The Instrument Store TIS-200 Student Violin Full Size (4/4) with Ebony Fittings, Case and Bow

First off, let me start by saying that I'm not violin professional or even player in the slightest. I love to play the piano, and violin has always seemed to me as the great partner to the piano, in terms of popularity, music capacity, and power. I decided I would teach myself the skill of violin, but without breaking the bank. I decided on this one for reasons that I can't quite remember. I think it was because it was the cheapest that looked nice visually. Ordered it w/ the protection plan.I was currently on a trial of Prime, so I received my package in two days. It ships in a very large box, maybe 6 inches deep, and four by five feet. The case is within the box, I think with some wrapping if I remember correctly. The case is a high quality case, if nothing else, you have a decent case to sell off. It has backpack like straps that are very useful, and also has an exterior pocket, though I don't put things in there. The violin also comes with a informational book from The Instrument Store, about set up, names of parts, very basic information.The Violin itself was covered by a protective cloth in the case, a nice feature to have. It is a carbon copy of the image on this site, which is nice in that you know what you're getting, but disheartening in that you know you're getting factory work (It is only $50). It looks beautiful, if nothing else. The bridge was a little crooked, though it was set up. I had to straighten it a smidge. The strings are not tight, but do hold the bridge on. Be careful the first time you tune it. Don't go too fast, or you will break the strings. They are new, and they are not the highest quality. I snapped the G (low) string the first time I tuned it, and was without bass for a week. I recommend buying  ViolinSmart 4/4 Violin Strings Set  just to have on hand with your violin. As to the tuners, I have found that they hold quite well, and are well fitted. The violin holds a tune for a very long time once you have broken it in after the first initial weeks.The bow is the weakness of the package. It is brand new, so you will need rosin. This does come with some, but I had to stop in at a local music store to get some higher quality rosin. Remember what you're paying here. Make sure you score the rosin (google it), this gives the best. Rosin is required to create friction between the strings and the hair; not using it makes an awful sound, comparable to a dying feline. The bow is not of supreme quality, but, it is a bow.I decided to teach myself the violin, so I opted for a book to accompany this. My band course in High School uses the Essential Elements series, so I decided to go with that as well.  Essential Elements 2000 for Strings: Book 1 with CD-ROM (Violin)  makes a great companion to any self teaching player. I also bought a shoulder rest,  Everest EZ Series Shoulder Rest for 4/4 Violin . Shoulder rests are not necessary, it's more of a personal playing preference as to how you want to use it. Many do, many do not.All in all, this is a phenomenal product for the price that one pays. I have already decided to upgrade to a rental violin and donate this to my HS band program. This instrument has the power to rekindle the flames of any musical passion, as long as that passion is matched with dedication. I highly recommend this to beginners only.

I dont like reviews from people who dont know about the subject at hand, so I will make myself clear: Im NOT a violinist, but still, as a guitar player I know a thing or two about how a string musical instrument is supposed to work.The construction feels nice, no pieces came loose, no flaws from factory. it feels light and kind of cheap, but hey, It is cheap after all.my first problem is the tuning wich is impossible to get right, i dont know if it is the voilin or the strings, im almost sure is the pegs that are not strong enough to resist the string tension and just give in, losing tinung. anyway, problem solved when I tuned a few notes lower, overall sounding still very good with less strain on the instrument, so Im satisfied.the bow has lost a few strings here and there, but It works fine, has not broken, the tension seems to work well, also the soap works. Its okthe one thing that gets my attention is the bridge (or thing were strings are attached in the lower section), according to what i read on the web there are at least 2 types of bridge, this violin comes with the coolest, but also makes strings harder for me to change (first day broke 2 of em)I think the instrument is a perfect gift for a beginer (just like me) since violin is hard to learn and not very popular, even if i dont continue my training, I dont consider it a loss, rather it was a creative investment. I have to say that I got it in special offer, like around 79 bucks, wich is great.Im happy with my purchase, though I understand people who dont, since I had to work around many problems to get it running fine, but in the end it did and I was satisfied thanks to my previous knowledge of musicAs for the rest of the kit, the case is great and comes with a small booklet wich is a great helpI recomend this violin as entry level, functional with a few tweaks, it is cheap but not BAD-cheap.

This is a pretty good violin for the money. Setup was a breeze, just tune the strings, rosin the bow, and play.There are however a few downsides I noticed with mine. There was a small piece of wood chipped off near the tuning pegs, but I think I can glue it back on. The strings are raised a little too high off the fingerboard, but can be fixed by sanding the bridge and string guides down a little bit. The finish near the edges of the front and back look like it has been damaged, somebody globbed it with wood filler and sanded it down. Furthermore the finish has little scrapes and dents here and there. The strings sound tinny and nasally, but those can be replaced with softer sounding strings. The E string fine tuner doesn't set correctly, so it doesn't work. The bow and rosin is just fine, works excellently.I would not take this into any orchestra, but It's fine for practice or for taking places you would hesitate to bring a more expensive instrument.Although not related to anything important, as opposed to how my other higher quality instruments smell, it smells like that cheap furniture you find in department stores.

I bought this violin because I have been wanting to start playing again. I played for 9 years but stopped after high school. It has been 12 years and while I still have my wonderful violin at my mom's house, I worried about shipping it here. (I live on an island in the middle of the Bering Sea right now) My violin at home has a rich beautiful sound, but is several thousand dollars, so that is to be expected.This violin is great for the price, definitely not as forgiving as I would like, but I am rusty and it is an inexpensive violin. For the price, it is better quality than what I expected and I am pleased for now.I am going to start teaching my daughter violin and have been practicing with this one for several days now. Overall I am very satisfied.