40 years playing guitar, complete newbie to the violin. First, the instrument looks beautiful and comes with everything you need safe and sound in it's own case. It's completely set up and ready to tune and play. The white has a subtle sparkle to it that I really like. It does smell like paint upon opening but that will dissipate, albeit slowly, very slowly. It is very loud unplugged and sounds like itself when plugged into an amp. I had no trouble getting it to produce distinguishable notes using the bow, rosin and strings that it comes with. Yes, the back of the neck is unpainted but that is how it's supposed to be. I replaced 2 of the 4 strings with D'Addario preludes when I accidentally broke them by using the wrong peg for the wrong string and I actually prefer the sound of the stock strings, they seem more articulate. I've had no trouble tuning it and it keeps it's tune for a few days at a time, although I always tune any of my stringed instruments before playing them.

Before changing anything, whether bow, strings, rosin or shoulder rest, take a look at Fiddlerman's "109 dollar violin test" on youtube where he takes it out of the box, tunes it very quickly, and plays with everything it comes with. It's the same violin as this one in black without the electronics. It sounds fantastic when he plays it and he is quite impressed and he is also quite impressive. The only thing I've had to add to this outfit is a mute because it's so loud it was hurting my left ear. I would also recommend a snark clipon tuner if you don't already have one. I play with the tuner clipped behind the scroll which makes it easier to know where to put your finger when you are starting out.

I am so pleased with this brand that I have also ordered their viola outfit as well.

Excellent violin, tunes well plays in tune...love it!

For a little over $100 I think this violin is a pretty good value and sound can be improved by purchasing some extras.

I bought this to learn to play on. At 6 months in I went to a violin shop, heard how much better expensive instruments sounded and bought a $700 violin. 6 months further on now and a lot of my sound problems that frustrated me into buying the better instrument aren't really there anymore when I got back and play this one. The $700 violin does still sound nicer, but I would hope so. The pickup does make this violin heavy, 22oz for this violin vs 17oz for the other one. I needed the shoulder rest when I started playing and when I switched to the other violin was able to quit using it.

There's lots of advice about what to buy to improve this violin and all of the stuff is expensive, especially compared to the price of this kit. Here's what I tried and how it worked out.

Strings: First I bought Artisan's Violin Strings for 4 4 & 3 4 Size, G-D-A-E Strings Those were barely/if at all an improvement from what came on the violin, Not really worth the purchase.

Then I tried Thomastik-Infeld VI100 Vision Violin Strings, Complete Set, 4/4 Size They did make a difference and even at $50 a set was the cheapest way to get the most improvement in sound especially on the low end. I'm not sure had I put these strings on right away if I would have bought the more expensive violin so soon.

Bow: I bought an Arnold carbon fiber violin bow at the violin shop for $150 with the second violin, it was the 2nd cheapest thing they sold. I can tell some difference in the sound between that and the bow that came with this set. A new bow would probably be the thing to get after new strings.

Rosin: Didn't even try the rosin that came with this. I did try Jade L'Opera JADE Rosin for Violin, Viola, and Cello and it was horrible. It left a mess all over everything and caked up on my strings. Buy the most expensive rosin you can get if you think it'll make a difference. I've been practicing an hour a day most everyday and haven't hardly put a dent in my block of rosin. It's works out to be pretty much free per hour of play.

Over all no one who isn't an absolute beginner would be buying this violin. Had my cheapest option been a $500 bare bones setup from a violin shop I would have never even tried to learn to play. Now a year in I love it and play everyday thanks to this purchase. I've kept this violin around because it can't have much resale since it's so cheap new and it does have the pickups in case I'd want to amplify or record something. I've never amplified this except for once right out of the box. It sounded just like I was playing only louder, which for a beginner means it sounded horrible. I haven't amplified it since because a violin is loud enough on its own unless you're performing somewhere maybe.

For a beginner I'd definitely recommend this kit. If you know 100% for sure you'd be playing after another 300 hours of practice then maybe you should just start on something nicer. If you'd like to try it and make sure it's for you, you can't hardly lose. A bottom of the line bow at a violin shop costs more than this whole kit.

I bought this violin as I have always wanted to learn to play. So far, I am very happy with it. I will say that the A string broke during tuning. This was frustrating, as I had to buy new "” albeit better quality "” strings. After getting it restrung, I was able to get everything tuned.

The case seems really good. The zipper on the front pocket was messed up and took some finagling to get back into alignment, but I was able to without any damage.

On the inside, everything feels secure and well protected. The rosin arrived perfectly intact. The bow feels good.

I cannot say too much on the overall sound quality on the acoustic end, as I am just starting out, so I am still at the stage where my "playing" sounds like a cat in medical distress.

I have yet to hook it up to a PA/Amplifier, so I will update this review when I know if that function is working properly.

For now, I consider this to be an amazing value for the beginner violinist.

The fit and finish of this violin is excellent. However, the acoustic sound quality out of the box leaves something to be desired, but can be improved. To begin with, put in the garbage the bow and strings. A better bow and set of strings does wonders for improving the sound of this violin. A Fiddlerman bow and string set is recommended. Acoustically this violin sound quality is not too bad with those few additions. Electrically, this violin is very good. One of the positives of this violin is that the pegs work very well, the best I have seen in Cecilio violins. If you want a better sounding low cost acoustic violin, the Cecilio CVN-500, CVN-600, or Mendini MV-500 would be preferred. The case and accessories are useful if needed. I am using this violin as a project. I installed Wittner geared pegs, a boxwood tailpiece, and Fiddlerman strings on this violin. It is still somewhat marginal acoustically, but the electric portion of this violin rocks. I don't recommencement this Cecilio violin as an acoustic violin for the beginner, the Cecilio CVN-500, CVN-600, or Mendini MV-500 is the way to go. Wait for a sale.