Violins for Advanced Players
When a player reaches a high level of proficiency an instrument with greater versatility is required. Many new and difficult techniques will confound the student if the instrument is simply not capable of producing the desired response. A better bow or different strings will not do enough. Response to a variety of bow strokes, wider dynamic range, more powerful projection, and high aesthetic qualities are some characteristics of instruments in this price range. We know this might be the instrument on which a student wins his or her first competition, or begins post-secondary level studies. We have taken care to select instruments with these requirements in mind.
**PLEASE NOTE**:Not every item on this page is in stock at all times. Some models we offer by special order only. Others are on back order with the vendor. Please email us to check availability of any product shown here.
Xueping Hu Model 600 "Per Caso"
Also known as Snow 600. New model designed to compete with some of the ultra popular models in this price range, such as Hiroshi Kono. Guarneri Model. Fine attention to detail in carving and finishing. These instruments look far more important than their price. Power in all ranges, for the advanced student who is able to draw out the tone from an instrument.
Jonathan Li
Jonathan Li is crafted of the most select, stunning flamed maple back with a straight medium-grain spruce top. A refined, golden colored oil varnish enhances the tonal quality of this instrument. Each instrument is meticulously calibrated for optimum sound production.
Pietro Lombardi
The Pietro Lombardi is made with a beautifully flamed maple back and a highly select spruce top. The sophisticated amber colored spirit varnish of the Lombardi is reminiscent of Italian makers. Violins are available in Guarneri and Stradivar
Jean-Pierre Lupot
The Jean-Pierre Lupot is made with a well flamed maple back and a select spruce top. The elegantly antiqued spirit varnish of the Jean-Pierre Lupot is of reddish pigment. This instrument comes in Stradivari pattern.
Raul Emiliani
Outstanding tonewoods, expert craftsmanship, and artistic varnish come together in these professional instruments. Carefully tuned plates and bass bars contribute to the superb tone of these instruments. Antique style Oil Varnish applied in the US.
Doetsch
Premium aged European tonewoods are used as well as choice fittings. The varnish is a light antiqued style with dark color.
Klier
A step up from Doetsch. They contain the same high level of materials, but the varnish is more sophisticated and extra attention is given to the graduations of the top, back and ribs, so responsiveness is improved slightly.
Frederich Wyss
Frederich Wyss are made in Germany, and represent the pinnacle of modern European luthiery tradition. The finest available European tonewoods are meticulously crafted by makers working in the tradition established in Germany centuries ago. Tonally adjusted and hand-varnished by master luthiers in the Eastman Strings workshop, these instruments are nothing less than true professional models, worthy of the conservatory, or the concert stage. Their rich, mature sonority penetrates to the furthest reaches of the concert hall.Oil Varnish. Guarneri Model.
Franz Sandner Model 702A
Strad model, subtle flame. Tastefully antiqued deep brown to golden finish. Big sound - robust, yet clear lows and brilliant, easy to control highs.
Franz Sandner Model 803
Guarneri model, better flame with medium gloss, golden-brown finish. Clear tone with great projection. Plays effortlessly all the way up the G and E strings
Wilfer
German made. Light Antique varnish. European Tonewoods.
Xueping Hu Model 400
Also known as Snow 400. This model represents a particularily great value from this workshop. The choice of materials and varnish are of a high level for it's price range. The tone tends to be round, with a slightly warm tone balance, but we can adjust to bring more brilliance with string choice and other adjustments.
Beijing Masters Model 800
Beijing Masters is a collection of instruments from our favorite makers working in Beijing. These are one-of-a-kind models are exciting for their unique character of appearance and tone. If these instruments were produced by makers in America or any European, their price would be much greater. Also known as Snow 800.
European Workshops-Romania KR60
A master quality violin with two-piece back, precision craftsmanship throughout. Medium-gloss, orange-brown varnish. Robust tone w/ lots of color & complexity. Wonderfully brilliant “E” string - not bright, but resonant throughout. Warm, yet powerful sound all the way up the “G”.
Core Select 5900 Stradivari
What happens when you combine internationally-renowned craftsmanship with select European tonewoods? A breathtaking violin with amazing tonal qualities! Well-aged European spruce and maple are crafted by the award-winning makers in the Ming Jiang Zhu workshop, each violin is made by hand using traditional Italian methods to achieve professional-quality tone and range of dynamics. Well-balanced, the G-string has plenty of depth and power which transitions evenly across all strings to a soloistic E-string.
Core Select 5900 Guarneri
What happens when you combine internationally-renowned craftsmanship with select European tonewoods? A breathtaking violin with amazing tonal qualities! Well-aged European spruce and maple are crafted by the award-winning makers in the Ming Jiang Zhu workshop, each violin is made by hand using traditional Italian methods to achieve professional-quality tone and range of dynamics. Well-balanced, the G-string has plenty of depth and power which transitions evenly across all strings to a soloistic E-string.
Core Select 5500 "Ole Bull"
The 1744 "Ole Bull" was made in Guarneri's final year, and is perhaps his last creation. The refined and stately tonal qualities are a surprising contrast to the wild and carefree workmanship, a juxtaposition for which Guarneri is beloved. The original was played famously by the 19th century Norwegian violinist Ole Bull, a virtuoso across Europe and contemporary of Paganini, Schumann, and Liszt. This Core Select model is inspired by the great artistry of both Guarneri and Bull, and with lightning-quick response helps the modern player tackle the most challenging and diverse repertoire. Naturally air-dried for at least 50 years, the Italian spruce and Bosnian maple are crafted with the utmost care in the archings to bring to life an exuberant and pliable voice.
Core Select 5500 "1720 Strad"
Our new 1720 Stradivari violin copy represents some of the best that China has to offer today in the way of fine violins. It's red to golden-brown old-recipe oil varnish is meticulously applied and antiqued down to the finest detail. These instruments are made of Bosnian maple and Italian spruce, both naturally aged for at least 50 years. Their tonal quality is in the dark to medium range with exceptional versatility. They project with great clarity while retaining a warm quality under the player's ear. These are not overly-thinned instruments designed to be tubby sounding right out of the box. The master maker who creates these for us is a world traveler who has studied violin making in many countries, including Italy and the United States.
Aubert Lutherie "Vuillaume"
Aubert Lutherie instruments encompass all of the beauty and power we would expect of fine handmade French violins. J.B. Vuillaume (1798-1875) established his fame in Paris, but he was from Mirecourt, trained there as a luthier, and maintained a professional network of Mirecourt craftsmen that became the lifeblood of lutherie française as it grew and flourished for generations to come. Inspired by this history, Aubert Lutherie’s “Vuillaume” model has a medium red-golden traditional French spirit varnish polished to a high luster, bringing to light the highly-select tonewoods. The rich tonal qual- ity comes from a medium voice capable of a broad range of colors. The response is even and balanced throughout its registers, and yet can become even more complex in the wider dynamic ranges. The pow- erful projection, stability, and ease of play speak to their fine construction in the classic French tradition.
Aubert Lutherie "Nicolas"
The “Jean-Francois Nicolas” is a newer model and uses an oil-based clear brown varnish, unique for the Aubert Lutherie, to impart a more mature, antique character. With highly-select maple and spruce, each violin is handmade in the classic French tradition to produce a broad, rich tone with power and clarity. The response is even and balanced throughout the registers, with a variety of tonal layers present in the wider dynamic ranges.
Aubert Lutherie "Delange"
The Aubert Lutherie selects their best aged tonewood for the “Christophe Delange” model. Extra care and effort go into the delicate handcrafting of the arching and plate graduation to produce an especially elegant model. The rich, spirit varnish is a golden brown color, yet transparent to allow the exceptional maple and spruce to come alive through its refractive ground coat. The sophisticated tonal qualities and full-bodied projection are ideal for the professional repertoire.
Snow Simona
Top model from the Snow workshop. Meticulous attention to detail in the carving and varnishing. Beautiful Guarneri copy with mature tone.