Ying Luo is the higher-positioned model of the Kaoji series, for upper-intermediate work (grades 5–8) and competition repertoire, and for students stepping up to a better instrument.
Beyond the series standard, bridge and string pairing is refined so pitch stays reliable in the upper positions and in fast passages; the soundboard timber grade is above the entry model.
The voice is fuller with more volume reserve, so demanding pieces do not tire the player, while the familiar exam-series action is retained — no re-adaptation on switching.
Upper-grade repertoire means heavy practice. Watch your finger picks for fraying and replace them promptly, or their noise gets blamed on the instrument.
For exam grades and sizing, see graded exam guzheng buying guide.
Buying advice: this model is listed at CNY 5500, which is a lower price in the range of the 8 models in the Kaoji series (prices run CNY 5000 to CNY 8560).Dancing Butterflies (CNY 7000) is the next step up and is worth comparing if your budget is close. To keep the budget down, start from Warm Lotus (CNY 5000). Among the Clouds sits at the same price with a different look and voicing — pick on taste. Bulk pricing is explained in How to order.
FAQ: How far will an exam-series instrument take a student? The series covers the full cycle from beginner to upper-intermediate, and the corresponding grade range is noted on each product page. Students aiming at music-specialist school admission should choose the upper models of this series.
Suitable for: the Grading series is for young students, training centres and exam candidates — stable tuning and comfortable action make it a reliable choice for grading and daily practice. Batch orders for studios and schools are quoted by quantity with a specification list. Send your quantities and scenario through the enquiry form.
I compared several sellers, and went with this one. Customer service was very patient, and answered every question one by one, it handles the graded exam repertoire with no trouble, I'd buy again!
They sent me a video of the actual instrument before shipping, which put my mind at rest, the low register is full, and Fisherman's Song at Dusk sounds wonderful on it!
I read through the reviews before buying, and it was not a mistake, it shipped the day after I ordered, delivery was faster than I expected. The seams on the back are very even, and you can tell the work was done with care.
Our training school ordered six at once, and a term later there have been no problems, I'd buy again!
This is my second purchase here, and the feel is just as I remembered, the tuning holds very steadily, two months of playing and it has barely drifted, the colour is a shade darker than the photos, but it feels better made.
I hesitated for a long time, and ordered during a promotion. It looks even better made in person than in the photos, you can see the details far more clearly. It lives in the teaching room, where students take turns on it, and it takes the wear, very happy overall.
It feels very solid overall, and it does not shift even when you play hard, my child practises an hour a day, and likes it more the more she plays, this much workmanship at this price, there is nothing to find fault with. There is a slight difference between the colour and the website, but it is acceptable.
It came in a wooden crate packed with thick foam, five days in transit and not a single knock. At this price it holds its own against anything, I'll be back.
My neighbour's child learns guzheng, and recommended this one, so they bought one too, compared with my last one, the difference was obvious straight away. The manual is too basic, so I learned to tune from a video, very happy overall.