D Z Strad Viola Model N2011 with D Z Strad Bow and Case- 14"

Have to have bridge fixed and pegs replaced. Hopefully sound quality will improve. Disappointed

The viola is okay. It has the french bridge. Bows are decent. I was just a bit disappointed as I had not thought there would be such a big difference in the tone quality between 14 inch and 15.5 inch... I own a 15.5 inch viola (D’Luca) which is cheaper but just really beautiful tone... I was expecting better tone quality given the higher price but what I see now is a stuffy toned viola. Sounds just like a violin with viola strings which was what I was doing for a while for my kid. I will keep it for my grade 5 viola player since kid cannot play anything larger but in case anyone is interested in a small viola - pls go for the larger size as the small size really does not hold up the resonance of the thicker strings....

The violin sounded great for its price point, however I purchased a kit, not just an instrument, and I a couple of things led me to return it today:1. Out of the box, when I opened the case, I was surprised to see that the bridge wasn't installed and was loose in the compartment where the scroll lays. Since the strings were tightened below the fingerboard, I knew that the bridge had not slipped out. It had been originally shipped that way. I'm not a luthier, however I've played the violin for 20 years and I set up the bridge myself. Lastly, all of us string players know not to loosen all of the strings nor remove the bridge because that is how the sound post can slip out. My sound post hadn't slipped but I was already leery.2. The shoulder rest was an inch too short for my 16.5" viola. I emailed DZ Strad the next day, and after a little of back of forth, I was able to convince them that indeed it was too small and they promised to ship me another. However I haven't received it yet. When and if I get it I'll return that as well.3. Last problem, and the deal-breaker for me: I noticed yesterday when I opened the case that the bridge and strings had left a deep impression on the interior of the case lid! The case was too thin for the instrument with the bridge installed - with case closed, the lid was pressing hard on the bridge and of course on the instrument as well!! Maybe that was why the bridge wasn't installed?If you're going to buy an instrument from DZ Strad, I'd suggest you try to buy from them directly where there can be some quality control. My instrument looks like it shipped directly from Amazon, and was probably sent there directly from China or wherever the instrument was made.I really liked the sound and the playability of the instrument, however the kit and the instrument set up was below acceptability.

For the price it should have 4 fine tuners instead of one, but we will make it work. Also the way the case is designed puts too much pressure on the bridge. The one we bought was a warehouse deal at $345, because someone returned it when they received it and the bridge was knocked off. You can see and feel where the bridge has marked the case, so I'm sure that something was sat on the case to create too much pressure knocking the bridge off. It was a steal for us, as long as the case doesn't become a problem for my daughter who it was bought for. We just had to put it back in place and tune it. It took much longer to tune the strings that do not have the fine tuner on it.

started out awesome but after only 1 year the fine tuners have gone bad , the bow has come apart, Have to replace tailpiece because fine tuners are attachd to it. Not well constructed at all.