Yang Wei Violin from Old Violin House Beijing China

[peace]

Are there anyone who has ever played this Yang Wei violin. I have been trying to win an auction for this violin for many months now and it is such a popular violin from the Old Violin House that I have always been outbid. The listing mentions that this model won the 2006 VSA (Violin Society of America) Tone competition. I am thinking of buying it outright but quite hesitant to pay full price unless someone else has good experiences with it. Thank you for sharing. Please see the following link.

 

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Workshop-Violin-Yang-Wei-2006-VSA-Winner-Tone-6685-Signed-label-/361426557738?hash=item5426b39b2a

Edited February 4, 2016 by peace

[Kat Dunham]

What is the American Violin Association?   I googled it, but it doesn't seem to exist.  Do it yourself accolades?

 

edit:  I see that name has been corrected.

[JacksonMaberry]

A luthier by the name of Yang Wei allegedly won at a certificate of merit for tone at the VSA competition in '06, but I can't confirm. I'm sure someone else here can.

It's worth noting that this is listed as a workshop violin, meaning it was made under Wei's supervision. It will not likely be the equal of the viola for which Wei won that certificate.

[Don Noon]

It appears that Yang Wei won a certificate of merit for tone for a viola at the 2006 VSA competition, if you enlarge the certificate displayed on the Old VIolin House site.  This seems very far removed from proving that a workshop violin would sound good.

 

I type too slowly.

[uncle duke]

If that violin sounds good with those strings you may be on to something.  I have a set of those.  They are lifeless, last forever, and if a winding comes unraveled you can superglue it back together and keep sawing away.

[JacksonMaberry]

Peace, if you are looking for an affordable instrument that sounds good and plays well, I think you'd have better luck at a violin shop in your nearest city. A lot of shops are now carrying at least one carefully selected line of Chinese instruments that they bring in and set up properly just for folks like you.

Also, user Martin Swan has a business sourcing more affordable European instruments, it may be worth contact him.

[MaestronetLurker]

I think it's a mistake to buy a violin without ever playing it.  Find a reputable shop within driving distance, and play through what they've got.  I'm sure that folks on MN could make some recommendations for shops in your area if you let us know where you are.

[peace]

Yes I should really take time to play the violin before I buy it.

 

Last year I won an auction from the Old Violin House for a Dan Sun's Opera Workshop violin, a Guarnerius copy for $150 and the sound is marvelous for the price (with Dominant strings that is). It is a master level violin but not as high level as the Yang Wei so I get very curious. My son also bid and won a Dieter-Sun violin from them and he likes it too. Here is the listing of the Dieter-Sun violin, are there any comments? He paid $160 for it.

 

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SELECT-MASTER-SOLOIST-Violin-DIETER-SUN-5378-Opera-/141412629983?hash=item20ecd97ddf

[Jeffrey Holmes]

This thread moved from Pegbox.  Felt it more appropriate here due to the references and links to Ebay.  Carry on!

[Violadamore]

Peace, if you are looking for an affordable instrument that sounds good and plays well, I think you'd have better luck at a violin shop in your nearest city. A lot of shops are now carrying at least one carefully selected line of Chinese instruments that they bring in and set up properly just for folks like you.

Also, user Martin Swan has a business sourcing more affordable European instruments, it may be worth contact him.

Martin doesn't use any more, he deals.    IMHO, the proper terminology for a denizen of MN is member.

 

The current selection of Chinese violins is starting to impress me favorably.  Usually as good or better than much 19th. Century "rubbish", and it leaves most middle 20th. Cent. "rubbish" in the dust.  One unusual example I lucked into, with a well-known distributor label showing it made in 2004, is of a very similar pattern to 18th. Century Bavarian "rubbish" (one piece back, great flame, lovely spruce top, inside mold, same arching and profile, similar brown varnish, other "points" matching or close), and compares well with my resurrected original in playability.  I am of the opinion that they now can competently copy nearly anything.  The corollary of this, unfortunately, is to examine any supposed antique more carefully than perhaps we used to.  If it looks too well-preserved to be true, it probably is. 

[mathieu valde]

I bought one couple years ago. It sounds. It look like a violin, but you feel when you hold it and hear it  - it is Chinese.  For playing open air concerts it is quite ok, so do not use my professional violin in a sunlight and avoid other risks. it is not worth 500, it is looking much cheaper and everyone can immediately recognize as china made.

[Violadamore]

I bought one couple years ago. It sounds. It look like a violin, but you feel when you hold it and hear it  - it is Chinese.  For playing open air concerts it is quite ok, so do not use my professional violin in a sunlight and avoid other risks. it is not worth 500, it is looking much cheaper and everyone can immediately recognize as china made.

There's several different quality levels of Chinese made fiddles on the market, not all of which automatically scream "Chinese!!".  Sounds like you got a "student" violin of some description. What you are probably keying on is the varnish, and, if you haven't upgraded it, the totally deficient setup. 

[peace]

The Chinese Violin I have is classified as a Master Violin from Beijing's Opera Violin Workshop, according to The Old Violin House this workshop used 32 layers of Italian style varnishing. It simply look gorgeous and the sound is of course fresh, but warm and bright. It should be noted that if a Chinese violin carries a makers name and signature, it should be a good buy and if there is no name no label we should avoid.

[sounpost]

Are there anyone who has ever played this Yang Wei violin. I have been trying to win an auction for this violin for many months now and it is such a popular violin from the Old Violin House that I have always been outbid. The listing mentions that this model won the 2006 VSA (Violin Society of America) Tone competition. I am thinking of buying it outright but quite hesitant to pay full price unless someone else has good experiences with it. Thank you for sharing. Please see the following link.

 

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Workshop-Violin-Yang-Wei-2006-VSA-Winner-Tone-6685-Signed-label-/361426557738?hash=item5426b39b2a

I have had one for a year.  The set up was mediocre but with a bridge, string, tailpiece and soundpost adjustment the box itself has come alive.  With several different play in devices the fiddle has developed a deep sound with range and projection - just missing a mature sweetness.  The Dieter Sun Masters (great G string)  will not open up like this one, as well the yita M/T 20's just don't get to where this Yang Wei reaches.  Great inexpensive  chinese violin.

[Asher ben Levi]

I own a cello made by Yang Wei himself that was submitted to the VSA but didn't win the prize. I bought that cello at Johnson Strings in Boston and have to say that it is very nice. It projects professionally and is very responsive. That was done by the master himself. 

I agree with "Peace" about the label. Mine has a label in the form of a square Chinese block print, which probably means his name and his signature in Western letters. All else is most likely done in a shop supervised by Yang Wei in some form. But my experience is that the Chinese make you whatever you want. They are great craftsman, but what you pay is what you get.