I am very pleased with the quality of the violin as well as the service provided by Kennedy Violins.I am currently 2 months into playing my violin and it still sounds just as beautiful as when I first got it. I was unfortunate enough to receive a defective bow (hairs came loose after a week of two or practice), however, after a calling about it, Kennedy violins happily replaced it, and I haven't had trouble since.I would recommend that you buy a separate book to learn violin if you really want to get into violin playing, as the included book only contains violin fundamentals, but it will still boost your ability to begin playing.For people who have never owned an instrument prior, here are a few tips:•Make sure you know what size you are before buying a violin (yes there are different sizes)•Keep in mind that wood instruments especially needs proper care in order to maintain its performance (look up online for more info)•Do not be afraid to use your rosin! And please do not scratch the rosin with your bow or fingernail to apply it. "Good rosin does not require much force to apply". For the first time the bow may not contain rosin, if so apply with about 10-20 bow strokes across the rosin to, and after that about 6-10 bow strokes 1-2 a week depending on the amount practice you do.Don't quote me on exact numbers : PHave fun!!!

Some background first, I am a 6 year piano player and a 1 year guitar player. I am 16 and I decided one day I wanted to play the violin. I went to Music & Arts and they rented me an $1,000 violin for a month for $10, I bought the suzuki beginner book to go along with it, I started playing full scale songs in about my second week and finished the book in my first week, and after a little less than a month am able to play full scale difficult songs (although may not sounding perfect). In about my third week I decided I wanted to continue so I went to a local violin shop and tried a $500 violin with far superior strings than the one I was renting. I ended up ordering this one, because Music & Arts was trying to swindle and $500+ the bow was a little to pricey. I couldn't be more pleased, the tuning is great on it, strings and bow are high quality (for price) and everything in the set is overall pleasing. (P.S, pick up a snark tuner, the included one is so-so.) The customer service is also fantastic and would recommend to anyone beginner-intermediate, you won't be disappointed.

I bought this violin to learn on. I've been playing drums, guitar and some keys for over 30 years, so I'm an experienced musician. I'm learning violin for my wife, who is a cellist and music teacher. She wants me to play Christmas music with her. From my background I understand what makes a good instrument and how it should be setup.So on to this package. I buy professional instruments so I knew I wouldn't be satisfied with a $100 outfit. I picked this one because it looked like the instrument was of good quality and it promised to be setup. The instrument I received is both. The fit and finish is good. It isn't the quality of a $1000 violin in terms of details like the top carve, etc. But it is definitely a good value in its price range and is well made. The bow is straight and bridge was well cut. It's worth the extra money for the better setup, strings and rosin.Once I get functional on violin, this probably won't be the last violin I buy, but it will be more th a n good enough to learn on and keep as a backup. I think any beginning to intermediate violinist would be very happy with this instrument.One note: some reviews and YouTube videos talk about this model having some figure on the maple back. Mine didn't so I checked with Kennedy. This is now normal with this model, so don't be con cerney if the violin you receive doesn't either.

I have ordered this violin sometime between january en february 2014. But i'm just now placing this review because i wanted to test it first.This violin is a lot better than the violin I had. When I opened the case, I was surprised. It has a rich sound, it's nicely finished so the violin itself looks nice and I can notice they have put some work into the details. Even my violin teacher was surprised at the quality (good quality, very reasonable price), because he had suggested another brand of violin and I have completely ignored him to get the G1.The bridge from my first violin was not properly set/made, therefore it was hard and frustrating to play. Since I had the G1 I enjoy playing the violin and it is properly set. The bridge is height is proper, the pegs and fine tuners are easy to turn. However I don't know what's wrong with the bow, but the screw is hard to turn.Before I got this violin I have contacted the seller, to ask for information and they even give me the opportunity to chose the color of case I wanted. And since I stay in the Caribbean and could not order directly from their website, I could not order an upgrade package. But the seller manage the find a solution for that and I was very pleased with their customer service. The customer service is top notch, and they respond very quickly. When I got the 'violin' there was a mistake with the order and I have got the package and case without the violin, bow and rosin. I immediately contacted the sellers, they have apologized and after a few days they have sent me the G1, rosin and bow. Si even tho I had to spend a little more, because of the mistake, this violin is worth it.Eventually I have received the G1, the included bow and Kaplan dark rosin, d'addario prelude string and an extra set of strings.To me they all seem to be from e good quality and does the job. I also ordered the upgrade package, which included a music folder, metronome/tuner, cloth and music stand. I did not like the music folder because it's like a carton and has Kennedy Violin all over it. I don't think the music folder they offer can hold all my sheet music. The metronome/tuner however is very handy, looks nice and works as expected. The cloth has their brand name on it. And the music stand (with the carrying bag) is a folding music stand and is easy to set up and transport. But the music stand is not so sturdy, when it's set at it's maximum height. I wish it was bit taller (I'm about 5"0). Overall he music stand does it's job for me, it holds my thin violin book and my s3 (at the same time). I don't think you could put a map full of sheet music on it tho. Furthermore I love the case, it's from a good quality and is well made. There's enough space to put shoulder rest, and all the other accessorizes. On top of the case there's place to put violin books/ sheet music etc. (Note: the case you get with the violin G2, is cheaply made, lower quality, and has Kennedy Violin sewed on it, which I think is very ugly)Recently my violin G1 has a 'hissing' like sound when I play it, I think it's because of too much rosin on the bow, let's hope that's the case and that the hissing sound will fade away.After some inconvenience (because of the mistake) I'm pleased with this purchase, the money is worth it and their customer service is amazing. I recommend this violin, and this seller.Oh did I mention that you get the violin with some candies in the package, who does that? Yupp Kennedy Violins! tasted good, reminded me of my childhood. And if you doubt that they professionally set-up the violins, you also get a check list and the date on it as a prove that the violin is professionally set up. Hadn't they made a mistake with my order, I would have rate it 5 stars.