Upgrading a CHEAP Violin with a Master Setup

Hey there, it's Edgar!

Remember that affordable Chinese violin I dropped off the Po River bridge a few months back? Well, it's time to give it a makeover and see how much we can enhance its performance within some limitations.

Our challenge is to make this violin more playable and comfortable without the need for major structural changes.

I'll walk you through the process as we fine-tune and optimize various aspects of the violin. From changing the bridge, the soundpost, chinrest and tailpiece to refining the nut and pegs, these tweaks can significantly impact the playability and tone of the instrument.

But that's not all! To truly gauge the improvement, I've teamed up with musician Lena Yokoyama. Together, we'll put the violin to the test, comparing its sound before and after the upgrades. This sound test will reveal the tangible difference that a master setup can make on an affordable violin's overall performance.

Meanwhile all the best from Cremona
Edgar

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[dvides]

If Lena is having a hard time playing a violin like this, do you imagine a beginner? It’s no wonder people have such a hard time learning violin with bad instruments.

[asdlfkjlkasdfasdf]

Hi, I'm the one who plays the viola around $1000. Surely it's Chinese-made.
I recommend anyone who loves cheap instruments like me to be very careful about the condition of the neck.
After around 3 years of owning this viola, I found that the neck was out of joint.
(This was because the original glue used on it was weak and odd.)

I also replaced the saddle, soundpost, and bridge. So I've already paid the repairman more than the price I paid when I purchased the instrument itself.
My Chinese viola now sounds really nice, so I'm satisfied with the result.
If we are serious and dare to choose an instrument like this, we always have to be prepared for the cost of repairs!

I really wish I could have an Italian instrument someday because I know they are the best.
"Cheap but fine instrument" < "Good instrument among the very well made ones, preferably Italians".

[hunterblakely]

Loving your edits lol. Thanks for sharing with us. I've learned a lot watching your channel and hope to some day build my own violin.

[hallsf]

One of the best videos you've created! Thanks. All three of you are clearly classical masters. I
salute you.

I do my best, but kind of sidestep such amazing setup on the fiddles I build---after all, they are abstract and experimental ; )

[Fireman]

I'm looking forward to the comparison video you mentioned at the end

[RB-cpvm]

Someone should place a label inside of the violin that says, "Dropped from the Po River bridge, 20xx." Part of its provenance!

[Duncan-Mac-Raven]

I'm getting in a super cheap violin and ordered upgrades as well. I figured that it's a great way to learn violin maintenance and upgrades. I will probably transfer the goodies to the next more expensive violin in my future next year.

[dhouse-dl]

Close miced Edgar is vereeey good indeed. Can you re-do all ur old videos now plse?

[srinitaaigaura]

This is exactly what I did with my $60 dollar violin after playing on it 15 years. It sounds remarkable given its price now.

[Kay-cyvi]

China now made all levels of violins, from factory made hundred dollars violin to master level violin s. Chinese violin makers are among the top tier violin craftsmen. If you cannot afford the master level violins, you have many options from China as well. Thanks China for your contributions to the mankind with all the quality affordable products❤🎉🎉 you make the poor still able to own a dream instrument. So lucky we have China!❤❤❤❤

[kaskkafal]

More time to craft, more quality wood to choose, more, more, more, if you want to do an instrument from wood, you'll have to wait a lot, the main thing is to have a fully dry wood i think. But its impossible, its a living material. When i make an electric guitar, i'll wait six years for drying the mahogany or flame maple in my home and in a isolated small room (sounds better than what you know from an electric guitar). Shortly, more time is more money, am not a money guy but people worth it like that. So i think edgar solves these puzzles many many years ago i enjoy his videos so much thank you.

[tomerdvir]

Hi Edgar thank you for the video ! Just keep in mind that the scala perfetta is 4000 euros and this violin is 70

[ramkumarsathiakumar]

why the colour of the nut is keep changing during the playing, I am confused

[Lloyd-mo]

she can make any violin sound good to me

[VersaTechHub]

and that's is why hard to practice with $39 violin 😭can i send mind? for upgrade 🥺, from the Philippines 🥺

[Ncolasg]

That's why i believe you don't know a super expensive instrument. I'm a cellist and in my experience a well adjusted instrument with good strings and a good bow are more than enough for a good sound and playability.

[michaelblaney]

I know that a €70 Violin is not good but what should someone pay for a student violin or viola of correct woods ?
Would a €400 setup also be needed for that as well ?
When do the expenses end?

[gimaru]

That violin sounds great after the adjustments!
Mr. Edgar, I suggest a new business model for you. Buy these violins and spend another 30 min to adjust them to make them sound great and sell them. Less work than making a violin from scratch😂 I’m just kidding. Nice video as always.

[andychen]

China also made great violins nowadays.

[Claxen]

My question is why not directly buy a violin worth 500 at this point?! Is this modified violin better than a 500 one?