I improved this cheap violin and I'm impressed!

Remember that 5-string violin I received from Thomann Music? I took it to the luthier and had him work his magic on it and the difference is incredible! So that got me thinking: let's make a video about all the different ways you can upgrade a cheap, student quality violin.
🌟 For exclusive videos, technical exercises, sheet music and collaborations with me on KZbin, join my Patreon at / marijkeviolin
-Marijke
✨ Instagram: @marijke.violin
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THE PRODUCTS I MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO (not sponsored):
• Strings: Pirastro Tonica
www.thomann.de/nl/pirastro_to...
• Shoulder rest: Wolf Forte Secondo
www.thomann.de/nl/gewa_schult...
• Chin rest: I have this one:
www.thomann.de/nl/gewa_chinre...
• Tailpiece: Wittner (for 4 strings)
www.thomann.de/nl/wittner_tai...
• Fiberglass bow
www.thomann.de/nl/artino_viol...
• Rosin: Pirastro Tonica
www.thomann.de/nl/pirastro_to...
_________________________
• My 5-string violin:
www.thomann.de/nl/thomann_eur...
• My go-to luthier:
Douwe van der Wal (Zwolle, The Netherlands)
-----------------------------------------
M U S I C
• Fredji - Happy Life • Fredji - Happy Life (O...
• NOWË - Undefeated • NOWË - Undefeated (Vlo...
M Y G E A R
• Acoustic violin // Roderich Paesold, 2017
• Electric violin // Yamaha SV-200 (brown)
• Acoustic strings // D'Addario Zyex (G and D), Pirastro Obligato (A), Pirastro Gold (E)
• Acoustic 5-strings // Thomastik Vison Solo (E, A, D, G) + Vision (C)
• Electric strings // D'Addario Zyex (silver D) + Helicore aluminum E
• Bow 1 // CodaBow “Joule” (color: Ruby Amber Prismatic)
• Bow 2 // carbon fiber bow "Presto" (by Zlata from Violin Lounge)
• Chin rest // Teka model by GEWA
• Shoulder rest // Wolf Forte Secondo
• Violin case // GEWA Pure (color: grey)
#violin #adultbeginnerviolinist #howtoplay

[@MarijkeViolin]

My Patreon is launching in February, woop woop! 🎻

[@niallchurch2679]

By fibreglass bow,do you mean carbon fibre?

[@Skinny_Karlos]

I've got a 19thC German made violin worth about $5000.00 Australian so not a real cheapy but I use Tonicas as they're budget friendly but give a decent sound for the 'non' performing use. I'd use better strings for a recital but as I tend to play quite a bit I need to change strings reasonably frequently and as I said, (and you did too) they're affordable yet give decent sound. My bow is a French made, early 20C bow by A Vigneron and made a huge difference to my sound and cost me $1500.00 au so compared to the violin is up there in $$ value next to the fiddle. Great video, I really enjoyed it and your pretty smile. Thank you, Mark from Australia.

[@jstandsforlove]

you can really notice the shift 😅 one thing you can do to a very cheap violin is a set up of soundpost, bridge and nut that includes the string spacing on them that is often messed up for one can only guess unspeakable reasons. the wolf forte primo was expensive that day but so worth it, having better support makes me study so much more.

[@jackx4311]

A couple of thoughts; as I found with my clarinet, you don't have to do all those things in one hit - you can do them piecemeal, as and when you can afford them. Secondly, look at all the changes which can be transferred to another instrument if you can afford something a bit better in the future - not just the chin and shoulder rests, but also the tailpiece, bow and rosin. So the only outlay which would be locked up in this violin would be the new strings and the luthier work - total, €75.

[@magnus1383]

Thanks. I was just looking on Thomann to look for a stand for my Rode since I switched my desk and the arm no longer sit well. It's good to know how much money would go into a violin. I only have an old guitar and changing the strings was about 24EUR, so if it had been around the same price, that would be a large portion of the instrument's own cost.

[@larrysharp80]

Great information 👍

[@planetpjr]

Glad to see you back at it.

[@MarijkeViolin]

😊

[@08m]

Good timing to see this - I finally ordered the non-antiqued version of this violin yesterday! Nice to know the vision strings exist with a C string option!

[@MarijkeViolin]

Wow, that's indeed a very good timing! The Dominant C string that comes with it is a short-scale viola C (Dominant doesn't sell violin C strings, so I guess it must be a viola C) I found it a bit muddy, the Vision C has more punch. There's also a Helicore violin C string which had a steel core, I'm curious to try that one too one day. For the rest, the C, G a d D are nice. The A and E are a bit harsh, so if you happen to have some warm sounding strings laying around, I would try warmer sounding strings for the A and E. If you want, let me know how it goes. 😊🎵

[@08m]

@@MarijkeViolin Tbh I had quite low expectations with the price of the violin but actually very pleased with the sound so far. Tunes nicely too! Have you seen there is an Evah Pirazzi Violin C? Think I'll give this a try when I change the strings as the EP's really bought out my other violin. www.thestringzone.co.uk/pirastro-evah-pirazzi-violin-string-c

[@dermur68]

Surprised you didn't recommend upgrading the bridge!

[@Man_Cave]

Always be wary when an online violinist who endorses a cheap violin. When I began, I followed the advice of a relatively famous online instructor and bought a Stentor violin at her recommendation. Within a couple of years the neck separated from the body from the mere tension of the strings. Yes, I made sure it was properly humidified and cared for. Some of these online violin instructors are receiving bribes and kickback for endorsing product. It's a shame, but it's true.

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

Wow, so sorry that happened to you. I’m a beginner. I got lucky and bought my outfit from someone I trusted. Ukulele players are lucky, we have an honest reviewer on KZbin called Got A Ukulele. He doesn’t take free instruments, nor a nickel from sellers. Sure wish there was a violin reviewer like him.

[@Man_Cave]

So many of them take payola for endorsements. It's sad. The beginners are the victims.@@nickiemcnichols5397

[@adrianilie28]

Maybe it's better to rent a good violin than to buy a cheap one. And buy a good violin later.

[@andreaskrysztofiak4197]

Thank you ❤ I think i will upgrade my Violin also❤

[@Skinny_Karlos]

It makes a huge difference to one's desire to put that fiddle under one's chin - you'll notice the difference in sound quality immediately. Spend as much as you can afford, and you won't regret it, especially if you buy it from a reputable store as you'll have less trouble selling it back if necessary. Good luck.

[@ronsindric4241]

Thank you ! Clear, Concise, Useful Post. I have one problem with my inexpensive violin; the nearest Luthier is well over 300 km away ! I would like to hear from you about how to DIY fine tune the bridge height, adjust the nut, and install a new tailpiece myself. Oh, one other small problem is how do I keep my tuning pegs from slipping ? For isolated people like me who do not have access to a good and patient Teacher, can you recommend some books and other media to help me ? Do you offer on-line classes ( ZOOM ? ) to guide people ? I need help; my squeaky scratchings are upsetting to my dust-bunnies and Pookah Penguin! Merci encore et bonne musique à vous ma Dame !

[@MarijkeViolin]

Glad to hear you like it! 🙂 Altering the bridge is a very time consuming process (I tried it last month on a friend's cheap violin), I wouldn't encourage people to try it as it can be frustrating. But I do have a video on my channel about changing the tailpiece yourself, which isn't hard. Slipping pegs can be made less slippery with peg paste, and by putting pieces of paper in the peg holes. I tried that and it works rather well. I work in the Wohlfahrt violin book, but I don't know about online classes. I don't teach violin lessons online (although I might do it at some point in the future, to help beginners out.)

[@SlowfingerJC]

Pour olive oil into the violin and swill it around until it is absorbed throughout the complete inside of the violin. This will simulate the aging process by filling in the open pores of the timber, which also naturally happens after many many years of playing due to dust, sweat and grime. This will take off the harsh edge in the sound. Sanding down the heavy lacquer coat with 1000 grade sandpaper then polishing it up with olive oil can also add to simulating the aging effect, to warm up the sound even further.

[@coldspring22]

Nice demo! Strings and rosin would definitely make good difference. It's all about contact between bow and strings, and friction is mostly due to rosin. Not sure about bow and ergonomic things These can be adjusted without buying new equipment if you are bit handy with tools. Also same you can resize bridge and nut yourself, It's not rocket science.

[@christophertsiliacos8958]

Hi Marijke - Speaking of cheap violins - and I mean cheap! I play a violin I purchased on Amazon for $39.95 (US) about seven years ago. It came with not only the violin, but the bow, a small cake of rosin, an extra set of steel strings, and a chromatic electronic tuner. I play it several days a week with all the original parts still intact. I must admit, I play it with a violin mute. Why? Because it gives the violin a softer and nonmetallic sound. And when I’m not playing it, it doubles as a nice decorative wall hanger. 😊🎻🎶

[@MarijkeViolin]

That's really the cheapest violin I can imagine! Happy to hear it's playable just as it is. 🙂

[@christophertsiliacos8958]

@@MarijkeViolin Surprisingly, it stays in tune, too. 😉👍

[@alanaliyev456GT]

Its a Quinton viola ?

[@melantorja]

nice

[@MGRVE]

As you nicely demonstrate: more bow helps a lot. I can't help but notice the difference in your playing (before: little bow, atfer: much more). Of course, it will sound much nicer. But thanks anyway. Best, Dirk

[@MarijkeViolin]

Good point! The before and after clips were recorded 3 months apart, otherwise I would have tried to do it the same, ofcourse. 😉

[@harryfurphy1491]

Good to see you still have the Thomann 5 string. I keep my one as a back up if something happens to my good fiddle. Still not a ultra fan of the thomann 5 still a bit hollow and weak in the tone and projection and the unusually thick neck really made it a challenge to work with on occasion . I changed a lot of things to try and improve it when i was using it regularly. I changed the tailpiece, thinned out the bridge, changed the finger board to a real ebony one, replaced the sound post, changed the chin and shoulder rest and a multitude of string changes paired with fairly expensive bows. All in all it improved slightly but it cost me about £350. Compared my new fiddle the thomann is just a cheap fiddle with a makeover and not much else. its still a fairly decent choice for people wanting to try a 5 string fiddle of a change. Still i hope you enjoy it.

[@MarijkeViolin]

Interesting to read! It's indeed a cheap violin with a makeover, but it plays nice now. I've had the string spacing altered too, it now has the same string spacing as a 4-string. I'm considering upgrading my good violin to a good quality 5-string one day, but we'll see about that. 🙂

[@harryfurphy1491]

@@MarijkeViolin if you are looking for a good 5 string violin have a look at AES (Acoustic Electric Strings) London 5 string or the Dahlia 5 string designed by Gary Bartig. They are the two best 5 string violins on the market in my opinion. I myself have the Dahlia 5 string and it’s the best violin I’ve ever played. They also have Gary’s specially designed lightweight electric pickups built inside them so you can plug into an amp or looper. These are really good 5 string fiddles. I think the London 5 string would fit you perfectly.

[@MarijkeViolin]

@@harryfurphy1491 I've been looking at those violins and they seem awesome! Good to hear you like yours a lot! Pity they have to ship from the USA, so I can't try it first or make buying it a weekend trip. 😅 Do you know anything about the difference between the two models they sell?

[@harryfurphy1491]

@@MarijkeViolin The London has more of a classic Italian design with a fairly wide waist to provide more space for the vibrations to resonate to help composate for the extra C string and providing an even tone across all the strings. This makes it better for classical music and jazz with it softer clearer sound while still maintaining its powerful projection. Of course you can play fiddle tunes as well and the London 5 string is exceptional at it too. The Dahlia 5 string, my fiddle is a modified version of the London. The Dahlia has a wider lower body with a slightly lighter frame making it project and resonates while still maintaining very even tone across all the strings. It’s clear and warm tone make it perfect for Irish trad session and fiddle music. It’s also excellent at classical music as well. For your style of playing I would highly recommend the London 5 string but if you take an interest in the Dahlia 5 string you won’t be disappointed I adore mine. Both are exceptional instruments and are a jack of all trades. Perfect for any style of music you use them for. As for the shipping it was very straight forward. I contacted Gary through an email and gave Gary my address and he gave me a cost on the shipping. He also gave me a discount on the instrument the help with the shipping costs.

[@MarijkeViolin]

@@harryfurphy1491 Thanks a lot! 🧡😊

[@nasseralmakseed9029]

Bridge and sound post is sometimes better to change when visiting the luthier 👍🎵🎶🎵🎻

[@MarijkeViolin]

Definitely, it's real craftmanship!

[@ayo3014]

Please do a review of your coda bow joule because I need to see if I want the prismatic ruby amethyst or the ruby amber. Thank you

[@MarijkeViolin]

I have an unboxing video of the Polished Prismatic CodaBow Joule, which looks purple (it's red and blue, but looks purple from most angles) I think it's very similar to the Ruby Amethyst. I swapped it for the Ruby Amber Prismatic and it's reddish purple and golden brown and looks like a warm brown from most angles. On the Instagram of CodaBow are several videos of these bows too, and you can always ask them to send a short video in which they show both options.

[@niallchurch2679]

So who makes the violin,thomann?

[@nsn2255]

How much was the price of this tool?

[@YuriBad10]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@penultimateh766]

Our smart and beautiful host is on the way to becoming a luthier herself!

[@MarijkeViolin]

What an idea. I have jokingly thought about this as times, haha! 😉

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

I have three nice violins but I still like my cheap Mendini. Fitted the pegs, changed tailpiece and bridge, adjusted the sound post, lowered the action on the nut, Vision strings. It's actually not a horrible violin now. It's almost OK, which for a $79 violin says a lot.

[@MarijkeViolin]

They can indeed be made very OK, nice to hear! I like my 5-string too, although the A and E are still a bit harsh.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

@@MarijkeViolin If your two high strings are harsh, maybe the sound post is too close to the bridge. Take a look and if it looks like there's no space between the back of the foot and the top of the post, bump your post back a little so it about the distance that the top plate is thick there, or cheat a little by just sliding your bridge forward. That may take away some harshness.

[@MarijkeViolin]

@@johnjriggsarchery2457 I don't dare to mess with the soundpost, but moving the bridge 1 or 2 mm sounds doable. 😉 Thanks!

[@niallchurch2679]

​ well then,surely you should take your own advice and take it to a luthier,and adjust soundpost,after all,if you're going to do a video subject justice,then do it right,also,could you stop waving your hands around😊

[@user-wz2qe2pv6r]

Spend a lot on the bow, cause when you sell up you keep the bow for the rest of ur life. String height is critical so yes get them lowered

[@studiopro8684]

Hello! The 5th string of a 5-string violin is C. What is the string of a viola? Please answer this question, it is very important.

[@jackx4311]

The lowest string on a viola is C.

[@studiopro8684]

@@jackx4311 Thank you, Thank you very much, I just wanted to know for sure, so the 5th string is C?

[@LeftyPencil]

​​@studiopro8684 usual 5th string version added in parentheses, from highest pitch to lowest Violin E A D G (C) Viola (E) A D G C

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

I can improve the sound of any violin by not attempting to play it. 🙉

[@MarijkeViolin]

Bedum tss! 😂👍

[@alanaliyev456GT]

Cheap violin is

[@niallchurch2679]

You're playingjthe after violin slowerhthsn the before one

[@ahh1180]

So basically change everything on the violin. On that advice just use that money and buy a better violin

[@jackx4311]

If you think spending an extra €169 on the violin would give you an instrument on which you wouldn't have to spend *anything* - yet would sound and feel the same - you're nuts.

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

It was given to her.

[@slvclw]

5 String Sacreligious!!!!!!!

[@jackx4311]

Don't be so stupid.

[@LeftyPencil]

Wait till you discover octave strings to make a mini cello 😂

[@jamesmcdunn1266]

If you replace the engine, transmission and suspension of a Ford Pinto it will be a better car because you have just BUILT a NEW CAR! You replaced everything but the body!

[@jackx4311]

That's the most ridiculous criticism - and only a complete *BERK* would make such a comparison. *UNLIKE A CAR*, the body of a violin is the MOST expensive part, not the cheapest.