Well,

http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/st...olins/spec.html

On the bottom half of the chart shows the V7 and V5SC, I am deciding between the two and was wondering about everyone's opinions. But here are a few questions I have in mind and wanted to see if anyways could provide me with an answer

1. pros and cons of rosewood vs. ebony chinrests
2. helicore strings vs. prelude
3. they both have brazilwood bows, but if anyone is familiar with yamaha, do you know if real horsehair is used?
4. What's shading on the varnish?

Also, this is the yamaha website so it listed what it should be equipped with. But for someone inexperienced like me, how would I be able to tell what kind of strings are on the violin when i see them in stores (just incase for some reason the strings are not what they should be at the store)

Thanks a bunch

[*]pros and cons of rosewood vs. ebony chinrests

There aren't any meaningful pros and cons. It just depends which wood you prefer the look of.


[*]helicore strings vs. prelude

They're both not very good. Unless you're an old timey bluegrass type fiddler.

[*]they both have brazilwood bows, but if anyone is familiar with yamaha, do you know if real horsehair is used?
Genuwyne hair from a genuwyne horse

[*]What's shading on the varnish?

The varnish is "shaded" so that there is some simulation of the varnish wear on an antique instrument. It's purely cosmetic.

Also, this is the yamaha website so it listed what it should be equipped with. But for someone inexperienced like me, how would I be able to tell what kind of strings are on the violin when i see them in stores (just incase for some reason the strings are not what they should be at the store)

If it doesn't have helicore or prelude strings on it in the shop you should be extremely pleased. It'll save you the trouble of having to throw them away and buy a decent set.

or you could just learn the right sort of music to begin with ;-)

Let's put it this way. Yamaha have a big name for certain types of instrument, which do not include strings. There is a reason why their name is not known for strings.

Liz

Hi there my daughter has played on a loan 55sc since it was new for 5 years. She has been able to get a great sound from it over this time. We had the strings changed from the start, once she started getting to Grade 7 we had a new bridge put on and the sound post moved. It was quite a loud violin compared to the one she has just recieved on loan from Benslow. The Yamaha was quite a fresh sound and she did sometimes stand out in one of orchestras she plays in. She is now Grade 8 and it was suggested she upgraded and did away with the fine tuners.

I think it unfair to call the Yamaha it has served her well, it depends on your budget and level of playing. We haven't all got big budgets, but shop around the prices vary greatly on the internet.

I think this is a tad unfair. There's nothing wrong with Helicore strings. They were recommended to me by my professional tutor, and have seen my through some advanced level exams. I often recommend them to students (Grade 4 and up) who are always pleased with the sound when they re-string with these. They also keep their pitch well. A violin shop I know (and respect) strings all their violins above a certain price-range with Helicores. That's not to say they suit every instrument, of course, but please don't just denounce a good string out of hand.

I have to agree that Helicore are great strings - despite being all metal, they sound very warm and have the added advantage of being almost indestructible and keeping their pitch very well. I have them on one of my fiddles and they sound equally at home playing fast reels and jigs as they do playing laments (which require every bit as much tone colour as most classical playing).

Many French violists use them exclusively and more and more classical violinists over here are using them too.

Of course, they might sound rotten on someone's instrument, but then so can dominants or anything else.

Allan

(Ohhh - here's a quick recording of the ever amazing Liz Carroll, playing on Helicore strings - sounds pretty ok to me!)

I'm gonna agree also about the Helicores I tried loads of strings on my violin and helicore turned out the best. Ok so admittedly i'm waiting for my helicores to die to i can put on my evah pirazzis But the helicores aren't that bad. Depends on the violin though i guessss

You're right!

I also realised that my point would have been better illustrated if I'd included the link !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhTNXTqwkvM

Oops;

Good point Rosfrog

Although when i realised there was no link i searched her name on youtube and ended up picking out the video you were gonna link I must be psychic Sounds really nice too!

I too have heard variable things about the Yamahas - however the only pupil I have that currently has a Yamaha violin (I'm not sure which model it is) has it strung with Dominants and makes a fantastic sound. As a grade 4 improver instrument (at 3/4) size it has been a great buy for her and would definitely do another couple of grades (depending how fast she grows too!).

Thanks for everyone's replies, these are all interesting and helpful replies. I actually saw a strunal (dvorak) violin online, so I'm gonna drop by the store this week and see how it is (better deal than yamaha, costs slightly less, the site says: dominant and larsen strings, wittner tailpiece, aubert bridge) Of course I'm not sure if this is actually better.. who knows, we'll see. It also says it comes with a fibreglass bow in the outfit and here is the stupid question... does fibreglass describe the hard bow part, or does it mean the bow is made of synthetic hair/material?

this describes the stick. fiberglass is a cheaper alternative to carbon fiber for synthetic (non-wood) sticks. the hair could be either horsehair or synthetic.

Other people have said it, but I love the helicores that are on my violin, and the shop where I got it does tend to have them on all their instruments.

It's the same old thing really, you don't know if you'll like something til you try it.

It's all just personal opinions. If you like helicores, great.
To my ears they have a very characteristic loud and unsubtle "honky" sound that I really can't stand.