Reviewing CARBON FIBER Instruments // Mezzo-Forte Violins + Viola
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- Опубліковано 4 тра 2021
- Join me, Alice Ping, as I test out 3 different acoustic-electric carbon fiber instruments from Mezzo-Forte! These instruments are a great option for both beginners and professionals alike!
The Instrument Place is a family owned and operated instrument retail company specializing in instruments and accessories available to rent and purchase. If you're interested in trying out or buying any of the instruments in this video, be sure to check out www.theinstrumentplace.com.
Check out my latest videos: • Music Stuff
Subscribe: / @chronicallymusical
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// PRODUCTS MENTIONED OR SHOWN:
• Mezzo-Forte Hybrid Viola ➭ www.theinstrumentplace.com/me...
• Mezzo-Forte 4 + 5-string Hybrid Violin ➭ www.theinstrumentplace.com/sh...
• TC Electronic HOF2 Reverb Pedal ➭ www.tcelectronic.com/tcelectr...
• TC Electronic Ditto X2 Looper ➭ www.tcelectronic.com/product....
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//FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Instagram ➭ / alicepingviola
TikTok ➭ www.tiktok.com/@alice.ping?la...
Website ➭ www.aliceping.com
Other UA-cam Channel ➭ / @aliceping
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//MUSIC CREDITS:
• Chronically Musical Theme - via Epidemic Sound
"Recognized By Accident" by Magnus Ringblom
• Background Music -
"Local Forecast - Elevator" ⭳ goo.gl/ppZqZq
"Local Forecast - Elevator" by Kevin MacLeod incompetech.com/
Promoted by MrSnooze • Elevator Music I Muzak...
Creative Commons - CC BY 3.0 I goo.gl/Yibru5
"Bach in the Park" by Alice Ping
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//GRAPHIC AND LOGO DESIGN:
Stéphanie Lawrenson
#classicalmusic #juilliard #violin #viola #violinist #carbonfiber #strings #musician #orchestra #productreview #stringplayer #unboxing #electric #chronicallymusical #acoustic
I just spent the most pleasant 22 minutes of my day. You are a delight. It began when I saw the look on your face when you saw the first instrument and you talked about your "giddiness". Actually, you didn't even have to say it, I saw it. I knew right then that I knew you and I've never met you. You must be the sister I never had. (I had all brothers) Your love for music and instruments just jumped right out of the screen. I was just like that at your age. (I'm 77 now) And I still am. Music is not what I do, it's what I am. And I see that in you. "Ain't" it wonderful!! I love and play all sorts of instruments and I was and am lucky enough to make my living playing. Oddly enough, violin is my favorite and yet, since I started learning it too late in life, it's the one you'd least want to hear me play lol! But the richness of the viola is wonderful. And you play well. But your enthusiasm is intoxicating. OK. Enough about that. The instruments. They are indeed beautiful. I have an intermediate level violin and it sounds pretty good tho I don't think old Stradi has anything to worry about lol! But to my ear, those instruments are sort of in their own class. Not bad at all and somewhat violin or viola like, but just a bit different. Not in a bad way, just different. Love the bass end and the highs don't seem to get screechy. Well balanced. I suppose you could say they have a mellowness to the sound compared to the real thing. Again, not a bad thing, just depends on what you need for a given song or occasion. They did exhibit quite a bit of "after ring" or resonance. Somewhat like reverb. Again, not a bad thing just different. Overall I liked the sound, especially the low end of the viola. Liked it a lot! Again, I really enjoyed your review and your happiness in the presentation. I so relate to that feeling as I've had it for all things musical all my life so I knew exactly what you were feeling. Thank you for the smiles. New sub.
Thank you for such a kind comment!! I so appreciate your kind words, and it sounds like maybe it's time for you to pick up the viola!
What a great review.
lol It's nice to see someone ELSE who loves playing new instruments as much as me! I'm a pianist/organist/keyboardist and a friend of mine said watching me talk about the best I've played, is like watching a car guy talk about his '71 Monte Carlo. I enjoyed this!
I just LOVE it how open-minded and relaxed you are! And yet about illnesses of that sort! Really can't express enough with my words here 😊 All the best for you, will pray for a miracle regarding your health!
Enjoying this way more than I thought I would....not normally a fan of electrically connected instruments, but your playing around with classical stuff with looping, etc....yeah, fun. Will be back from time to time.
LOL! You don’t know “Jack”! The 1/4-inch opening for the plug is called a JACK. Beautiful playing btw!
Yes, you don't know jack ! Can also be used lol.😅
Ik heb met veel interesse en plezier naar jouw video gekeken. Grappig en leerzaam. ❤
Yeah!! Another string player with arm vibrato! ...full and beautiful sound! Thank you for sharing!
I've always done arm! I try to experiment with a combo of wrist and arm but it definitely takes focus.
I had to share this with a mate who is a fiddle player and whos kids are all musos. They look great, they sound great. You seem to be having a blast. Fab video, so glad I clicked on it.
Hey Alice - I've played CF guitars for a couple years. (see: Emerald Guitars). My guitar snob pals tell me that my guitars don't even sound like wood. I just smile. I'm after amazing sound and I don't care at all how I get it. I love my guitars' voices. And recently I moved from Canada's west coast to Cambodia , a quantum shift for wood guitars. The difference in humidity and temperature would have twisted my wood guitars like pretzels. But my CF instruments never even noticed the change. What a huge bonus for traveling musicians. If I had a tour bus fulla groupies my life would be perfect!
What fun that was! 🎻🎶🎶🎶🎶
Great review! Imagine how much a wooden instrument would cost if that sounds equally good or better. The violin shown here costs $2500 for the black one and $2800 for the wooden looking one if you don't need the electronic pick-up which costs $300 extra.
As a bonus, carbon fiber is totally stable no matter the humidity or temperature so for any touring using carbon fiber is a winner already.
Those are downright cheap prices. Shockingly cheap. I would have guessed in the area of double those numbers.
So good to join in with some one enjoying themselves!
I always enjoy yours vídeos , thank you BB !
Glad you like them!
for a 'non violinist' your intonation is spot on, lovely video
Unmistakably the resonance from a carbon fibre instrument is just AWESOME!!!!! Huhhhhh......!!!! Keep playing dear, I'm enjoying it. Cheers.
Great review! I want an outside viola all weather! Looks like it’s a good solution!
Thank you Modesto! It's a great option for an all-weather instrument!
Beautiful playing and nice reviews. In my humble opinion the four string violin is the winner of the three.
I loved your spontaneity
Loved it! Gimme More! LoL ❤
Working on it!
That was enjoyable, thank you, found this on Facebook, which had a link to this UA-cam video. I had joined the FB group, electric string players, in an attempt to find a string player, cello, violin, viola to accompany or improv behind my Castle of Dreams Acoustic Solo piano pieces I wrote. I hope one day it will be performed as a ballet, or even just a concert. I wish you well
Thank you for watching, David! I look forward to hearing Castle of Dreams one day - maybe even live and in person!
I subscribed not only because of your playing but your personality is just delightful 😄
Just wonderful
At 10:00 minutes, I heard the sound of the carbon fibre violin. I like it. I'm not very familiar with close-up sound on a viola; it's a viola?. But I love that violin. Professionals who work for a living anywhere not in an orchestra will on occasion need amplification. But I thought the violin unplugged was quite special - different a bit but special. I've heard a carbon fibre viola with the Queensland Symphony and I thought it was very, very good. The video is fun. We live in interesting times. Those instruments will change the world.
Скоро забудемо,як звучить класичний інструменти, як і класичний спів, страдіварі викинути... .
I own a Heartland Harp, it's carbon fiber, and I love it. Stays in tune, easy peasy to carry as opposed to the wood versions. Love your sound on the viola's. Great instrument!
I loved this video!
I'm so glad to hear this!
Great video! I really like my five string violin. Great sounding, versatile instruments.
Very versatile!
“I don’t care that all of that was wrong, I hit that octave” made me subscribe so fast. Champion octave!
We gotta have our priorities right?!? 😅
@@ChronicallyMusical That’s right! Btw at around 15:50 when you’re pizzing, what are you playing? :)
I like that ..
“..It would have a low C if it was in tune!”
👍Classic ..
It is brighter than others
the black one looks awesome
Very interesting video. I am a violin beginner since two months but it is good to learn many things regarding violins.
I'm glad you found it helpful!
Glad for ya,right on !!
All the best to ya 🍀🍀🍀
Greetings from 🇨🇭 to the 🇺🇸🙋♂️👍
Thanks 👍
Absolutely love it, please continue, even your antics lol.
Very entertaining.
Do you know any Jean- luc Ponty ?
That was a really fun and informative video! I like how you can be silly and goofy about playing and keep it fun. 😊
Thanks so much! 😊
The main audio microphone for this video sounds incredible. We could hardly hear the output from the amp, and that's OK. And those instruments sound incredible. So tempted to get the 5-string, but concerned about whether I'd be able to adjust to the slightly different (and more accurate) bowing angle for each string. Great video!
Thank you so much! I am totally clueless when it comes to electric instruments so I'm still learning. And you could definitely adjust to it, just takes a little practice!
Clicked cuz I got a carbon fiber guitar recently. Not a musician. Just a hobby. I wasn’t expecting how much I enjoyed this video. Such a cool vibe and the music was beautiful.
Thank you so much! Hope you’re enjoying the guitar!
@@ChronicallyMusical❤
As someone who has zero violin skill, the playing you did of that little section of "Spring" was quite nice. Seemed a bit low, but the confidence carried you through and I think it was quite lovely. Violin may not be your main, but she certainly could be your side piece.
I hope you do this again after you learn how to use those pedals and it’s called a quarter inch Jack
Thank you! Not sure why my brain couldn’t remember it in the moment!
Do I play stringed instruments? No.
Do I ever plan to start? No.
Did I watch this entire video? Yes.
Hey, I'll take it! Thanks for watching!
Hi! I agree with the new subbie below, your excitement and enthusiasm is just really Infectious! Could you get them to send you some guitars to review? If you do not play guitar, could you get someone in to help you out and play them while you play your new CF Viola? I sincerely believe that would be very wonderful in terms of sound.
I love the viola sound with its knock-your-socks-off resonance.
I couldn’t agree more! The first time I played a c string I felt the vibrations in my feet and fell in love!
Perhaps this new material could push 'poor old second fiddle viola' into the foreground. @@ChronicallyMusical
very cool
Its a 1/4 in Phone Plug. Just in case you never found out. This video just popped up in my feed. Very informative.
Thank you! No idea why I couldn’t remember 1/4” Jack when I recorded this lol
It sounds like you would just need a higher quality speaker setup after your loop. I would guess something made by Genelec would be really good but that would also be really expensive option, too. Raising the speaker off the floor would be one trick to try, too.
Nicely done. It was kinda interesting to this ancient hornist. At first, I didn't like the reverb of the viola, thinking it might be to of place in an ensemble.
Thanks for making such a helpful and fun video, you have a really great manner on camera! Good luck building your channel, you deserve way more recognition! 😁🤘🎻
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Running this through an Eventide H90 with her talent....and I think some magic is going to happen.
Great review Alice! QQ, I heard you playing a bit of Julie O on the violin, where did you get the sheet music for it? Thanks!
You can buy a digital download of the sheet music directly from Mark Summer's website!
I just love your personality. I seriously started to hear some carbon fiber but stayed because you're so authentic and fun. Great video
Oh well thank you so much Shannon! I hope you learned something from the video and I'm so glad to hear you stuck around to watch it!
They're all carbon fiber.
@@patriciajrs46 I'm aware. I came for the carbon fiber and stayed for her lovely personality ☺️
@@frankkiethebassplayer Okay. Sorry.
@@patriciajrs46 No worries. I can see how my original post could be confusing. Definitely could use a lesson or two in writing better.
Nicely done
Thanks!
The instruments are very nice! I don't have a refined ear, but I like them!
I like them too! Very fun to play.
Muito legal! Parabéns! Likâo certo...
Have you ever used an Arcus carbon fiber bow? I very nearly bought one a while ago but decided I wanted to wait until I could get a custom wooden bow.
that looks awsome and im not surprised it's calling for the price it goes for
It's very awesome!
I am ur fan 😍 thank you 😊 💜💜♥️❤️
My pleasure 😊 Thank you Gina!
@@ChronicallyMusical ur welcome 😍😍😍💜♥️(:
wah bagus sekali ! matur suksma
Sama-sama!
The note is in between( b and A#) more to A#
HAHA THANK YOU
@@ChronicallyMusical 😂💙
Great review!!! I don’t like the fact that the chin rest is built in. Thanks!😎✌️🌞🎻
That's a great point! I will say I believe the chin rest has screws in place so there may be some flexibility in getting a custom one put in if that is a big deciding factor for you.
Love your presentation! It would be great if you could Direct Input (“DI”) the output of the pedals into your recording. I can hardly hear the amp and let’s just say it might not be contributing very positively even if the mic was closer. Recording even very expensive amps can be a challenge if you’re aiming for clean, high quality sound.
Great fun watching this video Alice, you and all these instruments sound incredible. Certainly hope you will do more videos like this one in future absolutely :) Videos of you making up random melodies would be awesome too I'm sure :) Very well done, keep up your amazing work, fingers crossed you stay as healthy as possible too :)
Thank you Peter! I would love to continue to test out instruments and review products - it's something I love to do! And thank you for the well wishes for my health, I truly appreciate it!
@@ChronicallyMusical Absolutely my esteemed pleasure Alice😊 Thank you so much for this response to my piece here as well👍 If they aren't too heavy for you, would you be up for review some cello's and double bass's in the future?😀
1/4 " Jack
Not sure if I hear that right via UA-cam, but my initial reaction is that it doesn't have that expected 'wood' sound from the viola.
But that is to be expected, I guess since there is none of it there. But it might be dissapointing in the long run.
Did I hear an excerpt from the Marc O'Connor piece Appalachia Waltz?
B or C flat so to speak. lol Great video!
Signal chain order is important. Also, amp is important, probably more impactful than anything else
Comes fully tuned out of the box?
Winderful, wonderful. I'm digging the carbon fiber groove. Nice to have the option of being able to busk in extreme weather if you chose to try:) Very nice vibe and lots of fun Alice. You've got a new subscriber & deserve alot more. Be well & God bless. By the way why do violinists give viola such a hard time? Curious..
Thanks so much for your kind words!! And I wish I knew why violinists make fun of us so much... we're not so bad!
I tested a Mezzoforte carbon fiber cello at the Musikmesse Frankfurt about 11 years ago. I wasn’t impressed, neither from sound nor resonance.
Seems that they have refined their instruments.
But since two years I am a very happy owner of a Luis and Clark carbon fiber 5-string cello. It sounds excellent and has a really deep resonance.
Placebo
@@yoddeb What do you mean with „placebo“?
How do they sound in a larger venue? They do seem like they have great projection, but only a test in a concert venue would be a fair test.
Also, they seem to lack a certain warmth of tone that comes with wood instruments. Again, hearing them played in a concert venue, hopefully compared to a wood instrument would be a better test.
It's difficult if not impossible to judge the quality of the sound - the timbre, the body, the agility of the sound, frequency interference caused by too much resonance, etc. To my aging ear (which can't hear many higher frequencies that i previously could hear, so I'm missing a lot of higher frequency overtones), the tone is really really good, but not great. That makes the instrument great for bands and even some orchestras, but not philharmonic orchestras, professional chamber groups, quartets. If the overtones a lacking, that can interfere with good intonation.
So, how about a side-by-side comparison of these instruments with wood counterparts - high quality wood counterparts with high quality bows?
My daughter likes her carbon fiber cello over her wooden one for some things. It's louder, amplifies easily and doesn't have the humidly requirements. She prefers it for weddings because it's not as fragile as the wood one.
I like the shoulder rest indents, though I put my shoulder rest on at a very weird angle and those notches really don’t accommodate that 😕
My problem also.
Oh that's a great point! I didn't have any trouble with it but I can see how that would be an issue.
2:47 I don't know why, but the squeak of you hand holding/rubbing against the body made me chuckle. Probably because you don't get that on a traditional violin :P
Geared tuners must be a game changer.
Input jack for amplifier lead
How much does it cost. I love it. It's sound seems a Guarneri, so warm. Carbon fiber violin... Ok, I see... 2500$
At 15:30, what is the name of the piece you’re playing. Just beautiful.
It was just me improvising! Feel free to name it 😂
Your smile at the end was pure joy, thank you!
It's hard not to feel joy with these instruments!
Do these things have a conventional soundpost or some sort of permanent one?
Yes they do! They have a spruce soundpost and can be upgraded to a carbon fiber one.
At 18:10,what's the name of this music?
So much fun… yes! more please!
Now I want one. You didn't talk about cost.
18:56 Hi. Idk if you still care, but if you use an electric guitar amplifier for a violin/viola, then the sound will be thin like an electric guitar. You could instead use an acoustic-electric guitar amplifier (or a keyboard amplifier) to make it sound like it has more body.
Ooh that's good to know! Thank you!
You mean the 1/4 inch jack :)
Hi
I just gave a lovely acoustic Glasser carbon fibre violin to my friend last night. For some reason the violin didn't make any musical sound, there is just a scraping or scratching sound. My friend already plays a violin and understands how to tune it and how to apply rosin to the bow.
We all love the look and feel of the violin and have watched plenty of beautiful videos but are completely stumped as to what is happening.
My friend will be trying to figure it out today and as well try a different bow.
What could we possibly be doing wrong?
Hi Ken! Does this instrument have a built-in pickup?
@@ChronicallyMusical No mine doesn't.
@@kenanklovitch8117 interesting. Unfortunately I can’t help diagnose the issue without hearing or playing the instrument, but I hope you’re having more luck getting a sound!
I have a important question, I wanna learn how to play viola but I was thinking about playing violin first and then playing viola? Or is like what’s the difference between violin and viola?
Depending on your age, starting on violin is something a lot of people do. I myself started on violin. It's a much smaller instrument and is technically easier to play than viola, so a lot of people start there!
@@ChronicallyMusical about a month ago I went Witt a really nice violin I’m reteachinf myself.
Fabulous review! I enjoyed every minute of it, and your playing on both instruments was wonderful. The low string on the 5-string sound pretty close to a B, but I may have been confused by the overtones, which are a bit odd. Still, I am very impressed. Thank you for this wonderful review.
Would you try the 5-string Viola?
Does that exist? I assumed the 5-string violin is the same as what a 5-string viola would be, unless they have one with a low E string or something!
Well...21st century meets 17th century! You are quite into the string instruments. I feel that Classical future has some shocks coming to it but with the love of the performer for this foundational genre it will blossom anew for future ears. My fear is that the foundational library will be turned into something not what is appropriate for it.....Brahms Quartet with loops....total distruction of the piece. Mahler Symphonies turned muddled masses of sound not as intended by Gustav .....or the ear. Bach, over time, with its intrinsic lines weaving in and out of each other has proven to malleable to modern contemporary expressions, listen to Wendy Carlos recordings from 'Switched on Bach' forward to hear how a pioneer of music in this last half century handled the masters of western music foundation. You, young lady, have such a gift to be brought forth to move forward without disrespect. Yes, I am late to your video but as honest thoughts are timeless, you shall have an impact on future ears....and hearts. "Music reaches where words only cast shadows" ( me, 2016) Keep your love of it in others ears and hearts!!
We need some decent under $200 carbon fiber fiddles. I wonder if a hole on the side would make the sound more rich since it is not wood.
Who knows!
Have you considered a "Wah-Wah" pedal with the viola?
I have actually tried a wah pedal with my electric violin and have a video coming out about it very soon!
i tried the "cheap" mezzo forte violin when i upgraded from my 100€ "craigslist" violin. for me it was WAAAY too loud and had a cold, echo-y sound to it. the painted version is the "normal" version, that won multiple prices and was often compared with much more expensive instruments and choosen to sound better in a blind test. but since that was like double the price, it was not an option at the time.
BUT i also have to mention they sound much better than "normal electric" violins. im just comparing the unplugged sound with a wooden violin and thats kinda unfair i guess :D
oh and they send you the violin for testing and do not ask any questions on returning. id love to try the "normal" version some day next to my wooden violin...
Hi C V! Thanks for your feedback. I agree, the acoustic sound for these instruments does not compare to a wooden instrument, but I was pleasantly surprised by the resonance that these instruments produced! When the instrument is plugged in, I found using a DI to boost the signal really helped with the overall sound and tone of the instruments when playing electric. Would love to know if you ended up getting to try that "normal" version!
For a violist, you play violin very well.
I'm sorry for being a complete novice, but they seem enough alike that they wouldn't be so different to play. I'm sure I'm wrong. Please everyone don't holler at me.
Hi! Awesome vid, your so funny! Lol! Btw I can't find a violin like that anymore with a super cool design and f holes looks totally different than what they sell now. Can you tell me exactly the name, model of the carbon black one. Thanks
Hi there! Thanks for your kind words! You can find these instruments lots of places, like The Instrument Place (www.theinstrumentplace.com/mezzo-forte-carbon-fiber-violin.html). Hope this helps!
❤️
Thanks for the love!
1/4" inch jack
Wow! This was awesome. I may have to get one of those. But do I get the violin, or the viola, or the violalin? 😰
That's a tough choice!
😎👍
Интересно а как это мыльница звучит без усилителя?
Price differences between the different carbon models please?
You can find information about all of these instruments here: www.theinstrumentplace.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=mezzo+forte
nice ring and vibration but kinda lack the gorgeous, luxurious and warmth tone from timber
Fair enough! I definitely agree and my heart will always belong to a standard wooden acoustic!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Its a ". jack " socket ...lol ❤