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Mendini by Cecilio 16-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola with Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge and Strings
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Mendini by Cecilio |
Size | 16-in. |
Color | Natural Varnish |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 35 x 7 x 15 inches |
Top Material Type | Maple, Spruce |
Back Material Type | Maple, Wood, Spruce Wood |
String Material Type | Alloy Steel |
Finish Type | Varnish |
Instrument | Violin |
Operation Mode | Manual |
About this item
- Hand-carved solid spruce top with maple back & sides
- Maple fingerboard, pegs, and chin rest with an alloy tailpiece with four integrated fine tuners
- Includes: lightweight hard case, a Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, rosin, and bridge
- 1 Year Warranty Against Manufacturer's Defects.
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This Item Mendini by Cecilio 16-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola with Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge and Strings | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | -31% $60.99$60.99 List: $87.99 | $168.99$168.99 | $109.99$109.99 | $13.69$13.69 | $399.00$399.00 | $11.65$11.65 |
Delivery | Get it Mar 29 - Apr 3 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Value for money | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 3.8 |
For beginners | 3.5 | 4.1 | 3.9 | — | 4.2 | 3.6 |
Craftsmanship | 3.1 | 4.1 | 3.8 | — | 4.3 | — |
Sold By | KK Music Store | HEYCHAT | ALiyes | ILSE MITCHELL | D Z Strad | Fantastic_Finger_Guides |
instrument | Violin | Violin | Violin | Viola | Guitar | — |
size | 16-in. | Full | — | Full | 15.5" - size | 15.5" |
number of strings | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — |
operation mode | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
top material | Maple, Spruce | Spruce | Spruce | Carbon Fiber | Maple, Spruce, Ebony | — |
back material | Maple, Wood, Spruce Wood | Flame Maple | Maple | sponge | Maple, Ebony, Spruce Wood | — |
string material | Alloy Steel | Alloy Steel | Stainless Steel | Alloy Steel | — | — |
finish type | Varnish | Polished | Painted | Brushed | Lacquered | — |
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Product information
Item Weight | 4.89 pounds |
---|---|
Product Dimensions | 35 x 7 x 15 inches |
ASIN | B006LCCUTU |
Item model number | 16"MA250 |
Customer Reviews |
4.0 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #2,357 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #1 in Acoustic Violas |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | February 29, 2012 |
Back Material | Maple, Wood, Spruce Wood |
Color Name | Natural Varnish |
String Material | Alloy Steel |
Top Material | Maple, Spruce |
Number of Strings | 4 |
Size | 16-in. |
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Videos
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Our Point of View on the Mendini Satin Viola
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Our Point of View on Mendini Solid Wood Viola Set
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Mendini by Cecilio Solidwood Viola
KK Music Store
Product Description
Mendini viola is completely hand-carved with a solid spruce top and maple back and sides. It is fitted with a maple fingerboard, pegs, and chin rest, and an alloy tailpiece with four integrated fine tuners. 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.
From the manufacturer
Mendini Viola
The Mendini viola has an impressive quality for the price, and is a remarkably affordable option for students who have never played the viola before and want to try it out for the first time. Here at Cecilio Musical Instruments, we understand that students have unique and diverse preferences. To better serve this diversity, our Mendini MA series of violas offers a wide variety of colors to choose from at exceptionally affordable prices. Both of our Mendini MA250 and Mendini MA350 violas have the same specifications and quality, but they differ in the type of finish used and the character of sound each one produces. The MA350 has a mellow and warm tone with a soft satin varnish finish to match, and the MA250 has a bright and vibrant tone and finish. Mendini 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.
How to choose viola sizes
Our violas are available in 7 different sizes: 16.5", 16" (also known as full size), 15.5", 15", 14", 13" and 12". 16.5" viola is the biggest and 12" viola is the smallest. Most adults use 16" violas.
To measure what size viola best suits you, you need to know the length between your neck and the middle of your left-hand palm (when your hand is fully extended and raised perpendicular to your body, just like holding a violin). Most of the teachers prefer students to use the length from the neck to the wrist for measurement instead of the neck to mid-palm approach. The viola size determined by the neck/wrist approach would be the size that is more comfortable for students to hold. The viola size determined by the neck/mid-palm approach would be the biggest size students should use.
The following table lists the length of each viola size. Find your length using your preferred approach and use that to determine the size of viola to get.
From the brand
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Mendini by Cecilio’s easy to assemble, finely crafted instruments are perfect for students or new musicians just learning to play.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the value and color of the viola. For example, they say it's well worth the price, has a beautiful color, and is easy to use. That said, opinions are mixed on the quality, sound quality, and strings.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the viola well worth the price and cheap enough for younger students. They also appreciate the decent quality for the price.
"...a better bow and some better strings to go with it it is actually fairly decent, especially considering the price is unbeatable." Read more
"This is a decent viola for what it costs. We had to repair the bridge upon opening. And one of the tuning pegs broke easily...." Read more
"...The price is obviously unbelievable...." Read more
"...Both my children and 3 of my students use them. They are very affordable, perfect for beginners...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the color of the stringed instrument. They mention that the black paint looks great, the finish is lovely, and the included hard case does a good job protecting the viola. Some say that the viola comes in a beautiful sparkly purple, complete with all the accessories you need to start. Overall, customers are happy with the appearance and quality of the acoustic violon.
"...I purchased the purple finished viola. Visually, looks great. Not much different from the viola I had in elementary & middle school...." Read more
"...I played all the strings open one at a time, likewise. Absolutely lovely instrument with a beautiful and fully resonate, bassey sound...." Read more
"...The sound, with the given bow is decent and fairly rich...." Read more
"...The cost is closer to $300 but this viola both looks and sounds beautiful, the difference in the level of "craftsmanship" is remarkable and the bow..." Read more
Customers find the stringed instruments easy to use. They mention it's perfect for learning the basics on, and a great way to start. Some say it'll ease them into things without worrying about damage. Overall, most are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.
"...And it's great for beginners, BECAUSE BEGINNERS TEND TO WRECK THEIR INSTRUMENT IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER...." Read more
"...I think this instrument is decent enough for a student that wants to find out if they are truly dedicated before spending money on something higher..." Read more
"...Also the bow isn't straight, it has a pretty bad bend in it and was unusable. We had to us an older bow from another viola...." Read more
"...They are very affordable, perfect for beginners. However, I found that qualities are kind of messed up...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the stringed instrument. Some mention it's a very solid entry level instrument, well made, and easy to play. However, others say that the bow is flimsy, the strings are uneven, and the tuning pegs broke easily.
"...The hairs were never secured into the tip of the bow so it was impossible to rosin it without having another half-dozen or more hairs come loose,..." Read more
"...It's a very solid entry level instrument, but tuning and care lead this to be a FINE ART. Something most people seem not to have patience for...." Read more
"...We had to repair the bridge upon opening. And one of the tuning pegs broke easily. But they aren't much to replace. Would be a good starter viola." Read more
"...However the case is hard and felted, and the construction is beautiful of wood, with plastic parts (neck guard). It's *very* lightweight...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the sound quality of the stringed instrument. Some mention that it has a nice sound, and hasn't gone out of tune. The overall fit and finish of the instrument is fantastic. However, some customers say that the case is hard and felted, and the construction is beautiful of wood. Others say that it's cheap and has mediocre tonal quality.
"...The price is obviously unbelievable. However the case is hard and felted, and the construction is beautiful of wood, with plastic parts (neck guard)..." Read more
"Let me start by saying this viola pleasantly surprised me on quality and sound for such a cheap mass made product...." Read more
"...they all were supposed to be kind of the same but the sound was better in some, bows were bad in others, and one violin's size was considerably..." Read more
"...Other than that, it hasn't gone out of tune. It gradually gets flat day to day, but nothing the fine tuners can't handle.5.)..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the strings. Some love that it comes with extra strings, an extra bridge, rosin, and a sturdy case. However, others say that a string was loose, the bow was extremely loose, and the hair was strung unevenly.
"...a high end instrument, (especially if it is shipped) your bow WILL have some loose hairs. Just cut them back at the tips carefully, this is normal...." Read more
"...The strings are fine. I use pretty high quality ones for my violin, and have terrible quality ones for my cello. these sounds fine...." Read more
"...Strings are cheap but yet again decent strings are going to run you as much as the price of this instrument so no big deal...." Read more
"...The hairs were never secured into the tip of the bow so it was impossible to rosin it without having another half-dozen or more hairs come loose,..." Read more
Customers have a hard time keeping the stringed instruments in tune. They mention that the pegs keep slipping and the strings don't stay tuned.
"...Regarding pegs, (in my viola) they are meah too. They would not stay in place and had to tune the viola every 5 minutes...." Read more
"...Unable to properly tune or hold pitch...." Read more
"...the fine tuner for the C string does not like to stay in place so that if tightened, it pushes down on the lever to fine-tune the C string...." Read more
"You get what you pay for! This thing doesn't hold it's tuning very well, but otherwise works great as a beginner viola...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the size of the stringed instruments. They mention that the tuning pegs are only held in with friction, and they consistently come out of place. The tuning knobs would not stay tight, and the peg and box area did not fit properly. The strings are rather cheap, and it constantly has to be re-tuned.
"...Tried to tune, string broke and the tuners generally won't hold. I should have had it set up before lesson day...." Read more
"...was better in some, bows were bad in others, and one violin's size was considerably bigger (like a viola)...." Read more
"...It is a beautiful instrument, and it is the correct size. Not a restrained violin as some of the other reviews suggest...." Read more
"...store to see about upgrading the strings and they discovered the bridge was too big making the strings come up off the instrument too high...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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I purchased the purple finished viola. Visually, looks great. Not much different from the viola I had in elementary & middle school. Aside from being purple, if you're unsure about color options, you'll fit right in with one of the wood vanish colors. I haven't played much since I dropped the viola. [idiom] Saw this was on sale, I have amazon prime so the price was probably better than what non prime members pay. For under 100 bucks I was pretty enticed, so I went ahead and bought one.
A non-musically trained person might take one look at the bow and decide that the piece is crap. Yes and no. This is not as high quality as a 500 - 1000 or so instrument. There can be no debating that. But even with a high end instrument, (especially if it is shipped) your bow WILL have some loose hairs. Just cut them back at the tips carefully, this is normal. Not an indication of defect or poor quality. That said, as far as my semi-amateur eyes can tell, this is just as good. And it's great for beginners, BECAUSE BEGINNERS TEND TO WRECK THEIR INSTRUMENT IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. Not true of everyone, but a slightly lower tier instrument is in my opinion a better investment especially for beginners. If it gets destroyed, or it's used for 2 years and abandoned. That's several hundred dollars "saved."
As far as the tuning. I'VE NOTICED A LOT OF NEGATIVE REVIEWS. Mostly around the change of seasons. I'm assuming most of these reviews come from north america. Thing is, when the humidity changes, (it gets cold outside and thus people run their heaters) it changes the moisture levels of the wood in the instrument. It is entirely possible that some people received an instrument that didn't meet quality standards for one reason or another... But this seems unlikely, given the volume of negative reviews. It seems that these people didn't know how or had little patience in tuning their instrument. I spent at leas 2 hours tuning mine, not even fine tuning pray mind. Towards the end I was getting frustrated, and was tempted to call the piece crap and send it back. Bit more time and research led to better awareness and a nearly perfect pitch.
Based on my impressions, I'd recommend this to any beginner or aspiring musician. It's a very solid entry level instrument, but tuning and care lead this to be a FINE ART. Something most people seem not to have patience for. I'll update this review in a few months should any of my feelings change significantly, else some material defect becomes apparent. I WOULD RECOMMEND however, a bit of time spent on YouTube and the internet researching the instrument. This is NOT A TOY and should respected. Like I said, string instruments are a fine art, the internet has lifetimes of experience and free information. Use it. Learn. Grow.
But I'm writing about the immediate construction and first *sound*, timber, functionality (playability) of the instrument. I somehow managed to rosin my first bow adequately (my orchestral roommate tightened it when he came home because I forgot to). I had watched YouTube videos and read the scant instructions which tell you to wait and let your instructor guide you in your first setup. I held it (I'll definitely need a shoulder brace), and tried the lowest open string... my eyes opened wide. I had never produced a tone on a concert stringed instrument before. It was BEAUTIFUL. And totally bassey. Sounded exactly as it should (correct tuned pitch aside). I was actually amazed. I played all the strings open one at a time, likewise. Absolutely lovely instrument with a beautiful and fully resonate, bassey sound. Just like the YouTube videos. I tried some fingerings; okay, that'll take practice and a developed reach. But clearly it would play. If there's a problem of tuning, not holding pitch or cracking, I'll update my review. But I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this instrument if you're worried if it sounds good enough, esp. for the price. I hope my instructor doesn't break it over my head, I love it and will be sad. My first 4/4 cello by the same maker and store is on the way! :) My seller feedback:
Thrilled! Arrived early, unbroken, with hardcase and all accessories, and... plays! First time ever player, sounds wonderful! :) :) Thank you!
Update: Ok it's two hours before my first lesson. Tried to tune, string broke and the tuners generally won't hold. I should have had it set up before lesson day. I'm going to see if she knows a trick with rosin or such to make tuners stick. Otherwise I'll have to wait for a setup and it'll set my lesson back and may make it unaffordable depending. I'm not in the market for a more expensive instrument at this time. The sound of the box is still terrific and bow and rosin work fine. 4 stars and we'll see.
Update Update: My teacher took it walked around awhile while I was getting ready and handing it back to me said, "Why did you think it couldn't be tuned?!" :) I also got a shoulder rest and two packs of DiDarios. So back to Fine Instrument! :) but follow instructions and let your instructor do the setup the first time. You'll save a string. She understood it was inexpensive, knew the price, but had no problem working with it and is starting me on the Suzuki method :) I thought the tuners absolutely wouldn't hold, so see a pro before giving up!
Top reviews from other countries
No issues. Quality seems very good
Ich habe schon mehrere günstige Streichinstrument aus der Massenfertigung aus Fernost gekauft und diese Viola ist nicht die am besten verarbeitete. Bei anderen Exemplare aus der Serie mag das ganz anders ausfallen, da schwankt oft die Qualität.Das gilt auch für den Bogen. Der ist etwas schief. Zudem waren die Rosshaare nicht richtig eingeklemmt, so dass beim ersten Spannen auf Probe einige Haare ausgegangen sind. Also war schon beim Bogen Basteln dran.
Auch bei der Viola muss erst mal gebastelt werden, was aber bei den Geigen die ich über den Versand gekauft auch so war. Der Steg liegt lose bei, die Saiten daher auch nicht gespannt. Dank Youtube kann aber auch ein Anfänger heraus finden, wo und wie man den Steg aufstellt. Das ist auch gut so, weil die mitgelieferte Erklärung auf Englisch war und zudem noch so knapp, dass man als völliger Anfänger damit rein Garnichts anfangen könnte. Das habe ich auch bei anderen günstigen Geigen zum Selbstaufbau schon besser gesehen. Wer auf Nummer sicher gehen will, sollte aber zum Geigenbauer gehen, denn bei der Prozedur kann der Stimmstock umfallen und das macht den ohnehin nicht gerade umwerfenden Klang nicht besser.
Nach dem Aufbau fiel mir ein sonderbares Störgeräusch auf, dass ich noch nie bei einem Streichinstrument gehört habe. Nach einigem Suchen fiel mir auf, dass der Kinnhalter an den Saitenhalter stößt und dann damit zusammenstößt in der jeweiligen Streichfrequenz schnarrt. Also erst mal den Kinnhalter demontiert und mit Holzwerkzeug die Teile abgetragen, die die Fabrikarbeiter da vergessen haben. Was will man zum günstigen Preis schon erwarten. Wenn die Maschine da halt nicht richtig eingestellt ist, bleibt da schon mal sowas übrig, da ist eben keine Zeit, von Hand nachzukontrollieren und auf Feinheiten zu achten. Dann habe ich gleich noch an den Wirbeln die Grate an den Bohrungen entfernt, um die Saiten zu schonen.
Der Lack ist speziell. Dadurch dass er sehr deckend ist, liegt die Vermutung nahe, dass der Corpus womöglich aus Sperrholz besteht, aber sicher kann man da nichts sagen. Was man auf Fotos schlecht erkennt: In den Lach ist Perlglanzpigment eingearbeitet so dass die Bratsche etwas glitzert. Wenn man sie nur zu Hause oder als Deko nimmt, ist es egal, dass sie dadurch trotz der vollen Größe und Klobigkeit wie Kinderspielzeug wirkt.
Positiv ist, bei mir war ein zweiter Steg und ein Satz Saiten beigelegt. So hat man zwei Sätze einfache Saiten.
Der Koffer passt gut zum Instrument, ist leichtgewichtig und einfach mit synthetischem Pannesamt gefüttert. Die Verarbeitung ist nicht so stabil. Erste Teile sind schon beschädigt nach ein paar Nutzungen. Das lässt sich zwar reparieren, geht aber auch in diesem Preissegment besser.
Fazit: Wenn man gerne mal an einem Streichinstrument herum basteln will, ohne dass ein Totalschaden einen Weltuntergang auslöst ist diese Bratsche ein tolles Versuchsobjekt. Wenn man kein Heimwerkertalent hat, würde ich davon die Finger lassen, denn da müsste ein Geigenbauer schon einige Arbeit reinstecken um sie spielbar zu machen. Für einen Anfänger, der wirklich ernsthaft das Instrument lernen will, würde ich sie eher nicht nehmen. Einfach nur so zum Gelegentlichen spielen und zum Stillen von der Neugier wie man versuchsweise eine Viola streicht, ist sie einsetzbar. Vielleicht hat man ja Glück und ich habe einfach das Montagsmodell erwischt und die meisten anderen sind besser verarbeitet? Noch drei Sterne, weil sie bei mir den gewünschten Zweck erfüllte, einfach mal einmal im Leben eine Viola auszuprobieren ohne jegliche Ambition.