What are the differences between European violins and Chinese violins?

Judging from the materials and origin of violins, they can be roughly divided into European materials and domestic materials. Many violin enthusiasts and makers have always been controversial about the choice of violin wood. Which violin is better, a violin made of domestic materials or a violin made of European materials? Now let me introduce the differences between European violins and domestic violins.

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Different origins

European material is European wood, generally produced in the Alps, the Balkans, Eastern Europe, etc. The drying time of European materials is more than 10 years.

Domestic materials includeNortheastern food, Sichuan food, Yunnan foodetc. The air-drying time is shorter, generally 5-10 years.

Different characteristics

Since these two materials originate from different places, their properties are also different due to the influence of climatic conditions. The following are the characteristics of several common materials:

Northeastern food

Northeastern materials are characterized by high density, horizontal ribs, and straight patterns. Generally speaking, Northeastern maple is harder than European maple and not as elastic as European maple, so the cut boards are not as shiny as European maple. Guins made from Northeast maple based on European data often have too much strength and not enough softness. Of course, this kind of piano is suitable for playing emotionally charged music such as "Red Detachment of Women" and "Fighting the Tiger Up the Mountain".

Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan food

Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan material has a lower density than European material, which means it is softer. Yungui Sichuan maple has no horizontal ribs, is white in color, and looks very much like European maple. A little paint can make it look real. Therefore, Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan materials have become more and more popular among Chinese violin makers in recent years. However, the violin sound produced by it is not as good as that of European materials. Because the Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan material is newly developed, it cannot be naturally dried for decades.

European food

European materials are generally divided into Swiss materials, Eastern European materials, Russian materials, etc. The material is moderately soft and elastic, white in color, has good gloss, has a good three-dimensional effect, rich texture, and most of the patterns are straight. The wood from Siberia, Russia, is similar to the wood from Northeast my country.

Different timbre

Because Europe has a long history of violin making and rich experience in making violins, the world's famous violin makers are all from Europe. Moreover, European material takes a long time to dry, so whether it is dryness or elasticity, European material is better than domestic material, so the sound of the piano made of European material is pure, transparent, and sweet. Pianos made of domestic materials are not as good as European materials in tone, and are not bright enough in the treble range. This is not to say that domestic materials cannot be used to make high-end violins, but through years of practice, people have found that the success rate and final effect of making high-end art violins with European materials is better.

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Summarize

There is not much difference between domestic materials and European violin materials. Although European materials are more popular among players and violin makers, domestic materials are slightly inferior to European materials, but with theChinese violinWith the development of the manufacturing industry, violin manufacturing is becoming more and more mature, and domestic violin makers are becoming more and more rigorous in selecting materials. The luthier needs to follow the characteristics of the wood to find the best way to make a violin. Facts have proved that whether it is Chinese wood or European wood, excellent artistic violin makers should have the ability to determine the violin making method based on the characteristics of the wood.