Is this a good Liuqin to start with?

[aeliascent]

Link: Shanghai Dunhuang Liuqin (Student Model)

I just bought one and noodled around with it. The intonation was off, until I repositioned the bridge. I'm not sure if it sounds good, because I don't know how a good liuqin is supposed to sound. I do 'like' it, but I don't know if it's considered a good instrument due to my lack of knowlege. 

It stays in tune just fine, but it goes out of tune when the temperature drops, but that's normal. There are no wolf tones or string buzz, and I can play a few sections of "The Battle of Evermore" just fine.

The finish is a very ehh quality, but maybe because I'm spoiled by having played cheap but good quality guitars. 

Is this an instrument that I can play for a lifetime, is what I'm asking. I know that Jimmy Page played a "beginner quality" Harmony mandolin for decades. Can this liuqin do that?

Also, should I put lemon oil on the sound board? Thanks guys. I know my questions are very amateurish!

[edcat7]

Since you're in to guitars as well, your present liuqin would unlikely be your only one. My liuqin teacher bought my liuqin back from Taiwan. His one is luthier made by some professor in Hong Kong.

It's been years since I touched mine but one day after I retire I'll sign up for liuqin lessons via Skype, run by Eason.

I wouldn't put anything on the sound board and your white wood should darken over the years.

It's important to keep it at the correct humidity, away from radiators.

Ed

[aeliascent]

Gotcha, thanks for the tips. I do enjoy it a lot, but I already modified it by making a new bridge out of walnut. This one is compensated and shorter by 5mm. Lower action and no string buzz. Hopefully, it'll have a warmer tone haha. It took 15 minutes. Yeah, I also a bit of wood working and modding instruments for fun.

Luckily I don't have a radiator

And damn I already broke a string :/