Question for the Luthiers- imports from $1000-$3000. Quality

[Dan Keller]

I asked the luthier, who had just setup four new violins for me,

what he thought about the quality of new violins made in Germany,

Romania, and China. I was a little amazed at his response. Knowing

that he has been making violins for over 30 years, I thought he

would be against violins made in China.

His experience was that the quality of violins made in China was

better than those being made in Romania and Germany (in the

advanced to master levels).

What has been the observations of those of you who have worked on

or closely examined violins made in these countries?

The four violins I just had setup were from two different

work-shops in China. Two of the models are the 1740 Ysaye, &

1714 Soil. They are made to exacting specifications--even the nicks

and scratches etc. are placed very closely to those on the

originals. The other two models are the 1716 Medici, & G. 1743

Cannon. The Luthier liked the finish on the tops of these better,

but these did not follow the original specs as closely. They also

were a little less expensive.

[Michael Darnton]

I would agree with him, from what I've seen, about the relative merits of each country's violins these days, with the reservation that that's a general observation, and individual violins may vary.

[Jacob]

In my opinion, when you see a properly priced new Chinese violin at retail $1000, you would most likely be looking at $3000 or more for a comparable German product.

When comparing contemporary well-known German brands to the latest generation of Chinese instuments in the $1000+ bracket, the biggest obvious difference is in the modeling. Whereas the Chinese seem to be happy to go with "straight" classical models, many of the German models display inherited idiosyncrasies which in most cases have a definite impact on tone.

[Sartory]

Is it just me or are most of the "Commercial" German fiddles (ie Raabs, Dimbath, etc...) Romanian instruments that have been varnished in Germany? The Romainian pattern is so distinct to my eye. Do you all feel the same? Our shop has measured and measured Romanian instruments with the Hacklinger Guage and found them to be very inconsistent in their graduations. That translates to violins that are not consistent in sound. Some are great and many are awful.

Our shop has had very good luck with the Masnik violins from Sofia, Bulgaria as well as numerous Chinese shops. They are at good prices and sound great. Workmanship is good as well.

[AlixD05]

I have a antique German(bid from ebay), an antique French

violin(bought in London) , one new Romanian and 2 Chinese made

violins(ordered from Hong Kong online shop). Since all

in the different price range, its hard to compare.  But if the

budget is under 1000, i will definitely choose Chinese made violin.

I still remember when I first got my imitation old

violin made by a chinese violin maker, I just can't believe a new

violin can produce such a warm sound.  And it just cost me

$420. The Romanian one cost me $300 and it really looks

like a toy to me@_@

[upnorth]

I See good quality violins, violas and cellos that I sell comming from China. But I had to choose the makers/workshop carefully. Ming Jiang Zhu workshop violins are in that price range and sound very nice. In the higher end of that price range the violins are made from European wood, a great bonus since the workmanship and is extremely high. Extra care goes into graduation of the plates. Personally I would rather see a nice lightly antiqued violin with special care focused on plate graduation than a near copy of a famous fiddle.

[Dan Keller]

I find it very interesting to see that anyone who has seen and

played a violin made in China, can tell there is a lot of quality

for the money. The general first response to “made in

China” is cheap junk--which was true of most things from

China not that many years ago. I’m finding that the quality

of most things made in China has improved a lot in the last few

years.

Dan Keller

Select Violins

[Woodland]

Just the other day I had a customer call inquiring about one of my Snow violins. Her "virtuoso" daughter is currently playing a 3/4 Snow violin and likes the sound of it very much and is almost ready for a full-size. She asked where Snow instruments were made and when I told her they were made in China she was almost shocked. She then called back a few days later and asked to hear my Snow violin over the phone (which I played). She then told me that "they" (herself, daughter and teacher) were "upset" to learn that Snow instruments were Chinese and wanted something old and European. She also informed me that her budget for an entire outfit is less than $2000 and that she needs something very, very good sounding. Interesting. She liked the look and sound of Snow violins when she thought they were European, but when she found out to the contrary she was no longer interested. I thought that most negative attitudes towards all Chinese instruments were all but gone, but apprently not. I still occasionally encounter the well-intentioned but misinformed teacher that thinks "anything German" is good and is polluting the minds of their students with that perception. Usually the student and parent accepts the opinion of their teacher as gospel, when in reality the teacher (many, but not all) often doesn't have a clue. I specialize in the sale of educational market stringed instruments and sell very few European instruments, with the occasional German-American hybrid. In the under $4000 price range, the Chinese violin's quality is tough to beat.

[Sartory]

What an excellent point Woodland! Our market is flooded with Suzuki teachers that are very "old school". They too insist that German fiddles are the way to go along wtih (the same) shoulder rests for everyone regardless of the shape or size of the student. How do we get these teachers to open their minds. I recently had one Suzuki teacher tell me that they would never recommend a carbon fiber bow because they are "just a fad". Perhaps she has no concern for the pernambuco dilemma? We struggle with the narrow mindedness of teachers every day and most of them as you state "don't have a clue" when it comes to understanding what makes a good instrument or bow.

[Cassi]

wait a minute...i thought all violins were made by elves in a

hollow tree? of course, i don't know where that tree is located, i

guess...

cassi  

[Fellow]

Hi all,

If you are talking about violin at $3000 (give and take), you could buy an American

hand-made violin. (good but of not well-known makers). Ask some experienced players

for help.

I could find a good buy from imported violins priced within $1000-$3000 too. However,

I would not just go for the brand names or country origins alone. A carefull selection of each

violin is necessary, because I can find bad violins in each group of these violins just by names.

Once I had a violin $3000 after 6 months I traded it up.

A violin could be good in sound, good in look but flaw in construction which was not

so obvious at first. It worths $3000 but not more. More expensive violins also have good reasons. It talkes me a little longer to figure it out.