Chinese Violin workshops/ studios?

[maestramusica]

It's been a long time since I hung out on the forums, so I'm definitely out of the loop on current opinions regarding Chinese-made violins.

I have a student, 11 years old, who is almost ready to transition from the school-owned 3/4 size violin she's now on, to a decent violin. She's from China, and she and her mom will go back there this summer to visit her dad. She will be near Shanghai. Her mother wants to buy a full-size violin there, but I've told her to wait till I hear from ya'll on whether it's worth her while or not.

The student is at about level 3 of the ASTA levels, just found her vibrato, getting very comfy with 3rd position, and working well on 2nd as well. I foresee her continuing on the violin at least through college, but I don't know whether she plans (at this point) on majoring in Violin, or playing in any way professionally. Music is not her only area of expertise- she is a fantastic student in every way, and sings in the Colorado Childrens' Chorale as well as Math and Chess clubs participation. In my opinion, any student who plays as well as she does for her age (she only started about 3 years ago) merits a violin that will really sing for her.

SOOOooo- what do you all know currently about any good violin-making shops in China, preferably near Shanghai? Any good specific makers, whose prices are not HUGE yet?

Or should I just take her to Vons here in Denver and find a good fiddle for her here?

Thanks for any insights.

Norma

[krugwaffle]

Hello maestramusica and welcome back!

My first and last violins are Chinese made and I couldn't be happier with them. I'm not a classical violin player so please take my recommendations with a grain of salt.

I started three years ago on a Cremona SV-1340 that I got as a kit for $480 incl. S&H. The only thing that was bad about the deal was the wierd strings that came on the fiddle originally. Over the years it and I have grown and improved to the point that it's become a respectable instrument. It's become my test bed for various experiments as I learned some limited lutherie skills. It's done nothing but improve with every iteration.

My latest acquistion was a prototype Ming Jhang Zhu that is still drying out and playing in. This fiddle is so powerful it's scary. I don't know it's actual model number but it's very similar to their 900 series. It cost me about $2000 as part of a combined purchase. When this instrument settles in and opens up it's going to be a real bone rattler. The only thing it needs is a minor action adjustment right now. The strings are a little too high at the nut. I'll probably do some minor tweaking myself. Also, the fingerboard has a lot of scoop, which seems to be typical of Chinese instruments, but I'll wait for a while before I have that adjusted.

No telling what these fiddles sell for over in China, or if they're even available to the shoppers there. If it wasn't for the fact that your student is well acquainted with Chinese markets, I'd not recommend that she go to China just to buy a fiddle.

Hope this helps. There'll be more far more knowledgable opinions to come along shortly. I'll be as interested to see what forum members think about the current state of the Chinese shops.

[yapkv]

There are quite a few shops near the Shanghai Music Conservatory. There is even a violin making workshop in the music conservatory where it trains some of the best violin makers around Shanghai.

[Mark Crabtree]

I second what krugwaffle says about the Ming Jiang Zhu workshop instruments. I recently sold 2 of the Guarneri models and am currently playing quite a bit on the Strad model that I have in at the moment. All three have been amazing, but each quite different from the other. These three were all from their first two levels they offer. Until I played the Zhu's I was starting to get discouraged about the Chinese violins I was seeing, so many looked great with nice wood and workmanship, but just didn't sound as good as I would like (or expect from the appearance).

But I believe the Ming Jiang Zhu workshop is in Beijing so not much help for Norma's student. Based on my experience with Chinese instruments I would start talking to the players there to see if there is a maker or workshop that stands out. Based on yapkv's comment it sounds like the Shanghai Music Conservatory might be a good place to start.

Nonetheless, I suspect that your student won't save all that much money and will loose the support that a local shop should provide.

[Michael Richwine]

A lot of shops will allow 100% of the price you paid for an instrument you bought from them when you trade it in on an upgrade. I don't know whether anyone in Denver does, but if they do, then that, and service considerations might weigh a little against buying in China. You can certainly get good values in China, but initial price is only one aspect of the cost of an instrument.

[uid6001]

quote:

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Originally posted by:

Mark Crabtree

But I believe the Ming Jiang Zhu workshop is in Beijing so not much help for Norma's student. .

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Ming Jiang Zhu's workshop should be in GuangZhou since he is cantonese. Not sure any workshop do retail in GuangZhou.

[maestramusica]

Any other thoughts?

I, by the way, am pretty much in agreement with the consensus here.

If she continues to plan for this, I think I will suggest that she find a knowledgable violinist friend or relative to go with her to the shops, and test the violins for her. One of the down sides here is that very shortly after they return, if not before, I plan to leave the country for a 2 year stint, so I"m looking for another teacher to hand her off to. Any Denver teachers out there?

Thanks for input- even more would be appreciated.

Has anyone seen/heard from Glen from York, PA - who was on the forums a lot about 2004-2005? I recall he wrote he was going to China on a business trip and hoped to schedule a tour of one or two of the Violin-maker shops while there. Maybe he would have some observations to make.

thanks,

Norma

[Fellow]

I would think one may get a better deal in US than in China if one is considering to buy a

Chinese violin. My reason is that most violin shops in US buy violins from China in quantity

they are in a position to bargain better than a " tourist" (if you are from US or a student return from US).

I am talking about top of the line shop (or commercial) violins (under $2k)

If your student is thinking violins over $2k, I would definitely look into having an

American made violin. The resale value is better. Just my thought.

[maestramusica]

I'm still looking around out there for more info. Has anyone heard of LiuXi, Violin maker, in the Shanghai area? Anyone played on one of his instruments? I see many listed on ebay, in various countries. But thats the only placed I have found any info on him- attached to listings for his violins.

Any more info out there folks?