Advanced Player

Thank you very much for all the information. Although we didn't end up buying the Zhu 909 violin, I am very impressed by your enthusiasm, sincerity and professionalism.

You are the best person that a customer could totally trust. I really appreciate all the help you provided even when you are not feeling well. Hopefully you could totally recover from COVID soon.

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] I am very impressed by Rhiannon's enthusiasm, sincerity and professionalism when I shop a violin for my son. She is the best person that a customer could totally trust.

It's a personal thing, finding a bow that suits.

My daughter wants to try your Astute bow because of the favourable reviews, the fact that you (as a viola player) were instrumental (pun intended) in the creative process, and because the bows looks beautiful (the appearance of the bow matters to her).

She will be also trying the Codabow Nx [from another shop], because of its popularity and potential resale value when/if she goes to upgrade.

[UPDATE: 2 months later] My daughter ended keeping the first bow [from two trial shipments].

I appreciate that you sent us other bows for her to try, it helped her come to the decision that she wanted keep the first [Astute].

Thank you for making the process as hassle-free and as enjoyable as possible.

I read many of your articles on your website and I appreciate honest business owners who are not in the business of milking huge profits. As you are aware, violin lessons, violins, bows and strings are all expensive.

Other store owners have tried to sell me violins that cost more than my car. The violins might be worth that much but I certainly cannot justify spending that amount of money.

You confirmed many of my suspicions [about the missing label in the other shop's so-called special Zhu violin]. The way this other seller limits my risk is to say that I can trade in the violin and bow I get from her for the full value. Of course, that guarantees continued business for them.

Two other things bothered me [about this other shop]:

1. The other shop owner told me that the shop received six of these (unlabeled) violins from the workshop in China of which she selected the two better ones for my daughter to try. There was a marked difference between the two which showed a lack of consistency.

2. The nut at the end of the other shop's violin protruded so much that it poked into my daughter's throat. The owner told me the luthier at the shop would fix it easily. Maybe it is my personality but I expect luthiers and violinists to be extremely picky people.

I often tell my daughter that good violinists are never sloppy. I like the high standards you set for the products you sell and the care you put into your website design.

I was so happy about [my purchase], as it is for my godson's birthday. He is studying music at college in Montreal, and I want to support him in his dream.

The funny thing is that his name is Emil, but his nickname is "Moose" (from Charlie Parker's "Moose the Mooche")... so I thought "Panache" (which also means "a moose's antlers" in French) was quite the fit.

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.

I purchased a Master Bench Violin about one and half years ago.

My daughter loves her violin and it has served her well thus far.

[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!

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] Amazing products and service! Rhiannon consistently delivers!

My son plays for the Youth Strings Orchestra here in Winnipeg.

I look forward to… shopping from your online store in the future.

She has arrived. I can't thank you enough for the great service and advice you have given me. She is lovely, and already I am enjoying being able to play dynamics so easily. So smooth.

I love the lower register and I am sure that she is only going to develop over time. I like the lighter chin rest etc. Lovely to look at.

Great thank you for the great service. I am so excited. You have done a tremendous job supporting me in my violin search and purchase.

Thank you thank you thank you.

We purchased a Stankov 4/4 for my daughter with a VN-65 bow when she made the transition [to fulll size] in 2016. She is still enjoying it, studying at the University of Western Ontario, and involved in orchestra, etc.

We just purchased another 4/4 Stankov violin, this time for my son who is currently using my daughter's old 3/4 VN-909.

My daughter, Emily, bought the Voxy Astute bow from you and loves it. [She is] working on her ARCT with her teacher [Okanagan Symphony Assistant Concertmaster] Susan Schaeffer.

Rhiannon is wonderful. We will support her business as long as we are allowed to play music in this crazy covid world!

I could not be more pleased with the 2018 Guarneri Topa violin and deluxe suspension case I recently purchased through Fiddleheads!

The Topa itself is nothing short of thrilling to play. It is a joy to hear the warm, powerful yet clear, resonate sound that this instrument is capable of producing with ease. If you are in search of a life long player and the budget allows I cannot recommend enough taking a serious look at the Topas.

This violin exceeded any expectation I had. It does not hurt either that this is one beautiful fiddle in addition to the terrific playability and sound.

The customer service from Rhiannon was incredible from the first communication to follow up. I took a leap of faith trying mail order for such a violin purchase but from the first communication with Rhiannon I knew I was in good hands!!!

I was very clear about what I was hoping to find in an instrument and Rhiannon "knew" which violin should be mine......and she was 500% correct. Her charm and wit in addition to her instrument "match making powers" have earned a customer for life.

Thank you Fiddleheads!!!

Some messages sent during the purchase:

Rhiannon, you were just so incredible this whole process. Thank you so much for sending the sound sample and all the info you provided!!!! You definitely put my mind at ease!!!! I’m really glad we were able to connect through this process!!!! Just adds another element of making this fiddle even more special.

[UPDATE: 1 week later] Overwhelmed. Completely and totally overwhelmed. It sounds nothing short of magnificent. I nearly speechless for once!!!!!!

[My son] just loooooooves it. His first words where when I played a D-major scale were “holy sh*t!!!!!” I couldn’t even chastised him....he was totally right!!!!! Thank you sooooooo much! I cannot even describe how I feel. Hahaha I totally shed some tears this afternoon! My Mom would have loved this too. Just wow!!!!!

I would love to leave a proper review for your website in a few days after I calm the heck down. I really grateful to have had this experience with you and the end result of having this incredible violin that will long outlast even me!!!!

[UPDATE: 2 weeks later] After the initial shock wore off.....I keep loving that fiddle more and more!!!! There’s even times when I play it I just have to stop and say “Wow!!!!!!”

I’ll never out play or out grow that machine!!!! Having said that I already feel like I’ve grown so much more creatively!!! Who knew dynamics could come so easily now and playing in 3 position and beyond produced a clean beautiful now your didn’t have to fight to get!!!!

It’s truly a remarkable instrument!!!! I really couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome!!!!! I’m so thankful for your help to get there!!!!

Rhiannon was the first and last person I contacted when I decided to (nervously!) try mail order after looking locally for nearly 2 years for a considerable upgrade for the violin I have been playing for years and still not finding “The One”.

Her passion for stringed instruments and clients is evident within even the first communication. I clearly explained what I was hoping to find and with thoughtful communication and attention to detail on her end.....I ended up with a life long player.

I couldn’t be more pleased with that I may have not tried/found without her knowledge. Everything from communication right through to shipping was above and beyond.

I cannot say enough positive things about my experience....she earned a life long customer.

[REVIEW: Facebook, 5 stars] Rhiannon met with me on short notice while I was passing through town. She was very nice to deal with and had multiple bows ready for me to try when I arrived.

This is a far nicer experience than trying violin and bows in a violin shop where there are several customers milling around.

I believe her bows are reasonably priced, most likely more competitively priced than what a [competing] violin shop would sell them for.