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Fiddleheads Violin Shop Testimonials & Feedback: Polish Workshop and Bench Violin/Viola/Cello Reviews
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Workshop
I will definitely not be turning this viola in [at end of the trial]. Honestly, even though I have only been playing a couple of months, I know enough to say that I absolutely love this viola.
I am sure to drive my family crazy with all the playing I'll be putting in, but thanks to you, at least they will be listening to an excellent quality viola with a fantastic sound . . . even though the player could use a year or ten of experience! :)
Thanks again!
- Shelli, Blind Bay, BC
The cello arrived today and has a lovely sound . . . it is so much louder than my old cello, I am playing duets with my son for the wedding and I had to keep telling him not to play so loud with my old cello as he easily could outplay my sound - I think he's met his match with this cello!
I've gone back over a few pieces I've been working on in the past that I couldn't seem to get enough volume on, there's no problem now - I have all the volume I'll ever need!
I very much like the cello... The projection of sound [is] amazing, even one of my sons said he could really hear the difference in sound from my old one. My husband said he heard a lot of comments in and around the church when we played that we sounded so professional, so that's always nice to hear. The music minister writes his own arrangements for the choir and string quartet and the cello is written more as a bass line than a true cello line, but with this cello the sound is so nice in the bass range as well, and it sounded beautiful yesterday when I played with the quartet.
Thanks for all your help, it's going to be hard to get anything else done this week besides play the cello! It's been tough to get much of anything else done . . . I'd rather be playing cello!
My cello teacher played my cello today and he was very impressed and pleased with the sound of it. He said it was a very nice sound and it also looks nice, he would have no problem recommending this cello (or one like it) to his other students. I'm glad he's just as pleased with it as I am! Thanks for all your help with this.
Thanks for all of your help - how privileged I am to be able to play and learn on this cello.
- Bev, Lethbridge, AB
Bench Models
Koscielny
OK, are you ready for the [viola] feedback?? One word: WOW
This [Jarek Koscielny] instrument absolutely ROCKS!!!! The C-string is so loud and deep. My wife came into the room and thought I was playing a Cello. The instrument is so well balanced and powerful. I am completely blown away - so, yes, it's definitely a keeper.
Let me know what my balance $$$ is so I can get you paid. Thanks for hanging in there - this one's a home run.
UPDATE: This viola continues to absolutely amaze me. I have a new dilemma - I don't want to play my other instrument any longer!!! My wife keeps telling me that the lower notes on the C string sound like a cello, I tend to agree. It has amazing projection and power.
- James, Redmond, WA
Wanted to let you know the violin arrived last evening and I only had a few minutes to play it. My initial impressions are very similar to the Koscielny Viola you ordered for me - WOW !!!
This violin has a really wide lower bout and it certainly shows in the G string (nice deep bass sound). The violin also has great projection. The Evahs that are on it seem to be a great match. I will get more time this evening to play but my initial reaction is that it's a keeper :) Jarek sure does make some nice instruments.
UPDATE (1 month later): My wife took my Koscielny tonight and wouldn't give it back. Now her Hiroshi Kono, which is a nice violin is no longer good enough. I do have to say the Koscielny sounds better.
The violin is working out very well, it's just getting my brain around treble clef and then alto which really screws me up.
- James, Redmond, WA
First, everything is going well with the new cello, it plays beautifully and it is such a joy to play.
- Bev, Alberta
Topa
I am writing this to share some good news with you. My son used his new (Topa) violin to participate in a violin competition (SYMF) last week. He successfully demonstrated the excellent sound quality of that violin and won first place in one category and second in another.
After the competition he said his "best partner, the new violin," helped him make it through.
We would like to thank you, not only for the excellent product, but also for your professional services. You provided us with detail and valuable information. You always answered our questions with patience, and in great depth.
Thanks to your guidance and expertise, it has been a smooth process for us from searching to owning such a wonderful violin.
Thank you again and Best Wishes to you and your family.
- Ryan, Fullerton, CA
After waiting less than what I was expecting, I am happy to tell you the Topa has arrived at my house unharmed :) My son took the violin and instantly loved it. It sounds truly AMAZING. It has been about an hour now and my son cannot take his hands off tis violin. I will give you updates as we play into the wood and wait for the new violin o true nature transformation.
[UPDATE 1 day later]: When my son first took out the violin he was amazed at the sheer power and volume of the violin. He loves the smell of it and he has not been able to take his hands off ever since. I have seen him clean the violin of rosin almost every 1/2 hour!
I am quite amazed at the care he is giving this violin as I thought he would just let rosin pile up like his old one. After a few days of playing, he tells me the A and E strings are effortless to play in the left, although require just a bit of fancy wrist work in the bow arm to get the pure sound he wants out of the violin on any string.
He tells me after playing a few days, he feels less vibrations under his chin, and that the volume of the violin is a it decreased (maybe 10% less?) but he says the power of it is still there and that the sound is starting to become focused and warming a little. He says e string articulation is the cleanest he has seen out of every violin he's played. Overall he says he cant wait to see the violin turns out 2 weeks later, and a year later after we finish the buying process.
[UPDATE 1 week later]: I am happy to tell you that we showed the violin to my son's violin teacher, who is very very picky with violin sounds, and she said she loved it. She said the G string has the texture of chocolate (I dont understand what that means but i guess she likes it ). The metallic sort of [new string] sound is gone from the violin but now it is taking on the sound of a warming violin.
My son's [other] teacher, who is a second violinist in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, just absolutely loves [my son's] new violin. We were worried about passing his inspection, but we passed it with an A++. My teacher has a student who is interested in buying a Topa violin, and my teacher with his wife may be interested too-- they like the violin so much! They can't keep their ears away from it. I gave them all the goodword of your wonderful business!
I will have a video of my son playing on his new violin with the sound warmed up as soon as he polishes the spots he has trouble with. He now roughly has something that sounds like the Wieniaski Concerto no 2, so we should have a video for you on that later. Thank you for doing business.