Best Orchestral String Instruments
Enjoy the most for your money with the Bunnel Premier Clearance Violin Outfit complete with all the essentials. We purchase each violin directly from the maker - a rare business practice that lowers our cost so we can pass the savings to you. We guarantee that the quality and sound of your violin will be far superior to any other instrument at this price point. The Kennedy Violins Difference has garnered the highest ratings on Amazon for any string instrument retailer! • Real Mongolian horse hair produces a smooth, clear, full tone. • Oblong case with straps, music pocket, accessory compartments & YKK zippers. Final assembly and setup performed by Kennedy Violins' professional luthiers in Washington State.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Based on function, sound quality and value, this is a great instrument. The wood is quality, with a very good sound, and a nice responsive tone. 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 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. 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. 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."
"However, many of the reviews would lead you to believe that this violin would sound and play like a much more expensive violin. She has a much more expensive violin that she has been playing regularly but the hassle of carrying it to and from school everyday and the potential for damage led us to look for a second violin for school orchestra so she could keep her regular violin at home for practice and only take it out for concerts and a more advanced orchestra in which she plays on weekends. This Bunnel violin is to be that second violin."
"On Amazon, I looked at both “Kennedy Bunnel Basic Clearance Violin” and the “Bunnel G2 Violin Outfit”. If you are looking for a violin that has a great sound and don't mind some cosmetic issues, the Bunnel Basic is a fantastic deal.” I took their advice and bought the Bunnel Basic Clearance Violin. ), YouTube videos to begin learning the basics of playing, and I just had my second violin lesson with my violin teacher last night."
This violin includes a lightweight form fitting hard, a Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, an adjustable shoulder rest with soft foam padding & soft rubber feet, rosin, bridge, and an extra set of violin strings, making this package ideal for beginners. Includes: lightweight hard case, a Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, rosin, adjustable shoulder rest, two bridges, and an extra set of strings.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"She's been begging to have a violin for as long as I can remember, and I can guaranty she won't be disappointed with this instrument. By the time I was a teenager, I was not only playing guitar and bass, but I was doing repair work for myself and other people. I firmly believe a lot of the negative reviews I've read here are written by people who felt the violin should have been in tune and playable right out of the box - which is ludicrous. Shipping one of these things tuned to pitch would nearly guaranty a broken instrument upon arrival. I presume the majority of the negative reviews I read were written by people in the United States, where the people are taught by their televisions that everything is easy, nothing requires effort, and when you buy something, it has to work right out of the box - otherwise it's defective. If you bought one of these instruments in a local music store, the set up would be done in the store prior to sale, and I'm sure the house luthier (instrument repair guy) would give it a "once-over" and a final tuning before you took it home. It's why this same violin would be twenty or thirty dollars more if you bought it in a local music store. The rosin cake that comes with the violin has a glaze over it to keep it from powdering up everything in the case during shipment. Take an emery board (nail file) or a little bit of sandpaper and sand off that top glaze until the cake starts to get powdery. I don't care if you paid fifty grand for a new violin - if it has new pegs and new strings, they WILL slip. Once you feel you have an even tension (more or less) across all four strings and the bridge is staying where it should (between the very middle of the two f-holes), then you can start tuning the instrument to pitch. Without rosin on the bow, the hairs will just glide across the strings without producing any appreciable vibration - in other words - no note. During your initial set up, make sure the fine tuners are tightened mid-way - that way you have room to move either up or down in pitch once the strings are broken in. The fine tuners on the instrument I purchased pretty much arrived this way, but it doesn't hurt to check. The maple finger board (stained dark to resemble ebony) is okay, again MUCH better than plastic. It wouldn't be too expensive in violin size to substitute one of these tone woods - either one would have a "slicker" feel than stained maple and still be cost-effective for a beginner's instrument. Adding the shoulder rest made it a lot more comfortable for me to play - well, squeak out some notes anyway."
"The violin also comes with an extra set of strings, and an extra bridge (I believe violin bridges are made of balsa wood, but I know that they are very fragile) which is great for the beginner who may snap the bridge when trying to put it on. Also, it is not difficult to snap the strings when first tuning them (you have to do so very slowly and gently) so an extra set of strings is very handy for the beginner to keep on hand. You will notice some cosmetic damage to the violin, some very minor dents and scratches, but I have seen nothing major on mine that I did not expect on a $60 violin outfit. I rated this violin at 5 stars not because it is truely a five-star violin, but because for $60 (almost the cheapest violin I've ever seen) it is a really, really great package. It is definately good enough for any beginner to learn on, and if you're looking at a $60 violin, that must be what you're looking for."
This cello is outfitted with a padded lightweight carrying soft case with pockets and adjustable backpack straps (making it convenient to carry to school or orchestra), a Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, cello stand, rosin cake, and an extra set of cello strings. Includes: padded soft carrying case, a Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, rosin, bridge, cello stand, and extra set of strings.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I called customer support and they credited me the cost of a new bridge and a little extra for the inconvenience."
"This product had great quality."
"Both quality and sound are great."
"This was a surprise engagement gift - how cool was it to find in "blue" and at a great price."
"So far i can say that is an excellent Instruments to start."
"The cello. Sounds wonderful."
"quite a nice tone and well made."
"It does seem to have a problem holding its tune, but I’ve only had it for a day so expecting to see that improve with time. But do yourself a favor... the second you receive it, throw out the strings that are currently on it, as they will snap the second you begin tuning."
Best Cellos
Hard-shell case features an adjustable backpack straps, two bow holders, compartments for accessories, large zippered pocket on the back exterior for music sheets. The following accessories are also included: a Brazil wood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, cello stand, rosin cake, and an extra set of cello strings. Size 4/4 (Full Size) high-luster varnish cello with inlaid purfling.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"But the smile she got when she realized she would not have to share her 3/4 soze instrument that breaks down easy for this full sized one bright a see to her face."
"The quality of the instrument itself is quite good for the price."
"Beautiful instrument."
"only the strings are very basic."
"Great for student the cello is sound good but I give 3 stars because I had to replaced all stings it snap all when I tuned it the stings comes with it is useless and be careful with the fine tune knob, one broke on my when I was tuning."
"This was a gift --- the recipient was VERY happy."
"I purchased the cello for my 14 year old for christmas."
"Although the packaging was fine, the cello was cracked."
Best Harps
Baby Harp TM, 12 Strings (Item Code: HPBY) This functioning harp has an engraved sheesham frame with a birch soundboard. Featuring 12 DuPont hard nylon strings with a range from F above Middle C to High C. Easy to play simple songs with note range of F4 to C6.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great harp."
"My neighbor and I got this harp for his daughter Harper's sixth birthday and she loves it."
"Very nice instrument, great starter."
"My mother loved this as a Christmas present!"
"would by again from seller ..product was perfect..and beautiful..."
"Waiting for beginners book to arrive."
Best Upright Basses
French style, rosewood frog, wood stick bow with genuine horsehair. Lightweight case with Plush lining. Free: Well-Padded carrying case .Extra Set of Strings; Music Stand; Metro Tuner;Rosin;Mute.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The instrument was very professionally packed and everything arrived safely with no visible damage."
Best Violas
This viola includes a lightweight form fitting hard, a Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, rosin, and a bridge making this package a great deal for beginners. Includes: lightweight hard case, a Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, rosin, and bridge.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Seldom will instrument be shipped with the bridge and strings on. To add more friction, usually a rosin dust is applied to pegs or holes."
"For less than $100, you get a nice looking playable viola with a bow, 2 sets of strings, rosin, and a sturdy case. I'd recommend a set of D'Addario Prelude strings for much better sound and playability."
"I'm a violinist and was interested in playing viola and so I looked to this as an option to have one for my own to play on during the summer, as I am glad I got it for such a price, I am disappointed that the bow bends backwards when tightening to the point where I had to check if I received a baroque bow of some sort."
"Great viola, I really like the look and the sound is great, I just wish it came with a better rossin, mine broke into pieces as soon as I opened it for the first time."
"Our daughter literally cried when she oped the box!"
"Amazing quality and awesome sound!"
"Was nervous buying without seeing it in person."
Best Violins
Enjoy the most for your money with the Bunnel Premier Clearance Violin Outfit complete with all the essentials. We purchase each violin directly from the maker - a rare business practice that lowers our cost so we can pass the savings to you. We guarantee that the quality and sound of your violin will be far superior to any other instrument at this price point. The Kennedy Violins Difference has garnered the highest ratings on Amazon for any string instrument retailer! • Real Mongolian horse hair produces a smooth, clear, full tone. • Oblong case with straps, music pocket, accessory compartments & YKK zippers. Final assembly and setup performed by Kennedy Violins' professional luthiers in Washington State.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Based on function, sound quality and value, this is a great instrument. The wood is quality, with a very good sound, and a nice responsive tone. 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 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. 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. 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."
"However, many of the reviews would lead you to believe that this violin would sound and play like a much more expensive violin. She has a much more expensive violin that she has been playing regularly but the hassle of carrying it to and from school everyday and the potential for damage led us to look for a second violin for school orchestra so she could keep her regular violin at home for practice and only take it out for concerts and a more advanced orchestra in which she plays on weekends. This Bunnel violin is to be that second violin."
"On Amazon, I looked at both “Kennedy Bunnel Basic Clearance Violin” and the “Bunnel G2 Violin Outfit”. If you are looking for a violin that has a great sound and don't mind some cosmetic issues, the Bunnel Basic is a fantastic deal.” I took their advice and bought the Bunnel Basic Clearance Violin. ), YouTube videos to begin learning the basics of playing, and I just had my second violin lesson with my violin teacher last night."
"He was bragging about it after he gets back from school about how he feel special for having a nicer violin than most of the kids."
Best Brass Instruments
This trumpet features a phosphorus copper lead mouth pipe, topped with 3 comfortable white mother of pearl key inlaid and 3 smooth action valves. Includes: a case, bottle of valve oil, soft polishing cloth, and a pair of white gloves.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"He said this trumpet has very smooth airflow, the valves are heavy duty and great quality. He played it immediately and this trumpet has such a loud sound and great sound quality! Some of the reviews for this trumpet said it was garbage and the valves were junk."
"My oldest daughter has played the trumpet for ten years and when my youngest chose to play the trumpet, I bought this just to get her started."
"This trumpet sounds exactly the same as those."
"My son absolutely loves us."
"Christmas present for my daughter, she loved it!"
"Decent performance for the money."
"This is a great starter trumpet."
"As with several other reviews from music instructors this trumpet is a cut rate instrument. ***update: after 1 lesson and at the strong suggestion of his teacher, I replaced this trumpet."
Best Wind & Woodwind Instruments
They offer an ideal amount of air resistance for easy control, and feature an accuracy of intonation you would expect to find only one more expensive models. Ideal amount of air resistance for easy control and accurate intonation.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Pros: * Multiple joints that slide well, easy to tune and adjust pinky holes. * Sounds just like I remember from 20 years ago. * I learned how to play the Harry Potter song and I can reliably get 70-80% of the notes correct. Cons: * My roommates have it made it clear that they don't think learning recorder is something a grown man should be doing."
"he had to buy it for his music class at school - guess what - they never taught him a damn thing on it so all i got was a loud whistle blowing around my house while i'm on the phone or watching tv."
"It's literally a fast way into reading music and understanding how to play with finesse and breath control."
"Bought this and a $5 Yamaha plastic recorder for our toddler to play with. •• Yamaha YRS-20BG 3 Piece Soprano Recorder ••. The recorder is very study, almost unbreakable. I do no think it can stand up to the abuse of a toddler using it so we're not letting our son play with it."
"I consider this to be a great starting recorder, especially given the price and the quality."
"Although I haven't tried throwing it at the ground, it has fallen a few times (I use it to introduce my baby to musical instruments and she loves making noise on it, though she's too young to do too much more than that right now)."
"The Recorder is such a simple instrument to play, it should be in every home and treated with as much respect as any other instrument."
"The only con I have is that one of the holes is off a bit which seems odd, I don't know if recorders are supposed to have that but it's a little weird, but besides that it's awesome and great for anyone to learn to play songs and annoy your neighbors!"