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Sibelius on Ming Jiang Zhu 909
I love this video .. really shows how the MJZ's have that sonorous mellow tone that's the signature of the old italian violins we all wish we could afford ..
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Bunkei

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January 8, 2015 - 12:25 pm
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New user here, and thought I'd like to share this gem.  I have to admit, this is the violin that kinda 'seal the deal' on getting a MJZ 909.  The only thing is .. I don't know if this is a Strad or Guernari model .. 

 

 

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Fiddlestix
Michigan, USA

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January 8, 2015 - 1:33 pm
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WOW...... does it matter what it is ?  LOL,,, awesome playing.

 

Ken.

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Uzi
Georgia

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January 8, 2015 - 3:43 pm
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First, welcome to the forum.  My understanding is that the 909 can be had either in Strad or Guaneri versions. I think the one in your video is the Strad version.   

Here's the link on fiddlershop.com

Here's Pierre playing the Strad version:

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright

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bfurman

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January 8, 2015 - 9:12 pm
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Extremely well balanced.  Very nice indeed.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 8, 2015 - 10:15 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

We have only G models right now. They are a bit darker but at least as powerful. It seems as though Ming Jiang Zhu or at least Noble Heart Violins, Ltd. prefers the Guarneri models as there are so many of them. Today I played on three 909G's and it was hard to pick a favorite. One is set up with Dominant, one with Kaplan Amo and one with Larsen Virtuoso strings which are quickly becoming my favorite.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Bunkei

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January 8, 2015 - 11:08 pm
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Fiddlerman said
We have only G models right now. They are a bit darker but at least as powerful. It seems as though Ming Jiang Zhu or at least Noble Heart Violins, Ltd. prefers the Guarneri models as there are so many of them. Today I played on three 909G's and it was hard to pick a favorite. One is set up with Dominant, one with Kaplan Amo and one with Larsen Virtuoso strings which are quickly becoming my favorite.

I can't wait to place my order in a month or so :D

Have you had your chance to try out the MJZ 925 model?  I'm assuming that this is the closest you'll get to a benchmade model by Mr. Zhu (which would probably cost at least 3x the cost of the 925).

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Fiddlestix
Michigan, USA

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January 9, 2015 - 1:32 am
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Fiddlerman said
one with Larsen Virtuoso strings which are quickly becoming my favorite.

Grrrrrr...... I sure wish you'd make up "my" mind. I'm on my last of (5) sets of "Zyex" and now you're changing your / our favorite string ?  facepalm

Now what, dunno

roflj/k Pierre. Guess I'll have to switch to "Ob's"

 

Ken. 

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 12, 2015 - 11:12 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

LOL Ken,
Zyex for saving money any day. The Larsen strings are expensive.
http://fiddlershop.com/strings.....l-end.html
I tend to be a cheap scape. ;)

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Bunkei

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January 29, 2015 - 3:56 pm
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Update: my hand is still killing me *_* 

 

Still loving the MJZ as it opens up the longer I play it.  I did feel like something is holding back the tone of the violin.  At first, I thought that it of course, is brand new, and has not been remotely close to being broken in.  Then I happen to watch a few YT videos about strings.  Then it occurred to me .. "oh crap, I didn't think about the strings when ordering the MJZ".

So of course, my MJZ has the Dominants.  It seems to be a respected brand, but most of the reviews are not that glowing.  One one hand, it's a brand that's widely used by violinists and violists that produces a clear tone with very good response (this part I do agree with).  However, I also noted some drawbacks.  Mainly that the string has no "flavor" .. not particularly mellow, bright, or brilliant.  The tone can also be viewed as flat, with no particular complexity or depth.  I also noticed that some have complained about the degradation of the sound as the strings are played in (Fiddlerman mentioned this as well).  

Going with Fiddlerman's advice (as well as other reviews), I've just bought a set of Zyex D'Addario strings.  I plan on switching them out as soon as they arrive.  This also got me thinking.  I have a german fiddle, and to be frank, I have not really paid attention to the strings (it also has dominants).  They are at least a couple of years old.  My old german fiddle is quite loud and bright, and based on the reviews, I've decided to purchase the Pro Arte D'Addario strings, which I hope will add a warm and mellow tone to balance out the natural loud and brightness of the instrument.

I'll report my findings ASAP!

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 29, 2015 - 9:27 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
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Should be interesting to hear your thoughts on MJZ with Zyex. :)
We took three instruments that sounded similar and put three different sets of strings on them, Dominants, Larsen and Evah Pirazzi and they all sounded different. I then switched the Dominants for Kaplan Amo and there was a big difference again. Dominants are actually well respected but they are a bit metallic and bright sounding. We like to use them to stay with the norm.... Lot's of pros use them because they are conservative. Some violins need them to get a decent amount of power. I knew professional players who mixed all the strings. They couldn't decide on one set but could find individual favorites and believed that that was the solution. LOL

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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