Violins

STUDENT  ·  INTERMEDIATE  ·  ADVANCED  ·  COLLECTOR

Every violin from the Ming-Jiang Zhu Workshop is built entirely by hand, without CNC machinery, following the traditional Cremonese methods that earned our founder two VSA Gold Medals. Our violins are organized into grades according to the tonewood used and the maker, so that players at every level — from beginners through professionals and collectors — can find an instrument matched to their needs.

All models follow Guarneri or Stradivari patterns and carry an official workshop label; higher grades include an official certificate. Pricing is available on request.

Six Grades, One Standard of Craft

SELECT A GRADE TO VIEW DETAILS
Student grade violin Model 903 905
STUDENT GRADE
Model 903 / 905
Entry-level, fully handcrafted from Chinese tonewood. Ideal first instruments for beginners and exam students.
VIEW DETAILS →
 Intermediate grade violin Model 907 909
INTERMEDIATE GRADE
Model 907 / 909
Mixed and European tonewood. For advancing students and conservatory applicants seeking greater depth.
VIEW DETAILS →
 Advanced grade violin Model 916 918 920 925
ADVANCED GRADE
Model 916–925
Premium European tonewood, 2-star and 3-star. For professional, orchestral, and conservatory players.
VIEW DETAILS →
PROFESSIONAL / COLLECTOR GRADE
Personal Made
The workshop's highest level. Each instrument is crafted individually by award-winning senior luthiers from premium European tonewood aged more than ten years — suited to advanced performers, soloists, and collectors.
VIEW DETAILS →
STUDENT GRADE

Model 903 & 905

ENTRY-LEVEL HANDCRAFTED VIOLINS · CHINESE TONEWOOD

Models 903 and 905 are made entirely from Chinese tonewood sourced in Sichuan province. All material is naturally aged in our warehouse for three to five years, then cut and dried for a further year before construction — ensuring the wood is fully seasoned. Within our Chinese stock, the finest wood grain is selected for the 905, while the 903 uses sound but plainer material. Both are fully handcrafted without CNC machinery. These are ideal first instruments for beginners, students preparing for grade examinations, and young learners who need a genuine handmade violin rather than a factory product.

MODEL 903
Model 903 student violin view 1 Model 903 student violin view 2 Model 903 student violin view 3
MODEL 905
Model 905 student violin view 1 Model 905 student violin view 2 Model 905 student violin view 3
Model 903
TopChinese Spruce
Back, Ribs & NeckChinese Maple
FittingsEbony
BridgeAubert A
StringsTonica
PatternGuarneri
CertificateOfficial workshop label
Model 905
TopChinese Spruce
Back, Ribs & NeckChinese Maple (finer grain)
FittingsJujube
BridgeAubert A
StringsTonica
PatternGuarneri or Stradivari
CertificateOfficial workshop label
↑ BACK TO ALL GRADES
INTERMEDIATE GRADE

Model 907 & 909

FOR ADVANCING STUDENTS · MIXED & EUROPEAN TONEWOOD

The 907 combines Chinese and European materials: an Italian spruce top paired with the finest Sichuan maple for the back, ribs and neck. The 909 steps up to fully European material — an Italian spruce top with Bosnian maple, made from 1-star grade wood aged two to three years by the supplier and dried a further year in our own warehouse. Both are fully handcrafted. These instruments suit advancing students, conservatory applicants, and intermediate players who have outgrown an entry-level violin and want noticeably greater tonal depth and responsiveness.

MODEL 907
Model 907 intermediate violin view 1 Model 907 intermediate violin view 2 Model 907 intermediate violin view 3
MODEL 909
Model 909 intermediate violin view 1 Model 909 intermediate violin view 2 Model 909 intermediate violin view 3
Model 907
TopItalian Spruce
Back, Ribs & NeckChinese Maple (premium)
FittingsJujube
BridgeAubert A
StringsDominant + Optima 0.26 E
PatternGuarneri or Stradivari
CertificateOfficial workshop label
Model 909
TopItalian Spruce
Back, Ribs & NeckBosnian Maple (1-star)
FittingsJujube
BridgeAubert Luxe / Despiau 2-tree
StringsDominant + Optima 0.26 E
PatternGuarneri or Stradivari
CertificateOfficial certificate & label
↑ BACK TO ALL GRADES
ADVANCED GRADE

Model 916 / 918 & 920 / 925

FOR PROFESSIONAL & ORCHESTRAL PLAYERS · PREMIUM EUROPEAN TONEWOOD

Our Advanced Grade violins are made entirely from European tonewood, graded by the supplier into 1-, 2-, and 3-star levels by grain and seasoning. Models 916 and 918 use 2-star material (aged three to five years); models 920 and 925 use the higher 3-star material (aged five to eight years). In every case our workshop continues drying the top and back for several additional months while the instrument is semi-finished. The difference between paired models lies in wood grain figure and tonal character. These instruments are intended for advanced players, conservatory musicians, and professional and orchestral performers who require a refined, mature voice.

MODEL 916 / 918 — 2-STAR
Model 916 918 advanced violin view 1 Model 916 918 advanced violin view 2 Model 916 918 advanced violin view 3
MODEL 920 / 925 — 3-STAR
Model 920 925 advanced violin view 1 Model 920 925 advanced violin view 2 Model 920 925 advanced violin view 3
Model 916 / 918 — 2-star
TopItalian Spruce
Back, Ribs & NeckBosnian Maple (2-star)
FittingsRosewood
BridgeAubert De Luxe / Despiau 3-tree
StringsDominant + Optima 0.26 E
PatternGuarneri or Stradivari
CertificateOfficial certificate & label
Model 920 / 925 — 3-star
TopItalian Spruce
Back, Ribs & NeckBosnian Maple (3-star)
FittingsRosewood
BridgeAubert De Luxe / Despiau 3-tree
StringsDominant + Optima 0.26 E
PatternGuarneri or Stradivari
CertificateOfficial certificate & label
↑ BACK TO ALL GRADES
PROFESSIONAL / COLLECTOR GRADE

Personal Made

THE WORKSHOP'S HIGHEST LEVEL · MADE BY AWARD-WINNING LUTHIERS

Personal Made instruments represent the highest level produced by our workshop. They are built from the finest tonewood in our holdings — premium European material aged more than ten years, selected for exceptional grain. Each Personal Made violin is crafted individually by the workshop's senior luthiers, including Wei-Xian Zhu and Shu-Wei Xiao, both award-winning makers who apprenticed directly under Ming-Jiang Zhu, alongside other workshop luthiers. Wei-Xian Zhu has earned two VSA awards, and Shu-Wei Xiao has earned a VSA award. While no maker claims to equal the founder, these instruments carry forward his methods and standards, and are well suited to advanced performers, conservatory soloists, and collectors seeking a handcrafted Chinese violin of the highest order.

Personal Made professional collector grade violin by award-winning luthiers
Personal Made
TopPremium Italian Spruce (10+ years aged)
Back, Ribs & NeckPremium Bosnian Maple (10+ years aged)
MakerWei-Xian Zhu / Shu-Wei Xiao / workshop senior luthiers
PatternGuarneri or Stradivari
CertificateOfficial certificate & maker's label
↑ BACK TO ALL GRADES

Find the Right Violin

Pricing, availability, and detailed specifications for any model are available on request. Tell us your level, your budget range, and how you intend to use the instrument, and we will recommend the most suitable grade.

SEND AN INQUIRY EMAIL US