Nittaku Violin vs Tibhar Samsonov Alpha: Which Should You Buy?
| Nittaku Violin | Tibhar Samsonov Alpha | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| feel | Soft, warm and flexible with long dwell, premium hand-crafted Japanese all-wood feedback | medium-stiff, good dwell time, controllable |
| handle | FL | FL/ST |
| plies | 5-ply all wood (Kiri core with White Ash outer plies) | 5-ply all wood (Limba outer plies, Koto/Ayous middle layers) |
| speed | ALL+ | ALL |
| thickness_mm | 5.3 | 5.9 |
| type | ALL+ | — |
| weight_g | 86 | 85 |
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The Violin is a warm, soft 5-ply all-wood blade with long dwell time, exceptional control and premium Japanese craftsmanship. The Samsonov Alpha is a budget-friendly 5-ply all-wood all-round blade offering forgiveness on off-center hits and looping performance despite its modest ALL speed rating.
The Violin suits all-round and developing offensive players who prize control and feel and want a premium blade. The Samsonov Alpha suits beginner to intermediate players learning all-round attacking and close-to-table blockers who want a controllable, lightweight blade at budget price.
FAQ
Which blade for beginners?
The Samsonov Alpha is beginner-friendly with good forgiving feedback. The Violin is better for developing players with some technique.
Speed at distance?
The Samsonov Alpha’s speed drops noticeably at mid-to-far distance. The Violin is slow but consistent.
Which will players outgrow?
The Samsonov Alpha is often outgrown relatively quickly. The Violin grows with players longer.
Craftsmanship and durability?
The Violin offers premium Japanese craftsmanship and consistent quality. The Samsonov Alpha is budget-priced.
Rubber pairing requirements?
The Violin needs harder or tackier rubbers. The Samsonov Alpha is more versatile with rubber selection.