violin Shoulder Rest, 4/4

Get 54% OFF

Click here for more information about Christino Professional Violin Shoulder Rest, 4/4

8/29/2011

Cremona SV-130 Premier Novice Violin, 1/4-Size Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this violin for my daughter's first violin experience and I didn't want to spent a lot of money because I did not know yet whether or not she would take to the instrument...
It was a very solid choice! It's made well and seems to hold up to the careful treatment of an 8 year old :) I think the sound quality is slightly better than what you would expect for the price (I have been told that all 1/4 size violins have some issues with sound quality simply because of the small size). The bow is very do-able for a beginner instrument and has been very durable - it's putting up with my daughter's somewhat rough rosining technique quite well! The tuning pegs hold a tune well (after a couple of weeks) and the fine tuners work well too. Also, it's a very pretty instrument - a fact that's helping my daughter want to practice.
I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the case was for the price of this instrument. She can throw the violin in the back of the car with the schoolbooks and the groceries and we don't have to worry about it getting crushed.
Bottom line: our violin teacher was concerned when I said I bought a violin online through a seller that also sells everything else. In the end, she has been pleased with our purchase and so have we.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cremona SV-130 Premier Novice Violin, 1/4-Size

Get 34% OFF

Click here for more information about Cremona SV-130 Premier Novice Violin, 1/4-Size

eMedia My Violin Starter Pack for Kids (1/4 size) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We are very unhappy with the condition of the product we received and with the tone of the response to my complaint directly to the company which sent the item, Emedia Music. The violin arrived with the strings all off. There was no indication that assembly is required in Amazon's product information on the website. When I first spoke to a representative of the company, I was told that the dvd which comes with the violin explains everything about how to attach the strings. This would have been true for someone who was already quite knowledgable about these instruments, but certainly not for a "layman". And I should not be required to sit with a set of needle-nose pliers which EMedia's representative said I would need, and try to understand on the phone how to somehow get the strings back on. This is what the man from the company told me I would need to try next. At the very least, we feel an apology was in order from him, with the preferable response being instructions on shipping the entire thing back (at their expense, or Amazon's) for replacement/repairs.

We visited a local violin store, and they told us that the reason the strings were all off was because the bridge is the wrong size and was unable to support the strings. They also told us it would cost [...] for them to supply the correct bridge, and another [...] or so just to restring the instrument once we got the new bridge.

Meanwhile, our little daughter has yet to even get to try out her new violin that she was so excited about. She is becoming less excited...

Click Here to see more reviews about: eMedia My Violin Starter Pack for Kids (1/4 size)

Quality violin with bow & carrying case plus rosin & cloth emedia my violin cd-rom (for win & mac) includes over 160 lessons videos live recordings automatic tuner metronome & digital recorder emedia my violin listens to the user play the violin and then corrects the user basics of proper violin how to tune the instrument play rhythmic tunes & read music notation instrument has a spruce top with maple back & sides other parts are dyed hardwood with a metal alloy four tuner tailpiece

Click here for more information about eMedia My Violin Starter Pack for Kids (1/4 size)

8/28/2011

Snark SN-2 All Instrument Clip-On Chromatic Tuner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After trying several clip-on tuners for my guitars, banjos, and mandolins, this is definitely the best I've ever used. It works very well on all three instruments. It's accurate, the lighted display is very visible with bright colors for flat, sharp, and right-on. The head of the display swivels easily in any direction for easy viewing. It also allows tuning by both vibration or sound. The red color of the tuner's exterior makes it easy to find in my gig bag but is not obnoxiously bright when placed on the headstock. It's so good I bought two. Delivery came in about two or three days by standard shipping.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Snark SN-2 All Instrument Clip-On Chromatic Tuner

Get 68% OFF

Click here for more information about Snark SN-2 All Instrument Clip-On Chromatic Tuner

Cecilio CEVN-1BL 4/4 Full Size Electric Silent Solidwood Violin w/ Ebony Fittings in Blue Metallic Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)And it's not just the looks, this electric violin sounds surprisingly good when using headphones or amplifier. The bow is nice. It definitely needs a shoulder rest, some better rosin and a better set of strings, but for the price, this is wonderful. The line out jack does not seem to work (or I couldn't figure it out), but the phones jack works just fine for the amp. The price was even better after google'ing it ;) Nice as a gift to my dad.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cecilio CEVN-1BL 4/4 Full Size Electric Silent Solidwood Violin w/ Ebony Fittings in Blue Metallic

Get 74% OFF

Click here for more information about Cecilio CEVN-1BL 4/4 Full Size Electric Silent Solidwood Violin w/ Ebony Fittings in Blue Metallic

8/27/2011

Anton Breton VP-50 4/4 Violin Mute Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When my wife and I moved into a smaller house the ability to practice the violin became severally hampered. She may be fond of the instrument, however the same song played four hundred times over and over again can get on just about anyones nerves. Things were getting bad enough that we were seriously considering purchasing an electric violin for practice just so she would not have to listen to everything I played. I had heard of mutes in the past but never considered them a viable option, seemed like their would be no way to mute a violin without interfering without significantly interfering with the tone. I was proven wrong and this little gym works wonders by reducing the vibration of the bridge and making it quite enough that now I only have to be in the next room, not the next house over.
This is a must have for anyone wishing to practice and not interested in letting everyone in the house listen to your pre-performance. Additionally, now that I know how this piece works I would recommend a person choose a heavy metal silencer over the rubber options when looking for extreme muting.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Anton Breton VP-50 4/4 Violin Mute

Click here for more information about Anton Breton VP-50 4/4 Violin Mute

eMedia My Violin Kit -full-size Review

Average Reviews:

Mendini MV200 Solid Wood Student Violin + Extra set of Strings, Shoulder Rest, Bow, Rosin & Case in Size 3/4 Review

Mendini MV200 Solid Wood Student Violin + Extra set of Strings, Shoulder Rest, Bow, Rosin and Case in Size 3/4

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)OK, So I bought this for 5th grade orchestra. So I ordered it on the 5th, and it comes in a whole 6 days. Not only that, it came at at least 8 O'Clock. I spent my whole day waiting for it!!! So, then when I got it it what is in an outrages package, AS TALL AS ME. So 2 packages in one. SO we open it up and It's a GREAT CASE!!!! But 1 of the zippers were broken. I open the case and the violin it a dull, burnt brown color. I THOUGHT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE THE PICTURE HERE!!! So then, The rosin is not easy to handle I opent it up, and ITS USLESS. Then, THE BOW. OMG. So, Like I opened the case, I try to get the bow out. IT WAS STUCK IN THE TWISTY THINGYS, AND WHEN WE TRYED TO GET IT OFF, WE ENDED UP YANKING IT OFF. So yeah, 10 of the bow hairs are off and the bow looks all jacked up. NEXT IS THE SHOLDER REST. ITS HARD TO PUT ON, AND HARD TO TWIST. The next reason is that setting up the strings and bridge, it took my dad a whole 30 MINUETS. So, when I receve an extra bridge, its in a piece of HAND TORN PAPER. So now I'm stuck with it. It is an OK violin. I am an indermedite violinist. This would be good for a beginner also.I don't know if I would reccomend this to a friend.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mendini MV200 Solid Wood Student Violin + Extra set of Strings, Shoulder Rest, Bow, Rosin & Case in Size 3/4

Get 72% OFF

Click here for more information about Mendini MV200 Solid Wood Student Violin + Extra set of Strings, Shoulder Rest, Bow, Rosin & Case in Size 3/4

Palatino Ebony Frog Violin Bow 4/4 Size Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)No problems at all with this bow. This was for my daughter who says she likes it and has had no complaints. She recommends it. Shipping was on time (actually a day or two early) and in good condition. I would recommend this.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Palatino Ebony Frog Violin Bow 4/4 Size

Get 64% OFF

Click here for more information about Palatino Ebony Frog Violin Bow 4/4 Size

8/23/2011

Barcus-Berry Full Size 4/4 European Made Acoustic Electric Violin Outfit - Barcus-Berry Blue Color Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)These acoustic/electric vios are great for live performance. The built in volume control and 1/4 inch jack make them very durable and roadworthy. They are virtually indestructible which is a real plus if you are a musician who tours. The pickup is very even and cut very nicely, even in very loud settings. Have them set up like the violin you are used to playing and you've got a live instrument that is built for the stage and live performance, right down to it's look. Enjoy!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Barcus-Berry Full Size 4/4 European Made Acoustic Electric Violin Outfit - Barcus-Berry Blue Color

Get 38% OFF

Click here for more information about Barcus-Berry Full Size 4/4 European Made Acoustic Electric Violin Outfit - Barcus-Berry Blue Color