Will it work?!? I try to Improve the 100 Dollar Violin with my Master Setup

[@diegoserrato4016]

Man, you're some kind of violin wizard. Your attention to detail is incredible and you managed to turn garbage into a musical instrument. I had no idea that all those little things make a huge difference. Cheers 🎻

[@NiklasFischerComposer]

I think he was once Yoda's apprentice and figured out how to use the Force to make string instruments :)

[@wanrazul]

I was hoping he'd crack it open to fix the insides...

[@Cookie_Comment]

Diego Serrato yeah, i agree 😄 olaf is amazing

[@tannyxie8328]

I think it's the the string makes a difference.

[@BBKoVI]

@@tannyxie8328 It's more than that, friend.

[@gtoger]

"As a beginner, you're important." This guy gets it.

[@robbaird5972]

lol

[@PaperGrape]

He gets way more than you would imagine, but yes.

[@Sivmi_]

This VSO would be a good candidate to test the god pillar that you reviewed with TwoSet some time ago hahaha

[@sophiewilliams9934]

Once quarantine is over, we need that video to happen (maybe on this violin too)

[@chelseadalotta97]

Yes, we need video of olaf installing god pillar to that 'violin' (sacrilegous)

[@warasilawombat]

YES! I want the GOD PILLAR.

[@Taran858]

Yeah, great idea, I'm sure I wasn't the only person to suggest this on the review video...

[@mogmason6920]

This!

[@annakareninacamara6580]

"The strings are very good... FOR THE BIN" ROOOOOOOOOASTEEEED XD

[@ineedtopractice7156]

hahahahaha

[@Cookie_Comment]

Lololololol

[@annakareninacamara6580]

@@Cookie_Comment Hey, can I get a cookie?

[@typokween7980]

Cookie Comment I feel like I saw you somewhere before

[@GarGlingT]

@@typokween7980 kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3zCZHaYlNJ4npY

[@syahidatin8564]

Actually I am okay with watching a whole 50 minutes to see the whole process. It's interesting! I like how you explained everything you work on.

[@LexiLSify]

Same ! Every time he says « I’ll fast forward because this is boring » I’m just like « noooo, I want to see everything » it’s so calming to watch. There’s no gimmicks, and not as fast paced as other youtubers channels, just sharing what he does and I love it.

[@sugar_HH]

I love watching this too. I’m not even playing violin.

[@owdy3973]

It's kind of satisfying

[@adomehus]

Honestly the fingerboard looks kinda cool.

[@supernoodles908]

I agree with you there :) defo improved

[@jewelt5975]

Yea, that actually is the most beautiful fingerboard I've ever seen, the colour, the pattern

[@skynet3d]

Yeah, kinda like a flamed maple effect.

[@Alistair]

that's what I was thinking too, looks great

[@PointyTailofSatan]

turtleshell colored.

[@8472TomBrown]

Twoset Community: we always like watching Olaf too :-)

[@thisisorion6432]

Oh olaf! I love how you said that it was never too late to start playing an instrument, and every soloist are once a beginner. This is somehow gives me a new spirits to keep learning and not to feel discouraged looking at others who are far ahead. Thank you so much Olaf, that means a lot to me! :)

[@myes344]

U can make up the lost time by practicing 40hrs a day

[@dlevi67]

Olaf - in potential assistance for your question at 1:05: - What is the difference between a violin,- a cello- and a piano-shaped object? - The piano burns for longest.

[@kaymarrand9970]

Would not recommend burning CASIOs.

[@dlevi67]

@@kaymarrand9970 LOL. My excuse is that technically speaking, those are "electronic keyboard-shaped objects", and they don't burn that well.

[@mal2ksc]

Pianos also have a much more satisfying implosion if you can heat them up just right.

[@preciousjewelamor]

you should check out The MakeMakes “I Am Yours” live in the Eurovision. The piano was on fire

[@maverickdallas1004]

The cheap violin is good for somebody who likes to fiddle around with things!

[@amiraaxel2935]

I just love how the VSO's synonyms are pretty much its "roast" terms.

[@mogmason6920]

Missing Viola tho

[@vlin2199999]

In brass world, there is another one - TSO - Trumpet Shape Object. But you already know what it means.

[@sirspongadoodle]

@@vlin2199999uhh…

[@gadgad6227]

Sir I don't have doubts about your violin playing in fact your better than me lol. I was kinda interested after you made those improvements to the VSO. It would be nice if you can have twoset to test it blind fold and have them play the violin and then make them reveal which violin they believe sounds better. That would be fun to watch. Before they made a video comparison with the million dollar violin so it's kinda exciting to hear their opinion about how much you improved the sound of that VSO.

[@hobbybugs1286]

Oh they would know

[@BombedNevada]

They would feel it instantly if they played it. A blind sound test would be still be pretty obvious I would be willing to bet.

[@catothecensor]

Blind test pleeeeeese

[@LZXun]

i think even a mainstream audience could tell the difference immediately

[@HaoNguyen-ut9pj]

a blind test is actually fun on checking something at the same level, or at least at the same price point. I actually do this almost every month, not with violin but interconnect cables and loudspeakers

[@trancenental]

Thanks for making this video - I've always wondered how much these $100 turds could be hot rodded up with a good fitted bridge and soundpost. This video definitely scratched an itch! And I agree with some of the other sentiments in the comments - don't destroy it! You've made it playable, and maybe there is a needy beginner/school district out there that can benefit from your hard and expert work on this piece.

[@mriyan154]

You're succeeded to pull my interest to violins, and I've never even touch a violin before 😄

[@bramsrockhopper3377]

This was fascinating. Thank you so much, Olaf. Your passion for stringed instruments is a lovely thing. I’m glad you didn’t destroy it. I always feel that instruments have a kind of soul - we feel that when we become very close to our instruments and we make music with them. They deserve to make music. Nothing sadder than seeing an instrument rejected/broken/discarded... Please don’t destroy it at the end. It’s not it’s fault that it was made with so little care. Don’t encourage the sort of wanton destruction that some KZbinrs delight in. Encourage people to make the best of what they have - plenty of kids out there are starting out on just that kind of instrument, because it’s all their family can afford for them. Some hints on a cheaper range of half-decent strings to put on it and how to do that, ditto a bridge etc. The kind of things they could do at home without spending too much. Many don’t have the option of a better instrument or going to luthier. But with encouragement and pride in their instrument, who knows whether they could get to that point...

[@MarkMcCluney]

Good for you mate. It gladdened my heart to read your remarks. Thank you.

[@diegoserrato4016]

Dude, I agree so hard. There's so many instruments out there that don't get any love because they're seen as low-end trash (I'm talking about actual student model violins, not VSO's). I'm a poor Latino in the ghetto with limited means and resources who performs with violins worth no more than $1,000. I've tried out many high-end $3000+ violins, but it doesn't feel the same as playing your own instrument, and as long as you're playing the music you want and musically expressing yourself the way you want, I don't think it matters. It's truly saddening when instrument aren't cared for and get treated badly, even it's a low-end instrument. My first violin, the one I call "Maria," was in terrible condition when I got her, opening at the seams, cracks, and generally scarred to hell. I'm getting her repaired and restored despite the repair costing more than the monetary value of the instrument and despite the fact that she's an old cheap student model Kay violin. But that is violin is the one that made me discover the joy of playing violin and means a lot to me. Low-end instruments can be special, too.

[@lesley-annmathews7971]

Even if the 4 of us are only the 4 of us, at least we feel the way we do 🎉

[@bramsrockhopper3377]

@@lesley-annmathews7971 Well said… I’m sure we’re not the only ones. 83 people liked my original comment…if it makes even one person give their poor instrument a bit of love and care instead of treating it like firewood/trash, it’s worth it! I’d like to see Olaf do a little series showing what you CAN do with a cheap instrument, because for many people that’s the best they’re going to get. To hear a KZbinr or luthier dismiss it as ‘trash’ must be heartbreaking 💔

[@enzo_borja]

"Luthier killed by toxic cheap violin" is something I never want to read in the papers. Stay safe Olaf!

[@leiontwill894]

My childhood dream: To be a violinist My other dream - To be a luthier

[@luvbgrass]

Learning an instrument, #1. I have found out usually makes you become,#2 a luthier. I am just working on my first violin, but with other instruments i play its made me learn to work on them also. Set up on any acoustic instrument I have learned is really important. EE

[@peterpetrov5831]

@@luvbgrass My dream was to be a blacksmith :D

[@impulseproman]

Good dreams go at it

[@sirspongadoodle]

@@impulsepromanwrx, nice taste in car…

[@michaelwhisman]

I married my childhood dream 54 years ago.

[@censored4urprotection50]

Im just dropping by to this video to say keep up the good work man! Faith in humanity restored, every video you seem to be so nice people thank you for that.

[@johncook1080]

Thank you Olaf, for giving the VSO a voice. It wasn't the instrument's fault that it wasn't made well. I've learned this evening that there has been flooding in Australia on the Western coast. While I realize you're in Brisbane on the Eastern coast, your countrymen on the West are in our prayers. You are an inspiration. My wife Karen has a violin that was acquired in an antique shop that belonged to her mother and her grandmother in Maryland, USA. I've become so interested since watching your videos that I've entreated her to get it out of our conditioned storage so I can learn more about it. In the meantime I plan on acquiring an inexpensive VSO to see if I can make it any better. I hope you're not insulted, but if I can employ your methods and give it a voice, then perhaps I'll have done music a small service. I'm sure Karen's violin will be superior, but in the meantime I will learn a great deal in the process. We have a Luthier in Raleigh, NC, Mr. John Montgomery. I may try to see if he'll allow me to sweep his floors as a volunteer in exchange for the chance to learn something. I'm in my 60's, but as you've indicated, it's never too late.

[@AlfianoJohanesFrans]

We need more colab between olaf and 2 set violin, they are a good match.

[@1976kanthi]

Olaf: I wonder what I can do with this VSO. Twoset: Can we burn it?

[@rogermcfarland8111]

I’m of the opinion also, not to destroy this violin and your work that went into it. I view this in the same way as a person that buys a car and tweaks it into something better than what is was. At the very least this instrument could be used as a loaner to other student violinists that bring their own violin in for repair.

[@tracyllewellyn5258]

Thank you so much!! I am 57 years old and have just started playing the violin. Your words are very encouraging.

[@hanamiya8008]

A very interesting content I might never come across if I don't know Olaf! Thank you for the wholesome content!

[@DullPoints]

Your message about beginner musicians was beautifully said. Truly the best aspects of the human spirit.

[@hyacinthpixie8054]

Hi Olaf! I would love to see a video about left-handed violins. I know left-handed violinists are fairly taboo in the violin community, but some of us can't play any other way. I play left-handed because I cannot fret with my left hand due to a disability, so I have to bow with my left. It would be pretty great to see a video on what a true left-handed violin is, versus one that's just flipped.

[@Chris_the_Muso]

The bass bar needs to be on the other side, so the bass bar and the sound post need to be in the opposite positions. That's certainly something that Olaf would be able to do. The nut and the bridge would also need to be adjusted, due to the different thickness of the strings. It's a fundamental change to the violin, and in an orchestral setting a left handed violinist would certainly stand out, both reasons for left handed violins being "taboo". I don't see these as a big issue outside the professional orchestra, so I think you should investigate it if you haven't already done so. Olaf made a video about the bass bar and demonstrated making one and fitting it. "A Bass-Bar inside a violin?!? Master violin maker explains how it works" from August 2020. Definitely a great video to watch if you want to understand the violin a bit better.

[@lyamorian767]

Left-handed player here as well. As a kid, I have been forced to write with my right hand, therefore I am quite sensitive to being talked into playing right-handedly. I feel like it has been the right decision to play with my left hand, as it feels so weird and "wrong" if I even hold the violin as a right-handed player would. I would like to play in an orchestra one day and honestly, I feel like the times where you could openly discriminate against people because of some physical trait should definitely be over! I also don't see how that is even that big of a problem. I am sure seating can be arranged in such a way that bows won't hit each other. I believe that if more people decided to play with the left hand, it would be accepted the way that writing with the left hand has been as well.

[@clairedionne559]

@@lyamorian767 It would be great to have whole sections of left-handed string players. Otherwise, a bit problematic visually, as in an orchestra, visual ensemble is paramount, want it or not. If not so, we would mix all soli instruments together...

[@TrebleWing]

This is why you buy a quality instrument right off the bat.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

You said it!!

[@mykofreder1682]

Wondered what older used instruments cost on eBay, I found many under $200US. Which makes sense. Violin playing is not that popular and you end up with some relatives hobby violin purchased 50 years or more ago you will see what you can get for it on eBay. Looked up someone's opinion on makers, selected Mendini and Ceclilio and added Yamaha because of my own opinion, a large selection and some were under $100 buy now or best offer prices. These would have real parts and wood and would be worth the $300 to put it in best condition if you wanted the best sound. Ended up with a 100 year old German violin for US $85 on eBay and am using things I have seen to set it up better, it plays OK. The cheap violin sounded good enough for a leaner, if you are getting a 5 or 6 year old a 1/2 size or something to learn a little, a cheaper violin might be the way.

[@gingercat6128]

@@mykofreder1682 Totally the right idea. I picked up two Czechoslovakian violins for under £40 each, which are at least 35 years old, and they are both absolute gems to play. I also got a Michael Poller viola for £25, which was just advertised as a "violin", but if you zoomed in on the pictures you could read the label through the f-hole. Sometimes you just get lucky.

[@Flanowa]

The partial black coloring on the fingerboard looks AMAZING!!! I want Thaton my Violin!

[@zwz.zdenek]

It would probably wear out eventually. Ebony is black throughout, it won't change.

[@Kimoto504]

It looks cool, like some guitar bodies.

[@trumpetplayer6397]

I started at 73, and I'm at 1½ years later. I bought a a German luthier made violin, and have no regrets. I think the 'secret' is to do a lot of research beforehand, and evaluate if this is something you can do. Also getting a good quality instrument. Even if just playing open strings, it should sound good and inspiring. I like the explanations and showing how it works, that you do here. Thanks

[@icanbeapotato988]

"You're a beginner, you're important." I wish someone told me that 5 years ago.

[@robertd3564]

I really enjoyed this. 30 years ago I went to a luthier school and built guitars. When I got back home I would buy garbage violins like in your vid and work on 'em to make'em better as my hobby. Luthiery was my passion but (because of life haha) is now just my hobby. I don't like to use the phrase "just my hobby", because building /repairing musical instruments has taught me many life lessons which improved my capacity to engage successfully in my current career (in health care). Watching somebody like you do the voo doo that you do , is an inspiration. Your accuracy with the knife while cutting the bridge makes me smile -I almost always blew it! Peace friend. The musical community needs people like you; actually, they couldn't survive w/o peeps like you! Great vid.

[@LexiLSify]

I love that you didn’t throw it out ! This was so interesting to watch ! I’ve never touched a violin in by life, but I love seeing how you restore them, or here try to make a real instrument out of a piece of plastic

[@tinovanderzwanphonocave544]

I have been restoring 15th to 18th-century books for 25 years now and whenever I meet a violin or guitar builder I'm always amazed how similar our toolset is I'm mostly working with wood board cover books and the recipe for making a board from a hardwood, of course, it isn't very different from preparing a soundboard of a violin and for the smaller books I have to parr the wood down to mere millimeters and in case of some Spanish books it is really close to building a soundboard because of the differences in climate in Spain hot and humid at the coast super dry inland if a board would travel from inland to coast or the other way round the board would crack that's why 17th-century Spanish books have strip inlay of hardwood but the board tents to be of a softer variety so it can stretch the square fitted braces are there to prevent the wood from cracking and to strengthen it much like under the soundboards of violins and guitars. when I found a damaged late 18th-century guitar I found it strangely easy to repair putting back broken or rotted braces was familiar.

[@MoisaIonut]

Somehow, having the fingerboard textured like that makes it look fancier than the classic matte black of most violins

[@MatthewFocke]

Your are the Maestro of violin making…My granddaughter plays violin….A high school student. She moved into advance playing within five months. She loves it!

[@davidguthrie3895]

This makes me feel a LOT better. I was getting so frustrated because I was practicing and was still sounding awful. Now I understand that it wasnt just my inexperience, it was also a cheap instrument hindering me from progress. Maybe someday I'll be able to purchase a decent one to learn on. I would love to be able to play.

[@thumbsup5524]

you can try renting a better one! a lot of stores have a rent to own option so you only have to pay so much each month and then after a while you will own it!

[@davidguthrie3895]

@@thumbsup5524 might be a little hard now I'm a truck driver 😂 also the closest violin shop is like 3+ hours away from my home

[@thumbsup5524]

@@davidguthrie3895 hey if you go once they can probably just make every payment automatic so you dont have to go back every time haha atleast thats what my local shop did

[@davidguthrie3895]

@@thumbsup5524 I have no issue with that. Now it's just finding time to practice. Truck driving is about 70hrs a week. I mean I COULD take it on the road with me and try to practice at the end of the day

[@thumbsup5524]

@@davidguthrie3895 ahaha yeah that’s probably the only time youd have to practice if you do that i suggest leave it in the place where you sit and not getting a super expensive one

[@marloacorn]

You’ve undervalued your work. The quality of of work and passion is invaluable.

[@AkiraYC88]

At first I thought he gonna fix the DIY violin Brett and Eddy bought

[@Linhdoesstuff]

That one is just WAYYYY beyond repair, it's not even a VSO anymore, it's woods splinters and sadness...

[@davidhenderson5051]

@@Linhdoesstuff - I'm new to this.. what is VSO??

[@davidhenderson5051]

@@marianaortiz4515 hehe so sorry.. I skipped over some bits.... how embarrassing. Thanks for explaining it anyway. Cheers.

[@wingedrhinotv]

The thing about VSOs is so relatable! I had the same experience as a lefty guitarist who played a cheap right handed acoustic with the strings flipped over, and then a cheap lefty electric from rondo music whose pickups sounded like dry farts. Bought a "proper" guitar years later and that made a LOT of difference! This is probably why the synth keyboard is the easiest instrument to pickup. Oh and maybe also the Cajon. Not much can go wrong there! Oh and alongside instruments, I'd say the same about cheap bicycle shaped objects being very bad for a lot of beginner cyclists.

[@BombedNevada]

I’d love to see you build an instrument from the ground up.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Yes, I will do that with my next violin. It won't be till later in the year, but it will be super interesting and much more than a 5 part series 🙂

[@BombedNevada]

Ask Olaf the Violinmaker cant wait!

[@strawberrired]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker I was going to suggest this too! Great that it's already being planned. :)

[@c150gpilot]

Love this! Re: Never too late -- I began cello 4 years ago, at age 74.

[@0ia]

Cool! I want to live my life with the mentality of being able to start things like you :)

[@lowstringc]

As a public school orchestra in a very poor area, I’ve done this (minus the fingerboard planing and replacing the soundpost usually) for countless students’ instruments over 17 years (for free, but I request if they can, that they reimburse me for the new bridge and strings). It still doesn’t sound fabulous, but even a ‘simple’ setup with the existing bridge feet, contour, and string spacing (I prefer they pay me cost for a new bridge blank and do the whole thing, but I already spend hundreds and hundreds of my salary on my students so I try not to buy too much for them) as well as setting up the nut groove depth, and reaming/shaving peg holes and pegs makes a HUGE difference in playability! They still sound like VSO’s, but are much more playable and sound like a ‘better vso’. There’s nothing to be done with the bows that come with those things though, what an unplayable nightmare! (And I guarantee they used white/yellow/wood glue. Trying to get things apart on these is 1. A nightmare, 2. A gamble you won’t destroy the instrument irreparably...)

[@richardgreen7225]

Considering modern manufacturing techniques, I am amazed that people are building (and selling!) products with such obvious defects. I feel sorry for the child whose parents unwittingly buy one of these unplayable VSOs.

[@recipoldinasty]

Richard Green exactly, in the guitwr world now 100 plus dollars guitars qre absolutelly playeable

[@sirspongadoodle]

@@recipoldinastythats absolutely true… people waste so much assuming that an expensive guitar will play and sound better, whilst the playability may get a little better you wont notice a difference in sound(in electrics) since the sound from the “tonewood” gets transfered into acoustic energy which will not be picked up by the pickups…

[@christinamonteverdi]

This is quite enlightening. There's no way I will even touch one of these VSO's with a stick even now...

[@aleksjersic3467]

Ling Ling would correct this violin to strad by just looking at it

[@andreatravaglini2365]

Aleks Jersic yeah... pathetic lol

[@Mrphilharmonic]

Ling ling not bad pianoist either`

[@AnduNinicu]

This gentleman is so wholesome , he does realy care , not only he does care for the instrument , but most important he cares about the human ! makes me all warm on cozy on the inside !

[@angelashackelford8347]

Hey Olaf, I love it when you estimate the price to have the things that you're doing done. As someone who has recently upgraded their instrument from a student one to one that I dropped a few grand on, I want to keep my instrument in good shape and it's really helpful to both appreciate the details put into my new instrument and know when to take it to a shop/what I'm getting myself into if anything goes wrong.

[@aljabola]

Hi, Olaf, really great video!! As an amateur luthier (from Brasil), i am now finishing varnishing a chinese cello that have some good wood and construction, and sounded well, but i realised that maybe the PU varnish was too much for me to bear... hehe i once too a knife and lift a little of the varnish down the lower bouts and it cracked, showing the wood. And the size, the measurements of this cello to me were pretty standard so i found it a good idea to try to make, and behold, i did a thorough recondicioning - put an ebony fingerboard, made a good hardwood tailpiece, ebony pegs and a spirits varnish. To the removal of the old artificial varnish i used a removing gel (that is made to auto use), and it worked very well. So i sanded the cello all over, and started from scratch, sealing the wood again and varnishing with a spirits made of laquer, benjoim and sandarac. The result is a robust cello, in comparison to the old one. The volume uped by some 10-15% which i found impressive, but i made all efforts to make the varnish as thin as possible. The bass notes now are open and resonant, and the high notes are more accurate to the fundamental harmonic. So, it is a great happiness to come to your channel and see your work, i learn a lot with yours videos. Thank you!

[@FreyaCatherineMusic]

I may have said 'Pirastro Tonica gang REPRESENT' out loud and felt both really cool and like a total nerd at the same time. So glad my chosen strings are luthier approved :) (screw Dominants!)

[@jamie.edlund]

watching you talking so passionately about violin and go out of your way to modify a VOS is really something amazing.

[@influennzapyloric4073]

You're an amazing luthier to be able to turn that VSO to a violin! The beginning sounded like plastic, after you professionally fixed it, it sounds like real wood! But I agree, beginners shouldn't buy such VSOs to begin with. And at the end where you said every soloist was once a beginner, I teared up.. You're inspiring!

[@iamnopsycho]

I wouldn’t mind watching a livestream of Olaf working on a violin. He has such calming presence

[@helloworld7157]

Conclusion: improve it, i can

[@BirthquakeRecords]

I love how approachable you are about talking about violinmaking and repair. I don't pick up ANY snobbishness or elitism from you, which I really appreciate. Some luthiers I've interacted with before have been pretty hoity-toity and turned their nose up a little at me for being a dirty self taught fiddle player, playing on my grandfather's old fiddle.

[@arvetis]

"Peg paste" suuure. That is definitely mahogany nude lipstick. Matches the curly wig, though - good eye.

[@papadean.]

The best 22 minutes and 7 seconds I’ve ever had in my life thank you so much!

[@shipsahoy1793]

I've noticed that the tone of an instrument seems to vary with different bows, not just different strings. My question is, should a quality violin sound be a flat EQ across frequency, or should there be a slight mid-range kind of bite to the sound? I've heard both on records, so could be a style/preference thing, but how should an acoustic classical violin really sound?

[@lunaic9446]

Nice the la cinqinatane in the last part if the video. I love that song

[@wonderbugone]

Hahaha I own a ~$200 violin. No shade to my instrument though; it served me well. I learned violin in grade 10 and we had the option of using the school instruments, but I really wanted to have my own so I could practice whenever and keep it. We had to take it in to a repair shop at the recommendation of my teacher and the man replaced all the strings, shaved the bridge into a better shape, and carved the scroll holes out because the pegs didn't fit properly. I don't remember how much it cost, but maybe $100-200? So I think it does pay to invest in a better instrument right off the bat. If you're willing to play a subpar-sounding, difficult-to-play instrument, then you can get one for very cheap, but as soon as you decide you want better, you've already wasted money, because trying to improve a low-quality instrument isn't as economical as buying one of higher quality.

[@AlexThomson1000]

Your passion is absolutely infectious, I can practically feel it coming through the screen!

[@nebelung1]

Super cool! Would be fun to hear someone try to play a real piece on it!

[@testing1567]

Wow, I love the look of the fingerboard with the wood grain showing through! It's gorgeous.

[@eviloatmeal]

Olaf: "170 dollar fingerboard." Me, looking at my DK deck with Blackriver trucks and Oak wheels: "Yeah, pretty much."

[@theonewiththeratpfp]

yeah... i looked at my 150 dollar trick board covered in stickers

[@lukemorrissey9906]

Lmaooooooo

[@happymisa]

When I was thinking start to learn cello, I thought i would bought cello from the internet but i was lucky and find violin maker in my town and he had two cello from “1st “owners. Im so glad that i found him and even my beautiful cello😍

[@leiontwill894]

I am so fascinated on how Olaf came up with a new character of his own, like a new character from the Violin cinematic universe...

[@Anitsirc25]

So informative! So glad that luthiers and teachers care about us adult beginners!💚

[@tak-el-uc]

It would be interesting to hear the violin played with a better bow to see how much of an effect the bow would make without having to put more work and money into this project.

[@mello9686]

Olaf is a man of wisdom and culture and understands the people , violin is by far one of the most expensive instruments

[@dianal.1279]

If you need a cheap violin, get the one Ray Chen bought for, if I remember correctly, 69 dollars. Because 500 dollars is a big investment for many people knowing that most who start learning the violin don't stick to it. It takes a long time to play one note that doesn't sound bad. It's you, not the violin. Then, when you learn to bow straight amd get some agility to control bow pressure and placement (contact point) AND learn to place your left hand fingers at the right places (stop the string) so that your intended note isn't too flat, or too sharp, you'll struggle a long time to learn vibrato. It isn't easy, as in the guitar, or cello. And it is essential to sound more beautiful. Take a look at the hands of violinists, they vibrate most of the time. So, there's a long way to play anything, the easiest of pieces, sounding just ok. Many give up. If you have time and patience and do stick to it, that'll pass and in a few years you'll feel the need to get a better instrument. How many years? It depends. Some have it easier than others. Long fingers help. If you have a lot of time, if you're younger... many ifs. Good work!

[@cornebistouille]

i am guitarist so not really found of violin, but i am sincerely happy to see how passionnate and respectful you are

[@FlameEmber]

#RIPheadphoneusers. 90% of the video: Turn up the volume to hear Olaf speaking. Sudden violin: Gaaaaaaah!! My ears!!!! 😱

[@andrewcole6367]

Hi Olaf, thank you for your video. I am an amateur restorer. I fix up unloved instruments and pass them on for children to learn. I heat a knife in a mug of hot water to pop the nut off, is that wrong? I make a lot of components like pegs and chin rests out of field maple and spindle that I've harvested and seasoned myself to save money and avoid using ebony. After trying out various wood dyes I have found a shoe scuff-cover liquid that comes in a plastic bottle with a sponge in the neck as a fantastic eboniser. It gives a really dense, durable black finish! Sometimes though I like to keep these components white, to have something unusual. There are some very good cheap strings available if you experiment a bit. I agree with your observation on sound posts, too tight strangles the sound. I just wish there was a budget version of the Knilling Precision or Witner geared tuning pegs, I have fitted them to a couple of fiddles for myself, and they make tuning so easy. It's fun fixing up cheap or damaged instruments, a very satisfying hobby that you can do in a small space and on limited money. I have only worked on a couple that were so hideously bad that someone couldn't get some use out of. By far the worst was an Indian made one. I did everything I could with it but it was just appalling. I didn't want to give it to a student. I donated it to a charity shop, maybe someone could use it for wall decoration or window dressing or something! Kind regards Andrew

[@luborkloda8903]

Hey Olaf, don't destroy it. Make some tutorial for other people on budget how to improve cheap violin instead. :)

[@unbekannternutzer25]

Oh that's easy: save for a while and buy a violin for 500$ instead You're welcome ^^

[@merlinsback1321]

That speech about beginners at the end made me cry. You’ve got a beautiful goal Olaf and you’re capable of touching other’s hearts. Wish you all the best. ✌🏻

[@julinho218]

"Here, you're not going to watch in on everything I do" - A man has to keep his secrets, anyways.

[@faviod752]

The last minutes were like the therapy I never asked for but I've been needing since I touched a violin.

[@TheAsianTree]

I have a question Olaf, I’m a high school student almost entering my senior year and would like to buy a better bow. How expensive are bows that music uni students are using.

[@tshduck5167]

bcdhifi that’s not a good enough bow for university

[@TheAsianTree]

bcdhifi I agree with T-SHIRT duck. Mine costs around 150 dollars and I know that it is not good enough to play at a music uni

[@bearlyroyale4530]

Hi Landon, I played viola for 6 years when I was in school. I wouldn’t focus too much on cost. You can get a good bow for your instrument at various prices. I would suggest going to a luthier(if you have multiple in your area you’re lucky) and trying out several bows with your current instrument in the shop. Typically they’ll let you borrow a few to try out at home before you decide to buy. When I was buying a bow I brought all of the bows I was trying to my teacher to have her help me pick one out. College varies. Which music uni or more importantly how much money do you have to spend? Don’t focus too much on what college students have. All bows will make your instrument sound different, they can even vary even if they are the same model of bow. You want to find a bow that makes your instrument sound the best at the best price point you can comfortably afford, not necessarily one that fits a singular price point.

[@TheAsianTree]

BEARLY ROYALE I live in Tennessee(dunno if there is any luthiers in that area) and I have a part time job so I can pay from a couple hundred to 1 or 2 thousand.

[@bearlyroyale4530]

Landon Ngo I would definitely try to travel to one if you don’t have any string shops/luthiers near you. It’s not uncommon for string players to travel out of state or go to another city if there is a shop with a large selection. If you live somewhere rural it’s definitely worth a trip to the city! A bow is not something you buy everyday, and it’s just as important as having a good instrument. If you don’t want to travel back and forth you may have to try it and buy it on the same day while you are at the shop. I definitely would not buy anything without trying it on your instrument. Also it’s a good experience as well, I didn’t know how great my instrument could sound before I got to test multiple bows. There’s a magic when you find the right one. Another thing is I wouldn’t trust video reviews or ads about people raving about a specific bow. A bow that brings out the best in one instrument might not bring out the same in your instrument. Try before you buy! edit: wording

[@herlindamendoza7915]

Thank you for your encouragement olaf. I’m crying 😭 I’m an older beginner. Thank youuuu for the knowledge.

[@reikayukii]

Imagine stadivari living in this era, he would have converted a 50$ violin into a stradivarius

[@ynra]

He would have thrown the VSO away and made a new one from scratch!

[@lbamusic]

Love the attention to detail, and I'm not even a violinist but a pianist who loves excellent sound...

[@intensecreate1208]

I remember when he had 2k subs, and now he has 10 times the amount.

[@sirspongadoodle]

4x that now

[@dolphinsandsunsets]

your respect for the instrument no matter how trashy it was initially made is stellar. Good on you Olaf!

[@skynet3d]

Instead of smashing it, I'd rather see you donate it to someone who can't afford one and wants to learn.

[@dotteddice2358]

I agree with this!

[@michelleduclos2633]

That’s a great idea if he can actually make it playable.... otherwise it wouldn’t do them much good except to create frustration.

[@misteron07]

poor beginners have to practice on trash. i think the rental program is the way to go for the first semester. if you succeed then by all means buy you a life's investment. the mentality of " its good enough for beginners" needs to go in the bin. this goes for all musical Instruments. I took lessons and had an old player piano to practice on you could almost blow on the keys to make a sound. a Good practice piano should have a heavier action. when you play on the baby or full size grand at the recital hall or jury exam, the action will be heavier than most practice pianos. also room acoustical can also play a part in how well your technique will turn out, a dead room is better than the best sounding room when it comes to working on technique. I used to practice and take lessons in a room with ceiling tiles on the walls, door and ceiling and the floor had carpet.

[@vsquar3d]

Sadly that doesnt make for good content. "Violin craftsman donates barely playable refurbished trash violin" vs "Violin craftsman smashes trash violin".

[@rauzha4696]

No

[@jayk8594]

Thanks I appreciated seeing something interesting done with it, rather than just dropping a weight on it. I think showing the difference between this and a quality violin is far more instructive than wrecking it.

[@_sixtyfour]

A viola is a VSO.

[@aidenmcubing]

Technically its a bvso (big violin shaped object)

[@_sixtyfour]

@@aidenmcubing You cube as well? I average 28 seconds on 3x3. What about you?

[@ruthsteen6943]

@@aidenmcubing technically a violin is a small viola (from the Italian)

[@aidenmcubing]

Ruth Steen ok thank you

[@josephatkinson5264]

Thank you, Olaf. Your craftsmanship is amazing and wonderful to see. Your video gives me a much greater appreciation for the violin.

[@nikkivanzanen]

It's definitely better, but it still sucks. Definitely prefer to buy a decent instrument to start of with! The bridge is worth more than this instrument..

[@micahretief7893]

I think it's pretty decent actually... I wouldn't call the "improved" one bad... 1000 000% not worth the money in the slightest though 😅

[@nikkivanzanen]

I disagree, but music always comes with taste too right? So maybe we have a different taste for instruments :)

[@MathieuDeVinois]

😭 thank you for appreciating beginners so much and seeing that especially for them a good instrument is important.

[@puutans]

I've always wonder if those cheep violins can be improved somehow. But as you say, I feel like it's waste of time and money. Especially waste of skills of a good luthier!!

[@NeoBechstein]

Have you seen Ray Chens review of a 69$ violin?

[@mekura]

to even waste more of luthier's time. how bout mr. olaf change the bow's hair too and see how much better (if any) the sound would make xD

[@puutans]

@@NeoBechstein YES! I've watched it! But it's dangerous for beginners to think it's OK to play VSO, because Ray can make even garbage sounds good... But the G string was a joke in his video too.

[@NeoBechstein]

@@puutans haha, yes the G-string. I remember it^^

[@Dansback21]

Great to see a demo on the work involved to make those $100 instruments passable. Thanks!

[@marias3786]

VSO 😂= screeching object, horrible thing😂

[@Smol_Hamster]

So a viola?

[@AlexDeLarge1]

Vile screeching object

[@TheVoitel]

If you consider VSO = Vienna symphonic orchestra ...

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Alex Delarge brilliant!! exact description

[@ciemartinez96]

i just love hearing this man talk and explain things. such nice energy

[@carolharris8020]

Very interesting. Thought your channel would be boring and it is not. I never gave thought how a violin is made. Now I want to play violin and I am 74yrs old!!!!

[@em-jd4do]

i never knew i'd enjoy these, but i do! thanks

[@gorway7]

Loved what you said about luthies who "care about beginners ". That is so important as often you don't get that with beginner budget instruments. We opted for leasing for my daughter as at the time we were unsure if it was something she would stick with. We were recommended a place by her school and it worked out well. As her skill and love of the violin increased, we were able to upgrade to better instruments. They were all good quality violins that were well maintained and set up. Her last instrument, we hired for a few months and my daughter was so in love with it, we arranged to purchase it and got a very good deal.

[@eli-tutos]

I love how cool the word "luthier" sounds. You're artists.

[@barronness07]

Wooahhh you made a HUGE difference. That is so cool how much the bridge, soundpost and fingerboard affect the sound. This exercise is very enlightening 😁

[@tracymickelson5944]

I've never played an instrument but I thought your video was great!

[@Native_love]

Olaf, you are a master craftsman! Amazing!

[@bluustreak6578]

That semi-black colored fingerboard actually looks neat! :D

[@BuzzlightyearinactionSaSenado]

Why was i never sub to master olaf!? 😍😍😍 Good thing youtube algorithm bump me into your channel. Ps. Damn that changed a lot...... AMAZING!!!!!

[@DrQuizzler]

As a piano guy, I find the whole violin culture fascinating. It seems very different from those of woodwind, brass, or piano makers and players. I've seen other channels where people try out super cheap violins, compare them to their Strads on loan, then quickly rule in favor of their multi-million dollar instrument. It seems like you offer a more affordable alternative, where players and students not in the Joshua Bell circuit can still have an affordable instrument which produces a quality sound and feel. That's a great public service to music. :)