Dec 11
23
The Yamaha Violin
There are many violin brands, and when you’re starting starting out it’s often hard to pick. The Yamaha violin is one of the most famous.
It’s true that the best violins are usually finely handcrafted. Often by a lone luthier who is an artisan. They may end up costing quite some. And they are not really abound. brand. They are more just about being good, and that’s it.
But when you are starting out, it’s also true that you are probably not looking for “the best of the best” sounding violin. Often a super quality sounding violin is even harder to play, and to have it sound as it is supposed to sound.
So, what you are looking for is a violin that is sturdy, well made, that’s reliable, and that plays sufficiently well. It also shouldn’t bee too expensive.
That’s when brand comes in. A Yamaha violin is exactly that, at least with the entry level models.
Yamaha is a Japanese manufacturer of musical instruments. Yamaha pianos are particularly well known.
Yamaha also produces an entire line of violins.
Yamaha Violins are spread across four lines, depending on the level of the player.
Yamaha Standard Violins
The first level is the “Standard” line. These are violins that are perfect for the student who is starting up.
They are sturdy and well made, with OK sound. They are easy to adjust, have good consistency and playability, and they are easy to tune.
Their necks, tops and backs are hand carved from seasoned maple.
The basic “Standard” Yamaha violin model is the AV5, that comes in sizes from 1/16 all the way up to 4/4.
It comes with entire outfit, and two different sets of equipment.
The basic AV5-SC version comes with Wittner tailpiece and fine tuners. The model numbers for the different sizes are:
- AV5-44SC
- AV5-34SC (3/4)
- AV5-12SC (1/2)
- AV5-14SC (1/4)
- AV5-18SC (1/8)
- AV5-110SC (1/10)
- AV5-116SC (1/16)
The AV5-SG version is a bit more refined as it comes with a rosewood tailpiece, 4 fine tuners and a fiberglass bow, with horse hair, and ABS case. The model numbers for the AV5-SG are:
- AV5-44SKU (full size)
- AV5-34SKU (3/4)
- AV5-12SKU (1/2)
Yamaha Step Up Violins
The second level of Yamaha violins are the Step Up. These are handcrafted violins that are suitable for those students who’ve been playing for some time, a couple of years or so, and need a better violin, that produces richer sound, and gives them more interesting and satisfying results.
The first level of Step Up Yamaha violin is the AV7-SG. This violin has a very nicely shaded hand varnishing, comes with ebony pegs and chin rest, and a Wittner tailpiece. It also comes outfitted with a quality case and a wooden bow.
The top level of step up violins is the AV10-G Yamaha violin. The AV10-G has a hand carved top, select spruce, a full ebony trim, and in general it is quite of a high end violin, that can produce a very satisfying and rich sound.
It comes both with a high quality outfit, and also as “violin only”, in which case it’s model number is AV10-G.
Higher level Yamaha violins
The two higher levels of Yamaha Violin are the “Advanced” and the “Professional” lines.
Advanced Yamaha violins are geared at the solo community. Those for who sound is the most important feature. They’re made with exceptional craftsmanship, and quality varnish. Made by trained violin makers.
Professional Yamaha violins are the most demanding ones. They are for those players who rely on their instrument for income. They use the best materials, the finest woods, and best varnish.
One of the interesting elements of Yamaha Violins is that they are inspired by the famous handcrafted violins from the great luthiers of the past, such as Guarnieri, Amati, and Stradivarius.
This is particularly evident in the higher end lines of Yamaha Violins: Like the 100S, 200S, 500S (Stradivarius), and 100G, 200G, 500G (Guarnieri).
Want to play a Stradivarius? Easy enough. Just grab a Yamaha YVN500S, and you’ll get a violin that’s as close to a Stradivarius as a modern violin can get.