Cecilio 4/4 CEVN-1W Solid Wood Electric/Silent Violin with Bow, Rosin, Shoulder Rest, and Extra Set of Strings

Romain Bérubé: Malgré que le violon était bien emballé, j’ai reçu le violon avec une corde de brisée. J’ai cherché la boule qui retient la corde dans le cordier mais elle n’était nulle part dans l’étui ce qui confirme que la corde était brisée avant même que le violon soit déposé dans l’étui. Je trouve ça très ordinaire et même assez insultant!!! J’ai été porter le violon chez un luthier et il me disait avoir quelques modifications à faire pour qu’il soit possible d’en jouer. Il doit évidemment me mettre un ensemble de cordes neuves. Une chance que je l’avais commandé d’avance car c’est un cadeau pour la fête de ma fille. Imaginez la déception de recevoir son violon et de même pas pouvoir en jouer!!! Je m’attendais déjà d’aller le faire ajuster par le luthier mais la corde brisée sans avoir retrouvé la boule qui la retient dans le cordier m’a solidement déçu car il a été envoyé volontairement avec une corde brisée!!! INACCEPTABLE!!!

Canada on Mar 23, 2022

Chris: First I should say that while I play several other traditional instruments,
my closest personal encounter was during a year in high school when I "held a viola".
So far I'm not serious -- just have some spare time -- and the price is right.

So on to the review: I am in an apartment - thus the reason for "silent".
The hard case (foam I think) is very nice and light - 2 zipper
toggles for closing, 2 shoulder straps on the back, with a pocket on the
outside top - 6"x8" music would fit easly.
Inside the case there might be space for an extra bow,
but apart from the electronics -(which I haven't tested or looked at) there
is only the small compartment under the neck for items - rosin, battery
As far as I can see there is no room for a shoulder rest inside,
which I don't have yet (though that probably would fit in the
outside pocket).
I tuned it up and it has held its pitch for a couple of weeks so far.
I had to roughen the rosin surface with coarse sandpaper before the
bow would take it up. With a little rosin on the bow, it is loud enough
for me without amplification.

I have playing tried without and with various homemade...

Canada on Sep 20, 2017

J. F.J. F.: Updated Review 02-01-17:
Since my first review, my wife and I have since returned a total of 4 used and/or damaged violins. The issues were as follows:
1st Violin Received (shown in first 4 photos attached):
a) The Bridge was Pre-Installed (most Cecilio products come with the bridge NOT installed to prevent shipping damages and this model even comes with a paper that states it should have been shipped with the bridge "uninstalled" and how to correctly and safely set it up. Thus, it was most-likely used prior).
b) The bow's hairs were entangled in the case's latching mechanism which resulted in broken hairs. This was an issue since having a luthier rehair a bow costs about $50 at most music stores…
c) The blue protective cover to the violin was coarsely scuffed
d) the headphone set was hanging out of its plastic package and the black tie was untied and tossed separately in the case (aka: used since the only way someone can get to it is by lifting the instrument out).
e) There was a small dent in the front body of the violin, most-likely via the bridge being pre-installed incorrectly.

2nd Violin Received (shown in the 5th-8th photos attached): note,...

United States on Jan 26, 2017

Y.M.: Bought it three weeks ago. The violin itself is decent and bow is functioning. But everything else should probably be replaced. Rosin and headphone are garbage. Remember to get a better rosin and a shoulder rest with this violin.

Basically there're two problems with this violin making me give it a 3-star.
One is that it's still pretty audible when you play it. I'm living in an old small studio apartment and sometimes can hear neighbors (sometimes I know someone is talking or watching TV loudly). I'm still not sure whether they really can't hear me playing at all:/ I would say the sound may be more like an acoustic violin with a practice mute (and may be quieter).
But the pro is that you absolutely can practice without headphone, and if you want, you can get a better and warmer sound through the headphone, or even EQ it with a mixer.
The other problem, which is more annoying, is that the bridge is set too high which causes finger pain. And it also get harder to make good sound with a higher position, especially with pinkie. It seems the only way to solve this problem is to bring your violin to a luthier and adjust the bridge at your cost. Replacing the strings with...

Canada on May 12, 2016

Stan Romphf: This is my first violin and my fourth instrument that I'll be teaching myself. It arrived quite well packaged and in a very timely matter. The case upon opening was rather impressive and the contents inside were all there where they should be.

The instrument itself is a rather nice looking piece of work. Solid wood frame with a "color varnish" type of paint job. Sturdy with some weight to it and feels great in the hands. I didn't even bother to play it until I took it down to the music shop and replaced the strings with a good quality set, and bought a higher end bow for it. The man at the music store tuned it up for me and plugged it in to test it out and it sounded ok. He said it felt good and handled well and the new strings and bow make a big difference. I bought a 30 dollar shoulder rest and an expensive rosin and I was all set to go.

I took it home and ran the output from the instrument into my mixer board with some EQ and FX and was VERY impressed with the sound. If you EQ it right you can have a really decent sounding electric violin here. I'm very happy with it and look forward to continue learning to play.

Canada on Jun 23, 2015

Kay’s Hidden Shelf: This violin is great for silent practice. I haven't had it for long but playing it sounds decent with headphones, it is very convenient for practicing without disturbing anyone (neighbours, room mates etc.) The strings don't seem to keep their tune very well but this could just be that the strings need to stretch (time has passed and they did just need to be stretched) or be changed to a higher quality string set. Mine arrived with a chip in the varnish at the back but I was given a reimbursement for the damage when I talked to Amazon.

Overall:
-Great for silent practice, sound quality is decent and works well with both headphones and amps.
-Case is not high quality but will do the job in protecting the violin.
-Violin itself looks and sounds great, heavier than an acoustic violin. (not an issue for me and the difference isn't that much)
-Chinrest fits well with no issues.
-Strings don't stay in tune long; this could be the strings need to be stretched out a bit as the pegs are not slipping. Could be easily resolved with higher quality strings. (Strings just needed to be stretched, keeps tune well now)
-Is perfect for playing outdoors and effects on amp...

Canada on Mar 04, 2015

dvjac: I purchased this Cecilio violin from Amazon because of my history of dealings with Amazon quality.
I was taught violin, in my youth, and played daily for fifteen years. I am also a union carpenter and have over forty years of building experience. My profession and duties at home did not allow a practice schedule. I would play when I had opportunity. I have an acoustic violin that will project through the house with closed doors, rubber practice mute and foam in the "F" holes. I have some electric experience with a Barcus Berry pickup on my acoustic but no experience with electric solid bodies.
I needed something for silent practice and decided on this violin as an inexpensive trial until I can build my own. I am reviewing this as a budget electric violin and not comparing it to much more expensive electric violins. I am not qualified to review this violin in a professional amplified setting.
I cannot add or detract from fiddleman's video review. This violin is machine produced for a mass audience. I found the quality control reasonable for this function. The one I received is perfect for silent practice. I found the controls to be functional and the jacks to be secure if...

United States on Mar 22, 2013