Are you thinking of buying a new or second violin? If so, picking the best violin model may take time because multiple choices are available. Even if you want the product to stay within a specific budget, you can’t settle on mediocre quality stuff.
After all, every violinist wants to invest in a violin that will last longer and retain its excellence. So, here we will consider one such violin type that will surely help you develop violin skills and stay with you for years to come. We are talking about Cremona violins. High-quality wood, top-notch finishing, flamed maples, and many other features make these violins worth considering.
Top 10 Best Cremona Violins
Cremona is the name of a city in Italy. This place is famous for its contribution to making elegant violins and other musical instruments. As we know, there are different methods to make string instruments. However, the Cremona violin makers have developed a unique technique that makes these violins look more attractive and sound beautiful. For this, we must thank Andrea Amati, the pioneer luthier of the Cremona violin family. The art of Cremona violin making was further developed and honed by Stradivari, Guarneri, Vincenzo Rugeri, and Bergonzi. In this way, the knowledge and techniques of violin-making were passed from one generation to another. Today, Saga Musical Instruments has been making Cremona violins for more than 40 years.
As you can see below, Cremona violin models are available in different price ranges, colors, and sizes and for different skill levels. Most of them can make an excellent choice for novice fiddlers by offering them a complete package consisting of a case, bow, rosin, etc. The top 10 Cremona violin reviews below will help you make an informed decision.
| Product | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cremona SV-75 | 4.1 |
| Cremona SV-100 | 4 |
| Cremona SV-130 | 4.2 |
| Cremona SV-150 | 4.3 |
| Cremona SV-175 | 4.2 |
| Cremona SV-225 | 4.3 |
| Cremona SV-500 | 4.3 |
| Cremona SV-600 | 3.5 |
| Cremona SV-1260 | 5 |
| Cremona SV-1400 | 4.8 |
1. Cremona SV-75
If you are looking for a novice violin outfit for your child, Cremona SV-75 has everything the young generation seeks in a product. This model is available in various amazing, sparkling colors. Besides, you can notice careful work on the fingerboard and bridge height that will somehow benefit beginners to acclimate to using their instrument. The violin outfit has many extras, including a protective case, rosin, a VP-71 bow, and the violin itself.
It also has a beautiful solid spruce top with an excellent wood grain below a glowing brown stain. Besides, the provided bridge offers a tight connection, and the hardwood chinrest sits comfortably over the tailpiece.
Features
- VP-71 bow
- Well-defined string height and spacing
Pros
- Low resonance, clear sound
- Highly useful violin set for youngsters
- Easy to tune
Cons
- You may want to replace the provided strings over time
- The rosin quality could have been better
2. Cremona SV-100
The Cremona SV-100 can become an ideal violin outfit for professional violinists. If you want to upgrade your skills and need an advanced violin outfit, this product and its specification will impress you. It has all the essential tools, from widely used strings to a bow.
The best thing about this outfit is that it comes in a ready-to-play state, which means that the wood alignments and all fittings are already in place. The violin is very cleverly and aesthetically designed, making its appearance quite pleasant to the eyes.
Features
- Fully tuned
- Built to last long
- Appealing design
Pros
- Great for expert players
- Lightweight
- Easy to carry
Cons
- None found yet
3. Cremona SV-130
Cremona SV-130 is one of the top-selling models from Saga’s series, developed to offer the best product at an affordable price. This violin comes with a crack and cuts-resistant spruce top. Moreover, the bottom and sides of this violin are made of a well-aged, solid maple. All the fittings of this violin, except the tailpiece, use ebony.
As we know, developing violin skills takes hours of relentless practice. Any poor-quality instrument will undoubtedly ruin your practice sessions and may also cause back injuries. With Cremona SV-130, you don’t have to worry about back pains or fatigue-like issues. That’s because its oiled neck and Kaufman-style chinrest can offer the desired comfort.
Features
- Four smooth tuners, allowing fast and simple tuning
- Oiled neck for reliable grip and comfort
- Sharp bow, enabling faster response
Pros
- All-in-one package
- High-quality strings
- Ebony fretwork on board
Cons
- It doesn’t come ready to play; you need to set up tuning pegs
4. Cremona SV-150
Like other violin outfits, the Cremona SV-150 model is handcrafted with top-quality materials, mostly tonewoods, ebony, and maple. It sounds fantastic once you tune it properly. Moreover, it comes with Prelude strings, making it great for long-hour practice. The outfit also includes a protective TL-33 case of superior quality.
The positioning of the tailpiece, chinrest, and bridge is perfect. It gives an elegant look and ensures you get a pleasant sound from this violin. If you are looking for a simple, feature-packed violin at a low price, then buying SV-150 will surely be an ideal deal.
Features
- High-end specifications
- Luxurious look
- Premium quality material
Pros
- Affordable
- Enhanced playability with ebony fingerboards
- Great for practicing purpose
Cons
- It may produce a bit scratchy sound initially
- Not suitable for professionals
5. Cremona SV-175
For over the last 30 years, Cremona SV-175 has been the leading and vastly selling model of Saga. So, something must make this violin stand out from others. It is manufactured from the selected woods – ebony, maple, and spruce. You can see the use of well-aged maple at the sides and back of this violin. Besides, old yet solid spruce is used at the front. All the fittings of this violin use ebony, excluding the tailpiece.
In short, Cremona SV-175 can become an ideal violin outfit for anyone with a tight budget. Although it may not be the least expensive product, it provides a great deal compared to other violin models.
Features
- Premium quality material
- Protective carry case (TL-33)
- Brazilwood bow with original Mongolian horsehair
Pros
- Highly durable
- Enhanced sound experience
- Better feel and comfort
Cons
- Lacks customization options
6. Cremona SV-225
Almost every violinist prefers to buy those old-style, traditional violins. However, they can hardly provide a few unique features, costing you more money. What if you get the same look, quality, and features at an affordable price? Well, the Cremona SV-225 outfit can offer you the right deal.
This violin could work out well for intermediate students who have already crossed the trenches of the primary level. The precise placement of the fingerboard ensures smooth playability and comfort.
Features
- Antique finishing
- Previously set bridge
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Produces smooth and deep sound
- Enhanced tone quality
- Visually attractive
Cons
- Requires regular maintenance
- Bow quality can be improved
This product is currently unavailable.
7. Cremona SV-500
If you are among those who appreciate delicate musical instruments and art, then Cremona SV-500 will undoubtedly take your attention. As you can see, it has excellent purfling and edgework, along with a nicely shaped scroll. For easy tuning, the tailpiece is made from a lightweight composite.
Talking about the violin body, well, it has a bright, transparent varnish that makes the grained solid maple and spruce more noticeable. Moreover, the varnish is somewhat shaded, so the instrument can get an old-style look. As a result, Cremona SV-500 has been quite popular among beginner and expert-level violinists. This model can be an excellent option if you are upgrading in quality or size.
Features
- High-quality, handpicked tonewoods
- Lightweight, protective case
- Ebony fittings
Pros
- Rigid and comfortable body
- Quality tonewoods produce deep, full sounds
- An attractive piece with transparent varnish
Cons
- Pegs may slip off
- The quality of the bow can be improved
8. Cremona SV-600
From the overall tone and feel, Cremona SV-600 looks slightly like an improved version of the SV-500 violin outfit. This model will be an excellent choice for intermediate violinists who want to develop their skills to the expert level.
What makes this violin more stylish is its tightly grained spruce top with a lovely finish of orange-ish brown color. Flamed maple at the sides and back of this violin further adds creativity to its design. If you want a better sound and feel the emotions of playing the fiddle at an affordable price, you can go for Cremona SV-600.
Features
- Elegantly shaped fingerboard
- Improved playability
- Handmade by expert luthiers
Pros
- Sturdy construction, making it durable and long-lasting
- Superior sound quality
Cons
- String quality is average
9. Cremona SV-1260
While focusing on perfection, value, and excellent features to reach a particular price limit, Saga has developed the Cremona SV-1260 model. This model proves and highlights Cremona’s artisanship.
Since it is handcrafted, you don’t have to worry about the tuning and height adjustments. This violin is fitted correctly. Additionally, it comes with VP-14 fine tuner that is easy to mount and use. The top-quality material makes this violin durable and provides a soft sound and ear-pleasing tone.
Features
- Exact string height and spacing
- Overall, finishing is excellent
Pros
- Produces a beautiful, clear sound
- Lightweight construction
- Rich edgework
Cons
- Not suitable for long hours of use
- It may need time to tune
10. Cremona SV-1500
If the overall look and style of the violin are what you are striving for, then there will be no better option other than Cremona SV-1500. This violin outfit is stylish and sleek enough to end your search. It comes with well-fitted pegs made using rigid, premium hardwood.
The solid maple neck and oiled finishing assure numerous hours of constant use. Besides, the adjustment of strings in terms of spacing and height is perfect. It also ensures better finger position and precise intonation.
Features
- Perfect fittings
- Sturdy construction
Pros
- Perfect for solo performers
- Produces smooth and clear sound
Cons
- Expensive
- It needs so much work to tune the peg
Frequently Asked Questions
To be precise, “Outfit” means a set in this context. So, when you purchase a violin outfit, you should get all the essential tools and accessories. Most Cremona violin outfits include a standard package containing the violin, a bow, rosin, and a protective case.
Well, it entirely depends on the model and humidity shift. The wooden items mostly shrink when there is a considerable shift in humidity from moist to dry. In this scenario, the peg may sometimes slip off. However, you get high-quality, fine tuners with each Cremona violin. Therefore, you don’t need to play much with the pegs. Check our review of the best violin pegs if you want to buy pegs separately.
Most Cremona violins come in a ready-to-play condition. You don’t need to spend extra hours setting up your violin. The bridge and other parts will already be in place. Besides, the strings will also be previously tightened and tuned appropriately.
Our Top Pick
Among all these ten models, we would like to pick the Cremona SV-1500 as the top one. Even if the overall look of this violin outfit looks similar to others, it features many unique specifications. Firstly, the tailpiece and pegs of SV-1400 are of higher quality. It is lightweight, making it very comfortable to carry, hold, and play for long hours. The vibrant brownish shades on this violin are dark, enhancing the elegant, traditional look.
2 thoughts on “10 Best Cremona Violins Reviewed”
Why is the 175 not suitable for beginners? I’m asking as I’m looking for my first violin…
Thank you ,
Cathie
Yes, it is suitable for beginners.