Will it work?!? I try to Improve the 100 Dollar Violin with my Master Setup 

Man, you're some kind of violin wizard. Your attention to detail is incredible and you managed to turn garbage into a musical instrument. I had no idea that all those little things make a huge difference. Cheers 🎻

This VSO would be a good candidate to test the god pillar that you reviewed with TwoSet some time ago hahaha

"As a beginner, you're important." This guy gets it.

"The strings are very good... FOR THE BIN" ROOOOOOOOOASTEEEED XD

Actually I am okay with watching a whole 50 minutes to see the whole process. It's interesting! I like how you explained everything you work on.

Honestly the fingerboard looks kinda cool.

Twoset Community: we always like watching Olaf too :-)

Oh olaf! I love how you said that it was never too late to start playing an instrument, and every soloist are once a beginner. This is somehow gives me a new spirits to keep learning and not to feel discouraged looking at others who are far ahead. Thank you so much Olaf, that means a lot to me! :)

I just love how the VSO's synonyms are pretty much its "roast" terms.

Olaf - in potential assistance for your question at 1:05: - What is the difference between a violin,- a cello- and a piano-shaped object? - The piano burns for longest.

"Luthier killed by toxic cheap violin" is something I never want to read in the papers. Stay safe Olaf!

Sir I don't have doubts about your violin playing in fact your better than me lol. I was kinda interested after you made those improvements to the VSO. It would be nice if you can have twoset to test it blind fold and have them play the violin and then make them reveal which violin they believe sounds better. That would be fun to watch. Before they made a video comparison with the million dollar violin so it's kinda exciting to hear their opinion about how much you improved the sound of that VSO.

Thanks for making this video - I've always wondered how much these $100 turds could be hot rodded up with a good fitted bridge and soundpost. This video definitely scratched an itch! And I agree with some of the other sentiments in the comments - don't destroy it! You've made it playable, and maybe there is a needy beginner/school district out there that can benefit from your hard and expert work on this piece.

You're succeeded to pull my interest to violins, and I've never even touch a violin before 😄

"You're a beginner, you're important." I wish someone told me that 5 years ago.

My childhood dream: To be a violinist My other dream - To be a luthier

This was fascinating. Thank you so much, Olaf. Your passion for stringed instruments is a lovely thing. I’m glad you didn’t destroy it. I always feel that instruments have a kind of soul - we feel that when we become very close to our instruments and we make music with them. They deserve to make music. Nothing sadder than seeing an instrument rejected/broken/discarded... Please don’t destroy it at the end. It’s not it’s fault that it was made with so little care. Don’t encourage the sort of wanton destruction that some RU-vidrs delight in. Encourage people to make the best of what they have - plenty of kids out there are starting out on just that kind of instrument, because it’s all their family can afford for them. Some hints on a cheaper range of half-decent strings to put on it and how to do that, ditto a bridge etc. The kind of things they could do at home without spending too much. Many don’t have the option of a better instrument or going to luthier. But with encouragement and pride in their instrument, who knows whether they could get to that point...

Olaf: I wonder what I can do with this VSO. Twoset: Can we burn it?

Im just dropping by to this video to say keep up the good work man! Faith in humanity restored, every video you seem to be so nice people thank you for that.

Thank you Olaf, for giving the VSO a voice. It wasn't the instrument's fault that it wasn't made well. I've learned this evening that there has been flooding in Australia on the Western coast. While I realize you're in Brisbane on the Eastern coast, your countrymen on the West are in our prayers. You are an inspiration. My wife Karen has a violin that was acquired in an antique shop that belonged to her mother and her grandmother in Maryland, USA. I've become so interested since watching your videos that I've entreated her to get it out of our conditioned storage so I can learn more about it. In the meantime I plan on acquiring an inexpensive VSO to see if I can make it any better. I hope you're not insulted, but if I can employ your methods and give it a voice, then perhaps I'll have done music a small service. I'm sure Karen's violin will be superior, but in the meantime I will learn a great deal in the process. We have a Luthier in Raleigh, NC, Mr. John Montgomery. I may try to see if he'll allow me to sweep his floors as a volunteer in exchange for the chance to learn something. I'm in my 60's, but as you've indicated, it's never too late.

We need more colab between olaf and 2 set violin, they are a good match.

I’m of the opinion also, not to destroy this violin and your work that went into it. I view this in the same way as a person that buys a car and tweaks it into something better than what is was. At the very least this instrument could be used as a loaner to other student violinists that bring their own violin in for repair.

A very interesting content I might never come across if I don't know Olaf! Thank you for the wholesome content!

This is why you buy a quality instrument right off the bat.

The partial black coloring on the fingerboard looks AMAZING!!! I want Thaton my Violin!

I have been restoring 15th to 18th-century books for 25 years now and whenever I meet a violin or guitar builder I'm always amazed how similar our toolset is I'm mostly working with wood board cover books and the recipe for making a board from a hardwood, of course, it isn't very different from preparing a soundboard of a violin and for the smaller books I have to parr the wood down to mere millimeters and in case of some Spanish books it is really close to building a soundboard because of the differences in climate in Spain hot and humid at the coast super dry inland if a board would travel from inland to coast or the other way round the board would crack that's why 17th-century Spanish books have strip inlay of hardwood but the board tents to be of a softer variety so it can stretch the square fitted braces are there to prevent the wood from cracking and to strengthen it much like under the soundboards of violins and guitars. when I found a damaged late 18th-century guitar I found it strangely easy to repair putting back broken or rotted braces was familiar.

Your message about beginner musicians was beautifully said. Truly the best aspects of the human spirit.

Hi Olaf! I would love to see a video about left-handed violins. I know left-handed violinists are fairly taboo in the violin community, but some of us can't play any other way. I play left-handed because I cannot fret with my left hand due to a disability, so I have to bow with my left. It would be pretty great to see a video on what a true left-handed violin is, versus one that's just flipped.

I love that you didn’t throw it out ! This was so interesting to watch ! I’ve never touched a violin in by life, but I love seeing how you restore them, or here try to make a real instrument out of a piece of plastic

Somehow, having the fingerboard textured like that makes it look fancier than the classic matte black of most violins

Thank you so much!! I am 57 years old and have just started playing the violin. Your words are very encouraging.

At first I thought he gonna fix the DIY violin Brett and Eddy bought

The thing about VSOs is so relatable! I had the same experience as a lefty guitarist who played a cheap right handed acoustic with the strings flipped over, and then a cheap lefty electric from rondo music whose pickups sounded like dry farts. Bought a "proper" guitar years later and that made a LOT of difference! This is probably why the synth keyboard is the easiest instrument to pickup. Oh and maybe also the Cajon. Not much can go wrong there! Oh and alongside instruments, I'd say the same about cheap bicycle shaped objects being very bad for a lot of beginner cyclists.

Instead of smashing it, I'd rather see you donate it to someone who can't afford one and wants to learn.

I started at 73, and I'm at 1½ years later. I bought a a German luthier made violin, and have no regrets. I think the 'secret' is to do a lot of research beforehand, and evaluate if this is something you can do. Also getting a good quality instrument. Even if just playing open strings, it should sound good and inspiring. I like the explanations and showing how it works, that you do here. Thanks

Amazing!!!! Such details!!!

I’d love to see you build an instrument from the ground up.

This makes me feel a LOT better. I was getting so frustrated because I was practicing and was still sounding awful. Now I understand that it wasnt just my inexperience, it was also a cheap instrument hindering me from progress. Maybe someday I'll be able to purchase a decent one to learn on. I would love to be able to play.

Love your vids and your enthusiasm!

Thank you very much for this tutorial and insight.

Conclusion: improve it, i can

Hahaha I own a ~$200 violin. No shade to my instrument though; it served me well. I learned violin in grade 10 and we had the option of using the school instruments, but I really wanted to have my own so I could practice whenever and keep it. We had to take it in to a repair shop at the recommendation of my teacher and the man replaced all the strings, shaved the bridge into a better shape, and carved the scroll holes out because the pegs didn't fit properly. I don't remember how much it cost, but maybe $100-200? So I think it does pay to invest in a better instrument right off the bat. If you're willing to play a subpar-sounding, difficult-to-play instrument, then you can get one for very cheap, but as soon as you decide you want better, you've already wasted money, because trying to improve a low-quality instrument isn't as economical as buying one of higher quality.

Awesome video! Thanks Olaf!

You seem like just the nicest person. Thank you so much for sharing!

I may have said 'Pirastro Tonica gang REPRESENT' out loud and felt both really cool and like a total nerd at the same time. So glad my chosen strings are luthier approved :) (screw Dominants!)

As a public school orchestra in a very poor area, I’ve done this (minus the fingerboard planing and replacing the soundpost usually) for countless students’ instruments over 17 years (for free, but I request if they can, that they reimburse me for the new bridge and strings). It still doesn’t sound fabulous, but even a ‘simple’ setup with the existing bridge feet, contour, and string spacing (I prefer they pay me cost for a new bridge blank and do the whole thing, but I already spend hundreds and hundreds of my salary on my students so I try not to buy too much for them) as well as setting up the nut groove depth, and reaming/shaving peg holes and pegs makes a HUGE difference in playability! They still sound like VSO’s, but are much more playable and sound like a ‘better vso’. There’s nothing to be done with the bows that come with those things though, what an unplayable nightmare! (And I guarantee they used white/yellow/wood glue. Trying to get things apart on these is 1. A nightmare, 2. A gamble you won’t destroy the instrument irreparably...)

Thank you so much for the video. I am very glad I found your channel.

I'm so excited for this video! Thank you Olaf :)

"Peg paste" suuure. That is definitely mahogany nude lipstick. Matches the curly wig, though - good eye.

Ling Ling would correct this violin to strad by just looking at it

Thank you, Olaf! This was a great video :)

i just love hearing this man talk and explain things. such nice energy

Hey Olaf, I love it when you estimate the price to have the things that you're doing done. As someone who has recently upgraded their instrument from a student one to one that I dropped a few grand on, I want to keep my instrument in good shape and it's really helpful to both appreciate the details put into my new instrument and know when to take it to a shop/what I'm getting myself into if anything goes wrong.

You're an amazing luthier to be able to turn that VSO to a violin! The beginning sounded like plastic, after you professionally fixed it, it sounds like real wood! But I agree, beginners shouldn't buy such VSOs to begin with. And at the end where you said every soloist was once a beginner, I teared up.. You're inspiring!

Wow, I love the look of the fingerboard with the wood grain showing through! It's gorgeous.

Just found your videos. I love them and am learning so much. Thank you.

Olaf: "170 dollar fingerboard." Me, looking at my DK deck with Blackriver trucks and Oak wheels: "Yeah, pretty much."

I am so fascinated on how Olaf came up with a new character of his own, like a new character from the Violin cinematic universe...

Well done video! You have given me new insights into a very fine tradition. Thx

So impressed with your approach. Thank you for what you do!

Super cool! Would be fun to hear someone try to play a real piece on it!

#RIPheadphoneusers. 90% of the video: Turn up the volume to hear Olaf speaking. Sudden violin: Gaaaaaaah!! My ears!!!! 😱

Thank you Olaf this was super interesting and fun to watch with you!

I truly love your passion. You are amazing. Thank you for sharing with us.

"Here, you're not going to watch in on everything I do" - A man has to keep his secrets, anyways.

I've noticed that the tone of an instrument seems to vary with different bows, not just different strings. My question is, should a quality violin sound be a flat EQ across frequency, or should there be a slight mid-range kind of bite to the sound? I've heard both on records, so could be a style/preference thing, but how should an acoustic classical violin really sound?

So wonderful to watch you at your joy-producing work!

Now i have to go through all your videos... This was fascinating. Thank you!

If you need a cheap violin, get the one Ray Chen bought for, if I remember correctly, 69 dollars. Because 500 dollars is a big investment for many people knowing that most who start learning the violin don't stick to it. It takes a long time to play one note that doesn't sound bad. It's you, not the violin. Then, when you learn to bow straight amd get some agility to control bow pressure and placement (contact point) AND learn to place your left hand fingers at the right places (stop the string) so that your intended note isn't too flat, or too sharp, you'll struggle a long time to learn vibrato. It isn't easy, as in the guitar, or cello. And it is essential to sound more beautiful. Take a look at the hands of violinists, they vibrate most of the time. So, there's a long way to play anything, the easiest of pieces, sounding just ok. Many give up. If you have time and patience and do stick to it, that'll pass and in a few years you'll feel the need to get a better instrument. How many years? It depends. Some have it easier than others. Long fingers help. If you have a lot of time, if you're younger... many ifs. Good work!

Hey Olaf, don't destroy it. Make some tutorial for other people on budget how to improve cheap violin instead. :)

This is so awesome. Love seeing these types of videos.

It's always a pleasure to hear someone who really knows in depth what they are talking about. And I love the understated humour. You're the best ! Thanks.

It would be interesting to hear the violin played with a better bow to see how much of an effect the bow would make without having to put more work and money into this project.

Imagine stadivari living in this era, he would have converted a 50$ violin into a stradivarius

Really enjoyed the video! You have an amazing attitude and enthusiasm.

Olaf, you are a master craftsman! Amazing!

A viola is a VSO.

I remember when he had 2k subs, and now he has 10 times the amount.

Your passion is absolutely infectious, I can practically feel it coming through the screen!

So informative! So glad that luthiers and teachers care about us adult beginners!💚

It's definitely better, but it still sucks. Definitely prefer to buy a decent instrument to start of with! The bridge is worth more than this instrument..

I have a question Olaf, I’m a high school student almost entering my senior year and would like to buy a better bow. How expensive are bows that music uni students are using.

watching your videos makes me feel good. keep it up Olaf!

I really like this video. And of course would sit through for longer videos too! Very informational. Thank you, Olaf 😊

I've always wonder if those cheep violins can be improved somehow. But as you say, I feel like it's waste of time and money. Especially waste of skills of a good luthier!!

VSO 😂= screeching object, horrible thing😂

SUPER fun. Thank you.

That was fascinating to watch!!! You're certainly very good at what you do!

I've always really enjoyed your presence on camera. It's nice to see someone who seems to genuinely love what they do. I really can not get enough of your attitude and positivity. You remind me a lot of a calculus professor I had and he was easily my favorite professor in all my math and science classes. He would solve problems himself whenever we had questions and it was so nice watching his creativity in problem solving and his love for the subject.

I like your kind words and your work. Sending love from Romania

Thank you, Olaf. Your craftsmanship is amazing and wonderful to see. Your video gives me a much greater appreciation for the violin.

i never knew i'd enjoy these, but i do! thanks

What an awesome video, and what a great guy! I can feel your passion for not only the instrument, but for those of us just learning to play it. Thank you

Simply lovely. ☺️

The best 22 minutes and 7 seconds I’ve ever had in my life thank you so much!

Wonderful! My ability to appreciate the sound of a violin is improved by knowing more about the bones of the instrument. You are serving the world of music.

Thanks for the great video!

thank you for fixing it up! I learned a lot from this video!

I learned a few very good points, thank you so much sir

I loved the passion and care you put on your work, it's fascinating