Is a violin set for $100,- worth the money?
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- čas přidán 25. 02. 2021
- I order a violin set from Amazon for $100,-. Let's find out if it is money well spent!
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I disagree with your conclusion. I bought a very cheap violin set for $50 (Glarry GV101). I didn't spend another penny. I did all the setup myself (bridge resizing, changing height of string over nut etc). It was all pretty simple DIY and now I have an excellent violin, and I enjoy playing it. Steel strings, original bow etc were perfectly fine and I see absolutely no need to replace them. I enjoy playing my $50 violin much more than my older "real" violin bought from a violin shop for much more money. Cheap doesn't mean bad, it actually can be pretty good!
Did you learn how to shape the bridge from any online resource? Thanks.
Thank you so much! I get even cheaper violins off of eBay for my inner-city program--whatever I can find. I have access through various friends and shops for usable used strings and parts. I have a few organizations that help me with the finances.
The bows are useless. One shop that has an agreement with Holtz bows, lets me "borrow" returned rental bows that still have some use before returning them for rehair. To start this, I purchased a set of used bows that are in constant rotation.
I check the fingerboard--and use a black marker--and set the bridge. I need help with the sound post and need to learn more. I'll look through your videos.
So the main use of a cheap violin is when finances are tight and demand is high. At least I can get an instrument into a child's hands with a little effort and care. And it's better than the box I start the kids on from the beginning. If the child progresses, the better violins are reserved for those who work hard to learn. I got a grant for an orchestra of Eastman 80.
The pegs are a nightmare and don't stay in tune. They shrink and soon stick out the other side. Teaching kids and caregivers to tune over the internet has been a real challenge. I wish all my students could have some kind of mechanical pegs.
But many of my inner-city students don't have enough to eat most days. We--the teachers--do what we can in our program.
Parents: Don't go cheap if you can at all afford it and go to a reputable violin shop. My own children started on an Eastman 305. For two musicians and teachers, the price was a stretch, but we know the joy of a good instrument. My son and daughter are pursuing other careers in college, but they still love to play and achieved a high level of skill. My tall son switched to viola and received a substantial scholarship to play viola in his engineering school's orchestra.
I think giving urban ghetto kids the chances they should already have had in a civilized society is one of the most noble things I've heard.
@@langhamp8912 Lovely statement and thank you! It's not all that noble. I rather fell into the job, recruited away from the life of a freelance musician. (I needed health insurance for my family.) But I found I love it! And the changes music brings to kids' lives are incredible. Here's a video about one of the ways we've raised money for instruments: czcams.com/video/3R-78CNXf-k/video.html The string students are all mine.
I really love the adopting idea. It gives a little more than just a transaction to the donor. And, it seems it worked out very well. - great program.
This is an invaluable video thank you!, expecially to see the importance of a good setup and service of a luthier. I wish i had access to a lutheir where i am. Even though I havw a more expensive instrument I have no way of knowing if it is anywhere near how it should be sounding and playing.
What a simply beautiful job you did on your violin- you must be so proud
Thank you so much!
Thank you! I really enjoyed this! You are very skilled!
Thank you so much!
I bought cheap violins from Ebay and fixed them, but they sound rough. Then I made a violin. Making a violin was very fun and I made made mistakes and I prepaired them. Maple was very hard and I cut my fingers . However I like the violin I made, it is easy to play and it sounds soft and clear. Good video.
Wow, incredible!
My Glarry GV101 ($50), sounds great after minor setup. I guess it's all in the player's ear - I love my cheap Glarry violin and totally happy with it - more than my older significantly more expensive violin bought from professional violin store.
I wish I know how to build violins. Now I am old “74yrs” an enjoy your channel.
Thank you Mr. Brock, good to hear that you enjoy my videos! Have a good one!
why not pick it up as a hobby? 74 is not 100 yet, right?
I do agree with you Willem! It's never late for a new hobby!
That was really funny scraping and colouring the fingerboard with a Pentel pen 😅😅😅 but to be honest very impressive that it sounded significant better after the fix
I bought a Glarry acoustic electric for just under $100 with all the fixings. It was not perfect, but with a little work it was playable. Sound quality isn't that important because my playing is still bad. I say until you know you really want to pay it's better not to spend a fortune, but be prepared to fix a thing or two. I bought a setup guide for under $10 and realized the strings were too close at the nut. I used super glue to fill the old notched then filed with a needle file. Then put new notches. It might not be for kids who are learning, but they aren't all trash. P.S. the electronics worked fine.
You are such an inspiration Maestro Kimon. Thank you for giving it to me straight. For Christmas our young son asked for a violin. This video makes perfect sense to me as I (guitar player) began to tune his violin for the first time.
I believe that with my understanding of guitar setup for myself and this insightful video I can and will set his instrument up properly so he may enjoy the sound of his new found passion.
In this video you certainly addressed each issue I noticed and you shared how to make the proper adjustments. Your gift of sharing is truly appreciated.
Thank you.
I'm also working on a video about a better violin. It will be online in 2 months if everything goes as planed.
i purchased one for 350 dollars and it sounded really good, the case was so simple and had almost no space but the violin was really good
thank t v much waiting for more vedios
Good to hear!
In this video you measured the distance to the F hole notch. You said it was right on. What is that measurement and what are the other measurements you use , the distance from the nut to the front of the bridge and the measurement where you set the bridge. Thanks in advance.
I made a mistake trading a nice fender guitar for a violin without looking at it a little more ,the neck has to be reset ,im going to attempt to do this ,I work on guitars so I do know what needs to be done ,thanks for your videos
Gluing up those cracks should help too
I am so glad there is a luthier in walking distance from where I live. My first violin was a vso I bought on Facebook market place, my upgrades I bought from the luthier except for one violin I bought on Facebook market place that was listed as old violin but I saw it as an antique to treasure because the seller knew nothing about violins. I took it to the luthier and he said I was very lucky to find it and it was a rare lucky find.
Good to hear that you had luck Amanda!
@@maestrokimon last year in November I also had a terribly bad incident. Luckily it wasn't my antique French violin but it was my most used violin that I had upgraded to. It was stolen! Was nearly worth $1000 NZD. It took a few months of living on a very strict tight budget and relying heavily on the public when busking to replace. Eventually I managed to buy a new one and at the same time upgraded again.
I look forward to your student violin recommendation from Amazon. I recently bought two Stentor II’ s and my only complaint is the curvature of the bridge could be rounder. I am impressed with the overall quality and sound. I may buy a couple of bridges and a template to experiment. There are no violin makers within 150 km.
The Stentor II are pretty good violins. I have used them a lot in the past. The only thing is that often they get delivered with crappy strings, but that is easy to improve.
H Jimenez makes great Violins that include everything and by changing the friction pegs to geared ones it'll hold tune.
Helicore 4/4 Size Medium Tension Strings ought to make it playable
Thank you!
You're welcome!
It sounds great, but I think this is just because you play so well.
Wittner makes tailpieces that don't have fine tuners for if you have fine tune pegs.
Where did you get that amazing tool to put the string positions on the bridge? Did you make it?
No I didn't make it on my own. You can find it at dictum.com
It's a good deal if you're an interior decorator and you'll use it to hang on a wall. What a lot of people forget is that you also need a good BOW.
Did you watch the entire video?
Will you be doing a cello series soon? You spoke of it a month ago or so! thank you! -your friend paul
Yes I will, in the Repair Series. The first part will be online on the 11th of april.
@@maestrokimon thank you! looking forward to it!
it's often better to buy an old second hand violin and have it checked over by a luthier like maestro-Kimon. The wood is often of better quality and would be more resonant especially if it has been played a lot. I have a few old violins (one labelled violin dating from 1905), my violins have a lot of scratches and dents and they do look old but they sound very good compared to what you would get for a new violin of the same price.
Instruments of the early 1900 can sound pretty good indeed. But they might need some repairs that would drive up the costs.
Yes definitely, not only is it recycling but you will get a much better instrument. Even the cheap factory instruments from the 60s and 70s are better then many cheap ones built today. Also you can get a deal if you are willing to do repairs.
A very interesting article. Again I have enjoyed your video very much. Do you have a web site I could view as I would like to make an inquiry regarding having a violin I recently purchased restored. Kindest regards from Austraila
Thank you for your kind words! You can send me an e-mail with some foto's of the instrument so we can discuss the details. Info@maestrokimon.com
Nice videos. What is the violin set you recommended for around $300?
Definitely this one: czcams.com/video/QslJ_JdrK2k/video.html
I bought a Mendini and the neck just fell off about a month after I had it.
Oh, that's bad to hear...
I wish you would review an entry level carbon fiber violin. Since carbon fiber is both molded and stamped instead of carved (the bridge is stamped but it's resin), the CF violin has a very different feel from something carved.
Is there an instrument in particular that you would lik to see? Can you send me a link?
@@maestrokimon elidaviolins.co.uk/products/glasser-carbon-composite-violin-only
I actually have this violin with a carbon fiber bridge but a wood soundpost. I bought it a few years ago in the US, around $420 I think during a special sale.
do you do repairs if shipped from the usa?
Yes of course I do! Please send me an e-mail: info@maestrokimon.com
Non classical musician
$100=it's just sound lika a violin
$1000000=it's just sound like a violin
:😌💔
Kind of true! Only the experienced ear can hear the differences. Although the speakers are also important!
@@maestrokimon right, you are very talented .. I really enjoyed your video .. I hope you are given good health and good luck on CZcams
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Is your next video about a tower strings violin from fiddlershop?
Can't say anything yet!
@@maestrokimon looking forward to seeing the video. Because I have seen the picture on this video and an identical picture on a website I think I know exactly what it is about. Fiddlershop has an excellent reputation.
I have a wittner tailpiece on 3 of my violins.
And are you satisfied about them?
@@maestrokimon yes. I like the tailpieces on my violins.
buy cheap, so buy twice..... i think that for a beginner this would be ok. they could upgrade if they keep playing. I'm just glad i have the violins i inherited from both my grandfathers and do not have to buy new ones now. no idea about their quality, but to me they sound good.
In general "what you pay is what you get". I think that there is to much work and these instruments are not ready to play, so I wouldn't advise a beginner to buy one.
@@maestrokimon good way to get into setting up violins though.
'You pay for what you get'
Haha! You definitely do!
If one drop a violin, what are the things to be worried about? Violin sounds ok in my hands that have known violin two weeks for now.
300€ student violin She is, my child named her Harmony Lammas.
I dream to build a violin, you have really inspiring content in your channel!
Hello Jenni! Thank you for your kind words.
If you drop your violin you have to check for cracks especially in the top and have a good look under the fingerboard and tailpiece and check if the edges are still closed.
@@maestrokimon Thank you!
I can remember my first violin looked almost identical to that one you have. When I put the rosin on the bow the rosin started to crumble. I had no idea I was playing on an awfully shaped bridge. 5 weeks in and my G string snapped. I was expecting the E string to snap first having experience from previously playing on a guitar. I decided to go to a teacher and she referred me to a luthier to get a new bridge made.
In INR it would be 75000 rupees. Cost almost five months of salary.
A lot of money to spend on something of such low quality...
@@maestrokimon I know and I'm planning to spend that much or even more if I have to. You know, I'm lefty and I want to buy a left-handed violin and that cost more than a regular right-handed
Why do you want a left-handed one? doe you play left-handed?
@@maestrokimon yes! Even I eat with my left hand. I thought about training my right hand but my mind does not co-operate. lol
If I could give you a piece of advice, don't learn to play left handed. You will have a very limited choice of instruments and trouble playing with other people. Playing the violin is tough, either way, just be patient.
The Glarry models that go for about $100 seem to be a better choice. Better violin, better bow, better case, and more accessories.
That could be interesting. Could you send me a link?
@@maestrokimon www.glarrymusic.com/glarry-4-4-spruce-panel-violin-bright-natural-wood-back-p199.html
I am currently using this one, upon recommendations from a few other CZcams reviewers on beginner fiddles. The bow is decent, although not great. The bridge was a bit thick and not marked (fortunately, I have some lutherie skills), and Glarry strings are not that good (they give you a 2nd set with the purchase). However, this model has a nice deep tone for a beginner violin, and comes with more ebony-made parts than other fiddles at this price. They have many models that are even less expensive. Check out the reviews section, where they have a number of CZcams reviews of their products. I hope that this helps.
Thank you for your fast reply. I will definitely have a look at it and maybe make a video about them.
@@mitchmatthews6713 It looks like they only send to US and UK...
@@maestrokimon I actually purchased this 'Glarry' violin model about one month ago. I bought it so that I could experiment with different setups, which is something that I do not want to do with my more expensive violin. I lowered the bridge height, installed the same Whitner tailpiece with 4 fine tuners that you used, reamed the peg holes (and drilled new holes in the pegs), and recut the grooves at the nut to widen the string spacing and lower the strings at the nut. My violin teacher was very surprised and impressed with the sound quality of this violin. Considering its price, it is made suprisingly well. In particular, the fingerboard and fittings are made of ebony. The negative thing about this Glarry violin is that it is basically unplayable out of the box, and I believe it is unrealistic for a beginner to do the things I had to do to make it a playable instrument.
100$ for the violin and 300$ more to make it playable. I am thinking. It hurts.
Yes, it does! The Fiddlers hop outfit is a much better choose for just $100 more.
Its okay my first violin was 30 bucks
hello
hi!
Lots of inexpensive vintage violins on ebay or elsewhere. I'd rather go for those.
That is also a good option but, often, they need some repairs.
@@maestrokimon
More work for you and yet another vintage instrument given its second life.
What not to like. 🎻 🤔
Haha! Totally agree with you!!!
@@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040 its also cool to imagine someone playing the same instrument however long ago. makes it feel alive.
Το κατάλαβα από την προφορά είσαι Έλληνας 😁
Σωστά κατάλαβες!!! 😉
I'm about halfway through the video, and I am already thinking 'What a horrible piece of junk!' The shame about these 'instruments' is that they are so bad that anyone who tries one may be discouraged from ever trying the violin again.
You are write. That is the reason why I made this video, to worn people about the quality and malfunctions.
This instrument (a VSO, violin shaped object) sounds like a corrugated cardboard box. Very unbecoming.
best thing would be a violin-for-rent for a beginner. i can totally understand that nobody wants to spent a lot of money on an instrument. but playing on a 100$ violin is not fun at all. everything sounds like shit.
That is correct! In fact, here in The Netherlands, the violin-renting is good business. I know places that rent up to 500 instruments to children and adults.