Cecilio 4/4 Full Size Electric Silent Violin, Hand-Carved Solid Maple Wood, Complete Set with Case & Ebony Fittings, Ideal for Practice, Stage & Studio Use, Yellow Maple Metallic

I have a long background in music performance and playing with a variety of instruments. I started over 30 years ago on the piano then moved from the violin to the guitar and bass (primary instruments). I haven't played the violin since high school (decades ago). Recently I became interested in silent e-violins. When I practice, I always try to do so stealthily as I have a healthy sense of shame. As such, I have a silent guitar for practice and e-Drums (acoustic drums are too loud for practice).I started shopping around for silent violins and decided I would find an alternative to the Yamaha as it is too expensive for something I was curious if I would like playing years later.This maple model (the most attractive finish for me) is a steal at the price point. People are paying over $100 more for the other colored versions. Mind-blown about how things are priced.The maple model is impressive looking, and of all the electric violins I've tested, including one from a dealer that came ready to play, set up professionally, and with new decent strings (Preludes). It came as a package with a similar case (only the name on it is changed), rosin, headphones, wiping cloth...you get the idea. It's all made by the same people but personalized for the business.This model (CEVN) is almost like an acoustic violin to me in sound timbre, and after a string change, this feels like a new violin. I was amazed by how quickly I began to pick it up playing again.However, as I'm re-introducing myself to the violin, I'm realizing so many things I did wrong as a beginner so I'm writing this for total beginners.The extras except maybe the case, rosin, and (possibly) the bow are not very useful or good but I don't care about that. I care about the instrument only. If purchased from a dealer re-branded, that set just costs more for what amounts to throw-away accessories. In my perspective, I paid for the violin and bow only, the rest may or may not be useful, and If I travel with it, I'll buy a real hard case but I'm good for now.The bow that comes with it is acceptable but I use my carbon fiber bow and set aside the one I got as an emergency spare.This Maple model is so inexpensive at $66, you can buy great strings, a better beginner bow (~50), and shoulder rest (~$14) for the price of having a different colored model of the same instrument!I use a shoulder rest and recommend it highly. Also, get some violin guidance finger tape even if it makes you feel n00bish. You'll progress much faster (and then later, not need the tape).After letting it settle overnight--until it stayed in tune, I reset the bridge to be straight, and it felt like a brand-new instrument in my hands. I was considering changing the tailpiece too, however, it sounds good enough and will hold off on modifications since I bought it for the bargain it is.This is an excellent violin for a beginner, intermediate, and even some gigging professionals after some TLC it holds its tune with the pegs supplied, and string changing took me 10 minutes, literally. (Takes me half an hour to change guitar strings).1) new strings are a must2) a new bow is highly recommended3) use a tuner!this violin is better after I made some easy changes (the one I bought that was set professionally is only negligibly better!When selecting a model, realize that "too silent" isn't the best thing. The more wood the violin has, the louder it will be. The CEVN model has the most wood and is therefore the loudest model if you're looking for the quietest, this is not it.With a 1/8" to 1/4" cable adapter, I plug in wirelessly (you don't want cables getting tangled up--three input/output holes next to each other). There are great wireless guitar transmitters for ~$30.Even though it is meant to be "silent" (it isn't silent), use an amp. You can still use headphones for the amp output. I say this because what comes out of headphones isn't enough. To a beginner, I'd imagine it sounds as awful as playing unplugged (better headphones or not).Practicing with some reverb and chorus makes me sound better (possibly more than I should). Treat this like an electric guitar and use an amp, play along to songs you like, and you'll enjoy practice much more.This is an incredible bargain if you can overcome the tuning issues people seem to be having. I didn't have any. Push the peg in as you turn. If it locks, get peg paste. Also, as a learning opportunity, try your new bow without rosin. It should make no noise. Add rosin as needed from there. You'll notice the volume will increase. Some people just start rosining up until plumes of it are flying without even checking what difference it made. Once you realize how little it takes, you'll use minimal rosin.This was mostly written for the beginner. Use a good tuner, or a new bow if you don't like the one provided, change the strings, and this is a gangster purchase. Just getting and staying in tune at the beginning is a challenge people will quit over! It's hard to do for any beginner. I recommend the D'Addario Nexxus 360 tuner but even a tuning fork will work. Trust your ears only when they develop some more.I like this violin better than the one I paid 5x more for which was professionally setup. (I'm not a pro violin tech so that says a lot about the quality of this fiddle).I'm already making music! The maple version (at this price point) is an opportunity not to be missed if you are shopping for an electric violin. The other colored models are the same product (sound-wise) but cost 3x more? That's a steal!Because I knew better having played violin growing up, I overlooked the flaws and apparent difficulties that beginners to the e-violin will have because I've been there before. I'm very happy with this purchase and with the seller who was communicative.

Opened Christmas morning...and still is not ready to play. :( The bridge does not fit properly in the plastic seat - it slides left and right and bends forward, making it impossible to play ands stay in tune. Two trips to the luthier and its STILL not ready. They really need to fix this.

The media could not be loaded. I love this violin! I have had this now for 2 days and I have played the heck out of it already. First, the build quality is superb. The woodwork is beautiful. The staining looks like a real violin. The bow is quite good as well. The case is nice for storing around the house.Now for the sound. I played it right out of the box with the factory strings, and it sounded incredible. It sounded pretty close to my more expensive violin. I have read reviews that said the tuning pegs didn’t hold well. Anyone who has played violin knows this can be an issue with any violin and there are products to help the pegs stick better. I personally have used wax in the past, but I didn’t even have to do that with this violin. And the fine tuners on all 4 strings make it even simpler to get accurate tuning. Mine was still in perfect tune when I took it out the second day. The electronics seem to be very good, sound quality for all 4 strings is good and consistent. There is a slight hum on mine when turned up loud, but not sure if this is from the violin or my cable or electronics, but in any case it is fairly soft. The sound is actually pretty good when not amplified too. But when running through an amp or recorder, add a little chorus and reverb and it sounds amazing.I just do not have anything bad to say about this violin. For less than $100 it is a great deal.

I'm a musician (guitar, banjo) but a beginner at the violin. I have an acoustic viola but also wanted a violin to cover a wider range of songs. I also wanted something that isn't too loud or obnoxious. I took a gamble on this one since the price was so affordable and I'm still a beginner.I'll start with the bad: The strings that came with it are bad, the bow was bent, the headphones are terrible, and it didn't come with a shoulder rest. At this price, I can't really complain, I just used another headphone, bow and shoulder rest I already had.The good: I'm impressed with the construction and sound output. The fingerboard works fine, and after putting new strings on it, was able to easily tune it and it stays in tune. I plugged it in my guitar amp and it sounds great (at least as great as I can make it sound!). The body looked good and the case is sufficient for what I need it for. It's not completely silent, but quiet enough to not bother other people in the house. For the price, I don't see how this can be beat.I would recommend this violin although I would budget in a new bow, shoulder rest, strings, rosin, and headphones if needed.

Unfortunately it’s such cheap junk that the pegs immediately snap back as you try to tune them so it won’t stay in tune for a second. The headphones and pickup are so cheap you hear nothing but buzzing and crackling. Now we can’t return it because we did t know we had to keep the box. Do not buy.