Cremona SV-75 Premier Novice Violin Outfit - 1/4 Size

We bought two (2) of these almost exactly two years ago for our twin daughters. Since they were just barely 3 years old, we weren't sure they were going to stick with violin playing so we didn't want to spend a lot for their instruments. Just a few months of violin rental fees would have cost as much as what we paid for these.Their instructor, who plays for the symphony orchestra in a very large metropolitan area suggested that one of her students had gotten this particular brand and model. We went ahead and ordered them and were very pleased with the price-quality ratio. Fit and finish for both the bow and the violin were fine and the sound was acceptable for such small violins. The two units were also consistent in performance and sound quality, although one had a slightly darker finish. Woe to anyone who suggests to these kids that these instruments are interchangeable. Each kid has to have her own violin set, and refuses to play the other one.They came with a rigid case with double (bi-directional) main zipper, zippered accessory compartment, and backpack-type straps to make it easy for the little ones to carry. The only accessory we had to add was a shoulder rest for each violin.Our only complaint was minor and had nothing to do with the actual instruments. In one of the units, one of the 4 screws attaching the suitcase-type handle to the case came loose and was lost, although we seldom use the carry handles, preferring to handle them by the backpack straps.The pegs hold the string tension and are easy to adjust without having to add peg drops, and the fine tuners work fine. We do have to check the tuning prior to every practice session. Aside from the occasional broken horsehair from the bow (which happens even in professionals' instruments), both violins are intact and have been able to withstand the abuse of our little kids.As this is a small scale violin, the sound quality is nowhere near that of a full sized instrument. However, it is sufficient for young kids as they learn the mechanics of playing and the pitch of musical notes. We are now getting ready to buy the next larger size (1/8) as both kids have outgrown these.

I purchased this violin for my 3 year old so that she could be just like Big Sis. Now, I had already purchased the MV300 and when I received it I noticed that while it was a lot nicer than the toy violins on the market, this would not work for us. The stings were poor quality and the pegs never stayed in place. This is not what you want while trying to teach your toddler the violin. They have no patience when it comes to tuning before and during playing. I ended up returning the MV300 and spent the extra money to purchase the Cremona SV-75 1/16. Oh my, what a difference! Right away you can see the quality difference. The stings were noticeably better and the finish looks far more durable. I'm not a huge fan of the lacquer finishes on instruments but for a toddler I will make the exception for sure. When I tuned it, my husband and I were pleasantly surprised by the bright loud sound! It tuned easily and there is minimal slipping of the pegs. The outfit comes with one bow that is a starter quality, a case, and rosin. We will eventually upgrade the bow but for now it works. All in all I'm very happy with this purchase. It was worth the extra money.

I'm writing this review from COVID ridden 2020.This violin was purchased for my daughter's 7th grade virtual orchestra class. The price is extremely attractive. It was less expensive than the rental fee through her school which is what prompted us to buy this model.The fingerboard and the body are of good quality. The instrument feels nice in the hands. Though it felt light to both of us but that is likely due to the fact that both my daughter and I are guitar players. The bow is good quality as well. The general sound is fine.There is a massive issue with this violin though. The tuners are extremely weak. So weak in fact that you can see them unwinding under the tension of the string. The higher strings cannot even tune to the appropriate notes (the A and E strings). G and D strings do OK but will need to be tuned with every single play session and likely during the session even if the session is short.For the A and E strings we've been trying to get within a step to a step and half of the desired note and then use the fine tuners from there but we end up at least 3 steps below as the tuners unwind before our eyes. The fine tuners will NOT get you there either. The range is about 2 to -maybe- 2 and half steps.If you are wanting your kid (or yourself) to have a good experience playing and thus continue playing, this is NOT the instrument you want. Having a poor experience playing will create a block to enjoyment that could last a lifetime. Don't buy this garbage. You will be better off renting from school or spending more on a higher quality instrument.

My son started playing violin on an 1/8 size Bellafina when he was 4 years old. He has now graduated to 1/4 size so we purchased him this Cremona. He only wants a blue violin, so this fits the bill! It is just what we are looking for and easier/cheaper than getting a rental. The sound and quality is great for a beginner. Ours came with all the necessary pieces, but the bridge was in the wrong place so I moved it. The strings were strung. I also took it to a luthier friend to file and reshape the bridge since it was a quick factory cut and needed more shape for the strings to be spaced better. The blue on the Cremona is a bit darker and the sparkles show more than on the Bellafina, but my son still really likes it. The case is fine, but we wish it was a lighter blue so that it is more noticeable-it is a dark navy blue that looks almost black. Also, in the photo the patch on the outside of the case shows as a sleeve with a window where you can place your name card, but the one we received has a "Cremona" advertisement patch instead. The bow is ok, but the hairs are a bit too loose and we lose a few every time it's used, so we may have to rehair it sooner than later. Overall, happy with the quality and price and my son's music teacher says it is quite suitable for his beginning level and a good value.

The bridge arrangement is not straight and one peg is loose and cannot be fixed. There is a lot of chemical smell. This product is poor quality. I'm not recommend it.

This violin came with poor quality strings, impossible to tune. More like an expensive toy than an instrument.