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An inexpensive viola for outdoor festival playingInstruments: It's likely to get beat up but I'm still playing in public and need projection and reasonable toneFrom S Dunlop I've recently accepted a lengthy run of fiddling gigs at an outdoor festival next summer. I'll be in costume, and walking the grounds all day alternating between busking and stage performance. I have a nicer viola which I purchased from one of Minneapolis' several excellent luthiers, but even though it's insured, I'd prefer to be playing on an inexpensive instrument because of the risk of serious damage or loss in such a chaotic and unpredictable venue. As much as I'd like to support the local dealers, they're not much help. Violas don't sell as well as violins, and there isn't much depth of inventory in my size, even at the larger dealers. It seems like a situation made for mail order, but I'm torn between dealing with one of the Chinese exporters directly and working with someplace like Shar or Southwest Strings. My engagement doesn't start until next summer, so I have time to work through any problems. Given the differences in quality, risk, and costs, what would you suggest?
From Roland Garrison
Posted on October 31, 2009 at 07:06 AM I recently won a 5 string violin that really surprised me. Total cost was under $150, and it has a nice warm sound. Sounds like a $500 viola (bit of a joke there...). It was a baroque model; I posted a picture on the post 'Interesting Shaped Violins'. If you look on ebay for 'Charming Song Violin Store, you will find the manufacturer. I have also heard really good things about Yitamusic, so you may also consider that. Another good option, if it is in your budget. One of V.com's own (Stuart Rochon) is working on some carbon Fiber body violins, and seems to really be getting some good things done; they are tough, so damage is less of an issue. I don't recall the price he was expecting, but I do remember it was very reasonable relative to the quality (definition of a bargain, I guess!). He may be interested in branching out to a bigger instrument, since I think he is only doing it because it is such a cool thing to do.
From Stuart Rochon
Posted on November 1, 2009 at 06:28 PM Thanks for the nod. I do plan on branching into other bowed instruments, but not until April or so. I am working on getting the sound of the 4 string violin right and then moving to the 5 string violin. I also promised my son I would make him a 3/4 4 string. This is all while working a full time job as an engineer. :-) Just as a point of curiosity, what size Viola do you play? My prices are in the $1500 to $2000 range. From Christopher Liao
Posted on November 1, 2009 at 11:39 PM Consider Gliga or Yitamusic. Disclaimer: I have no affiliations From Conrad Jacoby
Posted on November 1, 2009 at 11:41 PM If you are used to a 4-string instrument, be it violin or viola, I would caution against thinking that a 5-string violin will meet your needs right out of the box. To fit the additional string onto the instrument--and onto a bridge that's close to the same size as a 4-string bridge--the string spacing is different enough that you're likely to find yourself creating unintentional double-stops all the time. I find it very frustrating to play a 5-string violin/viola unless I'm looking directly down the fingerboard at all times to visually check my string crossings. Personally, I think you'd be better off picking up an inexpensive Gliga viola (not the bottom tier, but maybe one level up from that) or a Chinese-made Scott Cao viola. If you look on the used market (not just eBay), you can often find very good deals on these instruments that are being passed along by violists who are upgrading. I have had two entry-level Gliga violas that did not lead happy lives before coming to me, and both held up *extremely* well. I wouldn't hesitate to use my current Gliga for any outdoor playing--including the fog-filled "gig by the sea" summerstock work I used to do. And if something did happen to the instrument, I wouldn't be heart-broken by its loss. From Stephen Symchych
Posted on November 2, 2009 at 01:11 AM Yung Chin, the bowmaker in NYC, gets an excellent stream of Jay Haide instruments that will be about $3K or maybe less. Not the ultimate in refinement, but very plausible appearance and some excellent sound. |
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