Ming Jiang Zhu 909 Violin

I am impressed by the sound came from this violin made by Ming Jiang Zhu workshop. It is a mid-priced unit that has exceeded my expectations. The more you play from it, the better it sounded. Even my son’s violin teacher from Russia is impressed with this violin. Highly recommended if you or your children we’re looking for a better violin transitioning from the beginner violin.

I am a professional violinist in Chicago and was recently looking to upgrade my instrument. It just couldn't do all of the things that I needed it to. After a two month search comprised of trips to every local violin shop, I finally found what I was looking for: the Ming Jiang Zhu G909A (G for Guaneri copy)! It is overall probably the finest instrument that I have ever played, and in my recent search I have played many violins that cost $15k +. None of them had the dark, even tone, projection, or ease of play that the Zhu has. I was stunned. Now that I've brought it home and have played it in for a few weeks, it sounds even better: it's tone has opened up, as has its volume, and it has started to ring like I cannot believe. I cannot stop playing this violin! The shop that I purchase it from received a couple of S909A (S for Strad copy) models in, and they called me in to try them out. Again, I can't believe the sound of these violins, and the Strad model's sound is very different than the Guaneri 909 I just purchased. It was sweeter and a little brighter. I slightly prefer the Guaneri 909's dark sound and aggressive bite, but I'd love to have this Strad's sound on many pieces I could think of. I then had the craziest thought, what if I could own the Strad copy, as well? I was always impressed that Heifetz, and a few other genius violinists, had boths Strads and Guaneris in their arsenal. I thought that was god-like. The shop's proprietor must have read me like a book, because he said what I was thinking, and ended up giving me a great deal on S909A! It is like a dream to own both of these incredible instruments for under $8k. And to think I was ready to drop $10k on ONE instrument that just couldn't compete with these two. Master Zhu is a genius...P.S. I bought these violins before I heard of fiddlerman, this seller. His prices are better than what I paid, and he sounds great playing these Zhu violins on YouTube :)9/2019 - My Zhu violins have opened up fully and they are a dream to play. I made my Strad model my dedicated gigging violin by having my luthier fit and install an LR Baggs pick up bridge. It now sounds amazing acoustic or amplified. My 909G is my baby, my pride and joy. I perform all of my recitals on it. I'm SO fortunate to have bought these instruments when Zhu was alive and supervised their construction. I'll never need another violin...

I'm an active teacher and former instrument retailer who's personally owned at least 30 violins over the years. I recently played well over 100 in the Washington D.C. area looking for an upgrade over the one I'd brought with me from the arid West. I gave myself permission to buy anything under $15,000, and most of what I brought home from the shops for closer inspection was $10,000 and up. Many of them were from the golden period of Markneukerchin, others by modern Italian makers. Long story short, I ended up buying one of these and a less expensive model from the same workshop. Each of them sounded better than any of the vintage instruments I tried, and I ended up with two very good violins of somewhat different character for one-third the price I'd have been happy to pay for just one. I showed them to a local dealer, and he's now carrying them also. As many other reviewers have noted, modern Chinese instruments can be fantastic, and Ming Jiang Zhu is of the most respected workshops there. Highly recommended.