Concert Violinist Reviews a Cheap $69 Violin

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Probably the cheapest full-size violin I've ever played. Will it hold up? Find out in this review.
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RAY CHEN
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Link to the $69 violin: bit.ly/2LTqIsy
Closing track: "Story Time" by 11 Acorn Lane
• 11 Acorn Lane - Story ...
Thumbnail art by: / georgiepentch
#AtHome #WithMe #Review

[@RayChenViolinist]

Download my app Tonic today tonicmusic.app/join-in if you'd like join a community of musicians practicing together! 🎵 +Thanks for watching everyone! If you enjoyed it, please slap that like button and subscribe! It really does help defeat the KZbin algorithm!

[@FilmsLessExpensiveThanPrimer]

I need help! My teacher assigned me The Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso and I haven't played many difficult pieces up to that level before! You're such an amazing violinist and I was wondering if you had any advice to play the piece.

[@TheDarkstormy]

TwoSet broke down laughing and crying instead of playing it.

[@alexshim7579]

Hey!

[@colinjamesdaradar2497]

IDK why I am laughing so hard when Ray is playing advance and I could hear his inhaling and exhaling

[@z3cki]

Can you try it with different strings? I guess by the time you get past intermediate level you would have gone through a few set of strings. Other fault might be at the fine tuner? Would have loved to see how far you can push it by changing a few things.

[@twoblink]

I can make a Strad sound like a $69 violin...

[@roccotarli762]

Albert Yang 👏😆👏

[@kawaii791126]

Same here😂

[@babakesmaeelpour5732]

Go practice dude😂

[@najmihakimkhairi1210]

Old joke not funny anymore

[@unnamed_boi]

@@najmihakimkhairi1210 looks like 235 people and Ray himself disagree on that.

[@pwangs]

This poor violin during the advanced portion is like “WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME BRO?!? I WASNT MADE FOR THIS!! YOURE HURTING ME!!!

[@therockmanxx]

Totally his fault not the instrument, poor instrument right haha

[@wifebeater69]

Didn't realize Phil watches violin stuff lmao

[@syazwanmohd1314]

It's okay,the violin is 18 yrs old so she might like that *special treatment*

[@aira9162]

Omg Phil!!!! 💛

[@CaptainCarmel164]

What is Phil doing here😂😂 love Wongfu❤️❤️❤️

[@mafm]

This should be titled "World Class Violinist makes $69 violin sound good"

[@coldspring22]

No. Cheap Glarry violin (I have GV101) sounds really good... even in my relatively unskilled hands. I tremendously enjoy playing my Glarry violin.

[@defxed]

Sounds like if he gets good strings, bridge and a bow it'll be fine lol

[@lindseysimmonds678]

Just in case you're interested, the pieces Ray plays here are : Beginner : twinkle twinkle little star Beginner intermediate : Boccherini minuet, the happy farmer (Suzuki bk 1 I think?) Intermediate : Bach concerto for 2 violins in D (first movement) Advanced: Bach violin sonata n. 1, Bach rondo (from Partita 3), Bruch violin concerto, Mendelssohn violin concerto, Sibelius violin concerto

[@MattB90]

Nicely done

[@randomslomo1875]

I was wondering what that beginner song was! JK :p

[@fzn_redzone2811]

Niceeee

[@luis2105a]

me: proceeds to shutdown shazam

[@matiasmarquez8420]

Boccherini minuet and the happy farmer are from Suzuki book 2

[@JOk154]

“Phobia of the string popping and going into my eye”.. every string musician ever 😂

[@zaraak323i]

As a guitarist, I've had this phobia, but a violinist has a much bigger risk of this as it's sitting under their face!

[@chaefresita984]

true

[@ivyrafols]

And I thought it was only me who felt that way when I was a kid 😅

[@rifdifirebolt]

When you tighten the peg and it made a crack sound Now that's a matter of when it's gonna high five your face

[@SabiLewSounds]

This is why I still cannot restring my guitar, I pay to avoid the risk lol

[@Sevron]

His definition of beginner-intermediate depresses me.........

[@joxxter4797]

THIS

[@pleb2330]

How so? It takes like 1 yr max to get to the level to play those pieces

[@ghillies4life]

Violin teacher here. I'd say that's right on.

[@jasminjavahery8630]

Same...

[@ankavoskuilen1725]

I was kind of glad: it means that I am almost intermediate now.

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Let's get a $420 violin now, for the boys

[@octave11thpianist58]

Nahhh bro, we need a $69,420 violin

[@tsarinaballerina4]

Octave 11th Pianist No, a $420,069 one.

[@octave11thpianist58]

Lily Potter Nah, a $420,696,420,696,420.69 one

[@tsarinaballerina4]

Octave 11th Pianist ... $694,206,942,069,420,694,206,942,069,420,694,20.69

[@tejasnair3399]

Octave 11th Pianist *$420,069,420,069,420.69

[@cryptid1925]

Ray: "It's not bad" Me: *Gets excited and orders the exact same model...then remembers that it sounded good only cause Ray played it*

[@oliviabytner1614]

Do you regret it? I want cheap violin!

[@DanteHanma]

@@oliviabytner1614 better save money for a decent instrument. my first violin was 200$ and it was kind of good but only for a beginner level stuff and ater that i got a really good instrument and it escalated my playing like a rocket

[@cassandravonpohl942]

OMG bro, just tag me next time, will ya? 😂😂😂😂

[@lc9245]

​@@oliviabytner1614 Do not buy cheap string instruments for a hobby. They require some level of maintenance, you need strings that don't hurt you while playing it, and instrument too. He didn't show it here but it must be have been a hassle to tune the violin, since the cheap mechanism would make it difficult to turn, and it won't give you confidence that it will hold either. Not just that, the bow hair also needs to be at least decent to make consistent sound, with rosin as well. It is much better to get a wind instrument instead, they are more durable while still takes considerable skill to pull off. A piano would work too, especially a decent electronic keyboard, since they do not require any form of maintenance other than cleaning, though I admit it sounds terrible compare to the real thing. A real piano, while also being a huge hassle requiring tuning, will last a while without maintenance other than being plugged in. They can be bought pretty cheaply second hand, even half the price of a new decent electric keyboard. Once you are bored, you can sell the piano again if you keep it nice and clean. If you really want a violin, my best solution is to get a second hand one. You can find decent priced ones from former students moving up. If you want to get a new one, then I have no more advice for below 100 dollars. Starting around 400 and above is usually the lower limit of getting an actual decent instrument that's new, works well and worth keeping.

[@QUABLEDISTOCFICKLEPO]

Kimaya Wanjari. Yeah, it won't play itself. What a rip-off.

[@theironpumpkin]

lol youshould've played TwoSet's DIY Violin

[@glaciacronk5543]

Only Ling Ling can play that thing. It needs an exorcism.

[@diegeigergarnele7975]

That thing is disgusting. I think they had another video with a 60 ~ bucks violin on amazon which I even tried myself and was extremely worse than this. This look like something I could suggest a new student to buy

[@RyanRickyW]

yess haha

[@constanzaaltamirano9269]

Lol he surely would make it sound like a Strad

[@abhinavivaturi3387]

Yeet yes

[@karinaurelia1258]

Ray: "that g string sound like a duck singing" Me on my $$ violin and years of training: quack

[@maddiepilz5711]

Lmao 😂

[@sefaemreilikli]

9:24 I am deceased ☠️🦆

[@donovan8283]

i died with those ducks

[@ILikeBirds]

Same 💀 🦆

[@brulu494]

My teacher: it's not the violin, it's the violinist Me: yeah right Ray:

[@grandgascon4214]

3:42 mhhmmnaaahh "Oohh yep it says A, you saw that, alright cool it works" -Ray indirectly flexing his perfect pitch

[@user-it1cp3ux5r]

For me, A is the easiest note to remember or hear.

[@aperson.503]

'A' literally sounds like an A for some reason. maybe it's just me

[@dinospumoni5611]

@@aperson.503 that means you have perfect pitch

[@cakebitch321]

When ray's camera actually focuses and twoset's just...cant

[@neyoncrayon]

It does focus... Have you seen how detailed twoset's mic is? There's just these two moving objects at the back tho, a bit distracting XD

[@owdy3973]

@@neyoncrayon ngl that mic is really detailed

[@suicidal.session]

Ray: *tries to be polite about how bad the $69 Giarry violin sounds* Me: *nervously holding my $40 Amazon violin*

[@mik-mik2875]

Same AHAHHAHAHAHAH

[@lauragraves4342]

Me: planning to buy one under $100 just nodding and smiling like a maniac on bath salts and crack. 😉

[@coldspring22]

What's wrong with $69 Glarry violin? It sounds great. No need for Stradivarius unless you can play like Ray.

[@Exayevie]

Omg, $40 bro! Honestly, I'm super happy with my $40 purchase. I got it because I was unsure if I even wanted to learn the violin or not. Like Ray said, the purpose was just to get used to having my hands on the instrument and learn the basics of producing some kind of sound. For that it worked perfectly! And while I really enjoy pulling it out every once in a while to mess around, I'm not ready to seriously commit to learning the thing right now anyway. When I am, I'm sure I'll "upgrade" to something in the 200-300 range.

[@coldspring22]

@@Exayevie Same here. I love my $40 Glarry violin. I heard Ray play it and I said I must get it even though I played with "real" violin from a professional violin shop. And indeed, it's quite good, it does everything I want and I absolutely love to play it now. Much better than my significantly more expensive "real" violin.

[@roshnidevi7215]

Ray Chen is like the nicest politest violin reviewer. I love how he's not trying to be snarky and insulting just to up the ante.

[@sophiat.6298]

Whoever gave this a thumbs down is just sad because they play a $69 violin. Eat a snickers, you're not you when you're hungry!

[@mekdesgebru9748]

hahahahahahaha

[@arikkarim4790]

LMAO

[@adrnnn_]

I play in a less than 69 dollars violin and I loved this video

[@korodile488]

I am loving Ray's editor-san.

[@ThisIsMeKarina]

l e m ö n j a d é if I’m correct he edits his own videos

[@nebulaofemily]

At some point in the video it said "editor-chan", I don't remember the timestamp though

[@kamilakowalczyk4878]

5:41

[@mcingprogress]

I KINDA GET THE EDITOR -SAN VIBE THO :"D

[@exotichxnna5193]

Michelle Cindy same >:O

[@Patrick-cc3ub]

The Level demonstration is giving me some hard suzuki flashbacks. Ray does love himself some happy farmers, huh?

[@andalilanko]

Personally, I think this is an awesome deal.. Honestly, I'd even say it's just amazing for what it is! No one should feel ashamed for having a "cheap" instrument. (Fyi, I played violin for 12 years so I know what a "decent" and probably more than decent sound is). But seriously guys! It plays! It legitimately plays! And this has all the accessories needed(even a shoulder rest) to get started. And it's for the price of one of the greatest numbers of all-time.. $69. If you really haven't decided if you're interested in pursuing this(for school or a hobby or whatever) and are trying to see if you even like it at all.. this is PERFECT. What more could you ask for?? My opinion: Personally, I used to be a flautist and I wanted to see if it was worth trudging back to storage unit to relearn. I purchased an $80 flute; I had forgotten what a "good flute" feels like to play but I taught myself again and honestly learned better technique because of it being "harder" to get a strong sound out of. Mind you, I thought the matter was just me completely forgetting how to play, which isn't totally off-base considering I hadn't touched it in over 7yrs. That said, I played the cheap flute everyday for over a month before making that decision to relearn and dig up my old flute. Look, to those who are saying otherwise, "investing" in "just" a $200 instrument is still a pretty penny. Had I not found my old flute, I would absolutely would have continued on that $80 flute for a while. Maybe you want to try out a few instruments. In my opinion, it is better to buy a "cheap" violin, and a cheap flute, sax, clarinet, or whatever you want. There's a very good chance you'll decide you like one more than another. what you like most. Please PLEASE make sure you want to commit before you spend the money on it. (Don't forget, there is such a thing as returns. But like.. I wouldn't return an instrument that looks like it has been used.. A lot. So keep that in mind.) Sorry it was long.. But, I didn't see anyone else addressing this. I'm so sorry if someone already said this stuff though. But yeah, once again, while I may have stated these thing very firmly, this is just my opinion and I'm not claiming to have all the facts or knowledge. It's just person experience.

[@rozediana24]

Exactly my thoughts. During my studies in music school, I was playing a rental basson (which was provided by school). And, without any lies, it was the worst and cheapest bassoon from the worst bassoon maker company. But I was happy to have that at least. I was playing. And if my professor took it in hands, he always made it sound not worse than normal bassoons (which cost 5k € at least, even for beginners). So... yeah. After finishing music school, I will never ever be able to play bassoon, because I don't have such money. So I decided to buy for myself a ~60$ violin and I'm studying it by myself. No regrets. I find it of a very nice quality (it is better made than one on the video, my is from 'Hertz') and if I will be ever able to buy a good one, then great. If no, I will stay happy with my cheap but decent violin.

[@coldspring22]

I played violin for 12 years too and my playing skill is awful. So I know for sure I don't want to "commit". So that's why I bought a cheap Glarry violin. (old violin I used to have - a $250 violin my parents bought for me in 1970's is long gone, and Glarry is probably better than that violin).

[@im.claire]

This is still a lot better then the one that twoset reviewed

[@haruchan620]

He's way nicer in phrasing his words too. 😂 twoset straight up roast

[@Keithlynd_]

@@haruchan620 I mean, the one twoset reviewed the parts don't even fit to each other X'D

[@sapphireblue4031]

At least this one was playable unlike the DIY project with tons of duct tape by TwoSet

[@johannaschreiber1243]

Sapphire Blue Man, I loved every minute of that video and Brett’s enthusiasm for tape was just adorable!

[@marshajelly6264]

I supposed it really depends where or from which vendor did they bought the violins, I mean, the one 2sV bought is literally the DIY Build Your Own Violin, not just "cheap"

[@damesebo548]

Now that you basically have a throwaway violin you should use your artistc skills and paint it or put some sacrilegious fake diamonds on it

[@sabinamauri7423]

Or sign it and sell for beneficience ;-)

[@adrnnn_]

Or give it to me, my violin is like 20 dollars and 5 yo so i wouldn’t mind a little upgrade

[@Xezlec]

@@sabinamauri7423 So apparently that word means "charity", for anyone who was wondering.

[@mexicanosdelmundo]

8:22 - *Ray:* I can say that it's holding up pretty weil... *TwoSet:* (has left the chat).

[@coldspring22]

TwoSet are clowns. I have Glarry GV101 and I can say it sound quite good for such cheap violin. It's better than my older significantly expensive "real" violin from a professional violin shop.

[@worldoflol2549]

Ray chen with a begginer Violin sounding better than the 99% of players with high end violins, Insane how good some humans are.

[@Meli-nv3cq]

i’m sure Ray will manage to make that cheap violin sound good anyway.

[@chillbill8596]

Guess what

[@Meli-nv3cq]

I knew I was gonna be right 😂 @chill bill

[@coldspring22]

Yes Ray will make any violin sound pretty good. But even I can make Glarry GV101 (which I have) sound pretty good with my relatively unskilled hands. Now that's real proof that Glarry violins are pretty good.

[@nitadevina769]

If reviewing this cheap violin is likened to reviewing a food Ray: knows that it taste bad but still managed to find the goodness on it TwoSet: STRAIGHT UP ROAST/BURN IT INTO THE FIYAAAHH Jk, anyway both of you give entertaining insights on cheap violin in your own way and I love both nonetheless~~

[@jasminjavahery8630]

Twoset is basically the Gordon Ramsay of violins lol.

[@bryanlin8333]

He can find goodness in it because he's so good he makes cheap violins sound decent

[@neilcam]

I'll take Rays' approach over the infantile every....single....time!

[@chaefresita984]

hahahaha true

[@viannaong1808]

lollll but honestly twoset's handmade violin was even broken before they unpacked it/if you watched another video, that violin is still way cheaper than this $69 violin so i think comparison shouldn't be made here welp either way i love both of them ahhahahahaha

[@fingerhorn4]

Put a decent bridge on, change the strings to reasonable quality and you have a fantastic fiddle for the price. It's actually amazingly good for the budget.

[@freschi9934]

Yea I would be intrested how much a talented Musician can get out of a Cheap Violin with some "upgrades" I for example got a cheap 300€ E-Violin and after a year braught it to my "Geigenbauer" german for the dude who makes string instruments^^. It sounded amazing afterwards. (For an electric violin)

[@dmsanct]

Ray Chen, professional violinist: "you just have to eyeball it"

[@blancheleblah1195]

And that's exactly what a luthier would do.

[@Fmajor7]

Two set gets a cheap violin: Cheap violin: *Falls aPaRt*

[@AmazingJuliann]

Me: Buys this 3 minutes into the video Also me: Can't put it together and also just realized he said there's no grooves on the bridge.

[@ratman2817]

Give yourself a little more time you can probably set it up with some guides, alternatively you could bring it to a luthier and ask them to set it up for you

[@mattbrown2190]

You can just buy a new bridge online or at a luthier. They’re pretty inexpensive

[@neilcam]

The bridge also looked to be at least as twice as thick as it should be. Set it up properly (bridge and soundpost), and put better strings on, and it would make a reasonable beginner's vso.

[@bwubi5936]

@@wuzz *laughs in broke*

[@edgarwalk5637]

Get a $15 Teller bridge, and $35 strings, and a $30 cheap carbon fibre bow...

[@diranadhirahbaharin9813]

That is some serious advanced level eyebrow when he played advanced level pieces 👏🏻

[@Exayevie]

As somebody who's worked in a factory before, I always imagine the people who were behind the work on this instrument (because it's obviously some kind of factory if it's $69). If I were in their shoes, you wouldn't believe how much better it would have made my day to know that one of the instruments I made would be played by Ray Chen - even as an experiment! 😅

[@sakinahhamid9196]

I'm impressed that the violin handled that intense 3rd movement of sibelius well even tho it sounded like a squeaking duck

[@Isi-km2ln]

As long as the violin doesn't need sticky tape to be held together it can't be that bad xD okay jk I'll go practice

[@resourcedragon]

No, that was the one 2 Set Violin bought. Brett used about 1/2 a roll of sticky tape on it.

[@geethakarthikeyan1601]

Shoutout to @twosetviolin 's DIY violin video😂

[@christopherkevinly257]

Ray bought this from a music shop web, while 2set bought theirs from a random seller on Amazon. Of course it will be diffrent

[@hereticism3202]

@@christopherkevinly257 Did you see on the reddit Someone took a picture of a DIY PIANO. and i saw a reply that said if theres less than four pieces that all fit in your hand, it's fine

[@KF-zb6gi]

Emily Li what kind piano is diy lol 🤣🤣🤣

[@aprsports4139]

Hi Ray !! Thanks for the video, I hope you will come back again to Barcelona soon, was nice to see you last time 😉

[@GLBinNP]

Thank you! I love this video. I really appreciate you sharing your playing, and hearing what you can do on this cheap violin. 👍

[@hsalycialow2499]

Comparing this to Twoset's online purchases, this is so different xD

[@christopherkevinly257]

Need to find a proper retailer I guess 🤣

[@MrsPikaPikachu]

Twoset must’ve picked the lowest rating violins just to roast them. Well idk

[@korodile488]

Alternative title: Ray flexing his skills by making a $69 dollar violin sound like a strad.

[@DevilishlyDutch]

I'm glad my experience with a similar 70 buck violin as a beginner is lining up: it's functional. That's it, that's all you can say about it, but as someone who isn't dedicated to really becoming good at it, that's perfect

[@juliankrause7565]

Amazing, it really caused higher expectations!!! Love you Ray 💛

[@alexsaldarriaga8318]

Loved this Ray! My parents paid $100 for my first violin outfit in 1974. Your $69 fiddle far exceeds it. I suppose advances in technology, manufacturing, and luthier science have made such a violin possible and accessible. Now if only we could make good violin instruction more accessible to everyone! Greetings and best wishes from your boomer fan in Tarpon Springs, FL. Thank you Ray!

[@CarolynOsborne]

I started in 1970. Had my grandpa's fiddle with a wolf tone on the A string.

[@michaelmoss267]

ALL violins have wolf tones

[@androidkenobi]

what's wolf tone? also, $100 in 1974 is equal to $575 today

[@coldspring22]

Mine was $250 from professional violin shop in mid-Manhattan in 1970's as well. And my new super cheap Glarry violin just kills it (after properly trimming bridge and regrooving the nut). LOL

[@TeddyOn]

Ray, You Are The Man!

[@thisisorion6432]

Thank you Ray for sharing some good information here! watching this gives me an idea that lots of difficults pieces are waiting ahead, and its a long way to go! Phew! But can't wait to climb the stairs to conquer level by level! Have a great day ahead!

[@rd9831]

"G-String" giving trouble.? Try another brand. Maybe "Victoria's Secret" would be better.😂

[@CelloCircle]

Lmao😵🤣

[@UTubeSL]

Appropriately, 69 likes.

[@QueenBee497]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nicho588]

$69

[@tachyon3.14]

I couldn’t find any strings from that brand

[@j.j.schlachtfeld9325]

Do you think it could be played on a more advanced level if one were to replace that faulty G-string? I'm very positively surprised at the result of this, as I half expected the whole instrument to fall apart within the first two minutes 😂

[@egyptian_goose073]

Did you see what happened when TwoSet tried to make a violin?

[@emjeez8242]

They do the DIY violin but it turns out really bad.😂

[@musical.0uija]

A new set of strings would make it sound much better. Then again, most good string sets are more than $69

[@overthetarget9401]

If you have it set up and put on better strings this should do for quite a while.

[@mostdistortion]

A decent set of strings would make it sound much better and why not? If you buy a better instrument you can always take strings to put in the better one.

[@fiddlefaddle1]

I love this guy! His personality, wit, and love for his profession really makes you want to watch him for freaking hours! He reminds me of Pierre Holstein,(Fiddlerman). They both can take a VSO, (violin shaped object ) and pull a decent sound out of it! Great video , by the way!

[@camfg8908]

I've been playing a cheap violin like that for years now and I'm happy with it, I just changed pro strings on it. I cannot play very well but maybe some melodies in a band and that's where it comes in handy and is a wonderful choice for that.

[@JureesStudio]

I think I have the same one, but it never sounds like that

[@paulinearriaga6948]

You might consider taking it to a luthier and ask for a sound post adjustment, which they'll do pretty cheaply. I got a super cheap violin off eBay for playing outdoor gigs and $20 in at the luthiers made it instantly better.

[@arco7372]

@@paulinearriaga6948 Nah, they just suck

[@MmMerrifield]

I think that those ultra cheap violins are sometimes pretty okay, and sometimes not... :(

[@Justwantahover]

@@MmMerrifield Like with guitars.

[@Justwantahover]

@@arco7372 Use them as a vacuum cleaner.

[@TheCobraKing78]

Atleast it's better than the 67 dollar violin (viola) from Twoset violin

[@GetLd]

It's funny how 2$ can make such a difference

[@the_only_tr1v1a2]

Ok, whoa there buddy - I myself can’t even call whatever that monstrosity TwoSetViolin made a Viola - If who ever nailed it to them put a fragile sticker on the package then maybe you could call it a viola but ya no that’s not anywhere near viola ( Out of respect for the violas btw ) just saying bro

[@sophiajia2972]

The_only_ Tr1v1a i think they’re referencing another twoset video, the one where they bought a 67$ violin that looks like a viola

[@the_only_tr1v1a2]

naillij j I understand, but still - sometimes things need clarification depending on the joke, you know? But I was just saying -

[@TheCobraKing78]

@@the_only_tr1v1a2 I was talking about the amazon one not the DIY violin

[@sigmaballz1469]

I really appreciate how you give a genuine review/unboxing while still being entertaining and aren't like TwoSet where they just relentlessly roast the damn thing.

[@ShyneNakazawa]

Love it! Love u!

[@fadhil2530]

I'm excited to watch this 🥺 good luck baby! Luv you 🥺

[@suppohkram]

This really gives me perspective because I honestly have a “budget” violin too but I’m at least at the intermediate skill level. Seeing this does make me feel like my instrument is holding me back since I’ve had similar experiences as evident here but I also can’t afford an upgrade 😢😭

[@Resoxin]

You should upgrade your strings if not the instrument it should make a big difference.

[@edgarwalk5637]

Upgrading the bow helps too, you can upgrade part-by-part...

[@Nikita-yd4fi]

my workaround was to rent one. Here in germany it’s around 15€/month everything included. (i play the viola lel pls don’t hate hahah) the dude even replaces broken strings and stuff for free. The Viola is around the 700€ mark if u‘d buy it. Check out your services, i can really recommend it.

[@mark012498]

Seconding the rent option. Restringing or rehairing lower quality instruments can only take you so far as it can't improve from its original quality. But renting a good quality instrument that is much more affordable than outright purchasing it can be a far more rewarding option and push for you to improve much quicker also. There is also no pressure to stick with the same instrument for any longer than you absolutely want. I urge you to look in to instrumental rentals from your local luthier.

[@karolam682]

alternatively, what can really help is bringing a cheap instument to a good uther and let them fix up the bridge and stuff. it will cos around 200€ again, so that's a lot cheaper than buying a better instument, and it can upgrade an instument significantly. the uther can uually ell you beforehand wether its worth it

[@claracornil977]

Thank you Ray this was actually great video I learned some things about the violin and what to look at that that are useful to me.

[@BubbleGum0144]

Great reviews :)

[@EA-dd1kq]

World class violinist can make a 1000000000 sound with 69 dolar violin

[@MattB90]

protip: have your editor include the names of the pieces you play so beautifully, those who arent world class violinists are surely interested lol

[@lindseysimmonds678]

I'll post the list in the comments

[@earlybyrdy]

@@lindseysimmonds678 where is your comment already?

[@lindseysimmonds678]

@@earlybyrdy Just in case you're interested, the pieces Ray plays here are : Beginner : twinkle twinkle little star Beginner intermediate : Boccherini minuet, the happy farmer (Suzuki bk 1 I think?) Intermediate : Bach concerto for 2 violins in D (first movement) Advanced: Bach violin sonata n. 1, Bach rondo (from Partita 3), Bruch violin concerto n1, Mendelssohn violin concerto, Sibelius violin concerto

[@valeriavagapova]

I honestly didn't expect it so sound even remotely like a violin, tbh this has definitely exceeded my modest expectations lol. This was really entertaining and informative, thanks for sharing:)

[@miramarensis]

Well done, Maestro!

[@fadhil2530]

AA SO EXCITED!!! Good luck baby Ray 🥺💞

[@saihanmarshall5287]

Wtf

[@fadhil2530]

@@saihanmarshall5287 ??

[@jeprin300]

Can you do a followup on this video where you replace the strings and the bride and pehaps use a better bow to see if it is the violin or the equipment that is not up to Advanced standards?

[@SundayMatinee]

Exactly!

[@jasminjavahery8630]

That's what I was thinking too!

[@sannie777]

yes plsss I'm curious about how it's gonna be

[@Justwantahover]

The strings are getting a divorce and getting remarried.

[@cheyennejankowski79]

All of it is not up to advanced standards... its simply not possible. Nobody not at Rays level could make it sound as good as he does.

[@mustafamalik4211]

I own a $30 violin. I played it for 4 years. I am happy.

[@coldspring22]

I got $40 Glarry GV101 and it's great. I am also very happy. No need to get more expensive violin - ever. LOL

[@geegeelyn]

Loved the flying duck images in sibelius there

[@ericross5048]

$10,000,000 talent on a $70 instrument... still, I might have to pick one of these up. I hope you’re an affiliate.

[@xXxKyRaxXx]

Ray has a savage editor. Oh god, thats great! Also please be more direct, Ray! Because the Sibelius sounded really, really bad. LOL

[@iainholmes2735]

You make it sound beautiful. Cheers from London

[@ethanmendelson6978]

3:26 Expecting the strings to snap over the bridge, then a cut straight to the sound of plastic crinkling tied a knot in my stomach. Fun video

[@tanjirokamada8812]

"Its not about the instrument Its about the player" That explains why my Stradivarius sounds like a viola

[@Rimlightt]

As a beginner this is the first time I heard songs that I can play on the channels that I follow. Also I got new strings on my borrowed violin for 28 euro's (for all strings) and rosin for like 4

[@JanelineMikha]

I will buy it for practice. Thank you for review Master Ray.

[@agathaknive3321]

The editing is so good it had me crying

[@Alucard33592]

I found this after picking up a 60$ violin , and after seeing everyone bash the cheaper ones started looking around, now that I have it in my hands and I've been practicing with it I'm glad this one isnt as bad as people made cheap ones out to be, its easy to play, resonates fairly well and has a good sound ( its a mendini mv300 ) and honestly, I'm pretty happy with it

[@coldspring22]

Yes Mendini mv300 is basically same violin as Glarry violin reviewed by Ray here.

[@vaguelyweird]

Would love to see it with good strings & bow.

[@SuperTikes]

And a better bridge too

[@DivineGuidance4444]

great stuff:-D Thanks a lot Ray:) very funny to watch your video...

[@TheSoundsitive]

Great Review...

[@marianneedic3627]

Seems good to me (as someone interested in learning the violin)

[@adaliaalvarez7269]

Stuck at home, and binging on TwoSet and Ray, has made me (a non-musician) consider if I should take up the violin (I've always wanted to play an instrument with some proficiency, if just for my own amusement). But Ray's right: being a musician of any sort is not a cheap hobby. I have found this video to be incredibly informative: for the relatively inexpensive price of $70, one can find out if they like the instrument, how fast they can learn it and if it's worth their time. If/when one discovers that they want to pursue their skills into the advanced level, they've already learned their basics and what to expect and (hopefully) what to look for when investing in a better instrument. If not, no harm's been done to the ol' wallet. Well done, Ray, and thanks! Edit: So, I just watched Olaf's review of this violin, and I should have expected that a talented violinist like Ray could make a bad instrument sound good. Still, the learning continues!

[@jamieduke5659]

Love how he checks the tuner with himself! ❤

[@conradreyes5391]

Thanks Ray, for sharing this video, suggestion if I may, and if you don't mind? You can change the strings and bridge to make it sound much better and the bow as well... Its what we usually do. It somehow compensates some areas of sound and response. :)

[@DreamTravelerZenddrex]

It may suck, but that $69 violin is perfect for people who are interested in learning violin but don’t know yet if they wanna commit.

[@wowanothercookie]

For a beginner who is just trying to play their first notes, I'm not even sure you would hear much difference... it'd sound horrible either way.

[@laurawallbank]

5:33 what the heck? Is Ray Chen playing Red Wing? A FIDDLE TUNE?! I love it!!! I’m a fiddler personally and love to hear classical players play fiddle tunes once in a while! :)

[@Nepeta-Leijon]

red wing is a little different. that was the happy farmer from the suzuki method

[@pulsebright]

Thank you Ray. Very nice to have an expert and unbiased opinion. You should offer your services to Consumers Report :). (seriously)

[@JiSookYim]

Haha enjoyed the captions and duck graphics! 😂 would love to see how politely you would review the $60 DIY violin that twoset just reviewed 🤣

[@craman7508]

I've never been scared for an object's life before....when Ray started playing the advanced level music, I felt scared on the violin's behalf

[@deadstone3807]

I think the cheap violin seems to really show the weakness when in comes lower strings

[@dianeaustin2414]

Nice video, Ray...

[@saiyanknight8243]

I’m not a violin player (just a fan of classical music) but thanks to this insightful video, now I know the difference between cheap violins (for the beginners) and Strad violins (for the professionals). 😄

[@colton9039]

I’m pretty sure that the weird g string is due to steel core strings being weird, but I dunno for sure.

[@mucke4920]

Nooo!! Why is it at the same time as Tiffanys Live stream Concert. I can't choose between them...😖

[@carolinebray82]

5:08 is the song my son played for his solo (and ensemble) for April 2019! Miss all the activities with my son, this virus needs go away. Anyway back to the video. I'm impressed too Ray!

[@yopomdpin6285]

Hi Ray ! Thank you for your videos. Little question though, about "how far a violin can get you" It's something I don't really understand. How do you "decide" when a certain violin isn't enough anymore and you need to change ? I've only been learning violin for 2 years now on a Kaiming Guan Passion and Tradition Class D (around 500$ I think). Apparently it's a somewhat good violin but I don't really know what it means.

[@lou9495]

Ray: *very politely says that is is questionable at best* Twoset: This is a glorified piece of firewood

[@RaeRagusa]

"All the... sOunDs are- coming out." I can see u trying to be polite lol.

[@ilinoiswnbe4992]

Great Video! I hope you consider this for future content: bring it to a professional luthier and have a "before and after comparison". There's a ton of questions that "intermediate going to advance players" might pick up from that such as: if it's better to bring it to a luthier or buy a totally new instrument.

[@dolceviolins9535]

This is a really nice violin for beginners. If you are just getting started, it could be good for you. There's usually a violin rental option in violin stores. You can rent it out, see if that's what you're looking for.

[@evslol1153]

when ray tells me to comment i listen

[@smihoky7975]

I feel sorry for my violin.　She should be able to sing more beautiful.

[@adamkozakiewicz6766]

The sad fact is - she probably is able to do that. You just aren't him...

[@CarolynOsborne]

Keep practicing. That's how you learn to make each note something you are proud of.

[@Vidyut_Gore]

i have seriously fallen in love with you, Ray. Your talent and your attitude toward music. An instrument is an instrument. You put it through the paces and gave it a legit shot and said what you found. Honestly, a lot of reviews of "cheap Amazon violin/guitar/etc" really irritate me because no one expects a Strad for $69, but cheap instruments can be the gateway for a lot more people to get involved with music. As a music lover it simply infuriates me when an instrument is ridiculed or compared with something expensive and basically insulted. What I love about this video is your respect for the instrument. Whatever the cost. You are a rare gem like that. Social Media stars don't seem to realize that it is these cheap instruments that make music accessible to people. You haven't ridiculed it, humiliated it, pretended like cheap instruments can sound only terrible (as though new strings sound good on a 300$ violin) and you are literally the first review to mention they need to settle a bit to make good sound - something I as a non-musician music lover know but never see mentioned in such videos and not ridicule the new sound by comparing with a well used violin... Some of the reviews of cheap violins sound so fake and elitist they make no sense. Unfortunately this includes TwoSet. Feel like dropping a link to this video under other reviews for an example of what a real musician who knows what he is doing can do with a 69$ violin. As an excellent Indian musician once told me "music is in the musician, not the instrument - that is just a tool that makes expressing it easier or harder" :p

[@nemo227]

For a beginner I'd say the buyer will get great value. As a player advances changing strings may be enough for a year or two. After, when a player has learned enough to appreciate & understand what a better violin can do for his/her playing, that's time enough to take the next step.