It is amazing what you get for such a price. The violin arrived in good shape, ready to play. The sound is good, balanced from low to top, compared to the fact that it is a 1/2 violin. The case is very light but solid and protects the violin very well. The weekest part is maybe the bow which lacks a bit of tension. For a really ambitious child I would buy a carbon bow. But my daughter will anyway get a 3/4 violin soon. The money for this violin is well spent.