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Post by Minh on Oct 17, 2016 3:07:30 GMT
Hello all,
I was wondering, for those of you who play the erhu and also own an erquan erhu, is it worth getting one? I was using erquan strings on one of my spare erhus, it worked for a while, but the strings always felt a bit too loose, I also have a qqqianjin thingie from George Gao but I thought it was too hard to play with a completely new qianjin position when I tried it (that was a few years ago though, maybe it's easier now, haven't tried it again)
Hope to hear back from you guys, thanks!
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Post by edcat7 on Oct 17, 2016 10:43:18 GMT
Hi Minh welcome back.
A while ago I bought an erquan erhu from BG. Outwardly I couldn't fault it, the wood and snakeskin was of a decent quality and even my teacher thought so. However it sounded mediocre and it took a strong bowing arm to get anywhere near a decent sound. I thought perhaps it needed breaking-in so left it with my teacher for the last year.
I doubt he has played with it much as his first love is the yangqin. Curiously I have also tried using erquan erhu strings on my (spare) MRX erhu and the results were not too dissimilar from my erquan erhu.
Would I buy an erquan again? No, not unless it's a better model from Eason's.
Ed
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Post by davidmdahl on Oct 17, 2016 16:14:26 GMT
I have never played an erquan erhu, but I am on my second zhonghu, and I strung an extra erhu with erquan strings until I got the second zhonghu. Maybe not all erhus are well-suited for the erquan strings. Mine sounded and played wonderfully tuned G/D. The better the quality, the better the results. The erhu should be already pretty sensitive, since adding thicker strings will reduce the sensitivity. Bowing will be a chore with erquan strings on an insentitive erhu. On both the zhonghu and erquan-strung erhu, I like to have the qianjin as high as I can manage, and the qianjin needs to be 'right'. The strings should loop off the pegs as close as possible to the ends. With the thicker strings, you might need to adjust or change bridge and pad. I don't believe I changed either on my erquan-strung erhu, but it's worth trying if you are not happy with your results.
If the strings are too floppy, the qianjin may be too low, or may need to be retied. I have had problems when there was too much space between the neck and strings. Also check your tuning. If G/D is not working for you, tune up a little. I don't remember tuning to A/E, but that might be worth trying. Thicker strings do have a different feel, and may take some getting used to. Based on my experience, a good sensitive erhu with erquan strings is more fun than a poor quality zhonghu. I would expect the same to be true with the erquan erhu.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by eugene on Jun 15, 2017 6:01:54 GMT
Hi Minh welcome back. A while ago I bought an erquan erhu from BG. Outwardly I couldn't fault it, the wood and snakeskin was of a decent quality and even my teacher thought so. However it sounded mediocre and it took a strong bowing arm to get anywhere near a decent sound. I thought perhaps it needed breaking-in so left it with my teacher for the last year. I doubt he has played with it much as his first love is the yangqin. Curiously I have also tried using erquan erhu strings on my (spare) MRX erhu and the results were not too dissimilar from my erquan erhu. Would I buy an erquan again? No, not unless it's a better model from Eason's. Ed FYI Eason now having a better Erquan www.easonmusicstore.com/products/Concert-Grade-Aged-Rosewood-Erquan-Erhu-by-YKM/571 |
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Post by dawei on Jun 15, 2017 14:27:36 GMT
So far I'm satisfied using erquan strings on one of my redwood erhus. I have not felt the need for a specific instrument for that tuning.
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Post by davidmdahl on Jun 15, 2017 16:28:58 GMT
My first zhonghu had a murky sound and was a lot of work to play. I much preferred playing an extra erhu with erquan strings. Now I have a really good zhonghu, or maybe something sized between zhonghu and erquan erhu, and it is yet better. I agree though, that for most people, a good erhu with erquan strings is better than a cheap zhonghu.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by dawei on Jun 15, 2017 17:15:20 GMT
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Post by davidmdahl on Jun 15, 2017 18:56:18 GMT
The Ebay "big bass erhu" looks to have been thoroughly used and abused. The skin doesn't look great, but still doesn't appear to be sagging much. I don't know that I would expect much from it, but maybe it is a better sign that it appears to have been played. An old erhu/huqin that does not show evidence of being played, might never have been pleasant to play or hear.
Still hard to know if this is a good risk.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by fatpanda on Jun 16, 2017 11:02:06 GMT
Is erquan erhu sound similar to Zhonghu? What is the structual difference between a normal erhu and a erquan erhu?
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Post by dawei on Jun 16, 2017 11:30:47 GMT
The Ebay "big bass erhu" looks to have been thoroughly used and abused. The skin doesn't look great, but still doesn't appear to be sagging much. I don't know that I would expect much from it, but maybe it is a better sign that it appears to have been played. An old erhu/huqin that does not show evidence of being played, might never have been pleasant to play or hear. Still hard to know if this is a good risk.Best wishes, David Exactly! Your point about wear on used instruments is a good one. |
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Post by eugene on Jun 16, 2017 13:03:27 GMT
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Post by fatpanda on Jun 16, 2017 23:02:53 GMT
Thanks for the reply eugene, have not received my 3 in 1 yet but was told that the size is slightly bigger than an erhu. So I guess, it is a size of an erquan erhu and if changed with zhonghu strings will act like a mini zhonghu? No idea yet. I am just hoping it will sound like an erhu with tone with a slight lower pitch.
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ronnie123
Novice
Just registed as Novice in Erhu/Zhonghu
Posts: 1 
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Post by ronnie123 on Jul 28, 2017 3:32:35 GMT
I have never played an erquan erhu, but I am on my second zhonghu, and I strung an extra erhu with erquan strings until I got the second zhonghu. Maybe not all erhus are well-suited for the erquan strings. Mine sounded and played wonderfully tuned G/D. The better the quality, the better the results. The erhu should be already pretty sensitive, since adding thicker strings will reduce the sensitivity. Bowing will be a chore with erquan strings on an insentitive erhu. On both the zhonghu and erquan-strung erhu, I like to have the qianjin as high as I can manage, and the qianjin needs to be 'right'. The strings should loop off the pegs as close as possible to the ends. With the thicker strings, you might need to adjust or change bridge and pad. I don't believe I changed either on my erquan-strung erhu, but it's worth trying if you are not happy with your results. If the strings are too floppy, the qianjin may be too low, or may need to be retied. I have had problems when there was too much space between the neck and strings. Also check your tuning. If G/D is not working for you, tune up a little. I don't remember tuning to A/E, but that might be worth trying. Thicker strings do have a different feel, and may take some getting used to. Based on my experience, a good sensitive erhu with erquan strings is more fun than a poor quality zhonghu. I would expect the same to be true with the erquan erhu. Best wishes, David |
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