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Post by howiehobbit on Mar 14, 2018 0:13:11 GMT
Hi everyone,
I just thought I'd message and start a thread to say hi and to introduce myself. Everyone calls me Howie, and I am based in the UK, in and around London.
I have been playing the violin for nearly 20 years now and wanted a new instrument to play with, and so I thought the Erhu would be a natural progression.
I had one lesson already where I felt quite comfortable with the instrument and was already going through scales and slurs and notation with my first hour, so I feel I'm making good progress.
Problem though is that I need an Erhu to start practising on. Does anyone have any recommendations as to what I might want to look at in terms of buying an instrument? I don't want a cheap beginner's one which I find I have to replace within a short period of time, so would rather go for something a little better to last me a bit of time whilst learning.
Would anyone have any suggestions as to where I might be able to get one? I keep seeing threads where people have bought Erhus on eBay. Is this really advisable, and for those that have bought instruments in eBay, what have your experiences been?
Would be grateful for any help, as I don't want to book another lesson until I have my own instrument with which to play and practice.
Many thanks in advance, guys!
Howie
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Post by davidmdahl on Mar 14, 2018 4:21:18 GMT
Welcome to the forum, Howie. I can't speak for the situation in the UK, but it is hard to find a high-quality erhu in the US. I have had very good luck ordering from several vendors in Asia. Usually, the extra shipping is more than accounted for by the selection and good pricing. Shipping to the west coast of the USA is reasonably quick and inexpensive. Your experience may be difference considering the greater distance and duties.
I have had the best experience with Eason Music in Singapore. They have a broad selection of erhus from beginner quality to high quality for serious players. They are also experienced at shipping overseas. The owner, Sung Wah, is happy to provide videos of erhus that interest you, so you can get an idea of the sound.
Often times, your erhu teacher is a good resource for finding a suitable erhu. There are some Chinese music schools in the London area that you can find with Google, and they might be helpful. There is a music store in the UK called Hobgoblin Music, but I would hesitate to recommend them as a source for erhu. I think it is best to order from a vendor that knows the instrument well.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by howiehobbit on Mar 14, 2018 8:41:03 GMT
I've asked my teacher for advice, but am waiting to hear back from him. He is a visiting Professor from the Sichuan Conservatory of Music.
The thing that I am most worried about in relation to getting abroad is the CITES thing, and requirements of import, as I don't want to have my instrument impounded, so am even thinking of maybe a synthetic skin one. I know, I know... it's not the same etc. But to be honest, I'd rather not have my instrument taken away and / or affected by variations in weather which the UK has from cold to hot and dry to humid in one year. The variations seem to be getting greater and greater.
I'm messaging Sung Wah as I reply right now actually, so will be able to update you guys as to what I'm doing.
As a general note, has anyone here ordered an Erhu off Taobao or AliExpress before? If so, what did you go for and how did you choose your instrument?
H
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Post by onegod on Mar 14, 2018 10:09:13 GMT
Hi Howie, welcome to the forum. I got my Erhu from a music shop, coz I try every one of it until I found one I like and affordable. If you can find any at UK than is ok to go there to try it out first before buying it. If not, you better order it from Eason Music in Singapore. As David had mention that they are experienced at shipping overseas. I order my Erhu's bow from them and a number of other things as well. Please don't order from Taobao or AliExpress? You will never know what kind of Erhu coming from there...as people said "better to be safe than sorry"... This my 2 cents comments  |
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Post by howiehobbit on Mar 14, 2018 10:50:29 GMT
Hi onegod. Can I ask where are you based? If you are in the UK, can you suggest some shops? I would preferably like to try some before buying, but accept that might be a little difficult in the UK. |
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Post by howiehobbit on Mar 15, 2018 21:35:46 GMT
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Post by davidmdahl on Mar 15, 2018 22:45:31 GMT
Well, I don't read Chinese, and the photos on the site get covered up by intrusive overlays. I don't have experience ordering via Taobao. My impression is that it is a good source for commodity products. At ~USD300, this is probably a beginner's instrument, or maybe a little better. If your teacher has experience with this vendor and this erhu, then that is more than I can claim.
I wouldn't order an instrument on Taobao, but my situation is different than yours.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by edcat7 on Mar 16, 2018 19:44:02 GMT
Hi Howie,
Hey I'm a Londoner too...in Barnet. Do your research but I have a Lu Lin Sheng (claims to be Indian small leaf but I doubt it) and an ebony Man Rui Xing which I have lent to a friend. Pm me for details.
Best wishes,
Ed
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Post by howiehobbit on Mar 18, 2018 15:09:11 GMT
Hi Howie, Hey I'm a Londoner too...in Barnet. Do your research but I have a Lu Lin Sheng (claims to be Indian small leaf but I doubt it) and an ebony Man Rui Xing which I have lent to a friend. Pm me for details. Best wishes, Ed Hi edcat7 . How are you doing? Thanks for your reply. I recently bought myself a second hand Shanghai Dunhuang Redwood Erhu for £35 and have been adjusting it myself. I've played the violin for nearly 20 years so am finding switching to an Erhu not too laborious. I've just moisturised the snakeskin and repositioned the bridge properly and it sounds even warmer. I'm currently looking to put an entirely new set of strings on it, as well as redo the qianjin, pretty much giving it an entire overhaul. But totally interested to hearing the ebony Man Rui Xing though! Will PM you I'm still on the look out for another one though, just because why not? LOL. |
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Post by edcat7 on Mar 18, 2018 17:04:11 GMT
Hi Howie,
Whether or not you get one of my cast offs look at the better YKM's from Eason.
It's good to play as many erhus as you can. Wish I had that choice when I started!
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Post by ntp0210 on Mar 19, 2018 4:39:31 GMT
What I would do, as I have done in the past, is go to China and buy an instrument there. I have found an endless number of shops that look like hole in the walls that have amazing instruments. Bringing the instrument back shouldn't be a problem, because I brought back 2 rosewood gaohus in 2007 without getting hassled with CITES or anything of that sort.
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Post by davidmdahl on Mar 19, 2018 18:06:28 GMT
Buying an instrument in China is reasonable if you know how to select a good instrument. My erhu teacher has stories of parents of his students who did not fare so well. In several cases, parents brought back mediocre instruments that they had paid dearly for. I suspect that vendors will often take the opportunity to unload slow moving stock on customers they don't expect to see again. Probably the best instruments are reserved for those with good connections, such as higher tier students and performers.
Some people manage to import an erhu into the USA without any complications. Other times, the CITES makes the difference between a smooth trip and a confiscated erhu. I have heard that US Customs has been more particular in recent years. I think Canada has long been very challenging for importing snake-skin, probably a significant reason that George Gao uses synthetic skin on his erhus. I don't know what the experience is for other countries.
If you want an erhu from a well-respected maker, I suggest making advance arrangements before the trip.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by ntp0210 on Mar 19, 2018 19:26:40 GMT
Yes, I completely agree with David. Before I made a trip in 2007 to China, I've had friends that weren't musicians buy instruments for me that they thought were good and when it got to my hands the instrument was complete overpaid garbage.
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Post by howiehobbit on Mar 19, 2018 22:31:21 GMT
I know many people get their instruments via Eason, and whilst I'm not knocking Sung Wah and his knowledge at all (he's really lovely and always willing to help), I'm one of these people that like to pick my instruments myself. I've done it for the past 20 years buying violins, I sure as hell aren't going to shop online for an instrument now lol.
Even for example Sung Wah is happy to play the Erhus for customers, a recording I find is still not substitute on getting your hands on an instrument and hearing it in person.
I'm planning to do a dedicated Erhu shopping trip in SE Asia. But to be honest, I'd probably still opt for synthetic in order to avoid any hassle over CITES.
When I have gone instrument shopping in the past, I've always spent at least an hour or so in each shop. I ignore the price tag and simply play and choose by tone, timbre and feel of the instrument. I've ended up with really amazing sounding violins like that in the past.
My current fave was from an up and coming luthier in Shanghai and I bought it for quite cheap nearly 15 years ago. I loved the warm but crisp tone, the lightness of the wood, as well as the fact that it is a single piece back. But it was surprisingly one of his cheapest pieces. But it suited my playing style the best I thought.
I'll probably end up doing the same in choosing an Erhu.
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Post by ntp0210 on Mar 21, 2018 1:38:34 GMT
howiehobbit, if you are still interested in violins made by a renowned Chinese maker/luthier, check out Ken Su in San Francisco, CA. He comes highly recommended by my former teacher, and since I have been playing the violin since I was 10 years old (I'm 26 now), I know a thing or two about violins...
But yes, hearing a recording is still not enough to convince me to buy an instrument as well. You really have to see the instrument for yourself.
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