Sunday, April 15, 2012

Another I Can Be...Violinist!

I found the ” I can be…” violinist set at my local Wal-Mart. It was
a better price than at the TRU store, so I purchased it.
So, let's really take a look at it!  Here is what is comes with:
 
Shoes-grey/silver 
A violin...with the name Barbie on it! (boo, boo, boo)
And the dress itself!  Ms. D agreed to be our model again.
The dress is nothing special in my mind but some
people might like it.
Ms. D. will play you all a little tune.
Ms. D: I really can't play. I'm just modeling this thing.

This dress is just a little better than that astronaut outfit!   It is nothing you
would ever really catch me wearing anywhere.  I tell you that Mattel!

Even knock off companies are doing better clothing.  I might have to write them.


I really purchase this for the violin. I can't believe that they put Barbie on it
that large!  I have two barbie size violins but I need at least one more.

Let me show you my other violins in my collection.

I have the one I got when I puchased this set years ago and I also have
one from when I puchased a MGA Entertainment Moxie Girlz "Be True!
Be You" Rock Star 2 School Star.  I think I got it last fall.


So let's compare the violins!

Moxie, older Barbie and new I can be...,
All are about the same size but the real difference is in the quality.

You can't really tell from the picture but the Moxie violin has
painted on strings on the violin. The bow is casted as one piece with
the strings painted beige. The newer I can be... violin is the same as the
Moxie, it has painted on strings. The older Mattel has real strings on the
violin and the bow!




Bow





The Back

Only the older Mattel violin has a back to the violin.

11 comments:

Maria said...

Lovely doll and so talented!
Hugs
Maria

Georgia Girl said...

Ms D is lovely as always. That's interesting that they didn't out a back on the violins. Don't they realize even a kid wants it to look realistic. Lol!

Happy Sunday to you!

Muff said...

I saw the I can be one at Walmart. Since I had the Moxie version I decided against because I didn't want that dress and the huge Barbie going across the violin was a turn off. That older one with real strings is awesome.

Alrunia said...

I'm kind of crazy about miniature instruments so I was planning to get this for the violin too. Maybe the giant "Barbie" on it can be sanded off. :)
That promo picture of the Evening Recital Gift Set provides sad commentary on how things are progressing over at Mattel, though.. from good quality instruments and a realistic, classy (if dated) outfit to, well, this.. clowny little dress. Hrm. No seriously, I get that the ICB outfit has to be modern and "cute" or whatever but since when did violinists dress the same as party clowns? Half my family plays string instruments for a living and the required work attire is a -black- evening gown. Certainly can't picture any of them waltzing onto the stage in that pink ruffle-necked confection.
I guess to me this is worse than the astronaut ICB because I know plenty violinists, but not one astronaut, lol :)

Vanessa said...

Loved the post. Ms. D did a wonderful job. Funny, I never even noticed the Barbie on the violin. Mine still sits in the package. Thanks for the comparison shots. I've always wanted that recital set. I guess my mind has really reverted back to being a kid playing, instead of an adult collecting. I too would have complained about the dress as an adult collector. In my kid state, I like the dress. Probably because I am envisioning a school recital with 3 violinists playing together. Again this $6 item caters to the little girl, who probably isn't going to want to buy it if it's a black formal outfit.

Heather said...

Wow, thanks for the comparison... kind of amazing how the quality of the Mattel tiny pieces has gone down hill. Hmm.
I was just thinking the other day about how their limited Barbies used to come in really fabulous boxes that were awesome to keep the dolls in for display... and now they come in pretty plain boxes, and cost more. Alas.

Unknown said...

Hello from Spain: The set that you bought the dress with the violinis original. Anyway Mattel over the years creates poorer elements. I like the comparison you make of the violins. I like how it fits your Barbie dress. Keep in touch.

Sergio said...

You could found a simphony orchestra with all those violins!! Ms D. really rocks with that dress!! She's stunning!!!

Ms. Leo said...

Thanks Maria, Georgia Girl, Muff, Alrunia, Vanessa, Heather, Marta and Sergio!

Maria, It is great when a doll is the whole package of brains and beauty!

Georgia Girl, toy companies are cutting cost and quality all over the place.

Muff, nowa days if you can get the older item, you are better off!
The newer stuff is really crappy. I don't know if it will be collectable any more.


Alrunia, you make some very good points! I played violin from 7th to 11th grade. We would have been allowed that dress.

Vanessa, don't tell me you didn't get the recital set! I know the price is low for the I can be set but the astronaut got both sides of the helmet! I do think the astronaut was better done than the violinist.

Heather, I totally agree!!!!

Hello Marta! I like to show the differences in toys. If you are thinking about purchasing something, it is good to know what you are getting.

Sergio, that is what I had planned!

Ms. Leo said...

Thanks Maria, Georgia Girl, Muff, Alrunia, Vanessa, Heather, Marta and Sergio!

Maria, It is great when a doll is the whole package of brains and beauty!

Georgia Girl, toy companies are cutting cost and quality all over the place.

Muff, nowa days if you can get the older item, you are better off!
The newer stuff is really crappy. I don't know if it will be collectable any more.


Alrunia, you make some very good points! I played violin from 7th to 11th grade. We would have been allowed that dress.

Vanessa, don't tell me you didn't get the recital set! I know the price is low for the I can be set but the astronaut got both sides of the helmet! I do think the astronaut was better done than the violinist.

Heather, I totally agree!!!!

Hello Marta! I like to show the differences in toys. If you are thinking about purchasing something, it is good to know what you are getting.

Sergio, that is what I had planned!

Anderson's All-Purpose said...

Sorry to comment on such an old post, I just found it while looking up different 1/6 violins. I agree the hollow "I can be..." violin is annoying, but it looks ok from a distance. If I have the patience I'm going to repaint mine sometime. The recital set violin is my favorite, I'd love to find that at a decent price some day (I think you can also find it in one of the Fashion Avenue Accessory Bonanza sets).

You may already know this, but TakaraTomy makes a violin for Blythe/Licca that isn't hollow AND comes in a case (sometimes). There's a new set coming out now with a new case design, but the violin looks the same: http://hlj.com/product/TKT86393 It's a must-have for me, at least. :)