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From a consumer point of view, I'd like to see reviews of violins in each price bracket. The violins are priced from under $80 to almost $600, but besides the materials and fittings, what makes them different? Does the $400 one sound significantly better or is the $300 difference from the $80 one more of a splurge and cosmetic thing? Does the one pieced back make a difference? What are the trade-offs between them?
Since it's hard to try out violins when ordering on the internet, it be cool to have a baseline comparisons across the different price brackets, especially since you'd be playing each one and would have first hand experience.
Even the difference between the basic violin and the next one up would be good. I'd like to get the pretty dark brown violin, but money is a bit tight. If the differences aren't that big or are only for looks, I'd like to know. : D
Here's what I mean by price brackets...
This one is $79 (uncolored, in case that makes a difference in the quality)
http://www.kkmusicstore.com/me.....-p-83.html
This is $199
http://www.kkmusicstore.com/me.....p-273.html
This one is $399
http://www.kkmusicstore.com/ce.....t-p-6.html
This one is $499
http://www.kkmusicstore.com/ce.....p-311.html

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If the reviews are positive they may offer to send you more models. Two of the major issues with these violins is the lack of positive feedback and a stigma against cheap, Asian made instruments. Having a professional violinist pronounce them suitable instruments would be a big boost.
Of course this all hinges on the instrument being playable and good beginner instruments. A lemon would really be a disappointment. I bet there will be extra quality control going into the instrument(s) they send you.

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When I looked I could only find a few bits of old (a 5 years back old) feedback for both brands. Most of the detailed feedback for the violins boils down to "Violin Shaped Object that costs more to fix-up than the original price" or "Junk/toy quality and tinny. The bridge/bow/other part was warped/crooked/broken on arrival" While most of the good feedback is prefaced with "I've never played violin before, but" or simply a one liner about how awesome it is.
v__v When I was searching, I came across a bunch of people that said the ebay violins (both brands dominate ebay) were money sinks and it would be better to just save the extra time and money that would go towards fixing a VSO for a "real" violin. Even some of the people I met in person when I was looking for lessons said the same thing, but they didn't have any recent examples. With advancements in technology, the ebay violins of a few years ago may well have been junk, but the new ones might put them to shame.

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Fiddlerman said:
I thought about that. They may hand pick the one that comes to me. I also realize that if I rate the fiddles high they will be more apt to send me more. I simply refuse to do that though. If they are good, I will be happy to promote them but otherwise they can forget it.
No, you absolutely have to be honest about your reviews. I thought you first review was great because it was balanced. Good value for the money, playable, but not a fine instrument.

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Fiddlerman said:
Good news everyone,
Cecilio will be sending me an electric violin and several violins in the different series to make comparisons for the price differences and what difference they may have.
This also means that I will have, seems like, three or more fiddles to raffle off to you guys
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!
Hope that they are good. They appear to have confidence in their product.
That's the greatest news that I heard today! can't wait for the raffle, Good luck to all of us guys!

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Mendini FLAMED 1 Piece Back with Ebony Fittings = love! <3333
You could always have the winners pay for some or all of their postage. Or maybe have everyone who wins chip in a set amount that goes towards all of the shipping, so no one person would be footing a large shipping bill.
>__> I know the cheap shipping from China to the US was like $50 when I ordered clothing, so I would think that the weight of a packaged violin would be in that ball park for that half of the world.

Regular advisor
Regulars

Mendini FLAMED 1 Piece Back with Ebony Fittings = love! <3333
You could always have the winners pay for some or all of their postage. Or maybe have everyone who wins chip in a set amount that goes towards all of the shipping, so no one person would be footing a large shipping bill.
>__> I know the cheap shipping from China to the US was like $50 when I ordered clothing, so I would think that the weight of a packaged violin would be in that ball park for that half of the world.
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