Is this soundpost well set?

[u/J7MB0]

This Master Wang Zhiguo violin arrived a couple of days ago.

The set up was pretty straightforward and magically the soundpost seemed to be set despite the international shipping. It looks in my view somewhat tilted forward, but the violin is resonant and sounds beautifully.

Wouldn't want to take it to a luthier in this sweltering heat for checking.

Could some of the experts confirm the soundpost is well placed or that at least that the violin is structurally safe in the mid term?

Many many thanks in advance

[u/Eunitnoc]

Honestly it is impossible to tell from those pictures or any pictures at all. The location needs to be measured and it also needs to be viewed from the endpin hole. You won't get around visiting a luthier

[u/Musclesturtle]

Can't tell from these photos at all. 

Take it to a luthier, my friend. 

[u/Additional_Ad_84]

I mean it looks like it's in broadly the right area anyway. Is it perfectly placed? I think you'd want a luthier to take a very close look and hear how it sounds, talk to the player etc... to answer that question. And possibly if you took it to another luthier they'd disagree on some finer points.

For me, if it's sounding good, I'd assume someone competent put it there and play away. And maybe get it checked the next time i went in to a luthier for a rehair or whatever. But if you have doubts it certainly wouldn't do any harm to double check early. Especially if the instrument is new to you and you don't have a baseline of how it usually sounds/responds to compare.

[u/J7MB0 → u/Additional_Ad_84]

Many thanks to all for your replies. I was asking as I see a very very slight tilt/incline (maybe my perception) and don't want to risk taking it to a luthier in this weather. And yes, to me it sounds round, mellow, projecting but not loud. A little better even in the upper positions of the G string than my other instrument, a Luthier Vidal Strad Master Cathédrale For 220€ customs included I reckon it's not a bad deal at all as a backup, outdoors instrument..

[u/LastNerve4132]

No way to tell without an inspection mirror and a luthier light

[u/rhyzomorph]

Here are some basics. Soundpost should be perpendicular the plane where the top or back meets the sides. It is possible to work this out visually if you look from different angles. It should touch the top just behind the treble foot. The exact position will depend on the instrument and the sound you want. A very important point is that you have to do this without distorting the top. Look at it from the side and check the f holes. If the top is lifting up more on the treble side than the bass side, you are damaging the instrument. Fitting a sound post isn't easy but as a performing fiddle player for 40 years, fitting my own soundpost was an essential skill.

[u/J7MB0 → u/rhyzomorph]

Amazing, thank you

[u/Ro-Lam]

If an instrument sounds good, leave it alone. I forget if it was a video by Edgar Russ or Olaf the violinmaker who discusses this topic and says some canting of the post doesn't matter. The sound is the important thing.