What is a "violin outfit"?

Question:im planning to buy a violin online because it comes with a generous discount. when they say
"Mendini MV300 Rosewood Fitted Violin Outfit"
and have a picture of a violin, do they mean that it comes with an actual instrument? or is it just a case?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: im planning to buy a violin online because it comes with a generous discount. when they say
"Mendini MV300 Rosewood Fitted Violin Outfit"
and have a picture of a violin, do they mean that it comes with an actual instrument? or is it just a case?

Do NOT buy a violin online or from a general music shop.

Only buy a violin from proper violin shop. Violins have to be set up so that the pegs fit properley and the bridge and soundpost are in the correct position.
If this is not done by a luthier then the violin will be hard to play and difficult to tune.

An outfit will consist of violin, bow case, rosin and perhaps a shoulder rest. You will have to buy the shoulder rest if it does not come with one.
I also recommend getting an electronic tuner for about $20 .

An "Outfit" usually comes with an instrument, the bow, a cake of rosin, the bridge which is supposed to be "shop adjusted" to fit the instrument perfectly. In reality the bridge is usually a stencil that comes off of an assembly line and has never touched the instrument prior to the moment you place it under the strings yourself.

Sometimes an outfit will also come with a tuner or pitchpipe, a manual with or without CD or DVD giving you some clue as to how to play it, and once in a great while an extra set of strings, or even an extra bow. Read the fine print carefully to find out what actually comes with your package and make sure you have an ironclad return policy should you take it to your teacher or director and they tell you that it would be kinder to use it for kindling. I am not trying to put this manufacturer down, but I have had both good and bad experiences with students who have brought "outfits" in from Sams, Pawn Shops, E-Bay, obscure internet stores, and even closeout stores. Some of them have been treasures and a few have been kindling. Take someone with you who knows the difference or if you are getting this by internet or mail, be absolutely sure you know how and under what conditions you can send it back if it does not meet your expectations. Best of luck no matter what you decide and I hope your situation turns out well.

A violin outfit, such as this one:

http://beststudentviolins.com/violins.ht...

includes the instrument, a bow, the case and usually, rosin.

A true "outfit" is going to have the violin, which is set up in the luthier's studio with the best fit bridge and strings for the instrument. However, in real life, they just throw the instrument together with a bridge made in a factory and whatever set of strings are lying around.

The set will also come with a bow(which they may say is wood, but expect it to be cheap wood at the best, and plastic or fiberglass at the worst) which is strung with real horsehair(more often than not, if it's a student violin, the hair will be synthetic).

It will come in a case, with a block of rosin, which are most usually very cheap. The "rosewood fitted" bit that you're looking at is the chinrest, tailpiece and pegs. They will be a light wood colour, not ebony. Just for looks. Also, you could have the option of having a tuner or pitchpipe, and sometimes even a book/CD/DVD tutorial included. Those are probably not the best quality you could get in a music store, either.

If I were you, since you even said it is being offered with a "generous discount", I would expect the whole deal to be very cheap, and I would not buy online. A good violin shop can probably set you up with a much better instrument for as much money. It may be a little more that way, but you are assured good quality, and an instrument that is worth that extra money.