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The 5 best Scott Cao violins review will help you to choose a violin that will easily enhance your performance. There are some music aficionado’s that will tell you that the talent of the musician is only as good as the quality of the violin.
The quality of a violin is typically given a great deal of consideration that far surpasses that consideration that is given to other musical instruments.
The type of wood, the shape and the craftsmanship are all considerations when choosing a violin. The artist that creates the violin and their ability is as important as the ability of the artist that is playing the violin.
The history of the violin as a musical instrument dates back to the 9th century. It is believed to have originated in Asia.
The modern day violin (as we know it) appeared around 500 years ago and was actually a compilation of several different instruments of the time.
The violin is made up of four main components that all effect the sound. The body, the bridge, the peg box and the strings. Each component plays a vital role in how the violin plays and sounds.
The body of the violin is shaped like a woman’s body intentionally because the proper shape brings out the tones when played.
The process to create an instrument that will resonate with clear tones is a very precise process. Two symmetrical plates are formed to create the front and the back of the violin body.
Precision is very important, the Chladni Patterns have to be tested by using a loudspeaker and black sand before the plates can be joined to ensure that the plates are compatible and that they can resonate the sound as they should.
The 5 best Scott Cao violins review took a look at each component of the models to determine what it is that made that particular violin best.
The Body
We looked at the following criteria for the body:
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- The Wood – The wood that is used in the body plays a key role in how the sound will resonate. Spruce, Rosewood, Ebony and Maple are all considered superior choices when it comes to the wood used for the construction of the body. Wood that is too heavy will affect the sound negatively so to be best you would have to use a perfectly balanced wood.
- The shaping – the wood is important as is the proper precise shaping.
The Bridge
The body of the violin and the precision of its plates is very important but it is not the only contributing factor when it comes to superior sound.
The bridge is also an important component of getting that crystal clear tone. The bridge plays a key role in ensuring that the strings are held at the ideal height to achieve the proper vibrations.
We looked at the shape of the bridge in relation to the body of the violin and for the proper placement.
The Strings
The strings of a violin are as important as the handle on a shovel. If you have a shovel without the right handle attached, then you really do not have a shovel.
If you have a wonderfully made violin without the proper strings than what you really have is a lovely piece of wood that is shaped like a violin. You have art not an instrument.
Each string represents a note; it is not unusual to have a violin that is strung with different types of strings to affect the different notes.
For example, the string for the E note is typically made of metal because it is the highest note in the range and the metal affords a much higher frequency than other types of strings.
We looked at the type of strings and the quality of the string that was used to determine what the best Scott Cao violins were.
A Word About Scott Cao
Scott Cao is a world renowned Luthier (violin maker) that has won many awards.
He is well-known for creating instruments that vary to accommodate all levels of playing.
He has received many accolades for recreating the work of the master Luthiers like Stradivari and others.
Originally from China he was taken on as an apprentice by a violin maker as a child.
He attended university and after graduation traveled to the US where he settled in San Francisco. A friend advised him to consider working with older violins to make repairs and the rest as they say is history.
He went on to work with some of the world’s greatest Luthiers like Roland Feller, Hans Weisshaar and Louiz Bellini. He learned how to not only how to repair damaged violins but to also create some stunning works of his own.
He partnered with Hideo Kamimoto and returned to China for a few years where he opened a violin shop. He made his way back to the states and opened a shop in the US as well.
He quickly became well known for his reproductions and for his wide range of instruments that are meant to meet the needs of different levels of experience and budgets.
Some of the best offerings are listed below and reviewed.
Scott Cao Soil 1714
This violin is truly a work of art. This replica 1714 Stradivari has seen more concerts than just about any other style of violin.
This violin is considered to be one of Stradivari’s masterpieces and many experts feel that this model delivers the best sound.
It offers a solid maple body that appears lush thanks to the rich hand rubbed varnish finish. It offers a Ebony peg box and a lovely Italian Spruce top.
This violin is professionally set-up and ready to be played. It delivers a rich tone. It is not only lovely to look at but it is THE instrument of choice for many violinists.
The “Soil” by Scott Cao has done a fine job of meeting the strict rigors set forth by Stradivari.
Scott Cao Violin Outfit 3/4 Size Model STV017
If you are looking for the best student violin you will be very hard pressed to find a model that is better than this one.
This beauty is the ideal “kit” for students. The ¾ size is perfect for young violinists, typically 10-11 years old. The body is stunning and the sound is brilliant.
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It comes complete with a Brazilwood Bow, fully lined foam case and it is offered at an excellent price. This kit is complete and is an excellent option for any student. It is available in several different sizes to best accommodate the students comfort level.
Scott Cao Cannon Violin
This 4/4 violin is absolutely a superb instrument as with all the Cao violins your investment is well placed. It is a remake of the 1743 Cannon. It has a shorter and thicker sound box and a more obvious curve in the neck.
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The sound resonates deeply from this violin hence the nickname “the Cannon”. The original Cannon still is intact today and belongs to the city of Genoa Italy a gift from one of the cities famous son’s Nicolo Paganni.
Scott Cao 1679 Hellier STV 950
The Hellier is often held as one of Stradivari’s finest works. The size of this violin is like no other violin. It offers a thicker neck and a heavier body, yet the thickness is not really an element during play.
Some experts point to the Hellier as evidence that Stradivari intended to change the design of the violin. This was his last creation before his death. The original sits in the Smithsonian Museum.
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The unique design of even the f holes was evidence to some that Stradivari was considering making changes to the proportion of his designs. This is at the higher end of costs but well worth the investment.
Scott Cao Lafont
The Lafont is named after one of its most famous users. This model was made during del Gesu’s most creative years. It offers an ebony chin rest and a beautiful body.
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It offers a deep resonating sound. It is moderately priced and like all of the Scott Cao violins it is professionally prepared for play.
Conclusion
Scott Cao has managed to create some amazing instruments that come in at a full range of price points. These 5 best Scott Cao violins reviews really only represent a tip of the iceberg.
There are enough models to really meet the needs of any musician. It is perfectly acceptable to try out any of the violins for a few days before deciding to purchase. As a matter of fact it is the only way to buy the right violin for your comfort level.
Each of the 5 violins that are listed here are all different weights and vary in size. They are considered best because they can easily meet the requirements of different levels of experience and different weight, length and thickness preferences.
If you are in the market for a violin Scott Cao violins can easily supply you with what you need.