10/31/2011

D'Addario Helicore 1/8 Violin String Set Medium Gauge Review

D'Addario Helicore 1/8 Violin String Set Medium Gauge
Average Reviews:

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I am not an expert on string instruments. My daughter's teacher told us that we needed new strings. When we got these and put them on, the violin did sound nice. Then, we went to our lesson and the teacher raved about the sound. Now, she wants all of her students to get these strings!

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Multi-strand twisted steel core strings are superb for the advanced and professional player. The small string diameter provides quick bow response. Produce a warm, clear sound with excellent pitch stability and longevity.

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Full-size 4/4 Silver Mounted Violin Bow, Brazilwood, Flower Inlay, Well-balanced Bow Review

Full-size 4/4 Silver Mounted Violin Bow, Brazilwood, Flower Inlay, Well-balanced Bow
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Very nice bow. After two months of being "lightly" used, the wood at the tip split, what a shame. I think there was a flaw or a weak point in the grain of the wood. I contacted the company, and they had a replacement at my door within just a few days!

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Completely Hand-Made with Selected Brazilwood & Natural Mongolian Horse Hair; Octagonal Stick, Silver Thread Winding; Ebony Frog, Reasonable Weight and Well Balanced. Weight: ~2.25 OZ, Length: 29 1/8". Balance point 18.5"-18.75" from tip.

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10/30/2011

Mark Set Go Instrument Fingerboard Tape: Silver Tape with Black Felt Review

Mark Set Go Instrument Fingerboard Tape: Silver Tape with Black Felt
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I am extremely satisfied with the product as well as the company and its customer service. Great job.

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The Mark!Set!Go! Silver Fingerboard Tapes were developed by Pearl Jones so both teachers and students can have a convenient way to mark finger positions on their instrument. No longer search for scissors. These silver precut glossy strips easily lift off and no time is wasted trying to remove their backing. These silver colored tapes are 2" long by 3/16th" wide and fit all sizes of violins and violas and there's enough for 6 instruments. Precut felt adhesive squares are included. The squares can be used to mark thumb position placements as well, if desired.

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Thomastik Dominant Violin String Sets 4/4, Mittel, with Steel/Alum E, Loop End Review

Thomastik Dominant Violin String Sets 4/4, Mittel, with Steel/Alum E, Loop End
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The Dominant strings sets the standard for synthetic violin strings, and is usually the default string to put on an instrument. It is middle of the road, and gives a pretty decent, although somewhat sterile, tone. When it is new, there is a slight metallic feel, but that goes away after it is stretched out. They last about 2-3 months, fairly bright, but with good overtones, and then gradually get duller. The E string is just ordinary, and many people substitute a different E string (such as Pirastro Gold). I like the Kaplan Solo E string with the Dominant G, D, A.

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Dominant series violin strings are one of the most widely-used synthetic strings, Thomastik Dominant strings have a highly flexible, multi-strand nylon core that is comparable in sound and feel to natural gut.

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10/29/2011

EarMaster 5 Review

EarMaster 5
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I love this software. I'm a pretty crappy guitarist who decided to go back to the basics and learn some music theory (which I'm doing via the "absolutely understand guitar" DVD set by Scotty West -- I recommend that product as well -- the presenter has a tendency to ramble and excessively repeat himself but ultimately the material is solid and a lot of things are starting to click so it was worth hanging in there). Anyway, this software is a perfect complement to your music theory studies. I think that unless you're just lucky to be born with a natural talent, you're going to need some dictation of intervals, chords, scales, and rhythm to atune your ear to how they sound. Playing it on your own instrument isn't as effective because you can't help using your eyes and fingers as a crutch. With this software, you have nothing but your ears to find the answer.
Some small nits to pick, which I'm writing here hoping that emedia will read this and include in its next upgrade: (1) the sounds are pretty crappy and hardly like the instruments they're supposed to represent. I'd rather get a choice of three instruments (say, piano, violin and steel string acoustic guitar) that sound realistic than 60+ crappy MIDI ones. (2) I wish an exercise were included that helps you train absolute pitch. For this, I think the Deburgh method is good. It starts by playing two notes (Eb and F#) and you have to listen in to the character of each and once you can distinguish them you progress to other/additional notes. (3) Another thing that I would find extremely useful is if the scale identification (which is what I'm working on now) could be expanded beyond ascending/descending. My hunch is that a program could be written to pick out notes from a scale in a sequence that still sounds relatively musical (following some musical rules). Or alternatively, plenty of examples (a couple of hundred, so you can't rely on memory) could be stored of existing music pieces in those scales. Ultimately, I would like to be able to hear something on the radio and be able to pick up by the character of the music that it's in this or that scale/mode (even if I can't tell the pitch) and the included exercise (just ascending/descending) is a bit too easy.

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If you want to sing, improvise or jam with complete confidence, you need to recognize all the sounds around you. Ear training can make this possible. Making music with others will become easy and fun! EarMaster is your personal teacher. It is easy to use and provides instant feedback. EarMaster includes a Standard Tutor with over 400 lessons as well as a Jazz Tutor with over 200 lessons. Both will guide you and automatically increase in difficulty as your ear improves. Create your own customized exercises to improve the way you play, compose and notate any style of music!

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The Original RDM Student Mini Dark Rosin in Woodframe For Violin - Viola - Cello Review

The Original RDM Student Mini Dark Rosin in Woodframe For Violin - Viola - Cello
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It's okay... nothing fancy. Adequate, does a good job, except not so well in really cold weather because of the lack of humidity in the air (my current problem). So, I'm getting a stickier rosin. It is definitely worth its price, although it may not be worth the cost of shipping.

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Great dark mini rosin at an even better price!! The RDM Student Mini Dark Rosin comes in a wooden tray and is perfect for students. This rosin is suitable for violin, viola and cello. This is genuine RDM Student Mini Dark Rosin, not an imitation!

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10/28/2011

Rogue VB100 Violin Bass Guitar, Vintage Sunburst Review

Rogue VB100 Violin Bass Guitar, Vintage Sunburst
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I LOVE THIS LITTLE BASS!!! Only had it for two full days, yet, it's personality has grabbed my bass heart and shook it. Connected to my BX1B & Hartke 12" combo, it made sounds that made my imagination soar. Wonderful bass tones, crazy effects, making "pigs fly", and attempts at the "Jaco Growl".....LOVIN' IT!. Got a set of LaBella flatwounds on the way for some deep groove warm butta action. Excellent price, excellent product. Some production flaws like uneven markers above one fret, and after removing the pick guard(cheesy), the holes left leave small cracks around them. Wanted to leave the holes exposed, by decided to but the screws back in(lame), but overall, a BEAUTIFUL instrument with a wonderful character, just waiting for me to breath life into it when I get home from a hard day. Thanks to ROGUE for making this sound & technology affordable to us part-time Bass players, full-time Bass lovers.

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The Rogue VB-100 violin bass guitar features a flamed maple arched top and back with the European-style hollowbody that makes it lightweight and capable of deep, resonant bass tones. The violin bass's traditional 31" scale offers immediate familiarity in your hands. A custom trapeze tailpiece, pearloid pickguard, and body binding on front and back are added touches. Don't be fooled by the tiny price; this Rogue a serious violin bass nicely made with all the playability and tone of the original at a fraction of the cost.

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Full Size Violin 4 X 4 with Case - Metallic White Review

Full Size Violin 4 X 4 with Case - Metallic White
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My experience with this product is great. I decided to start learning how to play violin. I decided to start with a cheap one. This one seemed like the way to go because the only negative reviews I read were contradicted by the helpful description. I paid only about 20 dollars for shipping and that was to receive it 3 days after I ordered. When I got it I just followed the instructions they sent to my email, installed the bridge, and tuned it. Then I plucked the strings to stretch them and retune a few times and before long they stopped slipping. It took a while, and reading up on rosin before I could get the bow to work but now I'm good to go, very happy with my purchase, and ready to find an instructor.

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Free carrying case. Four fine tuners. Featherweight case with strap and carrying handle. Pear wood fingerboard. Rosin. Accessory colors/style may vary.

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10/27/2011

Knilling 4/4 size Perfection Planetary Geared Violin Peg Set with Synthetic Head Review

Knilling 4/4 size Perfection Planetary Geared Violin Peg Set with Synthetic Head
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I had never heard of this product before my son requested it as a Christmas present. He was very pleased to have received it. I called our local music store and was told these were not available from Knilling, that Knilling only sold them already on their violins. However, I was thrilled to have found this set on Amazon!

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Save time, effort, and frustration when tuning your string instrument! Tune your violin in seconds! Excellent alternative for players young and older players having difficulty tuning instruments equipped with conventional wood pegs. Endorsed and used by clinicians, teachers, students and professionals alike, Perfection pegs utilize a revolutionary internal planetary gear design, to ensure players of all ages effortless, precise tuning without sticking or slipping pegs. Designed to look virtually identical to conventional wood pegs for aesthetic appeal, Perfection pegs also are easy to install, safe for the instrument, and need no servicing or maintenance. In addition, the 4:1 gear reduction enables the peg to function like a fine tuner, eliminating the need for fine tuners on the tailpiece - which improves instrument response. Available for violin, viola and cello. Professional installation required.

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Sky Transducer Soundhole Pickup for Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Violin, Classical Review

Sky Transducer Soundhole Pickup for Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Violin, Classical
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Here are prosd and cons:
Con: the pading underneath the transducer is not enough and scracthes your guitar.
Cons: Because it has a sigle metal clip on its back to hold it against the soudhoke, it goes bad shortly and do not work anymore, meaning it looses its tight grip on your guitar and no longer transduce any more and becomes useless.
Con: when it does make a tight contact, the sound quality is not very good specially on high and mid range.
Pros: inexpensive
I do not recomend it.

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The Sky transducer is perfect for amplifying your acoustic guitar, mandolin, violin, or any string instrument with a soundhole or f-hole. This is a great option for guitars with nylon strings since a magnetic pickup will not work. It features a built in volume knob for finding the perfect level of amplification needed for your instrument. The P1 uses a "belt clip" design for easy installation and removal, making it perfect for switching instruments on the fly. No messy glue or double stick tape needed; simply clip this to your instrument and you're ready to go. The included standard 1/4" plug makes it possible to plug into any amp or PA.

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10/26/2011

Crescent 4/4 Full Size Violin with Case - Natural Color - Complete Set Review

Crescent 4/4 Full Size Violin with Case - Natural Color - Complete Set
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I've wanted to learn the violin for a very long time, but also wanted one at a reasonable price, which in Perth is very hard to find.
Delivery was very prompt, however upon receiving the violin I noticed there was a wooden peg about an inch long stuck inside. After a chopstick, blu-tack and some 10 min worth of manouvering later, it was removed without harm to the instrument.
The rosin provided was pretty average, so I went to our local music store and bought the best German made rosin they had. I got a beautiful tone out of the instrument, nice accoustics, the chin rest was decent. I should also note that it doesn't come with a spare set of strings, unlike some other violins in the same price range here. But it's one of the few companies that ships out of the US, and for the price it certainly didn't feel like a cheap instrument.
Overall I'm very happy with the purchase, if you are a beginner after a good value violin then I'd certainly recommend the Crescent. Just have some Blu-tack handy.

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Glasser Fiberglass Violin Bow with Plastic Grip (4/4 Size) Review

Glasser Fiberglass Violin Bow with Plastic Grip (4/4 Size)
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Very well made product..... I thought it wasn't going to be the best quality available but the product prooved me wrong it shipped almost instantly an arrived to my house almost a day earlier than what it was meant to... The material and sound quality that I get out of my violin from thi product it's is extremely good... Defitnetly an item I recommend

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Fiberglass violin bow with horsehair, plastic frog and leatherette grip. Fiberglass bows are a good alternative to inexpensive wood bows. They are more durable, will not warp, and are a great value for beginning students...

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10/25/2011

ViolinSmart Oblong Violin Case 4/4 Full Size (Green) Review

ViolinSmart Oblong Violin Case 4/4 Full Size (Green)
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I didn't see any reviews for this product when i ordered it but was willing to take my chances, and am very pleased with my decision. It is a well made case with plenty of room. I own an electric "Wood Violin-(Saber)" and needed a case that would protect as well as have a storage place for shoulder rest, rosin, tuner, etc. My Saber fits in this case perfect like the case was specifically made for this violin, and the lower storage compartment has plenty of room for my "kork' tuner and metronome still in there boxes. The storage compartment for the rosin is very small, but there was plenty of room in the lower storage compartment for that also. The storage compartment for the shoulder rest is a little tight, but then again the rest that I have is also a taller one due to the fact that this is an electric violin, I tried the "Kun" shoulder rest from my accoustic violin and it fits well. They also provide a very nice Padded cloth to go over top of the violin. The onlt thing I didn't care for was the means to hold the violin securely in place, rather than a secure velcro hold down they use just a thin piece of ribbon that you tie around the finger board, this seams to work okay, will see just how long it lasts. All and all I am very pleased with this product and would reccomend this pruduct to anyone looking for a nice case with a nice price.

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Lightweight (

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AXL SV-050 Violin Holder Review

AXL SV-050 Violin Holder
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I ordered this and when it arrived I found it is waaaaay to big to hold a violin. When I set my instrument on it, my violin teeters and with any slight breeze it would just fall off. If it didn't cost more in shipping to return it than the holder itself I would send it back. Not cool.

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Violin Holder

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10/24/2011

Kun Collapsible Mini Brown Shoulder Rest for 1/16 - 1/4 Violin Review

Kun Collapsible Mini Brown Shoulder Rest for 1/16 - 1/4 Violin
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My daughter has been using a sponge shoulder rest for 1 year and recently moved up to 1/4 size violin.
I was hoping to find a shoulder rest that can accommodate 1/4 and 1/2 size so that she can use it for a couple years, but I couldn't find anything decent. So I ended up buying this one because I have a full size (4/4) collapsible one from Kun myself and I am reasonably happey with it.
The design of this one is the same as the full size one. The height of the shoulder rest is adjusted by turning the 2 screws in/out of the base, which is made entirely of plastic. It turns out that even at its maximal height (which is achieved by unscrewing the 2 screws as much as possible before they fall off the base), it is still not enough for my daughter whose neck is considered average or slightly longer than average if I look at kids in her class. I suspect many kids who try to use this with 1/4 violin may face similar problem. We end up wrapping a piece of cloth around the foam and still use it. The real problem is that when you have to use it at its maximal height, you have 2 metal screws into a plastic base in the minimal number of turns (to achieve the maximal height). Under this condition, a lot of stress is applied to the threads (out of the plastic base) which is going to wear out very soon. So the durability is questionable. In contrast, the full size one that I use have very long screws. So at least 1/3 of the screws are seated in the base, which reduces the wear of individual threads. I guess Kun can't use really long screws for this miniature model because the plastic pieces where the screws seat are much smaller than those in the full size one. That is the fundamental limit of the design when you try to make a shoulder rest to accommodate a wide range of violin sizes and kids with different neck length.
The bottom line: if you are buying this for 1/16 to 1/8 size of violin, it should be fine.
If it's for 1/4 and your kid has an average or long neck, you might want to consider the original Kun that is not collapsible but designed to accommodate 1/8 to 1/4 size violin.
If you intend to buy it and use it for a few years, I am not sure it will last.


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The Kun Collapsible Mini Brown Shoulder Rest for 1/16 - 1/4 Violin is a favorite with children! This model is brown and it is available in other fun colors. It features a comfortable contoured bar with foam padding. It is height and angle adjustable and the legs fold flat for compact case or pocket storage. This great little brown shoulder rest fits 1/16 - 1/4 violins.

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VIOLINSMART Full Size 4/4 Red/Pink Electric Violin Complete Set Review

VIOLINSMART Full Size 4/4 Red/Pink Electric Violin Complete Set
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Yes, It is good for practising, but NOT good for a beginner. I have 20+ years of experience playing the violin. The instrument has many disadvantages, starting with the pieces of the violin. The sound quality is ok. The items included are cheap (eg rosin, shoulder pad, headphones).
Steps to make the instrument better:
1. Get better strings: the strings that come w/ the violin will make your fingers bleed. For a seasoned pro like me that is sad because I have well broken-in fingers with both the violin and cello!
2. Change the tail/bridge/chin rest/pegs: The material it is made of gives a weird vibration when played. It does reduce frustration! Especially with the pegs!
3. Spend the money to get fine tuning pins. This will help in the tuning process! Again, less frustration!
4. Get a new bow!! WOOD is best! Cheap bows will sound like...well cheap.
5. The weight is heavy. You may want to consider this if you are buying this for a child.
Make sure you read the reviews!! You get what you pay for! If you want quality....buy something $200 or more. These $80 violins are exactly what you are paying for...cheap!

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Complete Electric Violin package with Bow + Soft Shell Case + Earhone + Rosin + Amp Cable + 9V Battery.

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10/23/2011

ViolinSmart Oblong Violin Case 4/4 Full Size (Burgundy) Review

ViolinSmart Oblong Violin Case 4/4 Full Size (Burgundy)
Average Reviews:

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This case is super, both the exterior and interior are of great quality.
The design is new-school and is professional looking to take anywhere.

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