Mendini violins are extremely affordable, basic, and all-inclusive instruments for beginning violinists. The California-based company is dedicated to providing affordable instruments to anyone interested in starting to play the violin.
These instruments come in outfits that include the accessories needed to play, from bows and cases to rosin, shoulder rests, and tuners, making the shopping experience even easier.
As a professional violinist and teacher, I often suggest these instruments to students looking for an affordable option for their first instrument. They’re available at every major music retailer, box store, and online retailer, which makes finding your first instrument a painless process.
Quick Look: Best Mendini Violins
★ #1 Best Mendini Violin Overall: MV500 Violin Outfit ★
- Best Cheap Mendini Violin: The Mendini MV400 Violin Outfit
- Best Mendini Violin Under $1,000: The Mendini MV500 Violin Outfit
- Best Mendini Violin Under $500: The Mendini MV500 Violin Outfit
- Best Mendini Violins Under $100: The Mendini MV300 Violin Outfit
This guide is intended to help you decide which model to buy. Every violin on this list is an affordable alternative to extremely expensive antique and handmade violins. There’s still a range in price and features, however. I hope this guide helps you pick the best instrument for you.
About Mendini Violins
Mendini violins are manufactured at the company’s workshop in California. Mendini instruments are the low-cost subset of the Cecilio instrument company, a popular brand of mass-produced instruments.
They provide students and professionals alike with quality instruments at a fraction of the cost of antique handmade instruments.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Mendini Violin
There are several things to keep in mind when choosing the right violin for you or your students. Mendini makes this process much simpler by selling their violins in outfits that include all the accessories needed to play, like a bow, case, shoulder rest, and rosin.
But there are still important variables when it comes to the violin itself. Here are a few things to consider:
Size
There is a range of sizes possible in a violin, from minuscule 1/64th instruments all the way up to 4/4, or “full size.” It’s extremely important to find the instrument that best fits you and your body, especially for smaller violinists and children. If an instrument is too big, there’s a much higher risk of the player injuring themselves, so it’s important to find the violin that’s right for you.
To figure out the right size of violin for you, reach your left arm out with your violin in position. If you can wrap your hand around the scroll of the violin, it’s the right size. For most average-sized adults, a 4/4 is good, although some violinists with shorter arms prefer a 7/8th.
The Overall Tone & Sound
The advantage of buying a Mendini violin is that the tone quality and overall sound production of the instruments is relatively uniform, so the buyer need not worry about huge variations from one instrument to the next. These instruments, while not as high quality as more expensive models and brands, provide players with a dependable and quality sound, perfect for any beginning student.
Price
Mendini violins are unparalleled in their affordability, ranging from under $100 for a full violin outfit to just around $400. Compared to other popular models for beginning students, where an instrument can cost over $1000, these instruments are an excellent and cost-effective option.
Types of Mendini Violins
Mendini violins are specifically designed to be affordable options for beginning students, and as such, the various models don’t have significant distinctions.
However, there are three main categories of Mendini violins:
Basic Models
These instruments are the simplest and most affordable options for beginning students. They’re less than $100 at most retailers and are a great choice if you’re looking for your first instrument.
Mid-Range Models
The next category is the mid-range instrument models, which are slightly better instruments, although still quite affordable.
Highest Quality Models
The nicest Mendini violins have the benefit of being incredibly affordable compared to other brands but are still dependable instruments for beginning students.
See more: Best Fiddlerman Violins
5 Best Mendini Violins
So which model should you get? Below, you’ll find my five favorite Mendini models and a guide to the features that will be important in your decision.
1. Mendini MV200 Violin Outfit
- Sizes available: 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 4/4
- What’s included: Violin, one bow, extra set of violin strings, two violin bridges, quality rosin, adjustable shoulder rest with padding and soft rubber feet, clip-on tuner, lightweight hard case with pockets, backpack and shoulder straps, and a Violin First Lesson book
- Material & finish: Spruce top with maple back and sides, a finish of natural varnish or colored options available, maple fingerboard, chin rest, and an alloy tailpiece with four fine tuners
- Best for: Beginning students
The Mendini MV200 Violin Outfit is the company’s most affordable instrument, and most retailers sell it for less than $100. This instrument is an excellent option for students looking for their first instrument, and it provides dependable quality.
✅ Affordable
✅ Multi-colored varnish available
✅ Everything included
✅ Large range of sizes
❌ Not for intermediate and advanced players
❌ Sound quality is low
Why I Recommend It
This is the instrument I recommend to students and players looking for their first instrument or to those who are looking for a way to try violin without making a huge investment.
2. Mendini MV300 Violin Outfit
- Sizes available: 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 4/4
- What’s included: Violin, one bow, extra set of violin strings, two violin bridges, quality rosin, adjustable shoulder rest with padding and soft rubber feet, clip-on tuner, lightweight hard case with pockets, backpack and shoulder straps, and a Violin First Lesson book
- Material & finish: Hand-carved spruce top with maple back and sides. A finish of a satin antique, maple fingerboard, chin rest, and an alloy tailpiece with four fine tuners
- Best for: Beginning students
The Mendini MV300 Violin Outfit is similar to the MV200, but with greater attention to detail. This results in slightly better sound quality than the MV200. This is another great, very affordable option for beginning students looking for their first instrument.
✅ Affordable
✅ Multi-colored varnish available
✅ Everything included
✅ Large range of sizes
❌ Not for intermediate and advanced players
Why I Recommend It
This is another great option for an affordable first violin for beginning students.
3. Mendini MV400 Violin Outfit
- Sizes available: 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 4/4
- What’s included: Lightweight form-fitting hard case with pockets, backpack straps and shoulder straps, two brazilwood bows with unbleached genuine horsehair, extra set of violin strings, two violin bridges, quality rosin, an adjustable shoulder rest with soft foam padding and soft rubber feet, Cecilio chromatic tuner, and lesson book
- Material & finish: Solid wood spruce top, hand-carved solid wood maple back and sides, inlaid purfling and varnish finish, ebony fingerboard, chin rest and pegs, alloy tailpiece with four integrated fine tuners
- Best for: Beginning students
The Mendini MV400 Violin Outfit is a step up from the first two models. It’s made out of a higher quality of wood, which ensures a much better tone quality and sound, while still being very affordable. The difference is significant, with a minimal increase in price, making it a great option for beginning students.
✅ Affordable
✅ High quality materials
✅ Everything included
✅ Improved sound quality
❌ Fewer sizes available
❌ Not for intermediate and advanced students
Why I Recommend It
This model is an excellent option for beginning students and is extremely affordable.
4. Mendini MV500 Violin Outfit
- Sizes available: 1/2 and 4/4
- What’s included: Two bows, extra set of violin strings, quality rosin, adjustable shoulder rest with padding, chromatic string tuner with a metronome, and lightweight hard case fashioned with backpack and shoulder straps
- Material & finish: Hand-carved one-piece maple back, neck, and sides, a beautiful varnish finish and inlaid purfling
- Best for: Beginning students
The Mendini MV500 Violin Outfit is of a much higher quality than the previous models and will ensure much-improved sound quality and appearance. This instrument is affordable, well made, and dependable. It’s a great option for beginning students.
✅ Comes with two bows
✅ Affordable
✅ Improved sound quality
✅ Everything included
❌ Only two sizes available
❌ Not for intermediate and advanced players
Why I Recommend It
This instrument is affordable and well made, making it an excellent option for beginning students.
5. Mendini MV650 Violin Outfit
- Sizes available: 4/4
- What’s included: Two brazilwood bows with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, a lightweight form-fitting hard case, adjustable shoulder rest, rosin cake, bridge, and an extra set of strings
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, highly flamed one-piece maple back and sides, ebony fingerboard, chin rest, pegs, and ebony tailpiece with mother of pearl inlay and four detachable fine tuners
- Best for: Beginning students
The Mendini MV650 Violin Outfit is essentially the same instrument as the MV500, but with a darker varnish and flamed maple back. It’s an affordable and dependable option for beginning students, and a great option if you prefer its appearance over the MV500.
✅ Comes with two bows
✅ Affordable
✅ Improved sound quality
✅ Everything included
❌ Only full size available
❌ Not for intermediate and advanced students
Why I Recommend It
This instrument is an affordable option for beginning violin students, but since there’s only one size, make sure that it will fit you well.
Mendini Violins Aesthetics & Build
Mendini violins are factory-made, dependable instruments, and as such their materials and aesthetics are relatively uniform across models.
Material
Mendini violins are made out of high-quality maple and spruce woods, with ebony fingerboards and quality chin rests and tailpieces.
Finish
Mendini violins come in a range of finishes, with high-quality varnish in a range of darkness and shine.
Color
Mendini violins range from light tan wood to the very dark MV650 finish. The cheapest models also come with the option of multi-color finishes, but please be warned that these additional layers of paint can hinder the sound quality of the instrument.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do you still have questions about finding the right instrument for you? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:
How Much Do Mendini Violins Cost?
Mendini violins are incredibly affordable, especially compared to other similar models and brands. They range from less than $80 to just around $200.
What Are the Best Mendini Violins?
The best Mendini violins are the three slightly more expensive models: the MV400, MV500, and the MV650.
Mendini MV 400 Violin Outfit
While just barely more expensive than the model just below it, the Mendini MV400 is a much higher quality. This is a great option for a student looking for their first instrument.
Mendini MV500 Violin Outfit
A step up from the MV400, this instrument is made out of higher quality materials and will provide slightly more tone quality and sound control. The Mendini MV500 is another great option for beginning students.
Mendini MV650 Violin Outfit
The MV650 is essentially the same instrument as the MV500, but with a slightly different varnish and appearance. The Mendini MV650 is another great option for beginning students.
Where Are Mendini Violins Made?
Mendini violins are made in California.
What Is the Best Sounding Mendini Violin?
The MV500 and MV650 are the best sounding Mendini violins.
Where to Buy Mendini Violins
Mendini violins are an extremely popular option for beginning students, and they can be found at every major music retailer and online store, as well as in mega box stores like Walmart.
Amazon
Amazon is a popular retailer of Mendini violins. They offer great prices, and their product test and return policy makes it easy to try out an instrument and return it if you need something different. The reviews are useful for making an informed decision, and the company provides fast shipping.
Online Music Retailers
Online music retailers are also great options for finding Mendini violins, including Sweetwater.com and Fiddlershop.com.
Your Local Music Store or Box Store
Your local music store most likely has several models of Mendini violins in stock, as do common box stores like Walmart.
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In Conclusion
Mendini violins are an incredibly affordable option for students looking for their first instrument, and they’re convenient and dependable. Since they come in full outfits, everything you need to start playing is included, making the purchasing process much easier.
It’s important to keep in mind that these violins are the most basic models, and they’re not suitable for intermediate and advanced students. If you’re looking for an instrument that will last you several years, or one that will provide you with outstanding sound and tone quality, I advise that you find another option. Mendini violins are not suited to students and musicians looking for a long-lasting, excellent instrument.