I lived in China for 5 years and when you find a good workshop the ability of their local artisans is amazing. Thank you for sharing your journeys to China to find makers you can work with.
I own 6 violins. From basic student to what I would allude to as more advanced and beautiful instruments. I went to the instrument street in Beijing and was shocked. It turns out there is a thriving area where the violins are NOT machine made. A planned 4 hour visit turned into three full days.
I am sure it was a great experience for you. I lived inTaiwan for two years and if anybody has time to go there should not miss to see the Palace Museum which is the biggest chinese collection of Art and Craft in the world. After I moved to Hong Kong from 1992 to 97. I was teaching violin in different Primary and Senior schools. I found a chinese shop in Central HK who had suprisingly good sounding beginners instruments, but also several higher level instruments. ( I prefered those to buy my students than other well known factoey made instr sold to the West) Under those instruments I also found a very nice one made by one maker who was educated in Mittenwald which I had to purchase it. An excellent replica of the "Cannone" I kept it for many years until I sold it to a talented student.
Hi Olaf ,I have had my piece Lomont for nearly a year now . It is as stunning and beautiful as the day ,you sent it .The sound is incredible and ,it is absolutely a joy to play . Thank you olaf .
Bought my Piere Lamont master from Olaf in August 2024. I’m a beginner adult hobby violin player. I love it. I have played it virtually every day since I got it.
I love my Piere Lomont that was masterfully setup and looks amazing. Your workmanship is terrific. I love learning on a nice instrument with a wonderful and amazing maker, I know what your detail you put into it and survived a 10,000 mile journey and it looks and plays amazing.
I normally hate RUclipss that are commercials for some schlock being hawked by the RUclips maker. But this is so much a story about the making of a good violin and so informative about how to find a good instrument that it goes far beyond a mere advertisement. Wonderful information!
I'm thinking of getting a violin for my 4 year old grandson. He doesn't know anything about violin and doesn't care and probably has never seen one. Thing is, if there is one lying around he might someday pick it up and become interested. I'm an artist. I've been painting in oils for 62 years. I would draw with crayons when I was tiny, on plain paper not coloring books. I believe I became a real artist because someone gave me an oil paint set when I was 7 years old. Might have to get him something indestructible to begin with.
Great to hear about your Chinese odyssey, Olaf. Indeed there are a few--no many--but a few really good craftsmen there. Happy you found one of such high quality.
Olaf, I have a Chinese made Violin made by Luthiers, not in a big factory. I picked it up used for well under $500. I took it to a local violin maker to help with setup, he was shocked how nice it was and how good it sounds. He said it was easily a $1500 instrument. He said I have a winner.
My last blind test ended with my buying a Chinese instrument at below my budget which I don’t expect to outgrow anytime soon. There’s a lot of crap, but there are a few truly beautiful pieces which come out of there
I play cello, and for years I’ve been saying “Don’t poo poo the Chinese cello” 😁 The mid level Eastman and Jay Haide instruments are excellent. I have an upper level Eastman 703. The workmanship is second to none and it is the best cello I’ve ever owned. I enjoy your videos. You know a video is good because even if it’s a bit long, the time sails by.
The good Eastman instruments are hard to beat. We have a local shop that sells student level Eastman instruments for *over* full list price, and it's given the name a real beating in this area, but the better step-up Eastman instruments are quite nice, even at twice the going rate.
Thanks for such a educational talk about violin making. I always gain so much knowledge (that I don't realize that I need since I don't play 😅) about violin from watching your video
Thanks for sharing your inspirational story of turning an idea into reality and teaming up with people with your standards. It's clear that you have a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence. Your dedication to your craft is truly impressive.😀
What a great journey! I too have always seen and admired how amazing Chinese artisans and artistry can be. I'm glad you found the right workshop that would work with you! I want to try a Pierre Lomont.
Amazing how just the discovery of the violin that was made came from China, and it was made well. I'm glad you managed to find a great one in that area!
I'm an adult beginner with an inexpensive violin. I've loved watching your videos and learning. I've now got my eye on your instruments, and I'd love to see a more in-depth video about the Georg Hoffmeister as well, should you find the time. Thank you for all the great content! 🙂
Thanks for the feedback! If you get a chance contact us on: www.olafgrawertviolinstudio.com We can send you a link to a video of one of my Hoffmeister violin which I made a while ago. It's a really beautiful instrument 😊
Olaf, Do you ever venture into Violas? My daughter is now 16 and has been playing since she was 6. Her skill is now out-performing the quality of the instruments she's been able to get her hands on, and her teacher is telling us that a good quality Viola is going to be needed soon if she is to be able to continue growing her talent... (She's Played in the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra in Canada since she was 9, and last year began to play professionally with the teacher's orchestra.) If you do not, perhaps you could direct me to where to look?
I’ve wanted to buy one for a year now. I don’t play violin but if I can afford to buy one someday, I will want to learn. I only have a $200 one from when I was 9.
Great video, thanks for the insight. There are many great makers in China, I hope they get more recognition in the future. When I was younger and working in engineering I visited a few factories in China that made architectural models. It was a very interesting trip. I did a little bit of business a while ago with a few Chinese guitar making factories, which didn't go so well..... But I am quite aware that there are some really decent workshops / factories out there. You just have to find the right one. A lot of the Chinese workshops are now buying European wood in bulk, mostly to appeal to the American and European market. However, I agree that a lot of indigenous wood in China is perfectly suitable for violin making / guitar making. I have seen / owned some wonderful Chinese instruments.
Lovely video! Would be also lovely if you could make a video about wooden bows vs high end carbon fiber ones. Now that pernambuco is getting forbidden, what's your opinion on next best material for bows?
I appreciate this video, because I have been consideringthe purchase of one of your Piere Lomont violins and I have been a bit curious about them. It sounds a bit like my Legierski violin. I wonder how it compares to your Salvatore Lombari model?
A pleasure to hear you play more than just a few bars! Really lovely instrument, and thanks for sharing how you came to find it. But one question of mine that you didn't answer is where the name Pierre Lomont came from! Is it just a nice name, or is it an actual person, or what? (Edited to add that I just saw your response to another noter, so I got my answer.)
Can you talk about the tailpiece that you are using on that violin? My violin’s tailpiece is almost identical to that. Is that a good tailpiece or does changing that tailpiece make a big difference on the sound?
I think I was one of the first ones to get the Piere Lomont. Love the violin, one recommendation I'd have to people is to ask for some pictures of the actual violin before purchasing. There are some artificial aging marks that might be a surprise if you weren't expecting them mostly on the underside. Everyone really loves the look when I show them. The sound will get better when I get more on top of practice 😅
what timbers are the violins made from , have you ever tried any gum tree wood or something like silky oak ,please get Ray Chen to play this violin for us
Do you have any advice or a video on left-handed violins? I'm a left-handed adult beginner hobbyist, and I wouldn't want to start on a right-handed instrument.
Olaf, There are many thousands of violinist in orchestras throughout the world, only a small percentage have ultra expensive instruments but most of them have excellent sounding ones. Are your Chinese instruments on par with those and what do the professionals pay, on the average? Cheers, Rik Spector
I really like the back story, but I have one question that I can't wrap my head around. Why the name choice? Why no Chinese name? I really do enjoy your channel.
What shipping service do you use or recommend for a US bound instrument? Just wondering how such a fine delicate instrument is affected by the harsh realities of that long a journey, inevitable rough handling, temperature and humidity changes, etc. Love your videos and have learned so much from you. Thank you & God bless your continued success
I recently purchased a GEWA PURE case... and they're not cheap... for my rental violin because it will accommodate my bulky shoulder rest, a whole load of accessories as well as music but most importantly because it has a suspension system for the violin. It's also made from polycarbonate which will withstand rough handling etc. I'd be concerned using a regular case for shipping where any outer damage would be borne by the instrument.
Thank you! We have had very little problems with sending instruments... There have been one or two hiccups over the years, but the instrument is fully insured.
4-5000usd for a student instrument is wow…that is way beyond those mainstream instruments. What’s your opinions on 400-500usd instruments though. Are they any good??
It's US $1,300 to $1,850 depending on the model. You can get some descent instruments in that price class. What's important is that they sound nice and are really well set up. Unfortunately I don't sell that price class internationally, because there's just me and I just wouldn't be able to get the right kind of quality control.
i think i would like to learn to play violin, this has a nice tone and is affordable. i would like to hear it played with a top violinist and see their reaction. as you said before in your other videos, it's the player not the violin. i listen to chet baker regularly, and chet with the problems he had would buy and sell trumpets to feed his habit and still sounded amazing on anything he played.
There was an article in Strad magazine in the early 90s, discussing Chinese highly figured maple and if I remember correctly they concluded it was unsuitable for violin making, deemed not good for tone. I really don't remember if these conclusions were based on the wood used at the time being unseasoned or the species of the tree being slightly different than its European counterpart.
Interesting, my personal experience has been very different to that. Yes, I wonder where exactly they got the maple from. China is so huge at 94% of the size of Europe it has a lot of varying regions.
Where did the name Piere Lomont come from? Doesn’t it perpetuate the idea that Chinese workmanship is inferior if you won’t put the name of the shop on the label? I appreciate that you’re transparent about their origins in your videos; something in my mind just rebels against the idea of giving it a French sounding name randomly. I’d also want to know more about the wages of the shop’s employees. A good vibe in the shop only tells part of the story. Would you want to work there yourself? I’m not saying you wouldn’t, it’s just another aspect of this I found myself thinking about.
there does seem to be a trend of Chinese factories using French/Italian sounding names (not just for violins) and it makes me want to avoid them as it seems like they're trying to fake it and it's a bit dishonest
Piere Lomont has Chinese pinyin (there are variation of these spell sounds) of 彼埃尔 洛蒙 or pronounced close to: bǐ āi ěr luò méng (combined from the spell sound of "a guy + dust + luo city + mongol"). And if translated directly from that pinyin to English, it could mean "A dusty guy from Luo City in Mongol" :)
From what I could see, workers are well compensated. The whole workshop is like a big family. I have to say, I don't know the exact wages, but workers are definitely well treated.
Piere Lomont is my name for the instrument to reflect the richness of the tone that I have also found in some French instruments. Brand names have been used for hundreds of years to distinguish instruments, but just about everything else. I think the name has a beautiful ring to it. The instrument is not just Chinese... It is my design using my experience as well as my set up, which sets it apart from a lot of Chinese instruments.
@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Hello Olaf. Did you wrote Piere instead of Pierre to avoid any association with a real person named Pierre Lomont? I was wondering about that because Piere doesn't exist in french.
Yeah, blatantly plugging your violin, 😊 but I understand why you love what you have now with the time & effort you put in to find such a fine maker. I'm a small time operator (but schools & teachers refer me for repairs & instruments because of my quality of work) & I get my instruments through a certain wholesaler in Sydney with a range from a very good maker in China marketed under a certain brand name ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Even the cheapest brand they carry, when set up fully (including rubbing back the neck to finish with French polish) the beginner gets an instrument that is still a pleasure to play on, but the better brand (in the better models) is something advanced students can be satisfied with which also have a rich powerful tone too (after I set them up with my own bridge etc & all the rest to a professional standard). I can't afford to stock the more expensive range being a small operator, but at least I can look after students in my region so they get a fully set up instrument that I am also happy to play on (& demonstrate to clients) so the student doesn't have to struggle to learn on an instrument poorly set up with an equally less than wonderful sound from original tinny strings (as happened to one client recently, just buying 'as is' from a local shop).
Around the 6:30 minute mark, you begin to discuss a workshop in particular. Would you happen to have the name and address or even a phone number to contact this workshop? It is OK if it is all in Chinese as my wife is a Chinese national. I imagine you may have created a WeChat account or Weibo? That information would work as well.
Dude, he's not going to tell you who his supplier is so you can cut out the middleman. If you want to buy direct just go to Beijing and go to the violin district and look for yourself...
I love your quirky and informative videos, I only have one request….get rid of the scratchy and hideous violin sound that starts off your videos,it doesnt do you or your really wonderful channel any good at all.
Being fussy about your chosen craft is no vice. I'm a fussy hairstylist 43 years. If I wasn't fussy, I wouldn't have learned as much and settled for much less quality and my business wouldn't be as successful. Being fussy in your profession is a virtue appreciated by customers. I seek perfection, but I never reach it. I am human after all. Perfection is in the seeking, not the finding.
I think my violins are made in china, I started with GEWA L’apprenti violin, nice, clear and loud 400 dollars student violin, made in china designed and inspected by german. My current one is from eastman string master violin I paid 2.2k USD made in china design and inspected by eastman string. Really good chinese violins.
I think the Chinese vs European timbre is trustworthiness - there's an assumption that with Chinese manufacturing corners will be cut and how does a consumer know for certain the wood really is any good? I'm not questioning whether there is good quality timbre in China, just giving a buyer's perspective I play accordion and the best instruments come from Italy (and a few from Germany). Russia and some other Eastern European countries also can make quality accordions/bayans but they are mostly made and sold for the domestic market. China have obviously been making accordions for decades now but the quality is very low. We could really do with someone like yourself to get a small artisan accordion workshop up to standard because a full sized accordion for classical music from Italy costs €20,000 or more. Even a student model (with free bass, for classical) is going to cost anywhere from €4,000 to €12,000 depending on size - how can we expect parents and adult learners to pay that sort of money for a student instrument? It's really hurting the growth of classical accordion, we need some more economical options other than what the family businesses of Castelfidardo offer
@Syd McCreath, funny you should say this. Actually, none other than Charles Beare stated in the Ann Allburger book (1974) that the workshop-made German violins made in the 1800s are going to be the soloist violins of the future as they already have the age, they were well constructed using good wood and varnish that didn't harm the sound. These instruments with a bit of re-thickness, a proper Bass-bar, adjustment, and a top-notch set-up can be made to sound wonderful. I have personal experience with this procedure. A luthier in Germany does just that. The last time I visited, he showed me a Neuner & Horsteiner German violin he bought at auction and reworked it. It sounded amazing, almost as good as my Guarneri copy J.B. Vuillaume, but because of the work involved, he was asking way more than what this violin could sell for on account of its provenance and condition. Still a bargain for someone who wants a soloistic sound without paying 100000s. I heard of a story of a soloist with such an instrument, and everyone who heard it thought it was a Strad, so he asked his luthier to put in a Strad copy label inside.
Yes... I have found a lot of European instruments using a lot of machinery for student instruments...but there's also a trend emerging of older brands setting up workshops in China.
4:52 - Please, Olaf, I'd really like you to prove that your $7000 violins aren't being made under [such poor] conditions. I'd really like one... but I just fear what the makers have gone through. I wouldn't want to support that.
Many Chinese luthiers are producing fantastic instruments at a fraction of the cost of European or American violins. The violin industry is such a racket. In reality a musical instrument is about playability and sound. If an instrument has both of these it is irrelevant who made it.
Don't blame China for people wanting cheap products. The younger generations have less interest in working with tools and their hands. They'll never know the pride and satisfaction they're missing out on. Gotta get your stuff made somewhere.
@Syd McCreath I read somewhere from Israelian research papers that stressed trees produce certain stressed sounds. I bet they are screaming when the particles and chemicals from the pollution are being forced between their molecules. And now we try to use these sad timbers for a violin :)
I think communism must be the worst mindcancer in human history. At least two great powers (RU and CN) have been left a shell of what they once were, nevermind all the other smaller countries which have and continue to suffer. Deng Xiaoping deserves some credit, at least, for undoing the worst of communism in China; I am very happy to hear that you've found someone, somewhere, in China engaged in taking personal responsibility for their products, and earning the rewards of being better than everyone else. Gives me some hope that maybe in 100 years China will be a happier and freer place.
I have no doubts about the quality of the instruments or your expertise other than this aggressive 'TV' style marketing. If the instruments are really this good why are they marketed under a European name and not that of the manufacturer. Aren't they proud of their craftsmanship or are you just trying to disguise their origins for the benefit of your business and the resale value. Yes you personally set the instruments up and guarantee them but even in this video you don't go into any details about the whereabouts of the factory or the real name of it. Scared of competition or just protectionism for your own benefit?
Whatever they sell You can ask the same question, but I'll keep it in music, guitars that I know better than violins. Why would Fender or Gibson name the instruments that they have made in the Far East something other than their own marque? Right, they would not sell any, or maybe some with a fraction of their price now. When Olaf has designed his own violin and has it made to his specs and quality I don't expect him to sell it with any other than his chosen name. If you buy a car, do You want them to name it by the factory it was built or just buy a Ford, VW, Toyota, Chevy or what?
@@kallekoo One by one. Fender produces abroad under it's own name 'Fender' not just 'Squier'. Gibson didn't but many other manufacturers still do (PRS and others) They don't try to disquise the origins of their instruments and it's quite easy to find out in which factory they were made (e.g.Cort). I'm wasn't questioning his comptetence or craftsmanship just his marketing ethics. His design and specs are no doubt protected by patents or contract legislation so why not come clean about the factory. He went to pains to explain how happy and contented the workforce are so why not disclose the name and location. No, I wouldn't expect him to name the instrument 'Wong Note' but why not an Australian name? Aussies build good musical instruments too and they're proud of them and their brand names.
@@laurencehastings7473 Maybe I'm just too suspicious, but with today's business ethics it's like asking competing business to have the factory copy his specs and sell the violins as their own. Maybe a small modification to avoid legal issues, probably not even that needed in China. Being a one man (I guess) business starting a legal battle elsewhere would be just too much to handle.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
I lived in China for 5 years and when you find a good workshop the ability of their local artisans is amazing. Thank you for sharing your journeys to China to find makers you can work with.
I own 6 violins. From basic student to what I would allude to as more advanced and beautiful instruments. I went to the instrument street in Beijing and was shocked. It turns out there is a thriving area where the violins are NOT machine made. A planned 4 hour visit turned into three full days.
I am sure it was a great experience for you.
I lived inTaiwan for two years and if anybody has time to go there should not miss to see the Palace Museum which is the biggest chinese collection of Art and Craft in the world.
After I moved to Hong Kong from 1992 to 97. I was teaching violin in different Primary and Senior schools. I found a chinese shop in Central HK who had suprisingly good sounding beginners instruments, but also several higher level instruments. ( I prefered those to buy my students than other well known factoey made instr sold to the West) Under those instruments I also found a very nice one made by one maker who was educated in Mittenwald which I had to purchase it. An excellent replica of the "Cannone" I kept it for many years until I sold it to a talented student.
Hi Olaf ,I have had my piece Lomont for nearly a year now .
It is as stunning and beautiful as the day ,you sent it .The sound is incredible and ,it is absolutely a joy to play .
Thank you olaf .
That's so great to hear!
Bought my Piere Lamont master from Olaf in August 2024. I’m a beginner adult hobby violin player. I love it. I have played it virtually every day since I got it.
@@warwickdarlow7017 That's so wonderful to hear!
It just makes it so much more fun when you have a violin you love!
I love my Piere Lomont that was masterfully setup and looks amazing. Your workmanship is terrific. I love learning on a nice instrument with a wonderful and amazing maker, I know what your detail you put into it and survived a 10,000 mile journey and it looks and plays amazing.
I normally hate RUclipss that are commercials for some schlock being hawked by the RUclips maker. But this is so much a story about the making of a good violin and so informative about how to find a good instrument that it goes far beyond a mere advertisement. Wonderful information!
I'm thinking of getting a violin for my 4 year old grandson. He doesn't know anything about violin and doesn't care and probably has never seen one. Thing is, if there is one lying around he might someday pick it up and become interested.
I'm an artist. I've been painting in oils for 62 years. I would draw with crayons when I was tiny, on plain paper not coloring books. I believe I became a real artist because someone gave me an oil paint set when I was 7 years old.
Might have to get him something indestructible to begin with.
Great to hear about your Chinese odyssey, Olaf. Indeed there are a few--no many--but a few really good craftsmen there. Happy you found one of such high quality.
11:20 catches fly without skipping a beat.
You have to love Australia 😂 🦘
😮 I didn't even notice!
Olaf, I have a Chinese made Violin made by Luthiers, not in a big factory. I picked it up used for well under $500. I took it to a local violin maker to help with setup, he was shocked how nice it was and how good it sounds. He said it was easily a $1500 instrument. He said I have a winner.
I love your passion for the violin, Olaf! It was a pleasure to listen and watch as you got carried away at the end.
My last blind test ended with my buying a Chinese instrument at below my budget which I don’t expect to outgrow anytime soon. There’s a lot of crap, but there are a few truly beautiful pieces which come out of there
great playing!!!!
Wot a lovely vid, Olaf. Your back story made for engrossing listening and your (extended) playing was delightful.
I play cello, and for years I’ve been saying “Don’t poo poo the Chinese cello” 😁 The mid level Eastman and Jay Haide instruments are excellent. I have an upper level Eastman 703. The workmanship is second to none and it is the best cello I’ve ever owned.
I enjoy your videos. You know a video is good because even if it’s a bit long, the time sails by.
The good Eastman instruments are hard to beat. We have a local shop that sells student level Eastman instruments for *over* full list price, and it's given the name a real beating in this area, but the better step-up Eastman instruments are quite nice, even at twice the going rate.
Eastman make excellent electric guitars also.
@Kevin L To pooh-pooh is not the same as to poo poo. 💩
Thanks for such a educational talk about violin making. I always gain so much knowledge (that I don't realize that I need since I don't play 😅) about violin from watching your video
No better time to start playing... you have the knowledge now go for it you wont regret it!!
Thanks for sharing your inspirational story of turning an idea into reality and teaming up with people with your standards. It's clear that you have a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence. Your dedication to your craft is truly impressive.😀
Thank you for this video Olaf!
Nice playing! That instrument really speaks. Love the background story.
What a great journey! I too have always seen and admired how amazing Chinese artisans and artistry can be. I'm glad you found the right workshop that would work with you! I want to try a Pierre Lomont.
Amazing how just the discovery of the violin that was made came from China, and it was made well. I'm glad you managed to find a great one in that area!
I play a Piere Lomont in bluegrass and everyone who hears it says it’s top notch quality. It will take a fiddler to Nashville no problem.
I'm an adult beginner with an inexpensive violin. I've loved watching your videos and learning. I've now got my eye on your instruments, and I'd love to see a more in-depth video about the Georg Hoffmeister as well, should you find the time. Thank you for all the great content! 🙂
Thanks for the feedback!
If you get a chance contact us on: www.olafgrawertviolinstudio.com
We can send you a link to a video of one of my Hoffmeister violin which I made a while ago. It's a really beautiful instrument 😊
I have a violin similar to this and i enjoy it very much.
That is a really nice sounding violin.
Love that arpeggiata you played.
I like a redder shade but the intonation was beautiful. Good job! One of your better episodes. You had me at "Summer Time".
Looking forward to this one
I would love to test some of those violins.
It's starting ladies n gents, it's starting! I hope this is a good'n! They usually are!
Olaf, Do you ever venture into Violas? My daughter is now 16 and has been playing since she was 6. Her skill is now out-performing the quality of the instruments she's been able to get her hands on, and her teacher is telling us that a good quality Viola is going to be needed soon if she is to be able to continue growing her talent... (She's Played in the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra in Canada since she was 9, and last year began to play professionally with the teacher's orchestra.) If you do not, perhaps you could direct me to where to look?
I’ve wanted to buy one for a year now. I don’t play violin but if I can afford to buy one someday, I will want to learn. I only have a $200 one from when I was 9.
Watching your videos makes me wish I was a maker! Hope I get the opportunity to meet you someday and own one of your instruments. :)
Great video, thanks for the insight. There are many great makers in China, I hope they get more recognition in the future. When I was younger and working in engineering I visited a few factories in China that made architectural models. It was a very interesting trip. I did a little bit of business a while ago with a few Chinese guitar making factories, which didn't go so well..... But I am quite aware that there are some really decent workshops / factories out there. You just have to find the right one. A lot of the Chinese workshops are now buying European wood in bulk, mostly to appeal to the American and European market. However, I agree that a lot of indigenous wood in China is perfectly suitable for violin making / guitar making. I have seen / owned some wonderful Chinese instruments.
Lovely video! Would be also lovely if you could make a video about wooden bows vs high end carbon fiber ones. Now that pernambuco is getting forbidden, what's your opinion on next best material for bows?
i will buy it,,, thanks
I appreciate this video, because I have been consideringthe purchase of one of your Piere Lomont violins and I have been a bit curious about them.
It sounds a bit like my Legierski violin.
I wonder how it compares to your Salvatore Lombari model?
A pleasure to hear you play more than just a few bars! Really lovely instrument, and thanks for sharing how you came to find it. But one question of mine that you didn't answer is where the name Pierre Lomont came from! Is it just a nice name, or is it an actual person, or what? (Edited to add that I just saw your response to another noter, so I got my answer.)
Can you talk about the tailpiece that you are using on that violin? My violin’s tailpiece is almost identical to that. Is that a good tailpiece or does changing that tailpiece make a big difference on the sound?
I think I was one of the first ones to get the Piere Lomont. Love the violin, one recommendation I'd have to people is to ask for some pictures of the actual violin before purchasing. There are some artificial aging marks that might be a surprise if you weren't expecting them mostly on the underside. Everyone really loves the look when I show them. The sound will get better when I get more on top of practice 😅
Yes, great point.
Each violin is handmade and is a little bit different.
We've actually started sending pictures before sending the instrument.
@Syd McCreath AU $2,000 to AU$2,900
With the current exchange rate that between US$1,350 and $2,000
what timbers are the violins made from , have you ever tried any gum tree wood or something like silky oak ,please get Ray Chen to play this violin for us
Did you ever try Ming Jiang Zhu violins from the Noble Heart workshop? I love my MJZ 925 - Italian Spruce and Bosnian maple.
Do you have any advice or a video on left-handed violins? I'm a left-handed adult beginner hobbyist, and I wouldn't want to start on a right-handed instrument.
Olaf,
There are many thousands of violinist in orchestras throughout the world,
only a small percentage have ultra expensive instruments but most of them
have excellent sounding ones.
Are your Chinese instruments on par with those and what do the
professionals pay, on the average?
Cheers,
Rik Spector
Let Ray Chen play the Pierre Lomond violin and let us listen how good is the sound. Would you?
That would be interesting
I really like the back story, but I have one question that I can't wrap my head around. Why the name choice? Why no Chinese name? I really do enjoy your channel.
Chinese love to market their stuff using 'European sounding' names.
Hi Olaf, I am from Sri Lanka and do you have an agent in Sri Lanka? If not please advise how to buy.
What shipping service do you use or recommend for a US bound instrument?
Just wondering how such a fine delicate instrument is affected by the harsh realities of that long a journey, inevitable rough handling, temperature and humidity changes, etc.
Love your videos and have learned so much from you.
Thank you & God bless your continued success
I recently purchased a GEWA PURE case... and they're not cheap... for my rental violin because it will accommodate my bulky shoulder rest, a whole load of accessories as well as music but most importantly because it has a suspension system for the violin. It's also made from polycarbonate which will withstand rough handling etc. I'd be concerned using a regular case for shipping where any outer damage would be borne by the instrument.
Thank you!
We have had very little problems with sending instruments... There have been one or two hiccups over the years, but the instrument is fully insured.
@Syd McCreath Maybe this was a different model? Mine was not that expensive but expensive enough.... around £250.
It sounds amazing, I would like to see a professional play one of your instruments and hear their full capabilities. Why don't you ask Brett and Eddy?
That would be great. Also to see how far this instrument 'can be stretched' so to speak.
Super cool.
What are the differences of the Pierre Lamont vs the master other than the pegs?
They have better quality spruce and mapel...
I have a question, as a violin maker, does brand matter when we buy a violin?
4-5000usd for a student instrument is wow…that is way beyond those mainstream instruments.
What’s your opinions on 400-500usd instruments though. Are they any good??
It's US $1,300 to $1,850 depending on the model.
You can get some descent instruments in that price class.
What's important is that they sound nice and are really well set up.
Unfortunately I don't sell that price class internationally, because there's just me and I just wouldn't be able to get the right kind of quality control.
i think i would like to learn to play violin, this has a nice tone and is affordable. i would like to hear it played with a top violinist and see their reaction. as you said before in your other videos, it's the player not the violin. i listen to chet baker regularly, and chet with the problems he had would buy and sell trumpets to feed his habit and still sounded amazing on anything he played.
As a collector of antiques-I've always equated "china" with high quality and craftsmanship.
Que som maravilhoso
Very. Nice thank u
Hi Olaf just out of curiosity.. why don't you make the violins? obviously you're a master luthier so why not make it yourself?
There was an article in Strad magazine in the early 90s, discussing Chinese highly figured maple and if I remember correctly they concluded it was unsuitable for violin making, deemed not good for tone. I really don't remember if these conclusions were based on the wood used at the time being unseasoned or the species of the tree being slightly different than its European counterpart.
Interesting, my personal experience has been very different to that.
Yes, I wonder where exactly they got the maple from. China is so huge at 94% of the size of Europe it has a lot of varying regions.
Nice violin. Do they also make the bows?
I have a bow maker I work with... Similar situation
What piece did you play?
How do I keep my d string in tune what could be the problem been using my key board to tune
I’m curious. Are the Chinese craftsmen (and women) also players?
How much the PL violin price?
how do you send them across the world to be sure it survives the trip?
We have a really good way of packing them securely and have them well insured, so there's no risk.
@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker I'm seriously considering getting one...but not right now. In 6 months/a year maybe. I'll keep you in mind.
Where did the name Piere Lomont come from? Doesn’t it perpetuate the idea that Chinese workmanship is inferior if you won’t put the name of the shop on the label? I appreciate that you’re transparent about their origins in your videos; something in my mind just rebels against the idea of giving it a French sounding name randomly.
I’d also want to know more about the wages of the shop’s employees. A good vibe in the shop only tells part of the story. Would you want to work there yourself? I’m not saying you wouldn’t, it’s just another aspect of this I found myself thinking about.
there does seem to be a trend of Chinese factories using French/Italian sounding names (not just for violins) and it makes me want to avoid them as it seems like they're trying to fake it and it's a bit dishonest
Piere Lomont has Chinese pinyin (there are variation of these spell sounds) of 彼埃尔 洛蒙 or pronounced close to: bǐ āi ěr luò méng (combined from the spell sound of "a guy + dust + luo city + mongol"). And if translated directly from that pinyin to English, it could mean "A dusty guy from Luo City in Mongol" :)
From what I could see, workers are well compensated. The whole workshop is like a big family. I have to say, I don't know the exact wages, but workers are definitely well treated.
Piere Lomont is my name for the instrument to reflect the richness of the tone that I have also found in some French instruments.
Brand names have been used for hundreds of years to distinguish instruments, but just about everything else.
I think the name has a beautiful ring to it.
The instrument is not just Chinese... It is my design using my experience as well as my set up, which sets it apart from a lot of Chinese instruments.
@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Hello Olaf. Did you wrote Piere instead of Pierre to avoid any association with a real person named Pierre Lomont? I was wondering about that because Piere doesn't exist in french.
What quality of bow are you demonstrating with?
It's my timber veneer Flueriel bow... It's designed by me and fairly similar to the bow the outfit comes with...
In that tematik i know ther e.piani aas guitar& bass i refernce off a yamha for beginner .
Do you have a Piere Lomont Cello available?
Not yet...
I'm working on it...
Sounds like hes playing jean luc ponti mahavishnu riff?
Yeah, blatantly plugging your violin, 😊 but I understand why you love what you have now with the time & effort you put in to find such a fine maker. I'm a small time operator (but schools & teachers refer me for repairs & instruments because of my quality of work) & I get my instruments through a certain wholesaler in Sydney with a range from a very good maker in China marketed under a certain brand name ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Even the cheapest brand they carry, when set up fully (including rubbing back the neck to finish with French polish) the beginner gets an instrument that is still a pleasure to play on, but the better brand (in the better models) is something advanced students can be satisfied with which also have a rich powerful tone too (after I set them up with my own bridge etc & all the rest to a professional standard). I can't afford to stock the more expensive range being a small operator, but at least I can look after students in my region so they get a fully set up instrument that I am also happy to play on (& demonstrate to clients) so the student doesn't have to struggle to learn on an instrument poorly set up with an equally less than wonderful sound from original tinny strings (as happened to one client recently, just buying 'as is' from a local shop).
Do you sell your instruments to the US?
Yes...
I have quite a lot of clients in the US
I'm just about to send a Hoffmeister violin to California.
How much do you pay for a violin, when you import it from China? I ask it because I’m a violin maker and I’m interested to buy violins in China.
I suggest you send Olaf an email, or call direct.
How about bows?
Olaf didn't divert his eyes to nab a moth, right around 11:20...
What about the name " Pierre Lomont " ? Why did you choose this name for the instrument ?
I got 7/8 size JTL ´copie de´made in 1900´s (2500€)
Around the 6:30 minute mark, you begin to discuss a workshop in particular. Would you happen to have the name and address or even a phone number to contact this workshop? It is OK if it is all in Chinese as my wife is a Chinese national. I imagine you may have created a WeChat account or Weibo? That information would work as well.
Dude, he's not going to tell you who his supplier is so you can cut out the middleman. If you want to buy direct just go to Beijing and go to the violin district and look for yourself...
i have a chinese cello but i payed $15k for him and i swear he plays like a strad
Oooooo
I love your quirky and informative videos, I only have one request….get rid of the scratchy and hideous violin sound that starts off your videos,it doesnt do you or your really wonderful channel any good at all.
Being fussy about your chosen craft is no vice. I'm a fussy hairstylist 43 years. If I wasn't fussy, I wouldn't have learned as much and settled for much less quality and my business wouldn't be as successful. Being fussy in your profession is a virtue appreciated by customers. I seek perfection, but I never reach it. I am human after all. Perfection is in the seeking, not the finding.
I think my violins are made in china, I started with GEWA L’apprenti violin, nice, clear and loud 400 dollars student violin, made in china designed and inspected by german. My current one is from eastman string master violin I paid 2.2k USD made in china design and inspected by eastman string. Really good chinese violins.
those harmonics were destoying that mic.... so rich..... yeh im on the fence about this one
Who is Piere Lamont anyway? Is that named after a real person?
Thats what i want to know also ...im pretty sure the chinese guy isnt named pierre 😂
I think the Chinese vs European timbre is trustworthiness - there's an assumption that with Chinese manufacturing corners will be cut and how does a consumer know for certain the wood really is any good? I'm not questioning whether there is good quality timbre in China, just giving a buyer's perspective
I play accordion and the best instruments come from Italy (and a few from Germany). Russia and some other Eastern European countries also can make quality accordions/bayans but they are mostly made and sold for the domestic market. China have obviously been making accordions for decades now but the quality is very low. We could really do with someone like yourself to get a small artisan accordion workshop up to standard because a full sized accordion for classical music from Italy costs €20,000 or more.
Even a student model (with free bass, for classical) is going to cost anywhere from €4,000 to €12,000 depending on size - how can we expect parents and adult learners to pay that sort of money for a student instrument? It's really hurting the growth of classical accordion, we need some more economical options other than what the family businesses of Castelfidardo offer
@Syd McCreath, funny you should say this. Actually, none other than Charles Beare stated in the Ann Allburger book (1974) that the workshop-made German violins made in the 1800s are going to be the soloist violins of the future as they already have the age, they were well constructed using good wood and varnish that didn't harm the sound. These instruments with a bit of re-thickness, a proper Bass-bar, adjustment, and a top-notch set-up can be made to sound wonderful. I have personal experience with this procedure. A luthier in Germany does just that. The last time I visited, he showed me a Neuner & Horsteiner German violin he bought at auction and reworked it. It sounded amazing, almost as good as my Guarneri copy J.B. Vuillaume, but because of the work involved, he was asking way more than what this violin could sell for on account of its provenance and condition. Still a bargain for someone who wants a soloistic sound without paying 100000s. I heard of a story of a soloist with such an instrument, and everyone who heard it thought it was a Strad, so he asked his luthier to put in a Strad copy label inside.
Yes...
I have found a lot of European instruments using a lot of machinery for student instruments...but there's also a trend emerging of older brands setting up workshops in China.
@@kyproset yes, I've also done some rethicknessing and tuning as well as fitting corner blocks and Bassbars...
You can find some amazing old violins
I need to turn down my treble for (what I assume are) those Aussie insects outside!!!
Haha... Yes... Cicadas.
I don't even notice them anymore.
4:52 - Please, Olaf, I'd really like you to prove that your $7000 violins aren't being made under [such poor] conditions. I'd really like one... but I just fear what the makers have gone through. I wouldn't want to support that.
Chinese instruments licensed by Japanese brands can be excellent.
I have a luthier friend in the US thats says the same, that the intermediate chinese instruments are superior to similar quality European instruments.
Many Chinese luthiers are producing fantastic instruments at a fraction of the cost of European or American violins. The violin industry is such a racket. In reality a musical instrument is about playability and sound. If an instrument has both of these it is irrelevant who made it.
Don't blame China for people wanting cheap products. The younger generations have less interest in working with tools and their hands. They'll never know the pride and satisfaction they're missing out on. Gotta get your stuff made somewhere.
Timbers are choking when nearby coals are burning daily :)
@Syd McCreath I read somewhere from Israelian research papers that stressed trees produce certain stressed sounds. I bet they are screaming when the particles and chemicals from the pollution are being forced between their molecules. And now we try to use these sad timbers for a violin :)
@@SantaWithaViolin I'd not thought of this aspect. Of course, it figures...
More mineral streaks 😅
I think communism must be the worst mindcancer in human history. At least two great powers (RU and CN) have been left a shell of what they once were, nevermind all the other smaller countries which have and continue to suffer. Deng Xiaoping deserves some credit, at least, for undoing the worst of communism in China; I am very happy to hear that you've found someone, somewhere, in China engaged in taking personal responsibility for their products, and earning the rewards of being better than everyone else. Gives me some hope that maybe in 100 years China will be a happier and freer place.
Your a violin maker why don't you make your own violin oh you want to sell the violin then I get it you want keep cost down
I have no doubts about the quality of the instruments or your expertise other than this aggressive 'TV' style marketing. If the instruments are really this good why are they marketed under a European name and not that of the manufacturer. Aren't they proud of their craftsmanship or are you just trying to disguise their origins for the benefit of your business and the resale value. Yes you personally set the instruments up and guarantee them but even in this video you don't go into any details about the whereabouts of the factory or the real name of it. Scared of competition or just protectionism for your own benefit?
Whatever they sell You can ask the same question, but I'll keep it in music, guitars that I know better than violins.
Why would Fender or Gibson name the instruments that they have made in the Far East something other than their own marque?
Right, they would not sell any, or maybe some with a fraction of their price now.
When Olaf has designed his own violin and has it made to his specs and quality I don't expect him to sell it with any other than his chosen name.
If you buy a car, do You want them to name it by the factory it was built or just buy a Ford, VW, Toyota, Chevy or what?
@@kallekoo One by one. Fender produces abroad under it's own name 'Fender' not just 'Squier'. Gibson didn't but many other manufacturers still do (PRS and others) They don't try to disquise the origins of their instruments and it's quite easy to find out in which factory they were made (e.g.Cort). I'm wasn't questioning his comptetence or craftsmanship just his marketing ethics. His design and specs are no doubt protected by patents or contract legislation so why not come clean about the factory. He went to pains to explain how happy and contented the workforce are so why not disclose the name and location. No, I wouldn't expect him to name the instrument 'Wong Note' but why not an Australian name? Aussies build good musical instruments too and they're proud of them and their brand names.
@@laurencehastings7473 Maybe I'm just too suspicious, but with today's business ethics it's like asking competing business to have the factory copy his specs and sell the violins as their own. Maybe a small modification to avoid legal issues, probably not even that needed in China.
Being a one man (I guess) business starting a legal battle elsewhere would be just too much to handle.
Should be called "China violin."