Teacher Approves

My new baby arrived today. Was amazed how light it was and how warm and sweet the tone is.

Rhiannon was right about how I would notice the difference between the Fiddleheads MJZ 909 and my Eastman Ivan Dunov. It is a nice step up for me.

The violin itself was everything I expected and more.

That being said, my next one will be my last one, and I hope to look for a "bench" made violin that I hope Rhiannon will help me find. I will report back again after I have spent a few months opening her up a bit.

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] Recently purchased my 2nd violin, upgrading from my Eastman Strings Ivan Dunov to Rhiannon's recommendation for me of the MJZ 909. Also purchased a new bow; VN65 and deluxe oblong case in blue.

First of, the customer service from Rhiannon was outstanding. She was very patient answering questions on the phone and via email until I was certain about everything.

The violin itself was everything I expected and more.

The projection and tone was both powerful and warm, and a nice step up from my student violin.

I am sure that in the next few months it will open up even more. The bow was nice, but for some reason, I seem to prefer my old one, perhaps because my old one is octagonal and feels easier for me to handle.

Thanks Rhiannon for all your help, hope to do business again when I upgrade to a bench made (I need to improve a bit first lol).

[UPDATE: 3 weeks later] FYI, My MJZ violin is only now starting to sing, and my god it sounds wonderful.

[UPDATE: 1 Month Later] I am writing once again to thank you for your incredible assistance in purchasing my MJZ 909. It truly is performing beyond my greatest expectations...

I am not a great violinist, (not even close) but I spend 3 to 4 hours a day immersed in practice, and it brings me more joy than I can explain.

My MJZ violin is only now starting to sing, and my god it sounds wonderful. My instructor, who is a lead violinist at symphony Nova Scotia, believes that... I may never outgrow my MJZ 909.

I just put MJ to bed after my final practice of the day. She never gives me trouble and always sounds sweet.

[Official Product Review] Buying a violin is leap of faith for many of us, especially in an on-line market place.

Needless to say, I did a ton of research which led me to Fiddleheads and Rhiannon. After much deliberation and consulting on what would suit me for an upgrade from my Eastman Ivan Dunov, the MJZ 909 became the prime candidate.

It arrived packed secure and safe in its case, and my first impression was how light it felt.

After drawing the bow a few times across it I knew right away Rhiannon was right about it being a good upgrade. The resonance and richness of its tone was the next thing I noticed, and this was just the beginning.

After a few weeks of playing it starting to really open up and show its true potential.

It seems is very playable and quite forgiving, especially for someone like me whom I would consider still a beginner after only a couple of years.

The sound quality is such that it makes me want to practice longer from the way it sings to me.

Although I am learning classical, I love to play fiddle tunes also, and my MJZ does both exceptionally well.

I had shopped around this model and Fiddleheads price was unbeatable, and the service and attention I received both before and after the sale was remarkable.

I think I have covered everything, but this process was as smooth as the perfect bow thanks to Rhiannon.

[PROS to Shopping at Fiddleheads] Award-Winning Owner, Eco-Friendly, Shop Exceeds Expectations, Fast Shipping, In-Home Trials, Ethics & Integrity, Expertise, Packaging & Safe Arrivals, Personal Connection, Proudly Canadian, Rhiannon's Entrepreneurship, Rhiannon's Musicianship

[PROS to this Product] Beats the Competition, Considerable Upgrade, Product Exceeds Expectations, Improves Playing, Luthier Setup, Playability/Ease of Use, Quality Craftsmanship, Tone & Tonal Improvement, Value/Good Price

The VN-65 was [my teacher's and my] favorite bow of the three choices (VN-45, Voxy Astute) on trial. It pairs well with the 909.

I'm an adult progressing beginner player, having played for 2 years on my starter violin. My first violin is a Fiddlerman Apprentice and has served me well for the price, but I'm ready to upgrade to a nicer instrument.

My teacher and I went to the local violin shop in Tacoma, WA and tried several options but couldn't find the right fit.

I was considering an in home trial with Fiddlershop when I came across this site. I must say I was impressed despite the potential cross border complications.

I appreciate Rhiannon's commitment to [her] work, getting back to me so quickly after her procedure, however, as a physician, I hope she gets the rest she needs!

Thank you for putting human connection at the forefront of your business, Rhiannon. Not to get into it too much here, other than to say that is something I feel strongly is desperately needed in the world these days.

She wasn't kidding about that [Stankov] violin. That is a (*expletive*) beautiful instrument. Truly a work of art, absolutely stunning. One may never forget a first love, but can learn to love again!

I received the violins and had a chance to try them out with my teacher. We both agree that the Fiddleheads 909 is the winner! Sounds much nicer than the violins we tried at the local violin shop recently.

It pairs nicely with the VN-65 which is our favorite bow of the three choices.

It has been a pleasant experience working with Fiddleheads. I do really appreciate the personal attention and care.

My teacher was impressed too and interested in your website info, which I provided her. I wouldn't be surprised if she referred some of her students to [Fiddleheads]! She apparently has played up in Kamloops previously.

Thank you for the detailed instructions [packaging up and shipping back the other violin on trial].

[UPDATE: 1 week later] I wanted to try the 909 one more time with my teacher, and she was again quite impressed with it, as am I :)

Well, Thanks so much to fiddleheads opportunity for great product line of violins and supplies.

I am a lefthanded player that recently purchased a lefty violin model Sun VN-103L intermediate violin custom lefthanded version. Wow. What a great instrument.

I am a guitar builder and player of the lefthanded side, so I build mostly lefthanded acoustic flamenco style nylon string instruments.

Am so impressed with the intonation and sound quality of this new violin. I am new to the violin world, but I do know a good sound when I hear it. Basically, being a beginner in this new journey of mine has shown me how much respect I do have to those who play this amazing instrument.

Rhiannon has taken this opportunity to a whole different level by offering so many great choices to lefty's or righthanded violinists. Amazing what she has singlehandedly done. I am so blessed and happy to be part of this new world of hers.

Back to the violin. I have carefully examined the playability and sound quality of each string and found that the low G string is a nice perfectly balanced to the rest of the open notes on this violin.

I can see that a lot off effort has gone into the setup to offer the best results as a beginner, I feel there is some forgiveness for my abilities in this setup and this model can make you shine.

I am so glad I went with a high-quality instrument at the beginning. I am very serious about being able to play well and I can now see that this can be accomplished.

Thanks to the Fiddleheads team I will be in a very capably place to succeed at playing left-handed violin. I must admit without Rhiannon's website and beautiful shopping experience, I would have never been able to complete this journey of playing a true left handed violin.

I totally recommend Fiddleheads to anyone interested in the true violin experience. It has been a true pleasure to deal with them. Thanks again!!!!!

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] I received the [VN-909] violin and accessories recently and gave them to my wife for our 5th anniversary. She was thrilled!

I had been consulting with her teacher, Richard Tweney (www.violinlessonsnorthumberland.ca) about what to purchase and he had mentioned you.

Thank you for the joy you brought and special extras that were included.

A big thanks for helping out Guy [my student] last week with the [909] violin purchase. It was a gift for his wife, and she is delighted with it. She came to my studio today (www.violinlessonsnorthumberland.ca) for her lesson.

I have seen your new website. Well done, and by yourself too. I am glad that you have survived the pandemic and are still in business.

I recommend you by giving out your cards. I will continue, as always to recommend your shop, and wish you all the best!

[UPDATE: 10 months after purchase] I'm releasing a jazz violin album this week and wanted to let you know that your violin played a huge role in it.

I couldn't be happier with this instrument. It is silky and sweet over the entire range and especially on the E string where my former instrument was harsh and brittle.

It was such a pleasure to record this album with this new instrument and I can't thank you enough for steering me in the right direction.

If you want to check out the album go to this link. [Or listen at Youtube Music]

I hope things continue to go well with your business. It was so great to work with you after all these years.

[NOTE: Don MacDonald was Rhiannon's violin teacher in music college from 1996-1997]

[Read Don's Review of a VN-907 violin he tested for a friend, which led to this purchase]

I'm a faculty and examiner at the Royal conservatory and wanted students to experience the feel of baroque bow. :)

Thank you for the goodies.

[In response to a Facebook post "Diamond rings are overrated. Buy her a violin from Fiddleheads instead."]

Or buy one from Fiddleheads for yourself. I did and it's the best gift and longest-lasting love I've given to myself.

I purchased four violins in my life. This violin is the one I am most happy with.

Lesson learned: listening to the experts, trying it out by professional players in different spaces to hear how it sound, and most of all, work with the vendor who is a professional violinist with good reputation and heart like Rhiannon!

I run a music school in Toronto and have been disappointed by the quality of student violins available for kids at our local store Long and Mcquade.

I decided to look online so this package is for one of my intermediate students. She could not be more excited to receive her new violin :)

I would love to continue purchasing for my students from your website. Thank you for the extras!

[UPDATE: 10 days later] We received the violin, it's fantastic, and my student loves it already! I have another student interested in the same package or similar.

[UPDATE: 1 month later] My partner Leland also [bought] a new [VN-102] violin. He is a touring musician although, violin is not his primary instrument.

He does session work and writes string parts and needs a better quality violin in terms of tone etc. He is thrilled with his violin.

It is even more beautiful looking and sounding as he anticipated!

I have received the violin. It looks and sounds excellent.

Can't stop admiring the quality of the instrument.

One of the best places to buy a violin in Canada

The violins arrived perfectly, and they look even better in person than I expected. I have been playing the three violins for a few days now.

909: Easy to play. It does have a slight metallic / sonorous sound. I am guessing this is owing to the break-in period.

Moneff: Clear, and sweet tone. Wonderful violin.

Stankov: Clear, and vibrant, specially on the E-string. Excellent violin.

I find the Moneff and Stankov quite similar. They are both very clear, and deep. Much better than any violin I’ve tried in Toronto. I think I am going to focus on these two, and show them to my teacher this Monday before deciding. I noticed that the E string on Stankov projects more than the E string on Moneff.

[Update: 1 week later] Good news! I have decided to keep the Stankov. It’s such an amazing instrument.

[Official Product Review]

I tried over 20 violins in Toronto, and couldn't really find one that spoke to me.

Getting violins on trial from a website was a strange concept, but I gave it a shot. I tried three violins sent by Rhiannon, and they absolutely blew away what I had tried locally in Toronto until then.

I always like to know about the source of materials used in the things I purchase, and, at least in Toronto, it was common to come across violins that use unethically obtained animal parts like mother of pearl. It was a relief to learn that Rhiannon runs an eco-conscious store, and doesn't sell violins that use animal parts.

In the end I decided to go with a violin made by Ivan Stankov. It's a beautiful violin, with a very deep and rich sound.

Rhiannon has been very helpful with her advice, and keeping me on top of everything. I can highly recommend Fiddleheads, and the violins they sell.

I really hope you win the [environmental] award. About time they start giving awards to socially conscious businesses. I have had a great experience with Fiddleheads.

Thank you for your contributions to the wellbeing of violinist and teachers.

What a great business you've got going! I have a couple students that are very happy with their instruments [from Fiddleheads], and I'm impressed by them as well!

Your new website is tremendous, with such a professional but Rhiannon-personal feel.

I don't remember if it was in your old website but I particularly enjoyed your personal, extensive bio.

Also, all your accolades from clients present you in a shining light. Sadly, though, for reasons I totally understand, a website can't include all the humor and irreverence that is your hallmark in personal contacts.

Your inventory is amazing. I'm starting to think you weren't joking with me in talking at one point about your "back warehouse."

I want to assure you that I would not buy from somebody else since you've done all the work and and since you unquestionably are more fun to work with. It's the least I can do since you guaranteed without hesitation that I would not burst spontaneously in flames. [Inside joke]

Thanks again for all your fine attention.