I didn't buy this from amazon but picked it up cheap at a local music shop after the person they special ordered it for backed out. I am 27 years old and have been playing one instrument or another since I was 6- some professionally taught, some self taught. I bought this just to plink around with and learn on. I have not had any troubles with it getting tuned, staying in tuned, breaking, ect.

However, it is what you pay for. I can hear the difference between this one and the people who taught me how to play (they all have very nice, professional, antique violins!). I think the bow has a few problems as I can move the frog back and forth with out adjusting the screw but it does not interfere with playing it.

Ultimately, I found this a great violin to get started on. Should I get better, I will probably consider some day replacing it with a better one but it is serving it purpose just fine for now.

I was recently in a music store looking at mandolins and the guy working there said something I think applies very well to this instrument: sometimes cheap ones are wonderful; better than the expensive ones. Sometimes the expensive ones are terrible. Ultimately, you just gotta play with it and find one that works for you.

My son loved this gift. He does not know how to play the violin but plans on teaching himself as he loves different instruments and music. Everything was there as described, great for a beginner.

When I got the violin the strings were out of tune, so I went to a music store and had them put on new strings which they tuned for me right then and there. Be sure to use plenty of rosin on the bow hairs because they're new.

I also got the ABCs of Violin book #1 and its CD. These materials plus the violin worked well for me.

Great way to begin playing the violin! My lifelong dream....

Running through a lot of these reviews, I felt I should type a proper one. For starters, it tunes if you know what you're doing- the concept is there, there's a friction peg that fits into the hole properly, and if it slides use an abrasive or goop just like you'd do on a high-end 300 year old instrument. There's microtuners that definitely do their job perfectly- after being extremely aggressive during playing, I tested the tune with my chromatic tuner, and my G string was the only string that was off, and it was -01 cent off... which is fantastic. The over-all tone isn't as lush as it COULD be, but in return, I feel that this violin isn't as lush as a higher-end instrument because the build material is brand new/not cured, and anyone that has dedicated time into playing any instrument will tell you- it's like a wine... it needs to age to be sweet. Honestly, for the price, I could justify this being 1/4th the quality that it is and probably not complain about it. It's not for auditions, but it, just like any other instrument, does not make the musician- it just translates and broadcasts.

Any newcomer will enjoy this setup, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, and it's cheap! As a new player, you'll be too ruff on the bow, and overtighten then undertighten strings- this will take it, and prepare you for whenever you want to step-up to something more high-end if you feel you need to.

Look, it's not a high-quality, exceedingly beautiful instrument. My dad bought this model for me off of eBay for like $35 back in the day (~2001), and it's the only violin I've owned. I recently replaced the bow when I decided to pick it back up because it had disintegrated over time, but the violin itself is still in great shape and, by the way, basically held its tune while sitting for years in the corner of my office. Several years ago, I took it to a luthier to have the sound post fixed/set, but there have been no issues since. If you're just starting out and don't have a lot of money, this is great. I do plan to upgrade if I stick back with my practicing because I understand that the sound could be better, but I made 1st chair for several years and won a few awards as a student with it, so I have no complaints.