At first blush, most people think the Italian, French or English violins, the ones that they most likely can never own. The majority of people I talk to think the very best violin is an original Antonio Stradivarius. And that may be. But what violin is practical for the average violin player?

Can lesser-known violins be set up to play as well as the masters? Maybe not, and maybe so.

Several years back, I heard of a comparison of a Stradivarius and a modern contemporary violin. They were played behind a screen and asked which is the Strad? 85% of the participants chose the modern American violin to be the Stradivarius.

Over the years, I have examined many high-priced Italian and European violins and, in my opinion, they are not that much better than a properly set up American or Chinese violins.

Among the top violin makers in the world today is Zheng Quan of China. Wayne Chow is another world-class Chinese maker. I have had the privilege of setting some of their violins…and let me tell you, they are amazing. In my opinion, they are the best buy out there today. Their cost is a fraction of the price of a fine Italian, French, English or German violin today.

There are many fine Chinese violins available today in the $200 to $300 range. Most are made by machines in a production way. Some Chinese violins made are made from scratch and are more refined…and more costly. I set one up a violin the other day by Wayne Chow. The violin that was very light, strong, with proper blocking and made from scratch. The purling was extremely well done. The aching was fairly flat with great caring power. The varnish was oil and not too thick. The pegs worked really well and with very little effort held the violin in tune. The only thing I had to do was to match it up with the right-fitting sound post and bridge and match the woods to work together. I added Obbligato strings. Yes, it still was not a quite a Stradivarius. But the quality and amplitude of sound was very good and in a few short years may come close to the old masters. Who knows? The price, however, was right and it sold for in the $800 range, vs. thousands of dollars for an old master violin. Both needed to be properly set up at a cost of in the hundreds.

There are many entry and intermediate level violins out there today. Most are machine-made and sell for in the $200 to $300 range. When properly set up, the sound, appearance and ease to play can be exhilarating.