Looking at violas can be confusing! In this video I try to show haow I evaluate instruments and choose a good instrument for me! Check out this video on the shoulder rest I'm using throughout this video! th-cam.com/video/o1aPgd1mxAw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=8J-mtF3gRo8pv_GM
When you played the third viola amidst talk of 'color', that was eye-opening. I've never been able to hear what people meant by 'color' on a viola. Now that I've heard it, I intend to learn how to do it. Thank you!
Thank you. That was helpful & I would choose the #1 viola for how it sounds to me. I deal in student instruments but set them up as close to a high level as practical. I bought a Chinese made 16" viola on a bargain clearance from my normal wholesaler a few years ago & after setting it up with an Aubert Mirecourt (#7) bridge & Pirastro Obligato strings (with Wittner Ultralight Tailpiece), I loved the sound & play it all the time now & to me it is similar to your #1 viola in tone. It has a large open flame to the maple which I find nice. I paid more for the better case I bought later than I did the viola (not including the set up fittings etc though). 😂 I find that the set up components & fitment can make or break the quality of sound too though. One of my techniques for testing is to play them like a cello between the knees so I can get an idea of the sound away from the ears as an instrument might sound good or loud near the ear but may not project so well etc.
I always thought that by tuning in the air... as you did in the first test you already have an idea of what you are going to find. Then I do want to listen to string by string and position after position... but the video is very very interesting! I loved ! I said it in another video, this channel is horo! I'm going to see the Efel Shoulder. I'm passionate about this... hehehe. Greetings! Maestro !
Thanks! Interesting to find this post at the moment I’m looking for new strings. I was wondering how to compare the Rondo Thomastik string to the 4 in the video. I remember you talked about the Rondo before. And what about the often used Heliocore? How to compare this to the chosen set?
I feel when you said the most expensive on was cracking and not forgiving that the sound-post maybe too close to the bridge and check sound-post for tightness. It might be a setup thing. The reason i say this is recently one of my violins was cracking and not very forgiving when digging in by the player….and shortening the post and moving it a bit towards the tailpiece from the bridge solved the problem. The post was just a bit too close to the bridge. In general, setups of expensive violins or violas can make a huge difference. On less well built instruments there isn’t a lot that can be done.
Thank you for your valuable insight! I have been thinking about this! I agree with wholeheartedly.. but still.. I have to like the instrument even if it is not optimally set up! So especially with newer instruments i like them to have less sensitivity to exact setup if that makes sense!
This would have been far more interesting if the prices had only been revealed at the end. As for colour, it's not surprising that you can get more from the instrument you are most used to playing - especially when you bow differently (which you do! Compare the crescendi you did on No 3 and didn't on No 2!). My preference was No 2, which sounds most like a viola rather than a big violin.
As a fairly well-experienced listener, I'd say that the differences your hear while playing don't always equal the perception of a listener. You're already well up there in the range of diminishing returns, where there's not a heck of a lot of difference in a $6K instrument and a $24K instrument. And contrary to what many musicians think, those of us in the audience usually hear just the generic sound of violin/viola. We generally don't hear character, but just the presence of adequate volume or lack of it. That said, in a smaller room, we do hear character, but still it differently than the player. For instance, I find your favorite, #3, to be a bit screechy. And as a well-experienced amateur luthier, I'd say that the bridge and sound post is responsible for almost all the differences in sound that you're hearing in fairly equal instruments. Even a Strad could sound anywhere from sublime to mundane, depending on the wood in the bridge or sound post, or the carving of the bridge.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 87 วันนี้!! คู่เอก "ก้องชัย vs โชคปรีชา"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YN6e7HVnekw/mqdefault.jpg)
Looking at violas can be confusing! In this video I try to show haow I evaluate instruments and choose a good instrument for me! Check out this video on the shoulder rest I'm using throughout this video! th-cam.com/video/o1aPgd1mxAw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=8J-mtF3gRo8pv_GM
Thank you so much for this helpful video, I just wish you could try a $1,500 or $2,000 viola next to them. ❤❤
Great idea!
@@RonaldHouston Yep, there's a lot of us non-pro students around. :)
When you played the third viola amidst talk of 'color', that was eye-opening. I've never been able to hear what people meant by 'color' on a viola. Now that I've heard it, I intend to learn how to do it. Thank you!
Very inspiring comment! Thank you
Thank you. That was helpful & I would choose the #1 viola for how it sounds to me. I deal in student instruments but set them up as close to a high level as practical. I bought a Chinese made 16" viola on a bargain clearance from my normal wholesaler a few years ago & after setting it up with an Aubert Mirecourt (#7) bridge & Pirastro Obligato strings (with Wittner Ultralight Tailpiece), I loved the sound & play it all the time now & to me it is similar to your #1 viola in tone. It has a large open flame to the maple which I find nice. I paid more for the better case I bought later than I did the viola (not including the set up fittings etc though). 😂 I find that the set up components & fitment can make or break the quality of sound too though. One of my techniques for testing is to play them like a cello between the knees so I can get an idea of the sound away from the ears as an instrument might sound good or loud near the ear but may not project so well etc.
thanks for all your info!
Are the strings the same?
I always thought that by tuning in the air... as you did in the first test you already have an idea of what you are going to find. Then I do want to listen to string by string and position after position... but the video is very very interesting! I loved ! I said it in another video, this channel is horo! I'm going to see the Efel Shoulder. I'm passionate about this... hehehe. Greetings! Maestro !
That's great.. Thank you for your continued support
Thanks! Interesting to find this post at the moment I’m looking for new strings. I was wondering how to compare the Rondo Thomastik string to the 4 in the video. I remember you talked about the Rondo before. And what about the often used Heliocore? How to compare this to the chosen set?
I like rondos very much. And also dominant pro... Helicore is too soft for me!
I feel when you said the most expensive on was cracking and not forgiving that the sound-post maybe too close to the bridge and check sound-post for tightness. It might be a setup thing. The reason i say this is recently one of my violins was cracking and not very forgiving when digging in by the player….and shortening the post and moving it a bit towards the tailpiece from the bridge solved the problem. The post was just a bit too close to the bridge. In general, setups of expensive violins or violas can make a huge difference. On less well built instruments there isn’t a lot that can be done.
Thank you for your valuable insight! I have been thinking about this! I agree with wholeheartedly.. but still.. I have to like the instrument even if it is not optimally set up! So especially with newer instruments i like them to have less sensitivity to exact setup if that makes sense!
Would like for you to address Wolfe tones.
This would have been far more interesting if the prices had only been revealed at the end. As for colour, it's not surprising that you can get more from the instrument you are most used to playing - especially when you bow differently (which you do! Compare the crescendi you did on No 3 and didn't on No 2!). My preference was No 2, which sounds most like a viola rather than a big violin.
Thanks for your insight!
Are you using the same set of strings on each instrument?
No. Using the strings that are on the instrument already
As a fairly well-experienced listener, I'd say that the differences your hear while playing don't always equal the perception of a listener. You're already well up there in the range of diminishing returns, where there's not a heck of a lot of difference in a $6K instrument and a $24K instrument. And contrary to what many musicians think, those of us in the audience usually hear just the generic sound of violin/viola. We generally don't hear character, but just the presence of adequate volume or lack of it. That said, in a smaller room, we do hear character, but still it differently than the player. For instance, I find your favorite, #3, to be a bit screechy. And as a well-experienced amateur luthier, I'd say that the bridge and sound post is responsible for almost all the differences in sound that you're hearing in fairly equal instruments. Even a Strad could sound anywhere from sublime to mundane, depending on the wood in the bridge or sound post, or the carving of the bridge.
Wow! Thank you for all your insight!
Stay in your Lane.
All above my price point LOL.
Ah! There are some less expensive violas as well!
These violas do not sound to be worth their money
Great comment... Amazing how the prices keep going up! Thank you so much for your comment