I bought this recently due to the fact that I've always loved the sound of orchestra's, especially the strings section. It always sounded so majestic, regardless of the theme. I also enjoyed the softness a viola gave over a violin. I feel like a Viola is more of a behind-the-scenes instrument which, though almost unnoticeable, is a core instrument. I decided to take the initiative to learn, and I thought that this would be a perfect start.

Enough of me, more about the instrument!

The whole thing was a beauty from the box. The strings were slackened and the bridge placed to the side. A couple Youtube tutorials and a few articles helped me figure out how to actually place the bridge in the correct spot. Having a bit of an ear for musical notes, I was able to tune the instrument quickly enough. Blah Blah Blah rosin the bow blah blah and more. After setting it up, I noticed that the strings were off balance. The tailpiece was pointed toward the right rather than up perpendicular to the bridge. This isn't really something you can fix, but I was able to get over the strange appearance of the the off-centered strings. Additionally, the pegs tend to slip often. It was initially annoying trying to tune the viola and having the peg slip the moment I let go, but applying lots of pressure while tuning plus installing the strings correctly helped reduce the slipping greatly

As for how it sounds: It's amazing. At first it sounded a bit strange, but the more you play, the more you realize the beauty in it, and the better you play. It really is more than I could have expected for the price, even considering I'd never seen a viola previous to buying it! Sure, buying new strings and a better bow will improve the quality of the sound, but for the beginner (like myself), being able to at least hear the implication of what it is I'm trying to play is a dream come true.

For conclusion, I'd would 100% recommend this to a friend, or a stranger, or whoever else I might come in contact with. I give the four starts because of the misaligned tailpiece, but that is my personal problem, and I'm sure it won't happen to any of you contemplating buyers

The instrument itself is lovely and stays in tune surprisingly well. I'm an adult beginner on viola and was expecting a much less quality instrument, like the dreaded "orange" beginner stringed instruments you see. But the finish is lovely, the sound is pleasing (I have auditory issues with loud screechy sounds), and it's surprisingly easy to play with the factory strings. The case is what you'd expect on a budget instrument, but it's not too shabby.

My small gripe: there is a number marking on the fingerboard, I'm assuming a QC or inventory mark. A little spit and rubbing didn't take it off. Hopefully it's pencil and I can erase it.

My big gripe: the bow is absolutely horrible. The hair was strung so unevenly that even taught, there are VERY loose strands. The curve is so shallow that when loose the stick is still almost straight. There are a number of other issues with it that are even hard to put into words. When tightened to the point I'm worried it might break if I go tighter, the hairs still almost contact the stick when bowing. And as for it holding rosin, the cake it came with doesn't have a flat surface, so it you really have to work that much harder until it either wears down or you resurface the rosin yourself, then you can play maybe 5-10 minutes before you notice the hair losing grip on the strings. It might just be me being new to strings, or this bow is really as bad is it seems.

So overall, the instrument itself is well worth the price but get a better bow and maybe some better rosin.

It's what you'd expect from a Chinese-made instrument - functional, but you probably won't be playing it in the Boston Symphony. You get a good bang for your buck - extra strings, extra bridge, and most importantly, a hard case. My wife got this because she used to play 40+ years ago when she was young, so she's essentially a beginner again. I play banjo, so I suspect she got this to get even with me. Nobody visits us anymore.

Okay, this is a little premature, I got it today and haven't tuned it or brought it to my teacher for her to break it over my head, and I'm a total newbie, never played strings before besides guitar and... keyboard. No chance I could ever afford an "approved" one. The price is obviously unbelievable. However the case is hard and felted, and the construction is beautiful of wood, with plastic parts (neck guard). It's *very* lightweight. When I first saw it I thought it was too small to make Viola-bassey sounds and wondered if they sent me a violin by mistake.

But I'm writing about the immediate construction and first *sound*, timber, functionality (playability) of the instrument. I somehow managed to rosin my first bow adequately (my orchestral roommate tightened it when he came home because I forgot to). I had watched YouTube videos and read the scant instructions which tell you to wait and let your instructor guide you in your first setup. I held it (I'll definitely need a shoulder brace), and tried the lowest open string... my eyes opened wide. I had never produced a tone on a concert stringed instrument before. It was BEAUTIFUL. And totally bassey. Sounded exactly as it should (correct tuned pitch aside). I was actually amazed. I played all the strings open one at a time, likewise. Absolutely lovely instrument with a beautiful and fully resonate, bassey sound. Just like the YouTube videos. I tried some fingerings; okay, that'll take practice and a developed reach. But clearly it would play. If there's a problem of tuning, not holding pitch or cracking, I'll update my review. But I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this instrument if you're worried if it sounds good enough, esp. for the price. I hope my instructor doesn't break it over my head, I love it and will be sad. My first 4/4 cello by the same maker and store is on the way! :) My seller feedback:

Thrilled! Arrived early, unbroken, with hardcase and all accessories, and... plays! First time ever player, sounds wonderful! :) :) Thank you!

Update: Ok it's two hours before my first lesson. Tried to tune, string broke and the tuners generally won't hold. I should have had it set up before lesson day. I'm going to see if she knows a trick with rosin or such to make tuners stick. Otherwise I'll have to wait for a setup and it'll set my lesson back and may make it unaffordable depending. I'm not in the market for a more expensive instrument at this time. The sound of the box is still terrific and bow and rosin work fine. 4 stars and we'll see.

Update Update: My teacher took it walked around awhile while I was getting ready and handing it back to me said, "Why did you think it couldn't be tuned?!" :) I also got a shoulder rest and two packs of DiDarios. So back to Fine Instrument! :) but follow instructions and let your instructor do the setup the first time. You'll save a string. She understood it was inexpensive, knew the price, but had no problem working with it and is starting me on the Suzuki method :) I thought the tuners absolutely wouldn't hold, so see a pro before giving up!

I was playing a borrowed rental Viola and was impressed with the Viola sound. I purchased this Viola and hoped. It has great sound. It's well made and easy to play. Definitely recommended for beginner or intermediate player. It is a 16" Viola and designed for adult size.