Thomann Europe 5-Str. Antiqued Violin

This violin is very well made. Spruce top, maple back and ribs. Thomann claim an "antiqued" finish but other than it being quite a dark brown with lightening on some of the edges I cannot see any other signs of deliberate distressing. I am not experienced enough to tell whether the varnish has been sprayed on or applied by hand. I suspect the latter as I think I can see some brush marks but in any case it is very nicely done, the varnish being polished without looking like a mirror.

Sound: at first a bit shrill and thin so I replaced the supplied Dominants with D'Addario Pro Arte (G, D, A), Vision Violin C to replace the supplied viola C and a Thomastik Superflexible E which I find impossible to make whistle. The violin now sounds very mellow and responsive. The neck is slightly wider than a four string at the nut and the string spacing is a bit closer but fine after some practice.

Supplied is just the fiddle. No case, bow etc. The pegbox is longer than normal and I had to modify my cheap case to make it fit.

Summary: very pleased, worth the money.