Thank you for another video like this, Maestro. I think it's really important for beginners or those looking to give a gift to a new musician to get a thorough review of these kinds of starter sets. The sound of the instrument after your adjustments sounds similar to my very first violin, when I was 6. I will say, staying with such an instrument and trying to do as much as you can with very little is a good exercise for a player to get to know their way around their instrument. I had two very good teachers, as well, and though they were not luthiers, they taught me a lot about the parts and caring for my violin, even though it was not very expensive.
Hello Meghan! Here int The Netherlands you can also rent a violin. in that case you can find something good for a small price per month. But for people that don't have a music shop close enough and don't want (or have) to spend a lot, these kind of instruments are a good alternative. Especially if you are handy enough to make these small adjustments.
Another good option for my inner-city program! The sound was much clearer with the Thomastik Alphayue strings. They will also play into a warmer sound after a short time.
I bought a Mendini MV300 and it hurt my ears at first. I finished carving and fine tuning the bridge along with fiddling with the sound post distance from the bridge foot. Lowered the action, and put Pro Arte strings on it to mellow it. I should have put a wound E string on it though. I also fitted the pegs so they go all the way through a turn smoothly. Then I got rid of that junk tailpiece and only have one fine tuner. It's not a great violin, but it sounds a little better than OK now and may even open up if I play it more. What's good about it is very good joinery along with actually having blocked corners and very neatly glued lining. I may also remove the cheesy finish and redo it with spirit varnish for fun. These cheap violins also have the benefit of being good practice fiddles for basic luthier work. It's not scary working on something that costs so little.
Wondering if you have tried the Mendini by Cecilio. I have a student in need of a budget instrument and I'm trying to decide which to recommend as I've seen videos by violinists saying each are okay, but haven't seen them compared.
It may not be a good violin, but it would a fine fiddle. The sound a fiddle player is looking for is a world away from a concert violinist. And the price is good enough for any aspiring fiddle player. Love your channel😁
Yes but there are still other cheap violins available for low price (at least for now). Pretty soon, sky high inflation and disrupted global trade will make these super cheap instruments totally unavailable. I have super cheap Glarry GV101 and I am completely happy with how it sounds after proper setup (DIY bridge trimming and nut grooving so string lies much closer to fingerboard).
As a beginner for the instrument, I would like to start playing. For the price is it worth the it? Seems like it. I am transitioning from guitar/bass to this so when you said the strings are hard to push that got me.
@@maestrokimon The shiny coating on the outside where we touch the violin with our hands. My question was, do you think that the finish is too thick, and if so would the violin sound better with a thinner finish. I'm thinking of beginner luthiers who might buy that level of violin to learn, or practice, their skills on, such as taking off the finish (If it needs it.) that comes applied at the factory, and replace the factory finish with a custom finish. I can only take a layman's interest, but I wish to enter into the spirit of your videos--which I perceive as the love of the beautiful violin and the glorious music they give. Best wishes from Kansas, USA.
By finish you mean the varnish. It 's not recommended to remove or alter the varnish of an instrument. It's part of the authenticity and removing would result to drop in value. I also didn't do anything to the varnish of this violin.
If you want cheap violin with less finish, they are available. For example, I bought my super cheap Glarry GV101 with matt finish ( I don't like shiny violins). Definitely much thinner finish than regular varnish. For my ears, it sounds great for such a cheap violin.
Maestro Kimon, thank you for your review. I have ordered a Gliga Genial 1 with Oil Finish and a solid back. I've upgraded the strings to D'Adarrio Helicore, a Wittner tailpiece, and a carbon fiber bow. What do you think of this set up? The Gliga violins are handmade in Romania, as you probably already know. Do you find them of good quality? I am considering getting an Eastar just to see how they compare. Best regards and best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Hello John. I know the Gliga violins and they are of good quality. Instead of buying the two violins I would put the money together and buy one a bit more expensive. Or are you planning to send one back?
If you have a look to the pegs, in the hole for the string you can see that the wood is white. And sometimes under the fingerboard that also leave a part white. For the rest it is a matter of experience. It can be tricky though!
I’m thinking about getting a violin and was wondering if this one is a good choice. My family doesn’t have that much money so I’m trying to find the best violin under 200$ usd. Or would you recommend a different one?
i got a eastar violin for christmas and it sounded so bad, idk if mine was just a bad quality violin of eastar but from my point of view i really dont liked the sound
Thank you for another video like this, Maestro. I think it's really important for beginners or those looking to give a gift to a new musician to get a thorough review of these kinds of starter sets. The sound of the instrument after your adjustments sounds similar to my very first violin, when I was 6. I will say, staying with such an instrument and trying to do as much as you can with very little is a good exercise for a player to get to know their way around their instrument. I had two very good teachers, as well, and though they were not luthiers, they taught me a lot about the parts and caring for my violin, even though it was not very expensive.
Hello Meghan! Here int The Netherlands you can also rent a violin. in that case you can find something good for a small price per month. But for people that don't have a music shop close enough and don't want (or have) to spend a lot, these kind of instruments are a good alternative. Especially if you are handy enough to make these small adjustments.
Another good option for my inner-city program! The sound was much clearer with the Thomastik Alphayue strings. They will also play into a warmer sound after a short time.
I think that they are a good choice for your students as you can finetune theme!
It sounded ok after you adjusted, but I'd save up a little more and get a violin with better quality wood and carbon fiber bow.
I agree with you especially on the bow mater.
I bought a Mendini MV300 and it hurt my ears at first. I finished carving and fine tuning the bridge along with fiddling with the sound post distance from the bridge foot. Lowered the action, and put Pro Arte strings on it to mellow it. I should have put a wound E string on it though. I also fitted the pegs so they go all the way through a turn smoothly. Then I got rid of that junk tailpiece and only have one fine tuner. It's not a great violin, but it sounds a little better than OK now and may even open up if I play it more. What's good about it is very good joinery along with actually having blocked corners and very neatly glued lining. I may also remove the cheesy finish and redo it with spirit varnish for fun. These cheap violins also have the benefit of being good practice fiddles for basic luthier work. It's not scary working on something that costs so little.
I love that adjustments it soudend that violin 🎻 goodar
I like the honest view about the product 👍
Good to hear!
Wondering if you have tried the Mendini by Cecilio. I have a student in need of a budget instrument and I'm trying to decide which to recommend as I've seen videos by violinists saying each are okay, but haven't seen them compared.
Is it good to play ?
It may not be a good violin, but it would a fine fiddle. The sound a fiddle player is looking for is a world away from a concert violinist. And the price is good enough for any aspiring fiddle player. Love your channel😁
I didn't get the same eastar violin,but uts from the same brand idk what type.I can't find a rosin nor a tuner.
I bought 3 of these last year. They're great for my beginner students. Too bad it is out of stock now.
Did you have someone finish them up (or did you do it yourself)?
Yes but there are still other cheap violins available for low price (at least for now). Pretty soon, sky high inflation and disrupted global trade will make these super cheap instruments totally unavailable. I have super cheap Glarry GV101 and I am completely happy with how it sounds after proper setup (DIY bridge trimming and nut grooving so string lies much closer to fingerboard).
As a beginner for the instrument, I would like to start playing. For the price is it worth the it? Seems like it. I am transitioning from guitar/bass to this so when you said the strings are hard to push that got me.
That was awesome, Maestro-Kimon. You made a few adjustments and the violin sounded so much better! BTW, did you think the finish was too thick?
Thank you!
What do you mean with "the finish"?
@@maestrokimon The shiny coating on the outside where we touch the violin with our hands. My question was, do you think that the finish is too thick, and if so would the violin sound better with a thinner finish. I'm thinking of beginner luthiers who might buy that level of violin to learn, or practice, their skills on, such as taking off the finish (If it needs it.) that comes applied at the factory, and replace the factory finish with a custom finish. I can only take a layman's interest, but I wish to enter into the spirit of your videos--which I perceive as the love of the beautiful violin and the glorious music they give. Best wishes from Kansas, USA.
By finish you mean the varnish. It 's not recommended to remove or alter the varnish of an instrument. It's part of the authenticity and removing would result to drop in value. I also didn't do anything to the varnish of this violin.
@@maestrokimon Thank you Maestro-Kimon. That is informative and amazing!
If you want cheap violin with less finish, they are available. For example, I bought my super cheap Glarry GV101 with matt finish ( I don't like shiny violins). Definitely much thinner finish than regular varnish. For my ears, it sounds great for such a cheap violin.
Maestro Kimon, thank you for your review. I have ordered a Gliga Genial 1 with Oil Finish and a solid back. I've upgraded the strings to D'Adarrio Helicore, a Wittner tailpiece, and a carbon fiber bow. What do you think of this set up? The Gliga violins are handmade in Romania, as you probably already know. Do you find them of good quality? I am considering getting an Eastar just to see how they compare. Best regards and best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Hello John. I know the Gliga violins and they are of good quality. Instead of buying the two violins I would put the money together and buy one a bit more expensive. Or are you planning to send one back?
Wonderful! thanks
Thank you!
It would be awesome if you could test yitamusic violins.
Hello Sebastian. As they sell the instruments on auction there is no fixed price so I can't make a good price/quality comparison.
Just curious, how do you tell the type of wood used for the fingerboard, pegs and body of the violin just by looking?
If you have a look to the pegs, in the hole for the string you can see that the wood is white. And sometimes under the fingerboard that also leave a part white. For the rest it is a matter of experience. It can be tricky though!
@@maestrokimon ok, thanks for sharing! Will go look at my violin these places on my violin 🎻 🙂
I’m thinking about getting a violin and was wondering if this one is a good choice. My family doesn’t have that much money so I’m trying to find the best violin under 200$ usd. Or would you recommend a different one?
Definitely this one: ua-cam.com/video/QslJ_JdrK2k/v-deo.html
@@maestrokimon thanks for the reply. Can’t wait to start practicing
4:39 7:30
i got a eastar violin for christmas and it sounded so bad, idk if mine was just a bad quality violin of eastar but from my point of view i really dont liked the sound
For that price you can't expect too mach from the sound! I totally understand you!
The bow looks fine to me for such an inexpensive instrument.
Could you deliver the within $100 in Singapore
I'm not the reseller. Have a look at the link, in the description of the video, to visit the site of the seller.
Is that 1/2 size
No full size.
@@maestrokimon so 4/4
@@maestrokimon cuz it looks 3/4
Yes.
@@maestrokimon looks smaller then a 4/4 more like a 3/4
EVA? More like VSO! haha zing!
The other, the $100 violin, sounded much better than this one.
Mo socmel
Accent... Greek?
γιες γιες!!!
@@maestrokimon :) Easy to figure out LOL I am Serb ☦️♥️🇷🇸🇬🇷