Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This violin--to be honest is very cheap. Not just in cost but in quality. BUT overall, not too horrible. Especially if you don't have an option on renting one, or if you don't mind buying one to have. It isn't perfect, but there are some decent qualities about it. I'm very persnickety about instruments, my woodwind instruments cost well into and beyond thousands of dollars range, even my beginning ones. This little guy, for what I want it for--learning the basics (fingering, bowing, proper care) is PERFECT for anyone. Here are my notes about this violin: 1. The appearance of the violin is alright. It isn't anything special. In fact, it looks as if paper has been placed over the wood frame, and painted to look like it has groves, or actual wood designs. 2. The bow is acceptable, it works well enough for a beginner (young and old). It takes some effort getting the strands to be tight enough. I had to do a lot of pushing in and turning of the screw to get it to do its job. Once I had that settled and had enough rosin on it, it looked pretty great! And it even helped to produce a decent sound. 3. The tuning pegs are just awful! BUT how to prevent slipping: -Remove pegs (untwist them, get the wire off. -once the pegs are removed, rub them over the rosin. Make sure the cover the part of the peg that sticks into the violin with rosin. You will want the pegs to look white, or at least dusted white. -Once pegs are covered with rosin, re-insert pegs/restring violin. PUSH THE PEGS IN ALMOST AS FAR AS THEY WILL GO! **The rosin prevents slipping. The pegs are not in all the way to begin with, but with out the rosin, they will not stay pushed in. After that is done, carefully tune the violin. YOUR VIOLIN WILL NOT STAY IN TUNE WITH NEW STRINGS! You will need to tune each string sharp, about a whole note sharp. With all strings (violin, guitar...) the tuning will slip for a while because those strings are not use to being 'pulled' and they will slip on their own. Tune it sharp, let it sit. Retune it sharp, and let it sit again. Do this often the first day. This will help your violin stay in tune while you attempt to play it. the strings need to be stretched enough so they will not slip and become flat. Most high quality stringed instruments don't need to be fussed with so much, but since this is not high quality, you will need to be patient and work with it longer before you can start. Now, here are my final suggestions: Do not buy this violin if you are serious about learning. Pay more money for one. Do buy this if you 1. Can't rent one (no option to) and 2. If you have a beginner who is a little rough on things. If they like it, have them use this until they get a little less violent, or have them use it at school. Kids destroy their instruments at school, I can't tell you how many instruments I repair while working. You can buy a nicer one, but only allow them to play it at home, during lessons, and for 'chair challenges' at school. It will keep the nicer one safe, while allowing them to still learn how to play. In the end, if you really don't like it, re-sell it or return it, or hang it up on your wall as decoration. They look awesome as a decoration. This is not a marvelous instrument, but it is exceptable if you or a child want to get an understanding or feel for the instrument before spending more money. This instrument will do the job, but it isn't perfect. Make sure to take care of the pegs first, or you will hate this instrument!