No, is just this violin that is fucking good for the price, my 70 euro violin sounds terrible even if it's played by a pro violinist. Even when my teacher plays it, it sounds like a diyng duck. And I am at a good level too, I've got that violin because some assholes stole my good one.
I'm 67 years old and decided to learn to ply the violin brought one on line only 45 dollars and thought I could have brought a dud, but after watching your video i'm sure it will work for me, don't think i will get up to a pro level but always wanted to learn thank you
I am 68 and always thought I could play the fiddle, so I am making one. I could have bought one I guess cheaper, but I took a notion to build it, so Its coming along good, its a beautiful sounding instrument, for me it want have to be so eye appealing, just hope it sounds OK, we will see. keep the music playing, good luck every one.
Esther Abrami could you please reproduce with your fiddle this recording being on TH-cam and it is called: Mary poppins singing Pink Floyd part 2 thanks 🙏
To me it sounds boxy, and doesn't resonate properly. But of course what can you expect for $60 ☹️. It's no where suitable/adequate for playing in a decent orchestra.
I went from a 70 to a 200 to a 500 dollar violin, while sampling various violins. There's a huge difference at each step, but not so much at all once you get past $400. I find the violins above $350 are uniformly excellent, but below that the quality quickly goes bad. Like the pegbox is bad on all cheap violins, then suddenly gets perfect above that magical $200 price point. Mind you all violins are handmade, so higher prices is really paying for the care during final fit and finish.
@@langhamp8912 you are absolutely right! My first violin was like around about $100 and I used that for four years, then I was getting frustrated with my around whether I sucked or the violin. And it turned out to be the violin the whole entire time. Now play in the auckland symphony orchestra I'd say my violin is fairly decent. I payed about $12,000 for an antique french violin from the year 1812, it plays beautifully with lots of projection
@@langhamp8912 violins that are totally hand made by one maker starts of about $10000 usd. Cheaper violins that are handmade are made in workshops with different people making the different parts not by one individual maker
It could be your violin too. This particular instrument sounds good, but not every cheap violin! My 70 euro violin sucks, doesn't care who plays it. I want my good one back. 😭
@Kevin Huang Oh yes there certainly is. I had a student violin worth a 1000 euros it sounded nasal and just not pretty. I upgraded to an older French violin from 1924 worth used to be around 3500 euros but someone broke it(Lucky me) and now its value is around 2300 euro, and it sounds a MILION times better than the 1000 euro one. I also own a czech violin with an around 1000 euro value, not as old as it was build in 2000 something. but that one also sounds a milion times better than my previous 1000 euro student violin even though they are the exact same price. I also played a 60 euro ebay violin and it could not even stay in tune. 90% of all violins under the 1000 euro range sound like crap, and 10% under the 1000 range that do sound okay, would still be between 600 to 1000 euros range.
That’s why I bought my teachers old violin. So that I knew it was good quality. My first violin was 60 dollars and black, terrible sounding. It’s always best to ask your teachers or experienced people so you don’t get ripped off
It all depends on the maker. There was a $1000 violin that sounded way better (to my ear) than a $10,000 violin that I tried. Although the $10,000 one was quicker.
The bridge seemed to be absolutely awful. I wouldnt expect this cheap instrument to have a properly carved bridge, but atleast it should have the right thickness, taper and arch. But what is absolutely unforgiveable is the lack of grooves for the strings. They will just slide off. I wouldnt be suprised if its just a bridge blank.
A bridge is an issue that can be taken care of by a proper luthier. The quality of the instrument and bow themselves would be of most concern in my opinion.
Nope, not at all. The average sound quality plateaus after a certain price, and strads are overrated, but trust me, you'll know when you hear a crappy student instrument. Acoustic instruments are extremely sensitive to workmanship.
I’d say the difference between a strad and a 60 dollar violin is pretty noticeable but when it comes to like professional instruments that are like 10k+ and a strad the differences are harder to spot That’s just me at least
this is a very nice review. I remember somewhere another TH-camr reviewing 60 dollar violin that is full of discouragements and brutal. Your review is so nice and unbias. like you really want to give this violine a chance. Thank you so much. because there are people who cannot afford hundreds of thousand dollars but still want to start somewhere.
@@Adrian-fo3sc the problem is that it's really difficult for a beginner to produce a decent sound like this with a cheap instrument. This leads to being discouraged because they think they're not good enough while the real problem is that it's much more difficult to play this instrument well compared to a better one...
Same...like i literally own the one in the vid and someone else was like- oo how trash...like no dont say that to my baby...i couldnt afford anything more expensive....
@@MollyMalone1983 No, lot of these cheap violins are actually quite good. I have Glarry GV101 which is even cheaper than one reviewed here and I really like it. It's better than more expensive my older "real" violin bought from violin store and played for years.
Your playing is fantastic! You put so much emotion into your playing. I don't know why people talk down so much on "Cheap" instruments (This happens with all instruments, not just violin). As long as the instrument is well designed and well made, why look down on it for the price? If an instrument plays well, then it is doing it's job, regardless of what it cost.
As a guitarist - I don't know about other instrument, but when it comes to the electric guitar, I firmly believe that many people still live in the 70s, when buying a good instrument for a small amount of money was impossible. A year ago for my birthday my family gave me a rather cheap Eko guitar. Well, it is a very good instrument by all accounts, and it costs less than 100 euros. I'd bring it to a studio or to a live gig without even thinking twice. It stays in tune, no matter how violently I bend the strings, which is important, and it is well intonated - which I checked with a tuner, plays nice in my hands and so on. When you're on stage, no one cares how much your instrument costs. Nowadays you can find decent instruments without breaking the bank.
@@Tigermaster1986 I agree! A long time ago, money really did equate to better quality, but now days that is not necessarily true. I have checked out the Brand's website of the violin she reviewed here (Glarry @ glarrymusic dot com). I plan on ordering at least two instruments from them that I want to learn to play (Bass and Violin) and at their prices I can also order another electric guitar or an acoustic guitar from them! I am a disabled Desert Storm vet on a very limited income, so those prices are right up my ally :)
Interesting aside, having bought an inexpensive violin a few years ago, they do mellow and play in a bit over the years. But the best thing you can do is upgrade the tailpiece from that piece of pot metal to a correctly sized ebony piece. Made a massive difference on my violin. The other thing you can do is toss the factory strings and rosin and purchase better strings and rosin. Makes a world of difference to the overall sound and playability. Above all that, take it to a professional luthier and have it set up for the type of tone you want. It’s not a professional grade instrument, nor will it ever be, but that doesn’t mean a few judiciously spent dollars won’t bring it to a markedly better sound and playability point.
Tail piece that important? I have Glarry GV101 which comes with jujube wood tail piece instead of metal. It sounds perfectly fine to me (after trimming bridge and regrooving the nut myself - quite easy). Fantastic for sub $60 instrument.
The sound post is in the incorrect position. For beginners this has a pretty significant effect on the sound the violin produces. Glarry glue their sound posts in so they don’t fall during shipping. If anyone is considering buying one of these instruments then you need to be aware it’s not an easy, quick or cheap fix as you’ll need a Luthier to open up the violin to remove & replace the soundpost.
for 60$ it sounds really good and it didn't break or explode. imo a really interesting thing. a tutorial video would be great and many thx for this video as always esther.
Such a charitable review! You could easily trash this fiddle for its thick bridge and plastic-looking finish but instead you made it sing gloriously. Thank you for helping me appreciate an instrument that cost less than my last set of strings.
The bridge needs to shaped first ! The violin is not ready to play out of the box! Both string width at nut (16mm) and bridge (33mm) must be measured G to E. Bridge feet must be shaped to fit violin body. Then string height, make the G 5.5mm and the E 3.5mm at end of fretboard by carving a curve on bridge (radius 43mm) so E is lower. Plan for 2-3 hours to do it decently. There are videos. Otherwise wonderful video :)
It's a nice way to present things. I am a luthier for wind instruments and I remember that Alison Balsom, an excellent trumpet player, had one day greatly disappointed me by presenting a plastic trumpet and finding only qualities. I knew that the use of such an instrument, very difficult to sound, would create many discouragements for beginners and that it was impossible to find the slightest pleasure to play it. Here, Esther does not lie. I am not surprised: this great artist adds to her human qualities, her talent and her generosity a great honesty. By giving the violin $ 60 its chances, however, it reveals its weaknesses and its shortcomings.
I am so impressed with your proletariat approach to music. You have a natural ability to impart the practical for all. I am a firm believer that all humans do better with music than without and all kids should be encouraged to learn and play. You do this in a seamless and natural way. You should take this ability to schools everywhere and think about a more comprehensive plan to teach music to everyone. We are lucky to hear your art I appreciate so very much to teach music. Wishing you success and health always.
@@rohitas2050 yeah I meant the strad, my bad I got the names confused which is really bad on my part, I'm not a violinist I'm a pianist actually. I just enjoy two set and not practice piano like I should be
I have a $60 white violin and sound bomb for a beginner, even my professional teacher from Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra said so, but... Going into intermediate level it sounded different the more my ears tuned, the more I realized I need to get another instrument, but I'm too broke for that, lol.
That sounds fantastic !!! I almost want to rush out to the Music shop. However,at 63 yrs,I am a little reluctant.(my fingers are not too bendy)Your enthusiasm is infectious.Laissez le Bon temps rouler !! From Dan.
Thanks for this Review. As I am new 1 year(adult) student I have purchased similar "student" priced violin. I have 4 now. More importantly I believe when you compare your Professional violin to this $60 play both with both Bows. Because when I first got my student violin the bow was so poor that my teacher had me use her "extra" bow. When she was tuning then playing around with my student violin the other musicians didn't realize it was not her violin until they saw it. Mine is Pink! And to new students I would say get a $60. or what you can afford violin and when you are ready get a better Bow before you spend on a full new violin. For me that was about 6 months into playing. And to all watch a couple DIY on violin bridge installation before taking it on yourselves. I found the ones that come with the "cheap" violins are not shaped yet to be played. thanks for your Review and to all the Violinists practice practice practice those scales.
Even the best players are in the mercy of their instrument, to a point everything but the open strings sounded nice. I think it's 75 % player and 25% instrument
I bought one on Amazon ($65.00) and ran into the same issue with the bridge and tuning. The first string fell out of the tuning peg and I couldn't get it to stay back in. I finally gave up and it now has a permanent place in it's case in my closet. Next to the lap steel that I never play. Maybe next time I have a few hours I will resume the battle(or ask for help). Esther, you also also prove what I have known for many years, namely Tools Do not = Talent. You play beautifully on the $60.00 violin even if it was not in tune. I can't wait to hear you play on the real deal... :)
All in all, I agree with you that I would recommend an instrument like this for beginners - BUT! While you are an experienced violin player with great skills, let me tell you: beginners need a really, really good instrument! In case of violins from this price segment this means first and foremost: a really good set-up. The neck and body are typically okay. But it is the time-consuming setup where the manufacturers save the money. While you have the skills to feel the instrument and produce a decent sound, beginners need a violin that responds very well, so that the student can hear her progress. Also it needs a very good overall setup, so that it is easy to play. Nothing is worse for a beginner than not having any success, and not realising it is the instruments fault. I am speaking from experience. I thougt I was just not getting the knack with fiddling - until I put better strings on my fiddle. Suddenly I could hear how the sound was changing with my bowing, my finger placement, my arm posture... Rapidly I began to devellop a much better sound after litterally years of stagnation. Since then I never stopped progressing, and this is the pure joy of learning... Also I learned in detail from a luthier how to properly set up a violin, and it is amazing how much you can achieve with an instrument from the low price range - by finishing the job! Controlling the pegs and smoothing their turning, controlling and if neccessary, sanding down the fingerboard to be proper, adjusting the voice stick, optimizing the height of the bridge as well as shaping it for a fuller, richer sound, maybe exchanging the string holder for something lighter with finetuners of better quality, and - very important - spending money for really good strings! Last but not least, chosing a resin fitting to the strings. If a student is to have progress and a joyful experience, these tasks simply are a must. By the way: You should give this violin to a luthier for proper setup. It looks like the voice is completely out of place. You can see it through the f-hole, and actually it seems to stand behind the bridge instead of in front of it. Also the bridge looks like it needs further threatment.
I liked this kind of video, different from what you usually post. And really, getting acceptable sound on a $ 60 violin is something only you could do. =)
great video!! it's amazing, on your talented hands even this vioiin sound really good 😱 please before to do the comparison video take this violin with a violin maker to make some adjustments (like adjust the bridge and reseet the soundpost that usually comes badly put on that violins.....) to make the comparison more fair thanks!! blessings :3
Thank you very much for your video. It is very useful and encouraging for our beginner students. Now they will know that a low-priced violin is not an obstacle to begin with. Thanks again. Rodolfo Silva CCNH Paine, Chile
this is what we want!!! A honest review...not like the other youtubers...saying it awful and poor quality.....obviously its gonna be awful...because it is cheap..
check giussepe verdi tuning in XIX century A4=432 hz C0=16 hz C1=32 C2=64 C3=128 C4=256 hz C5=512 and so on.... all exact multiple of 8 (that is why we call them octaves) :)
ok so ive never played before, and i am a self taught guitarist of about 30 years exp, also self taught piano and flute. I have been wanting to play violin for a long time and ive just got my hands on this same one for about 40$! so im making some babbling screeching sounds but seeing what you can do with it gives me some hope! i think ive got it set up correctly but the bow is still kind of a mystery lol
Esther you' re an inspiration, Very talented and beautiful playing. I hope to become an average violin player cause I am in the Very beggining yet. But I am a guitar player
Sixty dollars, that's about £45.00 which is nuts for all of that!! It's worth buying it for any beginner to see if they like it. The case must be worth £35.00 alone. Thanks very much, David,xx
You and that instrument sounded incredible over in this video. I don't know if your mics and my speakers play a part in that, but I didn't hear anything off in the tone of that instrument (with you playing it). I see piano people in here sometimes telling people with kids starting piano to go out and buy grands in case their kids are prodigies,so I'm glad you're not telling people to high-dollar instruments to start out, and this one seems like it'd be a great place to start.
Thanks for the video, so helpful! I've always wanted to play and am going to start however, need a good violin at a good price. Will be starting soon! Also, your hair looks so pretty and long. I don't see a mess anywhere! Lol, thanks and God bless.
@3:40 - the soundpost can be seen and it is completely in a wrong position, near the cuts on the f-hole, infact that is where the bridge has to be and the soundpost should be a half a centimeter behind the bridge. The Bridge is not in a right shape. This one will definitely sound horrible. Infact it is not a Violin but it is a Violin like object.
In most cheap violins, the strings aren't wound correctly on the pegs, that's why they can't keep tune. if the bridge hasn't been installed yet, or you're setting up new strings, always take out the corresponding peg(s) and wind them really tight in correct direction so the strings hold the pegs in place after you push them in :)
That bridge looks ready to trip and might even be fitted backwards. FWIW, I had a similar issue with a Thomann 5-string and fitting the bridge the other way around solved the issue. Also, I found it a good idea to lubricate the bridge and the nut (6B pencil works well) where the strings pass over. FWIW, I too found it's possible to buy a nice-sounding violin for not a lot of money. I needed something to take as checked baggage on long-haul flights and so bought a Gear4Music Student Plus model: cheap enough that I wouldn't be too upset if it fell foul of the baggage handlers. After swapping out the tailpiece for a Wittner, the strings for D'addario Pro Arté, and recutting the bridge to better fit, I have something that sounds as good as my main instrument, which is worth a couple of thousand. That said, I might just have been lucky and YMMV!
3:45 the transport protection. 7:30 Money isn't everything, Beethoven became deaf, Handel blind, and Hawking spent his life in a perambulator, eh, wheelchair. My old violin had a crack in its body but sounded better after it was "treated" by a violin maker
👏👍 It just goes to show one need not mortgage the house to purchase a playable violin. I paid only $39.95 for a new violin made in China about three years ago on Amazon. The violin came with the bow, case, extra set of violin steel stings, small cake of rosin, and a chromatic digital electronic tuner. I play it on average three days a week for a couple of hours a day, and it still plays just fine -- with all of the original parts including strings. And, believe it or not, it stays in tune! It did take me about 60 minutes to get the violin in tune for the first time, but once I got it in tune -- it stays in tune. In fact, I use it in public performances. People are surprised how well it plays for a cheap violin. And when I'm not playing it, it makes for a nice decorative wall hanger. 😊 🎻 ♫
If you're enjoying my videos, you can give me a bit of energy by buying me a coffee on here: www.buymeacoffee.com/estherabrami
@SR_CAD TUTORIALS creep lol
Where are you from because your Accent very cute❤️
Esther: let’s play something simple
Also Esther: *plays czardas and mendelssohn concerto*
I want to see her play paganini caprice 24
*Czardas
You spelled it wrong but that’s ok it’s Czardas BTW
I didn't understand why she didn't tune the violin very well... The sound could be even better if she had tuned the violin
It’s Czardas
Also there’s a h in Mendelssohn
When I got a violin like that, I produced awful sound, then later I got an expensive one. Now I realised it is really my problem😂😂😂
Same :'v and I payed a lot for the new one thinking the old was the problem uu
Shut up. Don't ruin my hopes
Lol all my instruments are broken and cheap thats why i sound bad 🤣 shhh
No, is just this violin that is fucking good for the price, my 70 euro violin sounds terrible even if it's played by a pro violinist.
Even when my teacher plays it, it sounds like a diyng duck.
And I am at a good level too, I've got that violin because some assholes stole my good one.
Lol. 😂😂
I'm 67 years old and decided to learn to ply the violin brought one on line only 45 dollars and thought I could have brought a dud, but after watching your video i'm sure it will work for me, don't think i will get up to a pro level but always wanted to learn thank you
Thank you for giving me hope. I wanted to learn how to play the violin but somehow I thought it would be too late for me to learn it in my early 20s.
It's never too late to learn anything, one thing life taught me
I am 68 and always thought I could play the fiddle, so I am making one. I could have bought one I guess cheaper, but I took a notion to build it, so Its coming along good, its a beautiful sounding instrument, for me it want have to be so eye appealing, just hope it sounds OK, we will see. keep the music playing, good luck every one.
It's never too late my friend
@@randybird9979 10 months have passed since your comment. How’d the fiddle, and your playing come along?
You sound amazing even on the 60 $ violin, seriously!
Ohh haha thank you!
Esther Abrami could you please reproduce with your fiddle this recording being on TH-cam and it is called: Mary poppins singing Pink Floyd part 2 thanks 🙏
Sorry,but ling ling is better
@@David-wv4kk yeah!
@@estherabrami Você viu a foto de minha finha ela têm 20 ano de Capão de canoa tem 31 amo
6:50 she starts playing 😊
This confirms my theory that a mediocre instrument in the hands of a skilled musician will still sound pretty good!
To me it sounds boxy, and doesn't resonate properly. But of course what can you expect for $60 ☹️. It's no where suitable/adequate for playing in a decent orchestra.
Yeah but open string sounds crap even if you give that instrument to Perlman :))))
I went from a 70 to a 200 to a 500 dollar violin, while sampling various violins. There's a huge difference at each step, but not so much at all once you get past $400. I find the violins above $350 are uniformly excellent, but below that the quality quickly goes bad. Like the pegbox is bad on all cheap violins, then suddenly gets perfect above that magical $200 price point.
Mind you all violins are handmade, so higher prices is really paying for the care during final fit and finish.
@@langhamp8912 you are absolutely right! My first violin was like around about $100 and I used that for four years, then I was getting frustrated with my around whether I sucked or the violin. And it turned out to be the violin the whole entire time. Now play in the auckland symphony orchestra I'd say my violin is fairly decent. I payed about $12,000 for an antique french violin from the year 1812, it plays beautifully with lots of projection
@@langhamp8912 violins that are totally hand made by one maker starts of about $10000 usd. Cheaper violins that are handmade are made in workshops with different people making the different parts not by one individual maker
Now I know it is me, not my violin...😓
big oof
It could be your violin too. This particular instrument sounds good, but not every cheap violin! My 70 euro violin sucks, doesn't care who plays it. I want my good one back. 😭
😭😭😭😭😢😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Its not about the violin its about the player - francis 2020
When you’re 2000$ violin sounds and looks like that
@Kevin Huang Oh yes there certainly is. I had a student violin worth a 1000 euros it sounded nasal and just not pretty. I upgraded to an older French violin from 1924 worth used to be around 3500 euros but someone broke it(Lucky me) and now its value is around 2300 euro, and it sounds a MILION times better than the 1000 euro one. I also own a czech violin with an around 1000 euro value, not as old as it was build in 2000 something. but that one also sounds a milion times better than my previous 1000 euro student violin even though they are the exact same price. I also played a 60 euro ebay violin and it could not even stay in tune. 90% of all violins under the 1000 euro range sound like crap, and 10% under the 1000 range that do sound okay, would still be between 600 to 1000 euros range.
Kevin Huang yes there is wtf
That’s why I bought my teachers old violin. So that I knew it was good quality. My first violin was 60 dollars and black, terrible sounding. It’s always best to ask your teachers or experienced people so you don’t get ripped off
@Kevin Huang true. Skill and experience as well.
It all depends on the maker. There was a $1000 violin that sounded way better (to my ear) than a $10,000 violin that I tried. Although the $10,000 one was quicker.
There's no projection; and the bridge is massive...
The bridge seemed to be absolutely awful. I wouldnt expect this cheap instrument to have a properly carved bridge, but atleast it should have the right thickness, taper and arch. But what is absolutely unforgiveable is the lack of grooves for the strings. They will just slide off. I wouldnt be suprised if its just a bridge blank.
welp that's why it's worth only $60
A bridge is an issue that can be taken care of by a proper luthier.
The quality of the instrument and bow themselves would be of most concern in my opinion.
Albert Yang ikr
IT'S A JOKE, is from gordon ramsey show's
Face it - in the hands of an advanced player 99% of listeners wouldn't know whether you were playing a Strad or a $50 wall hanger.
Brassplyer Well I definitely would
Nope, not at all. The average sound quality plateaus after a certain price, and strads are overrated, but trust me, you'll know when you hear a crappy student instrument. Acoustic instruments are extremely sensitive to workmanship.
@@majarimennamazerinth5753 maybe to someone who's awareness is attuned to it but not the vast majority of people who are non-musicians.
I’d say the difference between a strad and a 60 dollar violin is pretty noticeable but when it comes to like professional instruments that are like 10k+ and a strad the differences are harder to spot
That’s just me at least
@@Orca472 A 10k violin is not a professional instrument. At least 20k, and those are not common in an orchestra, they usually cost more.
this is a very nice review. I remember somewhere another TH-camr reviewing 60 dollar violin that is full of discouragements and brutal. Your review is so nice and unbias. like you really want to give this violine a chance. Thank you so much. because there are people who cannot afford hundreds of thousand dollars but still want to start somewhere.
Thilini i feel like most players trash these violins because of the price but even cheap violins sound amazing
@@Adrian-fo3sc the problem is that it's really difficult for a beginner to produce a decent sound like this with a cheap instrument. This leads to being discouraged because they think they're not good enough while the real problem is that it's much more difficult to play this instrument well compared to a better one...
Same...like i literally own the one in the vid and someone else was like- oo how trash...like no dont say that to my baby...i couldnt afford anything more expensive....
@@MollyMalone1983 No, lot of these cheap violins are actually quite good. I have Glarry GV101 which is even cheaper than one reviewed here and I really like it. It's better than more expensive my older "real" violin bought from violin store and played for years.
Your playing is fantastic!
You put so much emotion into your playing.
I don't know why people talk down so much on "Cheap" instruments (This happens with all instruments, not just violin). As long as the instrument is well designed and well made, why look down on it for the price?
If an instrument plays well, then it is doing it's job, regardless of what it cost.
As a guitarist - I don't know about other instrument, but when it comes to the electric guitar, I firmly believe that many people still live in the 70s, when buying a good instrument for a small amount of money was impossible. A year ago for my birthday my family gave me a rather cheap Eko guitar. Well, it is a very good instrument by all accounts, and it costs less than 100 euros. I'd bring it to a studio or to a live gig without even thinking twice. It stays in tune, no matter how violently I bend the strings, which is important, and it is well intonated - which I checked with a tuner, plays nice in my hands and so on. When you're on stage, no one cares how much your instrument costs. Nowadays you can find decent instruments without breaking the bank.
@@Tigermaster1986 I agree! A long time ago, money really did equate to better quality, but now days that is not necessarily true. I have checked out the Brand's website of the violin she reviewed here (Glarry @ glarrymusic dot com). I plan on ordering at least two instruments from them that I want to learn to play (Bass and Violin) and at their prices I can also order another electric guitar or an acoustic guitar from them! I am a disabled Desert Storm vet on a very limited income, so those prices are right up my ally :)
Interesting aside, having bought an inexpensive violin a few years ago, they do mellow and play in a bit over the years. But the best thing you can do is upgrade the tailpiece from that piece of pot metal to a correctly sized ebony piece. Made a massive difference on my violin. The other thing you can do is toss the factory strings and rosin and purchase better strings and rosin. Makes a world of difference to the overall sound and playability. Above all that, take it to a professional luthier and have it set up for the type of tone you want. It’s not a professional grade instrument, nor will it ever be, but that doesn’t mean a few judiciously spent dollars won’t bring it to a markedly better sound and playability point.
Tail piece that important? I have Glarry GV101 which comes with jujube wood tail piece instead of metal. It sounds perfectly fine to me (after trimming bridge and regrooving the nut myself - quite easy). Fantastic for sub $60 instrument.
any twoset fans here?
Aimee Perhach yes
Yup
yep, what did you expect ? :D
DUH
Yes
She is so appreciative. Seeing and saying the good thing about anything. ❤️
I would too if I was getting paid
**
Cynicism won’t get you there:)
@@zain4019 you can't handle the truth
I could feel your pain when you had to play with the open strings 😂
The sound post is in the incorrect position. For beginners this has a pretty significant effect on the sound the violin produces. Glarry glue their sound posts in so they don’t fall during shipping. If anyone is considering buying one of these instruments then you need to be aware it’s not an easy, quick or cheap fix as you’ll need a Luthier to open up the violin to remove & replace the soundpost.
I believe that Esther could make a cigar box/tree limb fiddle sound better than I could play a vintage Cremona instrument.
for 60$ it sounds really good and it didn't break or explode. imo a really interesting thing. a tutorial video would be great and many thx for this video as always esther.
Such a charitable review! You could easily trash this fiddle for its thick bridge and plastic-looking finish but instead you made it sing gloriously. Thank you for helping me appreciate an instrument that cost less than my last set of strings.
Cheaper or expensive doesn't matter.Who is playing the instrument that matters the most.☺
I think its quite nice of you to suggest a cheaper alternative for people out there with limited ressources 👍
The bridge needs to shaped first ! The violin is not ready to play out of the box! Both string width at nut (16mm) and bridge (33mm) must be measured G to E. Bridge feet must be shaped to fit violin body. Then string height, make the G 5.5mm and the E 3.5mm at end of fretboard by carving a curve on bridge (radius 43mm) so E is lower. Plan for 2-3 hours to do it decently. There are videos. Otherwise wonderful video :)
At the end its all about the player quality that make cheap violin sounds expensive. Nice video as always
It's a nice way to present things. I am a luthier for wind instruments and I remember that Alison Balsom, an excellent trumpet player, had one day greatly disappointed me by presenting a plastic trumpet and finding only qualities. I knew that the use of such an instrument, very difficult to sound, would create many discouragements for beginners and that it was impossible to find the slightest pleasure to play it.
Here, Esther does not lie. I am not surprised: this great artist adds to her human qualities, her talent and her generosity a great honesty. By giving the violin $ 60 its chances, however, it reveals its weaknesses and its shortcomings.
I am so impressed with your proletariat approach to music. You have a natural ability to impart the practical for all. I am a firm believer that all humans do better with music than without and all kids should be encouraged to learn and play. You do this in a seamless and natural way. You should take this ability to schools everywhere and think about a more comprehensive plan to teach music to everyone. We are lucky to hear your art I appreciate so very much to teach music. Wishing you success and health always.
$60 violín.......million $ performer!👏🏼😂👍
You should get two set on this violin, they have done enough strat violin videos already
you mean strad? strat is short for Stratocaster which is an electric guitar whereas strad stands for Stradivarius
@@rohitas2050 yeah I meant the strad, my bad I got the names confused which is really bad on my part, I'm not a violinist I'm a pianist actually. I just enjoy two set and not practice piano like I should be
@@roxs6557 neither am I. I play the guitar and a little piano
My last name is legit roxas
it's really nice how it comes with a shoulder rest and rosin and everything and it's still that affordable
Seems like an incredible value violin for someone starting off. Love the honesty of the review 👍
I have a $60 white violin and sound bomb for a beginner, even my professional teacher from Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra said so, but... Going into intermediate level it sounded different the more my ears tuned, the more I realized I need to get another instrument, but I'm too broke for that, lol.
That sounds fantastic !!! I almost want to rush out to the Music shop.
However,at 63 yrs,I am a little reluctant.(my fingers are not too bendy)Your enthusiasm is infectious.Laissez le Bon temps rouler !! From Dan.
Danny Buckley do it pal.
I wish.But,I am pretty busy now and no time for anything
Nobody:
Me: 60 dollars with many freebies
meee
The E-string is not properly positioned on the bridge - this violin shaped object sounds like a cigar box
Thanks for this Review. As I am new 1 year(adult) student I have purchased similar "student" priced violin. I have 4 now. More importantly I believe when you compare your Professional violin to this $60 play both with both Bows. Because when I first got my student violin the bow was so poor that my teacher had me use her "extra" bow. When she was tuning then playing around with my student violin the other musicians didn't realize it was not her violin until they saw it. Mine is Pink! And to new students I would say get a $60. or what you can afford violin and when you are ready get a better Bow before you spend on a full new violin. For me that was about 6 months into playing. And to all watch a couple DIY on violin bridge installation before taking it on yourselves. I found the ones that come with the "cheap" violins are not shaped yet to be played. thanks for your Review and to all the Violinists practice practice practice those scales.
Well, no matter how cheap or how expensive the violin is, Esther is still a virtuoso❤
Even the best players are in the mercy of their instrument, to a point everything but the open strings sounded nice. I think it's 75 % player and 25% instrument
And that’s why a good instrument is a bit better than a bad one.
Your talent makes all the difference.
I bought one on Amazon ($65.00) and ran into the same issue with the bridge and tuning. The first string fell out of the tuning peg and I couldn't get it to stay back in. I finally gave up and it now has a permanent place in it's case in my closet. Next to the lap steel that I never play. Maybe next time I have a few hours I will resume the battle(or ask for help). Esther, you also also prove what I have known for many years, namely Tools Do not = Talent. You play beautifully on the $60.00 violin even if it was not in tune. I can't wait to hear you play on the real deal... :)
All in all, I agree with you that I would recommend an instrument like this for beginners - BUT!
While you are an experienced violin player with great skills, let me tell you: beginners need a really, really good instrument! In case of violins from this price segment this means first and foremost: a really good set-up. The neck and body are typically okay. But it is the time-consuming setup where the manufacturers save the money. While you have the skills to feel the instrument and produce a decent sound, beginners need a violin that responds very well, so that the student can hear her progress. Also it needs a very good overall setup, so that it is easy to play. Nothing is worse for a beginner than not having any success, and not realising it is the instruments fault.
I am speaking from experience. I thougt I was just not getting the knack with fiddling - until I put better strings on my fiddle. Suddenly I could hear how the sound was changing with my bowing, my finger placement, my arm posture... Rapidly I began to devellop a much better sound after litterally years of stagnation. Since then I never stopped progressing, and this is the pure joy of learning...
Also I learned in detail from a luthier how to properly set up a violin, and it is amazing how much you can achieve with an instrument from the low price range - by finishing the job! Controlling the pegs and smoothing their turning, controlling and if neccessary, sanding down the fingerboard to be proper, adjusting the voice stick, optimizing the height of the bridge as well as shaping it for a fuller, richer sound, maybe exchanging the string holder for something lighter with finetuners of better quality, and - very important - spending money for really good strings! Last but not least, chosing a resin fitting to the strings. If a student is to have progress and a joyful experience, these tasks simply are a must.
By the way: You should give this violin to a luthier for proper setup. It looks like the voice is completely out of place. You can see it through the f-hole, and actually it seems to stand behind the bridge instead of in front of it. Also the bridge looks like it needs further threatment.
Roland Röpnack I agree but not really 😂 because if you’re like me, you will only play if you know you’re playing a great violin
Wow, she is so talented, and nice, and pretty. :'o
All the violins in your hands are beautiful
I liked this kind of video, different from what you usually post.
And really, getting acceptable sound on a $ 60 violin is something only you could do. =)
My ideal violin teacher for sure!
You made it sound pretty good for the $60 violin! Yes, the G string sounds quite rich actually, not bad for Czardas at all..
This is how many times she said “emm”
⬇️
yes i counted "89" times. dammm
I know, right? Emm...
She said emm when i saw this comment 😂😂
Emm 142 times emm yea
She's French. She's very articulate, and her instrument is her real voice ☺
I really liked whatever you played. Most of it was scales but dear god do violins sound so pretty:)
Just got my first one! You are beautiful and very informative! Thank you miss ❤️
great video!!
it's amazing, on your talented hands even this vioiin sound really good 😱 please before to do the comparison video
take this violin with a violin maker to make some adjustments (like adjust the bridge and reseet the soundpost that usually comes badly put on that violins.....) to make the comparison more fair
thanks!!
blessings :3
Thank you very much for your video. It is very useful and encouraging for our beginner students. Now they will know that a low-priced violin is not an obstacle to begin with.
Thanks again.
Rodolfo Silva
CCNH
Paine, Chile
this is what we want!!! A honest review...not like the other youtubers...saying it awful and poor quality.....obviously its gonna be awful...because it is cheap..
Thank you, Esther. Very revealing...
I never thought there would actually be a violin for that cheap.
Wow that is a good price just for the accessories!
Sounds pretty good to me I’m exited for mine I hope it’s like that one
check giussepe verdi tuning in XIX century A4=432 hz C0=16 hz C1=32 C2=64 C3=128 C4=256 hz C5=512 and so on.... all exact multiple of 8 (that is why we call them octaves) :)
ok so ive never played before, and i am a self taught guitarist of about 30 years exp, also self taught piano and flute. I have been wanting to play violin for a long time and ive just got my hands on this same one for about 40$! so im making some babbling screeching sounds but seeing what you can do with it gives me some hope! i think ive got it set up correctly but the bow is still kind of a mystery lol
I have one of their guitars too, and it's really pretty great for the price.
I really love you, Esther, you inspire me so much!!💕💕🎻🎻
Bro, she just made a 60 dollars violin sound amazing, what a great violinst
Beautiful! Sounds amazing and so cheap!!
Wow 😍 she’s beautiful playing
Really good sound (and color) at that price.
You are perfect ! you are amazing❤
I dont really care how good the violin is, I just enjoy watching u ...
Esther you' re an inspiration, Very talented and beautiful playing. I hope to become an average violin player cause I am in the Very beggining yet. But I am a guitar player
she’s like there’s not bridge me: sees it quickly
You play classical music very well. It would be great if you could shoot a lot of this kind of music on camera.
Beautiful ❤
Now I realise my $400 violin actually sounds okay😂
Sixty dollars, that's about £45.00 which is nuts for all of that!! It's worth buying it for any beginner to see if they like it. The case must be worth £35.00 alone. Thanks very much, David,xx
For $60 it seems quite nice.
You and that instrument sounded incredible over in this video. I don't know if your mics and my speakers play a part in that, but I didn't hear anything off in the tone of that instrument (with you playing it). I see piano people in here sometimes telling people with kids starting piano to go out and buy grands in case their kids are prodigies,so I'm glad you're not telling people to high-dollar instruments to start out, and this one seems like it'd be a great place to start.
Awesome review!!
That sounds beautiful 💕💕
You're the prettiest person. So talented :) thanks for sharing!
some people haven't good body language like you because your craft,body language and your beauty☺ face and hair💇 are great❤
Fits you really well!
For a starter, it looks pretty decent or she's that good so we don't notice anything!
Oh I love the color of it
Cheap violins sound like they had a cold to me (like stuffy)😂
😂
Thanks for the video, so helpful! I've always wanted to play and am going to start however, need a good violin at a good price. Will be starting soon! Also, your hair looks so pretty and long. I don't see a mess anywhere! Lol, thanks and God bless.
@3:40 - the soundpost can be seen and it is completely in a wrong position, near the cuts on the f-hole, infact that is where the bridge has to be and the soundpost should be a half a centimeter behind the bridge. The Bridge is not in a right shape. This one will definitely sound horrible. Infact it is not a Violin but it is a Violin like object.
In most cheap violins, the strings aren't wound correctly on the pegs, that's why they can't keep tune. if the bridge hasn't been installed yet, or you're setting up new strings, always take out the corresponding peg(s) and wind them really tight in correct direction so the strings hold the pegs in place after you push them in :)
Very helpful video. Thank you Esther.
haha love that you say "lets play something simple" and then starts playing czardas
That bridge looks ready to trip and might even be fitted backwards. FWIW, I had a similar issue with a Thomann 5-string and fitting the bridge the other way around solved the issue. Also, I found it a good idea to lubricate the bridge and the nut (6B pencil works well) where the strings pass over. FWIW, I too found it's possible to buy a nice-sounding violin for not a lot of money. I needed something to take as checked baggage on long-haul flights and so bought a Gear4Music Student Plus model: cheap enough that I wouldn't be too upset if it fell foul of the baggage handlers. After swapping out the tailpiece for a Wittner, the strings for D'addario Pro Arté, and recutting the bridge to better fit, I have something that sounds as good as my main instrument, which is worth a couple of thousand. That said, I might just have been lucky and YMMV!
The bridge fell off of my violin one time. It was a rental, so it scared me to death! Now I know that it's supposed to come off! 😂😂😂
3:45 the transport protection. 7:30 Money isn't everything, Beethoven became deaf, Handel blind, and Hawking spent his life in a perambulator, eh, wheelchair. My old violin had a crack in its body but sounded better after it was "treated" by a violin maker
It’s not the wand, it’s the magician!
It sounds really nice!
Having soundpost in proper spot can be quite improvement rosin the bow...etc
👏👍 It just goes to show one need not mortgage the house to purchase a playable violin. I paid only $39.95 for a new violin made in China about three years ago on Amazon. The violin came with the bow, case, extra set of violin steel stings, small cake of rosin, and a chromatic digital electronic tuner. I play it on average three days a week for a couple of hours a day, and it still plays just fine -- with all of the original parts including strings. And, believe it or not, it stays in tune! It did take me about 60 minutes to get the violin in tune for the first time, but once I got it in tune -- it stays in tune. In fact, I use it in public performances. People are surprised how well it plays for a cheap violin. And when I'm not playing it, it makes for a nice decorative wall hanger. 😊 🎻 ♫
7:04 her face is me when I’m playing a sheet music and that part just hits really hard😶
Sheet music for life 😂
The moment we all realise that most violins pretty much sound alike...
nopneopneopneopnopenopenope
this ^ there is not much a fundamental can sound better.
UHH nope. My violin actually sounds way better than this
@@paridox4ever You realize that natural sounds are more than just a fundamental, right?
Excellent review. It's good to know that a cheap violin isn't as bad as might be thought.
This sounds like Autumn; Merci, Esther :)
Mendy on a £50 fiddle. That's funny and awesome :)
Haha, already purchased one in ebay. Eager to get my violin in the next few days.