1/26/2012

Cremona SV-130 Premier Novice Violin, 1/16-Size Review

Cremona SV-130 Premier Novice Violin, 1/16-Size
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We got this for a Christmas present for our son, who is almost four. Because of the size, I found it difficult to tune and keep in tune, but I had researched beforehand and knew this was an issue with a violin of this size. We wanted something affordable and this model was just a step up from the cheapest ones, so we weren't expecting the best quality instrument. After all, even if we had spent hundreds more, what can you reasonably expect from a 3-1/2-year old and his violin? This quality and priced violin made sense for our situation. So far, my son is thrilled to take out his violin and experiment with making sound. We haven't started him on any lessons just yet, but thus far, we are very pleased with our purchase. It came with a bow, rosin, bridge and zipper-type case. We followed youtube videos on getting set up, so it wasn't too complicated. I am hoping with proper care and instruction that the violin will last until he needs the next size.

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Saga has always been a pioneer when it comes to making quality violins to meet the demands of the growing student market. While focusing primarily on quality and value to meet a specific price point, the new SV-130 1/16 Cremona Premier Novice Series violin was developed. Whether the student is in the earliest stages of the learning process, or well on the way to more advanced training, these violins will perform well beyond the expectation.

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Hofner Icon Series Vintage Violin Bass, Transparent Black Review

Hofner Icon Series Vintage Violin Bass, Transparent Black
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To qualify this, I have only been playing the bass for a few months at the time I'm writing this review...
I fell in like with the look of the Hofner Icon at the local Guitar Center and bought it. After a month of practice, lessons, and research, I happened upon a Hofner 500/1 vintage '63 reissue violin bass (hand made in Germany) at a hole-in-the wall music shop in downtown Chicago and fell in LOVE with it and it's amazing flatwound strings! I dropped nearly $2,000 and brought this beautiful instrument (such high quality that it should qualify as a piece of furniture) and returned my Icon with no regrets.
I may actually purchase another Icon soon and throw some flatwound strings (Hofners from North Coast Music) and use it for my travel bass when on vacation.
Here's what you need to know about the available Hofner basses:
ICON ($400ish)
-Made in China with Chinese electronics that can be quirky
-Fit and finish is adequate for the price point
-Regular roundwound strings with some fret buzz depending on setup
-Hollow body
-A pain in the butt getting a case sometimes! Go EBay or Amazon!
-Available in lefty (often with a case oddly)
CONTEMPORARY ($700ish)
-Made in China with German electronics
-Fit and finish adequate...slightly better than the Icon
-Has regular roundwound strings
-Hollow body BUT has a sound block inside giving it more sustain and a more modern, hence "contemporary" bass sound
-Has a neck bridge so you can slap on a McCartney-style Hofner strap!
-Available in lefty I believe?
-No case
GERMAN-MADE HOFNERS ($2,000 +)
-Hand-made in the Fatherland
-Fit and finish are amazing! Beautiful wood, stain, finish, feel
-Hofner (Pyramid) flatwound strings that give the most mellow "thump" and feel like butter!
-Comes with either a German vintage bullet case or flight case
-Available in lefty of course!

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With authentic details inspired by the original, the Hofner Icon Series Vintage Bass makes the legendary violin bass available to the rest of us. Don't get the idea that this a just a "nowhere man" look-alike. This quality instrument features a real spruce top and beautiful flamed maple back and sides. The semi-hollow body and set neck will give you the warm, round tone you expect from the violin bass. Rosewood fretboard, sunburst finish.The Icon Series Vintage Bass is featured in the video game Guitar Hero II for PlayStation 2.

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1/25/2012

The Original Hill Peg Compound Review

The Original Hill Peg Compound
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Ok,so I'm no luthier...
But I didn't find this stuff to be all that helpful. So if you are an part-time ameteur trying to make the pegs on that cheap violin you bought out curiosity (yep, I bought it too)stop slipping, this won't help you much. I may try drying it out a bit like the first entry said, but I'm not taking my $50 violin to a luthier :).

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Made by one of the most renowned European families in the instrument making industry. This quality peg compound from England helps lubricate pegs which no longer turn smoothly. This is the original Hill Peg Compound, not an imitation!

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Barcus-Berry Full Size 4/4 European Made Acoustic Electric Violin Outfit - Natural Color Review

Barcus-Berry Full Size 4/4 European Made Acoustic Electric Violin Outfit - Natural Color
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Sounds good for a cheaply made violin. More bright though I would prefer a darker sound. I like how there is a volume knob on top of the violin. There's a Yamaha electric violin where the knob is on the bottom and is unreachable if you're in playing position. The mechanics work very well. It doesn't feed back. Not bad for the price. The case it comes with broke right away. It's absolutely a piece of junk as is the bow. I immediately changed the strings to Dominant strings which made it sound better.
If you need an electric violin and don't have the money to get a good one, this violin gets the job done. Not the best, but what do you expect for the price?

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This Barcus-Berry brand full size 4/4 Acoustic Electric Natural Violin outfit is ideal for those who want the timeless beauty of an acoustic Violin with the modern sound of an electric Violin!It is European made and is specially adjusted following rigid MENC spefications.This Violin has authentic electronics by Barcus-Berry, the pioneer in Violin amplification for 41 years.The Violin is fully carved and graduated of select seasoned Carpathian maple and spruce.Includes ebony fittings, Super Sensitive Red Label strings, four Wittner tuners, and a hand-rubbed lacquer finish.This complete outfit includes color-matching Glasser bow, a full cake of dark rosin, and a color-coordinated Barcus-Berry embroidered soft-shape case with detachable shoulder strap.

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1/24/2012

Molinari Allievo 1/2 Size Student Violin Outfit (Wood Bow, Canvas Case) Review

Molinari Allievo 1/2 Size Student Violin Outfit (Wood Bow, Canvas Case)
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I am a non instrument playing mom and my daughter is on the Minuets towards the end of Book I of Suzuki so it wasn't until last week that we discovered the buzzing on the G string. We have owned this instument less than two months and now I need to have the string higher over the fingerboard and don't know where to turn. Seller was Amazon. Guys? Hoping for a response. Thanks. (My amateur opinion is that I need a bridge that is higher on the G string side.)

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Start your student on a quality instrument that you can count on.Your teacher will thank you for purchasing a product that will provide many years of playing enjoyment.This Molinari ALLIEVO SERIES violin is Hand-Crafted copy of the original Stradivarius instrument.It features a solid spruce top, solid maple back & sides, ebony fingerboard, pegs, chinrest, endpin, & tailpiece.The 4 fine tuners make it easier for beginners to tune the strings.Includes a round horsehair wood bow andcanvas zipper case with shoulder strap.Available in 4 sizes, for small children up to adults:1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4

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Molinari 1/2 Size Student Violin with Super-Sensitive Strings (Wood Bow, Canvas Case) Review

Molinari 1/2 Size Student Violin with Super-Sensitive Strings (Wood Bow, Canvas Case)
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I bought one from Amazon two months ago the bridge is flat making the strings on high and low sides impossible to play also the bridge peg at the bottom of the violin is not centered the wood and finish looks nice but the construction is terrible.

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Start your student on an upgraded quality instrument that you can count on.Your teacher will thank you for purchasing a product with Super Sensitve Strings providing clear bright tonality and many years of playing enjoyment. This Molinari ALLIEVO SERIES violin features a nitro-finish, one piece spruce top, maple back & sides with ebony type fingerboard, pegs, chinrest, endpin, & alloy tailpiece.The 4 fine tuners make it easier for beginners to tune the strings. The super-sensitive strings provide a warm, full-bodied sound, and are often recommended by music teachers.Includes a round horsehair wood bow andcanvas zipper case with shoulder strap.Available in 4 sizes, for small children up to adults:1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 4/4

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1/23/2012

Musaica Fine Fittings - Carved Violinist 4/4 Violin Tailpiece in Ebony Review

Musaica Fine Fittings - Carved Violinist 4/4 Violin Tailpiece in Ebony
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The violin i bought had a metal tail piece that made the violin sound very light . This tail piece not only give my violin a full rich tone, but it made it look great.

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This ornately carved tailpiece of a violinist comes Musaica Fine Fittings. It is standard length (112 mm.)and will take a standard Wittner or Sacconi tail adjuster. The ebony it is made from is only the highest quality available. This product is often sold for 3 times the price elsewhere!Musaica Fine Fittings are designed and manufactured for the discerning artist and dealer. Every instrument can be enhanced by tasteful matched fittings of the highest quality, both acoustically and visually.These fittings are available in traditional French or English styles as well as inlaid or intricately carved designs. They are made with the finest quality of Ebony, Rosewood, or Boxwood and are finished by hand with meticulous care.Musaica Fine Fittings are guaranteed for life against defects of workmanship or materials.Please contact us for details and dealer discounts.

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