Cremona SV-130 Premier Violin Review [Novice Outfit]

Amanda Varney — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 02:41:59 +0000

When considering a violin to buy for a beginner, investing too much can be overkill. Is the Cremona SV-130 Premier Violin Outfit worth the money? Find out in our expert review.

The Cremona SV-130 at a Glance:

The Cremona SV-130 Violin Outfit

Cremona SV-130 Premier Outfit Review – Is This The Best Beginner Violin For You?
What We Like About It
What to Watch Out For
Fit and Finish of the Cremona SV-130
How Does It Sound?
Pros and Cons
Compare featured violin models
Conclusion: Is teh Cremona SV-130 Worth It?

The Cremona SV-130 Premier Outfit Review – Is This The Best Beginner Violin For You?

When considering what violin to buy for a beginner, there is a lot at stake. Invest too much and it is overkill, especially if your 4-year-old prodigy turns out to be a painter instead. Invest too little and it can frustrate everyone: won’t hold a tune, sounds tinny, and is generally toy-like.

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What We Like About It

One very good option in terms of price and value is the Cremona SV-130 Premier Violin Outfit. Manufactured by Saga, the company has a good rep for quality violins aimed at the student market. Saga’s Cremona SV-130 is part of a series developed to walk that fine line between the best quality possible at a sensible price.

So, how did Saga do with the Cremona SV-130?

Saga says this Cremona model has been its top-seller for a decade. That says something.

The product comes outfitted with American-made strings, ebony pegs, plus a lightweight tailpiece made from a composite that features 4 fine tuners. It has the Kaufman-style chinrest, which is low in profile.

Click Here to Check SV-130 Availability >>

The neck is oiled to improve the feel and the bow is relatively well-balanced for the money.

A balanced bow is important for new violin players to govern how to engage and sustain notes, so they sound more and more pleasing as they master fingering. Mastering the movement of the bow, evenly and smoothly, is another critical step in the learning process.

Delightfully, Saga has managed to incorporate an ebony fingerboard. Others often substitute other less costly tone woods like maple. So, this is a nice touch to invest in probably the most important portion of the instrument.

The body is spruce and maple, hand-carved. The construction is lightweight, which speaks to good workmanship, not cheapness.

What to Watch Out For

If you are buying online or at a music store, please get a chromatic tuner. Ask the clerk to walk you through how to use one on a violin. Write down what note per string should set using the tuner.

Tuning is the biggest problem for beginners. The initial joys of just making sound with the instrument go away, and as they begin caring about little melodies, the player may get frustrated.

Fit and Finish of the Cremona SV-130 Violin

Saga states that it carves each instrument one at a time—truly doing the work of a luthier. Finishes include brown or red. These are relatively well-executed, making the Cremona appear like more costly violins. Some models in the series offer sparkle-finishes for the more adventurous.

We noted earlier the use of ebony for the pegs and fingerboard. These are important distinctions for the Cremona, relative to other entry-level products.

If the player has the experience or maturity, try to go to a dealer and try this one versus one with another tone wood fretboard. See if it matters to the player.

Read What Customers are Saying About the Cremona SV-130

How Does It Sound?

The Anton Breton bow is balanced, although some online reviewers claim otherwise. Hard to know if those were exceptions; certainly, one would expect if you found a defect, the seller or the manufacturer would address it for you.

The painted violins in the series come with a case that matches the color and the bow. So, if that little someone is flashy, why not let it all hang out?

Pros and Cons

Cremona SV-130 Novice Violin Outfit Review

What We Like

- - All-in-one outfit with violin, rest, bow, rosin, and case
  - Ebony fret board
  - Quality strings for a starter instrument

What We Don’t Like

- - Finish shows some lack of attention—e.g., painted over glue glue globs
  - Tuning pegs need to be set up, does not come ready to play
  - Bridge composite is soft and strings groove into it over time
  - Bridge sets middle strings a bit too high in terms of action

What Do Cremona SV-130 Violin Outfit Customers Think? >>

Compare featured violin models:

Cremona SV-130 Premier Novice Violin Outfit - 4/4...

Cremona SV-175 Premier Student Violin Outfit - 4/4...

Conclusion: Is the Cremona SV-130 Worth It?

The Cremona SV-130 Violin is reasonably resonant, producing a very satisfying tone. This instrument surpasses expectations for a beginner-level product.

The quality of the bow and the plush-lined case, while not as important as the use of ebony in the Cremona, are icing on the cake.

What are Owners Saying About the Cremona SV-130 Violin Outfit? >>

Build Quality
Sound Quality
Value Factor

4.4

Summary

Overall Score:

Manufacturer Info:

Website: https://www.sagamusic.com

About: For more than 40 years, Saga Musical Instruments has steadily grown to be a global pioneer in the successful development, marketing and distribution of high-quality traditional American and European-designed student and professional acoustic musical instruments.