A Practical Review of the Charlie Ogle Baroque Violin

An Entry-Level Baroque Violin in Real-World Ensemble Playing

Why I Chose a Charlie Ogle Baroque Violin

After playing in a community Baroque ensemble for a while using a modern instrument strung with gut strings, I happened to come across an individual selling their Charlie Ogle Baroque violin for a great deal. I jumped on this opportunity to own a Baroque replica instrument. This was soon after returning to playing violin as an adult, and I was looking for a Baroque-style instrument that could help me blend into my Baroque ensemble and to try a full Baroque setup. As I was already playing on a student violin at an intermediate level and just getting started with Baroque playing, I felt that a student Baroque instrument was appropriate for me at that stage in my musical journey.

Charlie Ogle Baroque violins are Chinese-made, student-level Baroque replica instruments. They are commonly played by students just getting started with Baroque or historically informed performance, and amateurs who play in Baroque ensembles. Charlie Ogle instruments are sold by the Boulder Early Music Shop and Olde World Violins and frequently available at early music festival exhibitions. The Charlie Ogle brand makes a full range of early music instruments, also including violas, cellos, violas da gamba (viols), and a viola d’amore. While the instruments are quite affordable, they are aesthetically pleasing and stand out visually with maple fingerboards and other Baroque-style visual details.

Setup, Sound, and First Impressions

As I bought my Charlie Ogle instrument from an individual, its strings were already customized by the prior owner, however, much of the original setup was intact. The violin came with a basic Baroque-style bridge, a Baroque tailpiece, and was set up with a Baroque-style wedge-shaped fingerboard.

The instrument also comes with a case, something that usually needs to be purchased separately, but it does not come with a bow. Most shops that sell the Charlie Ogle instruments also sell basic Baroque bows that are sufficient for just starting out with Baroque playing.

When I first got my Baroque violin, it was surprising how different it felt from playing my modern violin or even my modern violin strung with gut strings. The slightly shorter neck and wedge-shaped fingerboard took some time to get used to, especially with intonation in shifts. While the response between gut and modern synthetic strings does feel quite different, it was the actual physical differences in the Baroque versus modern setup that stood out to me.

My Baroque instrument is easy to play, however, it has a slightly shrill tone compared to the instruments I am accustomed to playing while still being a quiet instrument. Baroque instruments are known for projecting less than violins with a modern setup, due to the nature of their construction. The fact that the Charlie Ogle instrument does not project like a modern violin is not a flaw, but rather the nature of its design. However, I would appreciate if the tone of the instrument was warmer, a quality I gravitate toward in both Baroque and modern violins.

Overall, the violin speaks easily strung with medium tension Gamut Academie strings and played with a Baroque-style bow. Even before making any changes to my modern violin technique, it has a raw, early music sound.

Playing the Charlie Ogle Violin in a Baroque Ensemble

While my Baroque violin is relatively quiet, I never had difficulty blending into the second violin section in my Baroque community orchestra. As most players in the orchestra use Baroque replica instruments, the tone and aesthetic fit right in to the ensemble. Tuning is an important part of Baroque ensemble playing, as gut strings are generally less pitch stable than their modern counterparts. My Charlie Ogle instrument has tuning pegs that work smoothly. This simplifies the multiple tuning sessions that occur during each orchestra rehearsal.

While my Baroque instrument is quite basic, it has been able to give me the experience of playing on a Baroque replica complete with a wedge-shaped fingerboard, shorter neck, and other features common in the Baroque era. For ensemble playing, it blends well and is more pitch stable than other Baroque instruments I have played.

Charlie Ogle Baroque Violin vs a Modern Violin with Gut Strings

A modern violin strung with gut strings provides part of the feel of playing a Baroque instrument, and often, this is enough for amateurs and adult students who play in Baroque ensembles. The main difference between a modern gut-strung instrument and the Charlie Ogle Baroque violin is that the Ogle instrument is crafted with a shorter neck, different bass bar, and wedge-shaped fingerboard that is closer to what would have been used in the Baroque era. These construction details lend the instrument a different sound and playing feel.

There are ways to convert a modern violin to a Baroque setup, but these modifications are expensive and not easily reversible, so purchasing a ready-made Baroque instrument is a good option if you are ready, as a player, to fully transition to a Baroque setup. For players just starting out with Baroque playing who have an extra violin, stringing it with gut strings and using a Baroque bow provides a cost-effective entry point. Getting a Baroque bridge and tailpiece installed on a modern instrument can be an additional way to approximate a baroque setup without having to get a brand new instrument. And alterations like these are easily reversible if you transition back to modern playing.

Who I Think This Instrument Is For

After owning my Charlie Ogle Baroque violin for several years, using it to play in a larger Baroque ensemble and some smaller chamber groups, I think these instruments are ideal for adult learners or intermediate amateurs who play in a Baroque orchestra. They could also make good first Baroque instruments for high school students learning about historical performance practice. While serious or advanced amateurs or professionals who play Baroque instruments on occasion and aim to perform solo repertoire on the instrument likely want to look for a step up, the Charlie Ogle instruments are accessible entry points for someone looking to begin playing in a historically informed style.

What I’d Change or Upgrade Over Time

I haven’t made any setup modifications to my Baroque instrument since I acquired it. If you purchase yours new, there is a chance you’ll want to optimize the setup to suit your playing needs. Common adjustments might include slight modifications to or an upgraded bridge since the Charlie Ogle instruments come with very basic bridges. A peg adjustment might also be necessary to make sure tuning is easy. While my instrument’s pegs have always worked well, I know someone in my orchestra who has a Charlie Ogle viola (which I have had occasion to borrow) who needed some initial work done on the pegs to make sure they turned smoothly and didn’t slip.

Final Thoughts: Is a Charlie Ogle Baroque Violin Worth It?

The Charlie Ogle Baroque violin, as one of the most affordable entry-level student Baroque violins, can be a great instrument to start off with as a student or someone new to Baroque playing. For the price I paid, I still feel like the instrument was worth it, allowing me to play in a period Baroque ensemble and explore historically informed playing with a relatively low investment. However, the Charlie Ogle instruments are similar in price to the Jay Haide instruments. I recommend that anyone considering purchasing their first Baroque instrument in this price range should try both if possible to compare the differences.