Product: Violins

The reviews are all well-deserved

Wow you are absolutely amazing thank you so much! You really did not disappoint :)

I guess there is a reason why you are rated 5 stars on google! I'll make sure to leave a review as well!

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars]

The best service ever! I finally got a left handed violin!

Very hard to find because most luthiers say left handed players get used to playing on the right side. But not Fiddleheads!!!

They are so nice and the experience was amazing even though it was fully online :)

Highly recommend!

August 7, 2023

Kind, witty, and very generous seller who helped me pick the perfect gift

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] Rhiannon helped me pull off the perfect surprise birthday gift with a lefty fiddle for my husband.

Working with her was like a breath of fresh air - she's kind, witty, and very generous.

Highly recommend this shop to anyone looking for a fiddle/violin. You won't be disappointed!

July 1, 2023

It still am awestruck by its beautiful sound!

I still love my violin! [heart emoji]. I'm so happy with it!

It still am awestruck by its beautiful sound!

I changed the chin rest for a better fit and it's more comfortable now.

Thank you for your [valuation] letter. Very impressive!

June 20, 2023

I trusted Rhiannon to choose this violin for me

Thanks for making the process easier, especially with all of the outfit components.

My earlier part of the journey was longer and didn't originally include the 909 (originally was 903 and below).

It took a lot of listening sessions from various video sources to sort things out. One odd item that stood out was that one video [from another shop] seemed to intentionally play differently on the 909 perhaps to showcase their own product (as they didn't even carry the 909).

Thankfully, my long list of questions got sorted out along the journey [thanks to Fiddleheads' site]. I trust your eyes on [the selection] that more than I trust mine. Normally audio would be more important but I already trust your ear way more than mine.

Your stories and achievements are quite inspirational.

May 23, 2023

Comparing Half a Dozen 909 violins!

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] Rhiannon was very helpful online in answering my questions about the MJZ 909 violin.

She offered to send me up to two violins to try at home, but when I learned she had six in her shop, I made arrangements to drive to Kamloops from the US and try them in person.

Rhiannon was very gracious in welcoming me into her home/shop, and she helped me narrow down which violin was right for me - which was not an easy task since all of the violins were lovely.

I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a new violin.

May 9, 2023

A voice that made me cry

I was so excited to see left hand violins in a quality venue. Hard to come by as I had a "Carlton" from Long and McQuade and when I was ready to up my commitment they had nothing.

The Fiddleheads Sun VN-103L left-handed violin came two days ago can't lay it down.. so much more response...forgiving...it sings to me...a voice..it can make me cry.

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] I must say my experience "very much" exceeded my wildness expectations, from the time I engaged in (expertise guidance) through my situation and custom needs (left handed player) to the choice made and arrival of my AMAZING Violin 103L, I knew well I made the right choice.

How could I go wrong with the support I had been given by "fiddleheads" it felt like they were behind me during the whole process "Great Feeling".

The violin is very responsive... very forgiving... sounds like she sings out to me. Can't wait to hear her 'offering" in a few months of playing. I'm so excited.

Thank You Rhiannon for the "personal nudge" into the right direction. Much Appreciated.

April 11, 2023

Really nice build quality

Everything [arrived] safe and sound. Nice build quality. Really happy overall.

Thank you for the upgrades/extras, they are appreciated. I really like everything I received.

The violin is for myself, and it's my first violin. I'm a hobbyist sort of going down a composer path, and I play a bit of piano, but I decided learning some violin would be fun.

I was able to start playing a bit and I'm really happy with the sound quality, especially considering I just started!

Sounds fantastic with the Evah Pirazzi strings. I think the [upgraded] Evah Pirazzi's were definitely a good idea.

PROS: Exceeds Expectations, Fast Shipping, Rhiannon's Expertise, Beats the Competition, Beauty & Aesthetics, Comfort, Playability/Ease of Use, Quality Craftsmanship, Recommended, Tone & Tonal Improvement, Value/Good Price, Packaging & Safe Arrivals

March 21, 2023

Ordering was way easier than shopping at a local music store

I received my violin and I'm delighted!

Thank you so much for sending me the beautiful [Bellissima Camelia] violin and the extra goodies. I particularly love the cookie cutter and the earrings and the name tag matches my 15 year old white violin case.

I would like to commend you on your excellent customer service.

The ordering process was way easier than when I bought my first violin at a local music store and I have to thank you again for making the whole process easy and streamlined.

Once again, thank you for the excellent product and service. Please extend my thanks to your team [family] as well.

March 12, 2023

My daughter loves it!

We received the [VN-101] violin today and my daughter loves it!

Thank you for the beautiful instrument and the amazing silver bracelet. Appreciate it. :)

February 20, 2023

Outstanding service and quality

I recently bought a violin from you! I really liked it and could tell that it was very good quality!

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] Rhiannon was easy to work with, helpful, and flexible.

She was very good at answering any questions and her customer service was above and beyond. She only charged what was necessary, and she was very friendly!

Rhiannon put lots of time into answering emails and she sold good quality violins!

I definitely recommend; outstanding service and quality!

February 20, 2023

Your specialty in Zhu violins and wood seasoning/curing stands out

I am a professional musician from Michigan. I've had a career in roots music for the last 12 years.

I came upon your website while doing research for a new main instrument, and your specialty in Zhu violins stuck out to me, so I looked forward to reaching out to learn more about the violins that you have on offer, and consider doing a trial of some instruments at home.

The other factor that was attractive was that your shop is located in a place that deals with winter, and dryness, and I thought that bodes well for instruments that will be suited to resilience in the changing seasons where I live, despite careful work with in-case humidifiers.

The one violin that I have played [most of the time] is a Ming Jiang Zhu instrument (VN903). Non-temperamental, reliable throughout the seasonal changes.

It became my secondary instrument, one that I now use for very low tunings, when I acquired a 100 year old instrument made in Michigan that had a particularly moving sound and distinctive look, but the Zhu violin has always remained in the fold, and these days it is the one I want to pick up more.

January 31, 2023

I'm besotted by this violin - stunning looks, stunning sound

Before buying, the only thing for certain at the moment is that I think you're great, Rhiannon, and I want to buy a fiddle from you (despite our discovery that the import duties/taxes will amount to almost a quarter of the final price!!)

Your approach is so honest and open which contrasts greatly with the opaqueness of others in the trade!

My lovely wife Heather spent almost 2 hrs devouring your website last night. I have every confidence that this will be a perfect fiddle for my remaining years as a regularly performing fiddler.

[UPDATE: Jan 7, 2023]

Hurray, Hurray, Hurray!!!! The Messiah Kowalski is here and I'm/we are over the moon!

As I think I might have said along the way, we wanted to check out two main properties of the sound - "sophistication" and "will it sound raw and new" (not according to the sound clips you posted but you never know... until the instrument is under the chin) - as the sound clips suggest it is smooth and silvery!!!

It is a wonderful match to my wife's violin - similar tone, and loud enough for her to hear what I'm doing without being overpowered.

[UPDATE: Jan 21, 2023]

I have just put the Messiah to bed properly for the first time since it arrived...

I have bought 4 bench fiddles at around the £6,000 to £8,000 mark over the years, but never before have I had one so refined from the get-go.

What we have is a fiddle with a self-assured, rounded creaminess - no hint of that new fiddle rawness that requires a couple of years playing in, and certainly not a 'now' fiddle with that big open (but rather hollow) sound.

I'll certainly be letting the world know how pleased we are via your website etc. With massive, grateful hugs,

[UPDATE: Jan 22, 2023]

The fiddle continues to grow in stature and is so surefooted and sumptuous!

[UPDATE: Jan 23, 2023]

This afternoon we had a 3 hr. session with a great 83 year-old local mouthie (mouth organ) player who has been immersed in this music (fiddles and pipes) since childhood.

At the start of the afternoon he said it was a 'good sounding' fiddle' - halfway through he said it 'sounded really nice' the when we finished he said 'what a great fiddle'!! We have played together on and off for 15 years or so in this set up but have never sounded better!

[UPDATE: Jan 25, 2023]

The Kowalski... is singing magnificently.

I'm knocked out by the degree of resonance - not just in the obvious, expected places (fingered G, D and A) but in other associated notes the first finger E on the D string for example...

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] I have played fiddle for over forty years and bought (and sold on - usually at a loss) a wide variety of instruments from improver level to bench-made instruments.

In all these 40 years I have never come across anyone as helpful, patient, enthusiastic and knowledgeable as Rhiannon!

In October last year I gave my lovely Tarquin Bolton violin to my son in the erroneous belief that I could see out my final years (I'm 74) with a lesser instrument.... after 3 months I began the search for an instrument which would match the Bolton fiddle!

What won me over to Fiddleheads against the UK competition was the complete transparency of approach and detail on the Fiddleheads site.

I'm now the proud and delighted owner of a Kowalski Strad model which, as it happens, matches my wife's violin more closely in tone and expression and upped the overall effect of our duets. She can barely believe that an instrument only months old could have such a mature and beautiful voice!!

I have no hesitation whatsoever in giving a 5 star review to Rhiannon, her business and this amazing Kowalski violin.

[UPDATE: Feb 5, 2023]

I should have emailed much sooner but the fact is I've been besotted with this gem of a fiddle, and I've played it lots for lots of people; the comments are consistently along the lines of 'what a lovely sounding fiddle'.

As I've explained before I am not the best fiddler in the world, but am privileged to play alongside some excellent fiddlers and this fiddle allows me to add a beautiful, full, creamy sound to the mix.

After all these years of searching I have found my perfect instrument!

A thousand thanks again for your amazing patience and wonderful encouragement.

[UPDATE: Feb 14, 2023]

I'm besotted by this violin - stunning looks, stunning sound. My wife has a beautiful violin with a £30,000 sound, and this Kowalski matches it.

[UPDATE: May 7, 2023]

Just to say the Kowalski continues to develop and delight.

If I had the money I'd buy the lot off you, and give them to my friends to play- what a glorious sound that would be!!!!

Love and thanks, xx

January 3, 2023

Absolutely in love with my Kowalski

I am an amateur involved in a community orchestra, an outreach quartet and octet. I am absolutely in love with [my Kowalski viola] instrument. I pulled out my violin after a couple of months on the viola and was disappointed in the sound. I thought I had a pretty nice violin.

I have to pay off my new viola. Afterwards I will be looking for my forever violin. YOU are wonderful and I am very tempted [to accept financing]!

Thanks so much for your wonderful email. I am so impressed with your website and reviews. I have learned quite a bit. Thank you again for your generous attention.

December 29, 2022

Masterful violin beyond my dreams

I played all day since the package arrived around 10:30 AM. I did my lesson with my online instructor and blew him away.

I played for another three hours. I can't believe the difference between it and my old Klaus Heffler... I knew there would be a difference, but I had no idea just how much. We're talking apples and oranges here.

The G-string on my Heffler sounds terrible, and I have tried two different strings (Peter Infeld, Dominant Pro), and there is just no "ring" to the G.

Today the first thing I did with my new Kowalski is play a D on the G string, and the "ring" was definitely there, a clear sign of sympathetic vibrations.

On my Heffler, the G string just sounded dull and "gravelly." The Kowalski sounds better when I play my Arcus T7 carbon fiber bow.

You did it again, Rhiannon - score another one for the Violin Cupid!

We certainly appreciate all you have done for us! We both consider you a friend and not just our instrument dealer.

December 15, 2022

Sweet and powerful resonance beyond anything I have ever played

The Topa (I named it "Rhia") is slowly starting to show its true colour, it has a sweet and powerful resonance beyond anything I have ever played.

I spend at least an hour with her every day, and every day it sounds even better. It has also enabled me to actually leave the house with my MJZ 909, which has become my main "lesson"or recital instrument.

Just want you to know this whole on-line shopping experience has been a pleasure. Outside of a house or car, this purchase is probably the most expensive thing I have ever bought.

Thank you for taking the time to help me through this process. I am certain I would have never done it without the reassurance and peace of mind you have given me.

December 14, 2022