Bunnel Premier Violin Clearance Outfit 3/4 Size - Carrying Case and Accessories Included - Solid Maple Wood and Ebony Fittings By Kennedy Violins

Based on function, sound quality and value, this is a great instrument. Do other violins sound better - of course. Are other violins easier to play - of course. Can you get better sound and ease of play in other violins at this price - definitely not. We have four violins in the house. We have the Cecilio beginner violin made famous on YouTube, which cost $109. We have this violin, which is a discounted Bunnel model and which was $199. We also have the Fiddlerman Apprentice Violin Outfit, which was $330. Lastly I have a hundred year old German violin that is worth maybe $3,500.The violin itself is very attractive. It is a nice darker wood with a smooth oiled finish that is easy on the hands and the neck is responsive. It takes a little more effort to play than the Fiddlerman but it costs $130 less. The case is great, except for the seller's logo. The strings will get you through six months to a year of playing. The construction is basic. The wood is quality, with a very good sound, and a nice responsive tone. You can draw long, deep chords and notes with good bow technique. No complaints at all.My evaluation of the violins is this. It is all about budget. The German violin was bought at a flea market for $65 and I actually assumed it was not a good instrument and bought the Fiddlerman and Cecilio without even having the German model assessed by a luthier (would have cost $150 and I did not think I would get a good result).If you only have enough money to rent a violin, but want the benefits of ownership, buy the Cecilio. If you can already play or are a little more committed and have a few more dollars to spend, get the Bunnel. If you play very well or if you have outgrown your Bunnel or Cecilio and want a violin you can keep for years, but are still on a budget, get the Fiddlerman Apprentice. OR - if you have a little more money to spend at any level of play, start with the Fiddlerman and keep it until you can get a performance quality violin at triple the cost.The biggest drawback with this Bunnel is the bow. Fortunately, I'm into carbon fiber and I just bought a carbon fiber bow to use with all the violins and it is head and shoulders better than just about any bow I've used. Granted, I'm just a third year player, but the first thing you'll need to upgrade and the easiest thing to upgrade that will improve your playing is your bow and your strings. If you're a good player and on a budget, get this Bunnel and a new bow and strings and you won't need to get another violin for maybe three years.To get a violin that plays better than the Fiddlerman you'll have to spend a whole lot more than $330. In fact, it plays nearly as well as my newly configured German violin, for which I did end up spending money with a luthier.If you just want to play around and learn for fun, the Cecilio is probably good enough to keep you interested and play along with your kids or a piano or cello once in a while. If you play well and have no budget at all, the Bunnel is your best choice. It's not great, but it is very, very good and you'll be pressed to find a violin that will play better if you are a violinist with less than five years of playing. Or if you are in that five year or under category and have more than $200 and less than $500 to spend, get the Apprentice and spend money on a better bow and better strings.

this was compared with two other units and smoked them with reach deep and full sound, good quality and very nice presentation. if you are a beginning or anything less than 4+ years on violin you will be very happy and in good hands.

I've been playing and recording as a guitar player for more than 40 years. I've amassed quite a number of Les Pauls, Fenders, PRS, Rickenbackers, and a number of really cheap guitars that sounded better than the more pricier guitars I own.I decided, at this late stage of my life, to learn how to play the violin on my own. I wanted to get a violin that wasn't going to hurt my pocket if I decided the instrument wasn't for me. I purchased the Bunnel Premier CLEARANCE Student Violin Outfit from Kennedy Violins. I read Kennedys description of what a clearance violin entailed. Basically, it's a violin with a bit of cosmetic blemish...a irregular wood grain pattern, varnish runoff; in other words, minor cosmetic issues that will not affect the sound of the instrument. Being a blemish instrument, Kennedy Violins dropped the price so it was win-win situation for me.When I got my violin, I decided to find the cosmetic issue on my clearance instrument. It took me literally 48 hours to actually find blemish, and I finally found it only by chance while I was standing near our living room antique lamp. The blemish is a very tiny tiny indentation on the back of the violin. It is SO tiny that it's almost "invisible" to the eye.I am new to violins so I really can't say much about the sound and how it differs from one manufacturer to another.. All I know is that the sound is crisp and clear. Quality and build-wise, it is a well crafted, fine instrument. Yes the violin was setup- bridge installed, strings, pegs, all tuned and inspected. The instrument came with a very nice sturdy carrying case. The instrument came with a Giuliani bow, a tuner, rosin, how to play the violin intro book, cleaning cloth, inspection card, shoulder rest. Overall, the instrument was absolutely perfect!I am very happy with my purchase. Thank you Kennedy Violins.