# Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola: A Review
If you are looking for a beginner-friendly viola that offers a good balance of quality, affordability, and durability, you might want to consider the Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola. This viola is designed by Mendini by Cecilio, a reputable brand that specializes in musical instruments for students and beginners. In this article, we will provide you with some information, features, benefits, and customer reviews of this viola, as well as compare it with some similar products on the market.
Product Details
The Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola is a full-size viola that measures 32.5 x 6 x 12 inches and weighs 4.5 pounds. It is suitable for players who are 12 years old and above, or who have an arm length of 23.5 inches or more. The viola has a hand-carved solid spruce top with maple back and sides, which give it a natural varnish finish and a bright and vibrant tone. The fingerboard, pegs, and chin rest are also made of maple, while the tailpiece is made of alloy with four integrated fine tuners for easy tuning. The viola comes with a lightweight hard case, a Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, rosin, and a bridge. It also has a one-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects.
Features and Benefits
Some of the features and benefits of the Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola are:
– It is an affordable and reliable viola for beginners and students who want to learn the basics of playing the instrument.
– It has a solid wood construction that ensures durability and sound quality.
– It has a natural varnish finish that gives it a classic and elegant look.
– It has four fine tuners that allow easy and precise tuning.
– It comes with a complete set of accessories that include a case, a bow, rosin, and a bridge.
– It has a one-year warranty that covers any defects or malfunctions.
Application of the Crowd
The Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola is ideal for:
– Beginners and students who want to learn how to play the viola without spending too much money on an expensive instrument.
– Intermediate players who want to upgrade from a smaller or lower-quality viola.
– Hobbyists and enthusiasts who enjoy playing the viola for fun or personal satisfaction.
Similar Products Comparison
To help you make an informed decision, we have compared the Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola with three other similar products on the market: the Cecilio CVA-500 Ebony Fitted Flamed Solid Wood Viola, the D Z Strad Model 101 Viola, and the Stentor 1505 Student II Viola. Here is a table that summarizes their main features and prices:
| Product | Size | Top | Back & Sides | Fingerboard | Tailpiece | Fine Tuners | Finish | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola | 14 inches | Spruce | Maple | Maple | Alloy | 4 | Natural varnish | $148.19 |
| Cecilio CVA-500 Ebony Fitted Flamed Solid Wood Viola | 14 inches | Spruce | Maple (flamed) | Ebony | Alloy | 4 | Antique varnish | $199.99 |
| D Z Strad Model 101 Viola | 14 inches | Spruce (aged) | Maple (flamed) | Ebony | Ebony (boxwood) | None (optional) | Oil varnish (hand-rubbed) | $499.00 |
| Stentor 1505 Student II Viola | 14 inches | Spruce (carved) | Maple (solid) | Ebony (ebonized) | Alloy (composite) | 4 (integral) | Natural varnish (shellac) | $229.99 |
As you can see from the table, the Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola is the cheapest option among the four products, but it also has some drawbacks compared to the others. For instance, it has a maple fingerboard instead of an ebony one, which may affect the playability and durability of the instrument. It also has a natural varnish finish instead of an antique or oil varnish finish, which may affect the appearance and tone of the instrument. However, these differences may not be significant for beginners and students who are just starting to learn the viola. The Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola still offers a decent sound quality and a comfortable playing position for its price range.
Customer Reviews
To give you a better idea of what other customers think of the Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola, we have selected some representative reviews from Amazon. Here are some positive and negative comments from the buyers:
Positive:
– “I bought this viola for my daughter who is in 6th grade orchestra. She loves it! It sounds great and looks beautiful. The case is sturdy and the bow is nice. It was easy to set up and tune. It is a great value for the money.”
– “I am very impressed with this viola. It is well made and has a lovely tone. It came with everything I needed to start playing right away. The case is very nice and the rosin works well. The bow is good quality and the fine tuners are easy to use. I would recommend this viola to anyone who wants to learn how to play.”
– “This viola is perfect for beginners. It is not too heavy or too light, and it fits me well. It has a clear and warm sound, and it stays in tune pretty well. The accessories are also good, especially the case, which is very durable and has a lot of pockets. I am very happy with this purchase.”
Negative:
– “The viola itself is not bad, but the bow is terrible. It is warped and crooked, and it does not produce a good sound. I had to buy a new bow from another seller, which cost me more money. The rosin is also very cheap and crumbly, and it does not stick to the bow hair well. I would not buy this again.”
– “The viola looks nice, but it sounds awful. It has a very tinny and harsh sound, and it does not resonate well. The strings are also very low quality, and they break easily. The fingerboard is rough and uneven, and it hurts my fingers when I play. The case is also flimsy and poorly made, and it does not protect the instrument well.”
– “The viola arrived damaged, with cracks on the body and scratches on the finish. The bridge was also broken, and the strings were loose. The seller did not respond to my messages or requests for a refund or replacement. I had to file a claim with Amazon to get my money back. This was a waste of time and money.”
Conclusion
The Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola is a budget-friendly option for beginners and students who want to learn how to play the viola without breaking the bank. It has a solid wood construction, a natural varnish finish, four fine tuners, and a complete set of accessories that include a case, a bow, rosin, and a bridge. It has a bright and vibrant tone that suits most styles of music. However, it also has some drawbacks that may affect its playability and durability, such as a maple fingerboard, a natural varnish finish, and low-quality strings and rosin. It may also require some adjustments or repairs before playing, as some customers have reported receiving damaged or defective products.
If you are looking for a more advanced or professional viola, you may want to consider other products that have higher-quality materials, finishes, sounds, and accessories, such as the Cecilio CVA-500 Ebony Fitted Flamed Solid Wood Viola, the D Z Strad Model 101 Viola, or the Stentor 1505 Student II Viola. These products have higher prices than the Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola, but they also offer better features and benefits that may suit your needs and preferences better.
If you are interested in buying the Mendini 14-Inch MA250 Varnish Solid Wood Viola, you can click here to order it from Amazon with free shipping and returns. We hope this article has helped you make an informed decision about this product. Happy playing!
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