This is a very nice little outfit. It is great for a beginning student!We purchased a 1/4 size. My daughter is finishing her first year of Suzuki (over halfway through Book 1). Her first violin has been a 1/8 Helmke--which was inexpensive, but high enough quality for lessons after we replaced the bow and strings (both were horrible though the Helmke violin itself has been nice). I decided to buy this now so I didn't have to worry about finding a new instrument over the summer, and she'd have time to transition into the new size over the fall.I've had a few violins myself including a Palatino and a couple Romanian instruments. This is the first Kennedy we are trying out. So far we are pretty pleased with the quality for the price—definitely not a VSO. My daughter's teacher gave it her stamp of approval.It was very well packaged in double boxes with lots of padding. It came with a check list of things that were looked over before it came to us and information about Kennedy Violins.The bow was much nicer than what I was expecting. The hair and grip stay put. My daughter's teacher said it has a nice balance. I will still a second bow as I always like us to have two on hand. The strings are Preludes which sound nice (though they require a little more regular tuning than the Helicores we've started using). They are perfect to use over the summer and would be fine for lessons, too. It came with backup strings, too, and rosin.After I first tuned it, the violin sounded a little nasal. I believe this is because it had been packed with anti-moisture packets so the wood was probably drier than normal. After we let it sit out for a couple days, it sounded much deeper. I has better sound than the Helmke--definitely louder and clearer. The pegs are surprisingly easy to turn compared to a number of other violins I've tuned. This concerned me as I worried they'd slip, but they seem to stay put very well. The case has lots of storage space, and has many options for carrying it (handle, shoulder strap, or backpack). A nice little surprise was discovering a shoulder rest was included.The violin's finish appears a little darker than the picture and this gives it an even more unique appearance. My daughter (with the help of her wonderfully imaginative teacher) has decided to name it "Chocolate" for this reason. I think "Chocolate" is going to be a lovely instrument for my daughter to graduate Book 1 with next fall. :)

So much value! It’s beautiful. Bought on Clearance. Description said violin would come with some sort of defect. No defect was found. Perfect all way around. So excited. Sounds beautiful. Will recommend to anyone that is on a budget. You get it all in one. Awesome job Kennedy Violins.

This would be my first purchase of a violin. It came pretty well wrapped. The case is solid and holds 2 bows a violin and accessories. It did come with a shoulder rest(Some people said they didn't get one. I guess they changed it so now they send one).Complaints(Preventing me from giving 5 stars):The rosin block caused my bow that I got with the violin to break some hairs (I was not doing it that hard. The plastic box around the rosin can easily catch the hairs of your bow so BE CAREFUL!).The violin has some damage on it I don't know if this is normal but i'm willing to overlook it because I do not have time or patience to send it back over something that might be normal. It looks like the finish wasn't properly applied (It doesn't matter to me much but I will post a picture of the damage).The Pegs will slip if you don't push them into the head. (This is normal but I would think the pegs would be a little longer then they are as to stick out of the other side of the head so that it is a more snug fit.).As this is a pupil version from them and not a fancy ricard. I would think they would put some fret stickers in there. (I had to purchase them, How expensive is it to include a sticker??).Shoulder rest is kind of a piece of junk. (Maybe it was just mine but the clamps that you attach to the violin would not screw into the pad and I don't have a very long neck so it became impossible to use it. I had to purchase a new one (Which I did anyway because some people were saying it doesn't come with one))Praises:The violin is actually more beautiful then the picture shows. (It's darker in real life.)The violin has a pretty nice sound. (I know it's only 200$ but this thing makes quite a loud and clear sound)The case is sturdy ( Its got a soft shell outside but it's pretty hard overall. It can take a beating.)Suggestions:Replace the rosin (You need a better rosin or else it will strip your bow hair.)Replace the bow (The bow that comes with is okay but it's a bit heavy, I bought a carbon fiber bow just so I could have to not hassle with breaking and it would be lighter.)Replace the shoulder rest (If you don't want to spend money on one of these you can always just use a soft cloth to put on your shoulder and rest the violin on it.)Buy a set of strings! (Yes it comes with 2 prelude sets 1 on the violin and 1 in a baggie. But if you are brand new to tuning anything you will most likely pop your E string because the violin does not come tuned at least mine didn't I didn't break any strings though but i'm use to tuning I play the guitar as well.)Overall for the price it is a good buy but you will end up spending around 50$ more for the replacements. Keep your old stuff however and use it until it breaks that way you can get some experience under you and get fancy with your shiny new bow and other things.The reason I didn't give it 3 stars is because well that would be harsh it does what it says it does. The problems I have are trivial and can be fixed or avoided. I'm new to the violin so who am I to be overly critical.Added 2 pictures. 1 showing the damage (on the side of the violin) and 1 showing the color of the violin (The front of the violin facing picture)

I just received my Bunnel pupil violin and was very surprised at the quality of everything from Kennedy Violins. The box that it came in had a security seal and was heavy weight white cardboard with color printing. The printed materials in the case were all very high quality and professionally created. The instrument itself was perfect, as was the bow and all of it was higher quality than I expected. I have tuned it and it is holding its pitch well, and the tone of the instrument is very pleasing. I'm just an intermediate violin player, but I can't tell that this instrument sounds much different from a multi-thousand dollar violin. The case is also high quality and came with a nice soft cover to place over the violin in the case. Excellence is the best word to describe Kennedy Violins.

No need to cut your own bridges, stretch the strings, rosin a completely waxy bow. Kennedy violins does a great job taking care of everything. Setting up a violin is a hassle for a professional, a nightmare for a beginner. Not an issue with these violins.

Great beginner violin for my daughter. Her violin instructor agreed. Great sound and quality workmanship for the price.