Posts tagged 'Compare: 100 Series'

Summary: This is the best intermediate violin I have ever played.

Well worth the money, and it would be hard to find its equal... anywhere near the price, and most often quite higher.

Recommended for any beginner or intermediate player of any level.

Review: I have only received this violin 45 minutes ago. And I already know I am ready to leave a review.

I will be totally honest, and I will be comparing this to my main violin which is a right handed professional violin antique from the late 1800's which I have never personally found its equal.

I wanted a left handed violin, because I have learned to play the violin like a cello and backwards because I am missing the middle finger on my left hand. And I have developed a skill I am quite happy with. However, I want to play the traditional way as well, up on the shoulder.

About the violin. It is charming looking. Well made. No quibbles about construction.

Immediately upon picking it up, I noticed it was heavy. At least compared to other fine violins which I have made or used. I am also a new luthier. However the weight is common in beginner and intermediate instruments, especially from China.

I will one day be making my own left handed personal violin, but I wanted to learn how to play in a standard way knowing that this violin would not be my lifelong violin, but a tool that I can enjoy to teach me how to play.

And I wanted tone. I need to feel pleased and enjoy making music from it, and not be offended. lol. So I am very picky about tone. I have tried literally hundreds of violins, all of them in the thousands, even to $10,000 range, and I am serious when I said, I found all of them unsatisfactory in general.

So onto the review of the Sun 103 Lefty Violin. When I played the first note, I was actually very surprised. The tone was actually quite nice and rich and full. Unlike almost all the other violins I have tried. Which is frankly miraculous considering this is a China factory violin and I have tried hundreds of supposedly fine handmade violins in some serious violin stores.

With the Sun, the G string had a full sound right out of the box (which by the way the packing was perfect, and immaculate).

I would describe it as deep and full. Not bright, but warm. The G string is the string I care about the most, and in most other violins I find it tinny weak and lacking on most violins I try, and I won't even go further. On this one this was not the case. The other strings were fine as well. Actually pretty similar quality along all strings.

The projection of this violin, to me is not up to snuff, although I am comparing it to my professional violin, which would be satisfactory in a concert hall. However, the interesting thing is even though the SUN doesn't have HUGE projection, it still somehow doesn't sound congested or tinny. Its just a nice warm sound that you can lean into, and for an intermediate violin in this price range, unless you are going to be doing solo work, the projection is fine. I would say it is COMPLETELY fine for orchestra work, and very pleasing for home and small groups and impressing your parents ;) .

I also am not looking for completely projecting fill up the concert hall sound. I want something I can enjoy. And enjoy this violin I CAN. All of the strings have a nice warm full tone. And I mean it when I say it sounds better then most other violins WELL above the price of this one. Normally, when the violin is a bit heavier, and doesn't have a huge projection, the sound is thin and tinny and congested. This is not so at all on this Sun violin. I don't know how they did it, but they did.

So if you are looking for professional open clear projection, this is definitely not the one for you, but you would most likely have to pay much more to get that. However, the projection is fine, and due to the frankly miraculous pleasing tone that this violin is able to get, for an intermediate player, it really doesn't matter, and I would honestly say that any advancing student or any amateur would be very happy with this violin.

It have some VERY little squeakiness a few times on the strings, which I have never experienced before, but it was very minor and with a few adjustments really will easily go away once I get used to this baby.

Overall, I am really pleased with this violin. It is nearing some of the qualities of a professional violin, and by far is the best intermediate violin I have ever seen or played. I'm going to really enjoy coaxing the best sound I can out of it while I work on the skills to build my own.

And as to the award winning owner. Thank you for personally speaking with me on the phone, and assuaging my hesitancy at buying this violin site unseen or heard. I am happy I did. I listened to all the other left handed violins I could purchase, and was dissatisfied with what I could hear. This was the last chance. And I'm happy I took it. :)

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[UPDATE: 4 days later] I enjoy thinking about this violin all the time, so I'm happy to write more about it.

[Regarding my review] I really wanted to help other make an informed decision and help them know what they are getting and not getting.

I can certainly assure you that fiddleheads at this moment is the only store I would recommend anyone to with 100% trust.

It is interesting about the weight. My luthier instinct, (and I literally mean mine, and no-one else's) gives me the impression that if I opened it up and took some material off the top and bottom plates in a controlled way, I could open up the sound some. I have actually done this with several violins, antique (worthless) and kits, and newer violins, where it was just tight closed non vibrat-ey sound... and every time I improved the sound in a very noticeable way.

However... this takes a lot of time... and love of course... but to be totally honest, I have no interest in that with something like this... because in a way, when you appreciate something, you appreciate it for what it is. Not what it isn't.

And when you care about an object, you don't really want to dissect it and find out exactly how it works, you want to just appreciate it and enjoy it and stay out of your own head. And that is the way I feel with this little guy (or gal). ;)

I will also say, the weight is not a turn off to me in anyway. I care about the tone, and it will help me build my muscles. haha.

I haven't [re-graduated the wood] on my other lovely violin as well, because they are so special to me I don't want to ruin the magic. In a way it can take some of the magic out of it by being too science-y with it.

As to the squeakiness. I carefully rosined my bow with very lovely forgiving rosin, and honestly it hasn't squeaked at all since that first 15 minutes. And I've been playing every day.

I really appreciate all Rhiannon's insight from everything she said [about real ebony weighing more than low quality or fake ebony used on other violins] too.

I felt in my review that I had something kind of unique to offer because I was consciously buying a 'downgrade' violin from the one I have now that I play in viol/cello mode. And looking for a violin that didn't offend my ear was difficult.

I even purchased another violin [from another shop], I had intended to be a backup for my main from another reputable store, and after I got it out, and from the first note, I knew I could not play it. It was back in the box 15 minutes later on its way back.

At some point, in the somewhat foreseeable future, my music playing will outgrow the current Sun violin, and I will be inspired and know that I am ready for the next. And at that moment, I will be still incredibly thankful for this violin which helped me get there that I had been and that I am playing now.

And the fact that I have this one, will help me appreciate the next one even more. Which is a beautiful thing. :)

I just received this violin a few days ago, and I love it already! It was packaged securely and arrived in great condition. Of course it will require some break-in time, but it's perfect for my advancing practice and performance and keeps me playing.

I played a Sun 100 violin before, it is very nice too and we got it from Fiddleheads, but as I advanced I felt I needed a more responsive instrument.

This Zhu 909 has amazing projection and the sound is rich and full; I'm sure the sound will become even better as the instrument matures. The projection is amazing, thank you so much for the wonderful instrument and the music it produces!

Rhiannon replied to all of my questions and kept me informed, and I appreciate it very much. Hope this inspires someone! Thank you!

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] I love my Zhu 909 violin!

Its sound and projection are great, and I feel I can connect with my instrument so well. When I play it it vibrates against my chest and it feels like singing!

The only thing is that the violin sings for me. It has an amazing voice.

When I turn music on, the body and the strings of the violin vibrate and it feels like it has a heart of its own. It allows for a wide range of emotion and expression -- perfect for and advancing violinist!

Rhiannon, thank you for the wonderful "customer service", I would call it the Friendliest Advice for the young musician!

I really recommend this shop to anyone who loves music and cares for our planet -- Fiddleheads is also Eco Friendly. It's friendly to everyone :) Thank you a hundred times for your kindness and love of violin, music and people!

The violin 7/8 size was purchased in November to give to my daughter for Christmas. Not Granny's sedan or the sports car but rather like the Prius (yes, I own one too). Light, very responsive and a pleasurable, smart choice to drive. It, too, has its own personality that wants to explore.

You are correct. The 7/8 VN-102, for myself, is much easier on the hands. Amazing how the slight change in dimensions can yield enormous benefits in comfort and ease! The violin is beautiful and the sound incredible!

The 100 is a younger warmth but still a woody, organic sound. I think younger is a better term than brighter. You know, describing a violin's tone is quite subjective, isn't it!

I truly believe the 100 violin's sound has great potential to open up and to develop more including warmth with continued playing. I like the way they both resonate with playing so that there is a tremendous tactile satisfaction. I can literally feel the violins making music. The "better" beginner felt like playing on plywood.

Both of these violins have good tone even to my ear, and comparing is easier as they are both strung with Dominants. Of course, the upgraded woods in the SE Special Edition antiqued VN-102 are apparent, but they both "sing" in their own way. Both beautiful in their unique sounds.

From a nonmusician, the VN-102 has a warmer, earthier, more organic sound while still "sweet" on the higher notes.

A side note; My first violin was a "better" beginner purchased from the local music store. It was restrung with Dominants when the stock generic strings were torturing my fingers.

I paid USD $600 for a music store beginner set-up plus $59 for the new Dominant strings. Both your VN 100 and SE [Special Edition] 102 are much higher quality instruments and are both excellent choices for their respective prices.

When these babies arrived, it felt as though I had been piloting my grandmother's old heavy sedan and was magically behind the wheel of a fancy, Italian sports car. Much lighter in weight, more powerful and instantly responsive. Granny's sedan is serviceable in plodding along running errands, and one is grateful for it when that it is the only ride available. Ah, but the 102, it has personality and begs to take a road trip and to go exploring.

Compared with the music store beginner, the engineering and craftsmanship of both the 100 and 102 make them both easier to play and to produce good sound.

The setup string height and action with better bridges feel more "right." The better bridges are also a tremendous help in bowing and changing strings.

Thank you so much for your expertise and this transaction has been such a pleasure. My violin pin is too cute, and I look forward to wearing it!

Thanks as always, Rhiannon!

- A Very Pleased Customer