--- product_id: 1089059 title: "Mendini 16-Inch MA-Purple Solid Wood Viola with Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge and Strings" brand: "cecilio" price: "Bs.3872" currency: BOB in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 category: "Mendini By Cecilio" url: https://www.desertcart.bo/products/1089059-mendini-16-inch-ma-purple-solid-wood-viola-with-case store_origin: BO region: Bolivia --- # Lightweight hard case with backpack strap 16-inch solid wood viola Hand-carved spruce & maple body Mendini 16-Inch MA-Purple Solid Wood Viola with Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge and Strings **Brand:** cecilio **Price:** Bs.3872 **Availability:** βœ… In Stock ## Summary > 🎢 Elevate your sound, own the stage β€” the Mendini 16” viola is your first step to musical mastery! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Mendini 16-Inch MA-Purple Solid Wood Viola with Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge and Strings by cecilio - **How much does it cost?** Bs.3872 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.bo](https://www.desertcart.bo/products/1089059-mendini-16-inch-ma-purple-solid-wood-viola-with-case) ## Best For - cecilio enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted cecilio brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - β€’ **Ergonomic Comfort Design:** Maple fingerboard, pegs, and chin rest crafted for smooth playability during long practice sessions. - β€’ **Rich, Warm Acoustic Tone:** Hand-carved spruce top & maple back deliver professional-grade sound clarity and resonance. - β€’ **Effortless Tuning Control:** Alloy tailpiece with 4 integrated fine tuners ensures precise intonation for beginners and pros alike. - β€’ **Complete Ready-to-Play Kit:** Includes Brazilwood bow, rosin, bridge, extra strings, and a durable hard case for on-the-go musicians. - β€’ **Orchestra-Approved Quality:** Teacher-endorsed viola perfect for students stepping into classical or fiddle styles with confidence. ## Overview The Mendini by Cecilio 16-Inch Solid Wood Viola Set is a beginner-friendly, hand-carved acoustic viola crafted from solid spruce and maple for rich, warm tones. This complete kit includes a Brazilwood bow, rosin, bridge, extra strings, and a lightweight hard case with backpack straps, making it ideal for students and professionals seeking quality sound and portability. Designed for smooth playability with fine tuners and ergonomic features, it’s a concert-ready instrument endorsed by teachers and perfect for launching your musical journey. ## Description The Mendini violas are teacher approved. This viola features a hand-carved solid spruce top, maple back and sides. Equip with rosewood pegs, chin rest, and fingerboard, and an alloy tailpiece with 4 built-in fine tuners. Package includes a lightweight form fitting hard case with pockets and backpack strap, making it convenient to carry to school or orchestra. Also the following accessories are included making this viola package great for starters: Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, rosin, bridge, and an extra set of viola strings. Review: Thrilled! Fully intact, and sounds Gorgeous! - Okay, this is a little premature, I got it today and haven't tuned it or brought it to my teacher for her to break it over my head, and I'm a total newbie, never played strings before besides guitar and... keyboard. No chance I could ever afford an "approved" one. The price is obviously unbelievable. However the case is hard and felted, and the construction is beautiful of wood, with plastic parts (neck guard). It's *very* lightweight. When I first saw it I thought it was too small to make Viola-bassey sounds and wondered if they sent me a violin by mistake. But I'm writing about the immediate construction and first *sound*, timber, functionality (playability) of the instrument. I somehow managed to rosin my first bow adequately (my orchestral roommate tightened it when he came home because I forgot to). I had watched YouTube videos and read the scant instructions which tell you to wait and let your instructor guide you in your first setup. I held it (I'll definitely need a shoulder brace), and tried the lowest open string... my eyes opened wide. I had never produced a tone on a concert stringed instrument before. It was BEAUTIFUL. And totally bassey. Sounded exactly as it should (correct tuned pitch aside). I was actually amazed. I played all the strings open one at a time, likewise. Absolutely lovely instrument with a beautiful and fully resonate, bassey sound. Just like the YouTube videos. I tried some fingerings; okay, that'll take practice and a developed reach. But clearly it would play. If there's a problem of tuning, not holding pitch or cracking, I'll update my review. But I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this instrument if you're worried if it sounds good enough, esp. for the price. I hope my instructor doesn't break it over my head, I love it and will be sad. My first 4/4 cello by the same maker and store is on the way! :) My seller feedback: Thrilled! Arrived early, unbroken, with hardcase and all accessories, and... plays! First time ever player, sounds wonderful! :) :) Thank you! Update: Ok it's two hours before my first lesson. Tried to tune, string broke and the tuners generally won't hold. I should have had it set up before lesson day. I'm going to see if she knows a trick with rosin or such to make tuners stick. Otherwise I'll have to wait for a setup and it'll set my lesson back and may make it unaffordable depending. I'm not in the market for a more expensive instrument at this time. The sound of the box is still terrific and bow and rosin work fine. 4 stars and we'll see. Update Update: My teacher took it walked around awhile while I was getting ready and handing it back to me said, "Why did you think it couldn't be tuned?!" :) I also got a shoulder rest and two packs of DiDarios. So back to Fine Instrument! :) but follow instructions and let your instructor do the setup the first time. You'll save a string. She understood it was inexpensive, knew the price, but had no problem working with it and is starting me on the Suzuki method :) I thought the tuners absolutely wouldn't hold, so see a pro before giving up! Review: Good for Beginners - I wish I could put 4.5 stars as I don't want to give the impression that this is a perfect instrumment, but it is quite nice for a $100 piece. The first one I ordered had a warped and cracked fingerboard and had to be sent back, but the second arrived in good shape. I've only had it for a day and I am by no means a good string player, but this viola seems to keep itself in tune fairly well and it also has decent tone. The fine tuners are not great, but function just fine. The case is almost as good as the case my fairly nice violin came with. I've heard in other reviews that the strings are poor and should be replaced quickly, but they aren't terrible and if you're a beginner like me, they'll do for awhile. I had to score the rosin with a pocket knife before it would apply to the bow, which I'm given to understand is common, but not ideal (still, it worked). This brings me to the bow. The bow is very poor. Both violas I recieved came with warped bows and I can tell a big difference when I play with my violin's bow. In short, this is a good instrumment with some fixable shortcomings. The construction and tone are good, and I'm very happy with this purchase. ## Features - 16 In Viola: Perfect for students & professionals, this viola delivers rich, warm tones. The sleek finish pairs elegance with durability, making it ideal for performances or practice.The viola -inspired design ensures ease of use while maintaining the rich, resonant sound expected from a professional-grade viola - Premium Materials for Excellent Tone: Hand-carved from solid spruce for the top and paired with beautifully figured maple for the back and sides, this 16 inch viola set delivers exceptional clarity and warmth. Each component is selected to enhance acoustics, ensuring every note played resonates with precision - Smooth Playability: Equipped with a maple fingerboard, pegs, and chin rest, this viola prioritizes player comfort during long practice sessions. The alloy tailpiece features four integrated fine tuners, allowing for effortless tuning adjustments and superior intonation control, great for fiddle or classical styles - Complete Viola Kit: Includes a lightweight hard case protects your instrument when traveling; a Brazilwood bow provides smooth, responsive strokes; plus, you'll receive a high-quality rosin bar and bridge. Everything you need to play your viola right away - Concert-Ready Sound: A perfect gift for beginner who love viola! Whether you're practicing at home or performing on stage, this viola kit is designed to meet diverse musical needs. Elevate your music journey today with Mendini viola. Please note the bridge will not be installed to avoid damage during shipping. Tuning pegs must be handled with care and pushed in when tuning ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B006LCCUTU | | Back Material | Maple, Spruce Wood, Wood | | Best Sellers Rank | #5,944 in Musical Instruments ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments ) #1 in Acoustic Violas | | Body Material | Maple, Spruce | | Color Name | Natural Varnish | | Customer Reviews | 4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars (1,789) | | Date First Available | February 29, 2012 | | Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No | | Item Weight | 4.89 pounds | | Item model number | 16"MA250 | | Material Type | Spruce, Maple | | Number of Strings | 4 | | Product Dimensions | 35 x 7 x 15 inches | | Size | 16-in. | | String Material | Alloy Steel | | Top Material | Maple, Spruce | ## Product Details - **Back Material Type:** Maple, Spruce Wood, Wood - **Brand:** Mendini by Cecilio - **Color:** Natural Varnish - **Finish Type:** Varnish - **Instrument:** Viola - **Item dimensions L x W x H:** 35 x 7 x 15 inches - **Operation Mode:** Manual - **Size:** 16-in. - **String Material Type:** Alloy Steel - **Top Material Type:** Maple, Spruce ## Images ![Mendini 16-Inch MA-Purple Solid Wood Viola with Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge and Strings - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Pv9oh6ZfL.jpg) ![Mendini 16-Inch MA-Purple Solid Wood Viola with Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge and Strings - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Jl17ICcmL.jpg) ![Mendini 16-Inch MA-Purple Solid Wood Viola with Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge and Strings - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81fQoawFqLL.jpg) ![Mendini 16-Inch MA-Purple Solid Wood Viola with Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge and Strings - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KyUwwfsvL.jpg) ![Mendini 16-Inch MA-Purple Solid Wood Viola with Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge and Strings - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81SxRXS24bL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Color, Size** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thrilled! Fully intact, and sounds Gorgeous! *by S***A on September 17, 2017* Okay, this is a little premature, I got it today and haven't tuned it or brought it to my teacher for her to break it over my head, and I'm a total newbie, never played strings before besides guitar and... keyboard. No chance I could ever afford an "approved" one. The price is obviously unbelievable. However the case is hard and felted, and the construction is beautiful of wood, with plastic parts (neck guard). It's *very* lightweight. When I first saw it I thought it was too small to make Viola-bassey sounds and wondered if they sent me a violin by mistake. But I'm writing about the immediate construction and first *sound*, timber, functionality (playability) of the instrument. I somehow managed to rosin my first bow adequately (my orchestral roommate tightened it when he came home because I forgot to). I had watched YouTube videos and read the scant instructions which tell you to wait and let your instructor guide you in your first setup. I held it (I'll definitely need a shoulder brace), and tried the lowest open string... my eyes opened wide. I had never produced a tone on a concert stringed instrument before. It was BEAUTIFUL. And totally bassey. Sounded exactly as it should (correct tuned pitch aside). I was actually amazed. I played all the strings open one at a time, likewise. Absolutely lovely instrument with a beautiful and fully resonate, bassey sound. Just like the YouTube videos. I tried some fingerings; okay, that'll take practice and a developed reach. But clearly it would play. If there's a problem of tuning, not holding pitch or cracking, I'll update my review. But I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this instrument if you're worried if it sounds good enough, esp. for the price. I hope my instructor doesn't break it over my head, I love it and will be sad. My first 4/4 cello by the same maker and store is on the way! :) My seller feedback: Thrilled! Arrived early, unbroken, with hardcase and all accessories, and... plays! First time ever player, sounds wonderful! :) :) Thank you! Update: Ok it's two hours before my first lesson. Tried to tune, string broke and the tuners generally won't hold. I should have had it set up before lesson day. I'm going to see if she knows a trick with rosin or such to make tuners stick. Otherwise I'll have to wait for a setup and it'll set my lesson back and may make it unaffordable depending. I'm not in the market for a more expensive instrument at this time. The sound of the box is still terrific and bow and rosin work fine. 4 stars and we'll see. Update Update: My teacher took it walked around awhile while I was getting ready and handing it back to me said, "Why did you think it couldn't be tuned?!" :) I also got a shoulder rest and two packs of DiDarios. So back to Fine Instrument! :) but follow instructions and let your instructor do the setup the first time. You'll save a string. She understood it was inexpensive, knew the price, but had no problem working with it and is starting me on the Suzuki method :) I thought the tuners absolutely wouldn't hold, so see a pro before giving up! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good for Beginners *by A***R on February 25, 2025* I wish I could put 4.5 stars as I don't want to give the impression that this is a perfect instrumment, but it is quite nice for a $100 piece. The first one I ordered had a warped and cracked fingerboard and had to be sent back, but the second arrived in good shape. I've only had it for a day and I am by no means a good string player, but this viola seems to keep itself in tune fairly well and it also has decent tone. The fine tuners are not great, but function just fine. The case is almost as good as the case my fairly nice violin came with. I've heard in other reviews that the strings are poor and should be replaced quickly, but they aren't terrible and if you're a beginner like me, they'll do for awhile. I had to score the rosin with a pocket knife before it would apply to the bow, which I'm given to understand is common, but not ideal (still, it worked). This brings me to the bow. The bow is very poor. Both violas I recieved came with warped bows and I can tell a big difference when I play with my violin's bow. In short, this is a good instrumment with some fixable shortcomings. The construction and tone are good, and I'm very happy with this purchase. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Decent for a starter viola *by M***N on March 12, 2024* Let me start by saying this viola pleasantly surprised me on quality and sound for such a cheap mass made product. I've been a violist for almost 30 years, my daughter plays the violin and has been interested in trying the viola, since I didn't want to let her have mine, we often practice at the same times I thought I'd see about something cheap to see if she would want to continue to pursue it before dumping a ton of money into another viola. My main viola is easily worth over a grand so I know what a good solid made viola is like. This viola is much lighter than a professional instrument, however the craftmanship is much better than I would have expected for how cheap this instrument was. The pegs are strong the fine tuners work well. It stayed tuned easily even without using peg grease. The sound, with the given bow is decent and fairly rich. That being said the bow is extremely low quality, and has about half as much hair as it should. When swapping to a better bow the sound was more fluid. Keep in mind a decent bow generally costs as much as this viola so personally I'm glad they put more quality into the instrument itself. Strings are cheap but yet again decent strings are going to run you as much as the price of this instrument so no big deal. I think this instrument is decent enough for a student that wants to find out if they are truly dedicated before spending money on something higher quality. If you invest in a better bow and some better strings to go with it it is actually fairly decent, especially considering the price is unbeatable. ## Frequently Bought Together - Mendini 16-Inch MA-Purple Solid Wood Viola with Case, Bow, Rosin, Bridge and Strings - Essential Elements for Strings – Viola Book 1 | Beginner Viola Sheet Music and EEi Online Resources | Hal Leonard Method Book - Comfort Adjustable Viola Shoulder Rest, up to 15" - 16.5" --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - πŸ›’ **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** β€” Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** β€” Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - πŸ’° **No Hidden Fees** β€” All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - πŸ”„ **15-Day Free Returns** β€” Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - πŸ”’ **Secure Payments** β€” Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** β€” Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.bo/products/1089059-mendini-16-inch-ma-purple-solid-wood-viola-with-case](https://www.desertcart.bo/products/1089059-mendini-16-inch-ma-purple-solid-wood-viola-with-case) --- *Product available on Desertcart Bolivia* *Store origin: BO* *Last updated: 2026-06-05*