I am excited to have this remarkable Moneff violin take me to a higher level with my violin playing which has been so gratifying while at times also very humbling.
This violin is a work of art. It plays as well as it looks... amazing
I am confident in my choice although this planned holiday has cut short my time to interact efficiently with it.
[UPDATE: 8 months later] My Angela Moneff (2022) plays so very well as part of my Latin Jazz Band, at winery solo concerts and in Orchestral environments in Kamloops and in Salmon Arm.
The violin responds to every demand and is clearly a choice well made.
Thank you so much, I'm thrilled and really looking forward to bonding! I really appreciate your thoroughness and all the time recordings must have taken!
Thank you for all the emails, your attention to detail and expert advice. There have been so many changes during the past 15 months …not a good work time, but I'm thankful for music.
[Update: 10 days later] My new baby arrived a few hours ago and it's everything I dreamed /hoped it would be!
Even in this short time, it seems so happy to be pouring out rich notes and I'm loving it!
Such a beautifully made instrument -the figuring on the back looks amazingly like leaves… I may call her Ivy!
I actually prefer online shopping for most things (being a slow shopper)- it takes 'time' and 'pressure' out of the equation. You've got the perfect recipe. I'm definitely a fan!
[Update: 2 days later] Ivy is staying in tune now... gotta love those Evah's! I'm playing sooo much more lately, thank you so much for making this possible!
Thank you so much for all your preparation and careful attention to detail (and also for all the lovely extras- so thoughtful!) when the elements and email conspired against us, you proved that the perfectionist always triumphs!
I'm super grateful to you for making this whole process stress free! XXOO It's been such a pleasure... I will be sure to pass on your cards to interested players. I'll absolutely promise to write the MOST GLOWING review on google... my pleasure! Reviews are mostly what people have to go on these days. I always look at them.
[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] Imagine that your best friend (a professional musician and violin expert) has offered to curate a small group of amazing violins in your budget, then provide their unlimited knowledge, advice and a trial period… all this without having to leave your home!
She has raised the bar for online shopping, providing stunningly accurate photos with incredibly detailed information for each instrument, combined with trustworthy payment methods and superbly packaged delivery.
I purchased a beautiful Angela Moneff violin chosen from a 'blind' sound test... I'm absolutely in love with the full, resonant sound and the gorgeous maple figuring on the back & sides.
Rhiannon's setup is so fantastic that it's hard to stop playing!
Thanks for getting these to me Rhiannon! They all look great, although the Scarlatta looks the best. I've played them all for a few minutes each and definitely feel the "upgrade" in quality from my old heirloom.
This will be fun to get to know these beautiful instruments.
I'm sure it will be tough to decide which is best! Will keep working with them this week and my teacher is going to get a chance to try them as well.
[UPDATE: 1 day later] I'm into playing them and really enjoying comparing combinations of bows and violins. Early impressions are that the Scarlatta and Seraphina are head and shoulders above the VN 102 sound quality and feel.
The Seraphina is feeling very warm and rich sounding.
I am finding the lower tones on the Seraphina very attractive and the Scarlatta slightly superior in the higher tones and appearance.
Interestingly, my instructor did a "blind" test of the three you sent me, not knowing which was the more expensive or names and she had a very similar feel for them.
[UPDATE: 2 weeks later] Thank you for sending me the Rose Valley violin when I already had violins on trial. In the end it was not difficult. I will go with the Rose Valley Violin from Angela Moneff!
After playing it for the last few days, I just find it sweeter and more even in its tone than either the Seraphina or the Scarlatta.
What I like about the violins modeled after the Cannone is the power and the dark sonorous notes of the lower range and the sweet, mellow, round tones of the upper range; never shrill.
They are both incredible works of art.
I appreciate you mentioning the Stankov but I would like to support a woman in a male dominated field. It doesn't hurt her [Moneff's] violins are achingly beautiful. :)
I've retired from software engineering and I always felt for the women I worked with often times being undervalued by male managers. I worked with one very gifted software engineer and I can remember her frustration in meetings when she would answer a manager's question and the manager would look to me to corroborate when she had far more expertise in the specific problem.
Thank you SO much for the warm welcome of your speedy reply and the wonderful photos.
[REVIEW: Facebook, 5 stars] This is an amazing place to buy your violin. if you were reading this post, you may be in the same position as me a month ago. Looking to buy a violin and stumbled into fiddleheads while doing some research online. I start emailing them to get more information.
The owner Rhiannon is absolutely amazing!! I have never dealt with anyone with such great passion for her work and treat her customers like very good friends. She had taught me a lot and was guiding me and providing different options that totally fit my needs.
At this day and age, we are expected to be comfortable with shopping online. This started out as quite a nerve racking experience trying to buy such an expensive violin online. Our violin teacher was very against the idea. I was very sceptical doing such a purchase online. However, Rhiannon gave me confidence to believe in her and go for it.
Rhiannon is a talented lady! Busy mom, successful business owner and professional violinist! She is a God sent Angel. Thanks to Rhiannon for being so creative for suggesting some ways to save money. The savings were significant. Her generosity brought tears to my eyes.
This was a major breakthrough for us to open up to buying violins online. It took quite some courage for me to make this move. Rhiannon was absolutely amazing all the way in my violin hunting journey! I had so many questions and she was always so patient to address all my concerns. I have learnt so much from her.
My daughter's music school has over 200 strings students. I have been sharing my experience dealing with Fiddleheads with other parents. They are all very interested in my purchase. I am sure I will have many referrals.
I can see she is a very genuine and sweet lady. Wish I can meet her in person and am imaginating having afternoon tea with her. :-)
The reputation and attitude of the store are the key and Rhiannon is doing a fantastic job!
[UPDATE: 6 months later] It is 6 months now and the Angela Moneff violin is breaking in and sounding good. The video does not do justice because this was performed in a school gym and I recorded it with my cellphone. It sounded fantastic in person! Its superb performance is very noticeable in such concert setting as the sound (even for a non musician like me) stood out compare to all the other violins being played.
I know there is limited information on Angela Moneff violin, hope this video will provide more confidence for those looking in to buying one. same position as me a month ago. Looking to buy a violin and stumbled into fiddleheads while doing some research online. I start emailing them to get more information.
The owner Rhiannon is absolutely amazing!! I have never dealt with anyone with such great passion for her work and treat her customers like very good friends. She had taught me a lot and was guiding me and providing different options that totally fit my needs.
I received the violin today in fine shape .... thank you very much, Rhiannon, for packing it well and for your fine service. I love the violin ... it is beautiful and has very nice tone and projection ... I am sure I shall treasure it for many years to come. It is a heck of a lot better than my old violin!
Here is my official review:
I am extremely pleased with the Angela Moneff (Guarneri del Gesu il cannone pattern) I purchased from fiddleheads.ca. Before purchasing the violin, I watched theowner of the violin shop, Rhiannon, testing two Moneff violins on you tube and was very impressed with the violin's appearance and sound. I then asked Rhiannon some questions about the Moneff violin in stock which she answered to my complete satisfaction.
I received the violin (with free shipping) via priority Canada Post in immaculate condition and it has even exceeded my fondest expectations. Although far from being an accomplished musician, I find the violin easy to play, very responsive and even through the entire range, with a rich tone and good projection.
In addition it is very well finished and beautiful to look at ... with a one piece flamed maple back and ribs and finely grained spruce top.
The head and pegs are also very nice (pegs adjust smoothly and easily) ... in my opinion, a Moneff strikingly beautiful violin with a warm, rich sound. easy to play and good value for the price!!
The violin arrived over the weekend. To my eye, it is beautiful. I tuned it up and played a bit. I'm very happy with it.
[UPDATE: November 21, 2018] Sorry for the late, late follow up on the Moneff fiddle that I got from you last spring. Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow and I just wanted to express my thanks for all your help (and patience).
It's been wonderful for me, and a definite step up from what I was playing. Thanks so much. I know that we went back and forth about a couple other violins, but I think we ended up in the right place for my level.
I'm very happy with it's sound, playing ease, and looks. That quilted back is quite something!
Just a note to express my thanks for all your help and good advice on my recent Angie Mo purchase, Rhiannon. It was a very pleasant buying experience and my sincere pleasure to “meet” you.
The violin is fantastic and beyond my expectations. It sounds incredible.
A Fiddleheads Customer Compares Two 2015 Moneff Violins from Fiddleheads
Note: Justine purchased the second violin, the Moneff 2015-2.
0:00
Hi guys. Okay so as you know I got two Moneff violins [on trial] today. I'm so excited. I got to unwrap them and just ahhhh! So anyways I let them warm up for a bit.
0:23
I've been giving them a bit of a try already. I'll do some scales and stuff and you know tell me what you think which one you prefer: Violin number one or two.
0:40
So this will be violin number one. It's got really really pretty pegs and the scrollwork is very nicely done. We really really like that.
1:01
Some really nice flaming to the neck as well as you can see the backs are just beautiful. Very, very nice. The ribs, as well, you can see the the flaming on the ribs. Just really, just a gorgeous violin, just gorgeous.
1:20
I quite like the way they look so yeah so let's give her a go. This is violin number one.
Violin No 1
1:56
My intonation's a bit wonky so you'll have to forgive me, it's not the violin. Let's try in third position here.
2:36
I have to say they're really starting to open up nicely already I haven't even played them that long I've been playing them maybe each one about a half an hour. And they're really they're really starting to open up well already so I'm excited to hear how they're gonna sound in within the next couple of weeks.
Violin No 1 Demo
3:02
So we'll play maybe I've been learning the Blue River Waltz so I'll play a few little snippets from from that waltz.
4:22
My strings are already out of tune. The strings that are on here are Dominant strings. They're new and they're kind of metallic e sounding right now so every now and then I play notes and it can be kind of pop out at me so I don't know if it's the violin or third the string.
4:43
So again in the next couple of weeks I'll find out you know if that will go away or not.
Violin No 2 Demo
4:48
So anyway so that was violin number one and this is violin number two. Aagain another Moneff violin and the same kind of fittings and pegs.
5:13
Actually the tailpiece is a bit different. A little bit of a different tail piece than the other ones. I don't know maybe some of you folks have a better idea than I do as to what they're called.
[Note from Rhiannon: The first violin has a "Hill" style tailpiece, and the second has a "tulip" style tailpiece.]
5:30
But there they are again, the same nice flaming on the ribs as the other one. The back is a little different than the other one it's more a little more kind of marbling I don't know I don't know my wood that well.
5:47
So one thing I have noticed about the second violin is it's got a much I think a much bigger voice I don't know not sure if that will come out on the mic or not but we'll give it a go and let me know what you think.
6:11
Not sure even in tune anymore with these new strings.
7:05
Again pardon the wonky intonation
Conclusion
8:13
I'm just learning that tune so I've got a bunch of mistakes in there, sorry. Anyway I thought I'd play that tune because it was kind of nice to go up into third position there and play the E-string to kind of get an idea as to the sound.
8:30
I find violin number two maybe a little more resonant not quite sure tell me what you think but yeah definitely under my ear it sounds like it has a bigger voice. What else can I tell you about these violins, they're both very easy to play and to draw a nice sound.
8:56
It's a lot easier than my oldster that's still at the luthiers as we speak but there they are. I'm quite actually quite impressed with these so far so we'll see how it goes in the next couple weeks. Tell me what you think give me your opinions. I value what you guys have to say. Ok bye.
End Video
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[UPDATE: 2 years later, in response to a youtube comment asking her current impression]
I love it! I've received many a compliment on the violin and its sound!
It just gets better and better as time goes on and the more it gets played.
If I could make a nice customer testimonial video for you I would get into everything I went through personally with you and how you've treated me (very well btw). [UPDATE: 3 months later] Just checking in. Letting you know that things are going good with my violin. My love for has grown exceptionally since we last spoke.
The handmade Moneff and 909 workshop violins arrived and are both really nice instruments.
What you said about them both was on the mark. Your 909 responded almost immediately, but then Moneff started perking up after an hour's play. Then I started getting confused (in a good way). Thanks for everything you've done so far.
[UPDATE] Just an update on the violins you sent me. I am leaning toward the Moneff. There's something about the violin that seems to make me "pull" the sound out. I play mainly old-time fiddle, but the sound I'm looking for isn't as metallic or harsh as traditional old-timey music.
The sympathetic vibrations on the Moneff are very rich and wonderful. I also like the chunky neck (ex-guitar player). The 909 is really nice as well though.
[UPDATE] I think I'm close to deciding on the Moneff. I really like it. There's something very "alive" about it. Maybe it's because I've been playing it a lot more than the 909, but now it just seems to sound a lot better (where as initially it didn't').
[UPDATE] I just wanted to send you a quick update. I sent the workshop violin back on Friday. I would like to purchase the Moneff violin.
[UPDATE: 1 month after purchase] Thanks again for all your tips and flexibility regarding your instruments. Looking forward to shopping at fiddleheads in the future. Once again, thanks for all your help and advice.
I am so excited and ecstatically happy about receiving my third violin from Fiddleheads!
I am one happy customer and as far as I am concerned, Fiddleheads is the number one violin shop/school in Western Canada (at least Western Canada. I've never been east of Edmonton or south of Seattle).
You bring to the business of violins an excellent and personalized service (above and beyond) that the rest of the industry lacks big time.
For some years, I wanted to learn the violin but was too scared to inquire to places about it, honestly, I feared social situation of being laughed out of a shop or a school for being too old.
So I feel really lucky that I found your website and met you because even though I am slowly learning and squeezing practice into tiny little spaces of downtime in my life, it brings me joy.
After learning and growing with my first ever very own violin for a time, I heard and tried one by Angela Moneff. I wasn't actually looking for a different instrument, just enjoying the additional education of being able to play different violins as the opportunity arose.
I was able to hear it being played a little more from time to time and always found the sound very appealing, especially as time passed and it began to be "played in" slightly.
Despite the opportunity to hear and briefly try other very nice violins, this one haunted me; it had a little more of everything I was attracted to in the violin I already owned and added some extras of its own.
Maker
Ms Moneff is a Bulgarian maker and though I tried I could not unearth any further information on her work than is available on the Fiddleheads Shop site.
It is my understanding that hers is a smaller family type business so that supply will necessarily be limited and her name not that widely known to date outside of Europe.
To the best of my knowledge, she makes a Guarnarius model violin only. Which model Guarnarius she uses is unknown to me.
Fit and Finish
The workmanship on these bench model (handmade) violins is of very high quality. The obvious areas my amateur eyes make note of are the purfling, beestings, hand-carved scroll, joints (backs are two piece), fit of neck to body, f-holes, and overall general appearance. All beautiful.
The varnish is absolutely superb. A cautionary note - the finish on my new violin was quite soft and demanded extra care for a few months until it hardened somewhat. In the interim one may find it "antiquing" rather ambitiously.
Sound
Sound was the main attraction for me.
These Guarneri violins have a voice somewhat lower in register than say, the typically voiced Stradivari for instance. This was something I found immediately and immensely appealing. The sound is balanced and full from top to bottom, the D and G strings especially attractive to my ear with a touch of Viola to them.
There are beautiful and appropriate overtones aplenty developing, which die slowly after the bow is withdrawn. There is a large of range of colour and emotion available in response to bowing changes.
My violin is still relatively new (approx. 4 months) to me. It has proven to be consistent on all strings through third position, with Evah Pirazzis installed (third is as high as I can play to date, but my teacher has indicated I have homework as she has played it higher and says it likes to go there... ah dear.)
This violin responds quickly and easily and it will take me some time to be able to play up to the potential of this instrument. It demands somewhat more of me and while it makes my errors somewhat more obvious, it rewards my efforts and improvements with more beautiful sound and greater range than I previously thought I was capable of.
All of this encourages me to practice and accelerates my learning.
Summary
I'm not sure whom adopted whom here, but I am very grateful that this Moneff and I have come into partnership. I get to enjoy a truly beautiful (sound and workmanship) instrument, and at a price I could afford.
As it plays-in it develops greater depth of sound and character with a range and scope which I strive to learn to properly utilize. In return it brings me joy, a deeper understanding and the realization that at age 57 I can so learn a new trick or two.
HUGE value for dollar! Well done Ms Moneff, and thank you.
[It is with deep regret to share that Michael passed away September 19, 2013]