Amateur/Hobbyist

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

Gorgeous, adjustable, comfortable, gets a lot of compliments!

Gorgeous! One of my go-to accessory pieces of jewellery!

Fiddleheads' handcrafted Violin charm bracelet is stunning.

I love all of the music notations, instruments, and floral designs, etc. It's adjustable and very comfortable to wear, with no skin irritation.

It also makes for a great gift for someone special like friends or family. My mom has one too, and she doesn't even need to play violin to appreciate it.

Every time I've worn this piece I got loads of compliments…highly recommend anyone to pick up this gorgeous bracelet!

May 29, 2023

I found the perfect bow

Over the years I've played on a number of different bows, some from Asia, and also some from Europe; but I've always been seeking to find "that perfect bow".

I have to say I think I've found it!

The Voxy Astute Bow is the perfect bow of both worlds, with that carbon fibre core and pernambuco wood cross over. The pernambuco on-lay gives you that traditional look and function that many players desire to have.

The first thing I noticed when picking up this bow, in my hands, was how light it is.

With the carbon fibre core being light weight and flexible I find the bow does not hold you back from different techniques you maybe trying to integrate into your bowling style. It sails smoothly through all styles of playing, various pace, pitch, and phenomenal handling.

I give the bow 5 stars!

The sound production I get out of my violin [read my review] is phenomenal with this bow! My low strings resonate with warmth and my high strings have a beautiful harmony with the Violin's natural resonance while using this bow.

I've had some bows in the past hinder my violin's sound and not allow me to get from piano all the way to forte. This bow does not hold you back...

I feel like a soloist, prima donna, diva when I have this bow in my right hand.

May 29, 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

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

I'd fully expect to pay double or even triple at another vendor for this level of instrument

This violin is the upgrade of my dreams!

The fact is, being left-handed is expensive.

This is especially so with musical instruments. I'm sure a lot of other lefties here were, like me, constantly told that you SHOULD be great at stringed instruments as the fingering is done on the left and were encouraged by your teachers to buy right-handed instruments at regular prices.

But to me, the bow is what gives the violin its "voice" and it just makes sense that this voice should come from the dominant hand and it doesn't feel right playing the other way around.

I got my left-handed starter violin from a different vendor; it was a "cheap" starter but still priced at a HORRENDOUS mark-up from the identical right-handed version. The squeaks, screeches, sticky pegs, and cheap wood were definitely not worth that kind of price tag just for being constructed left-handed.

However, when I saw the Sun VN-102L intermediate violin on Fiddleheads, I knew this was the ideal upgrade.

It arrived today and it sounds GORGEOUS; beautiful, smooth, mellow tones and high-quality components - it's an absolute joy to play.

I almost feel guilty for getting a custom build, left-handed violin of this quality at this price.

I'd fully expect to pay double or even triple at another vendor for this level of instrument.

Rhiannon's service was immensely prompt and courteous.

My violin outfit was very well protected for its long journey across the country and even came with some cute little freebies!

I want to thank Rhiannon for her excellent service and her fantastic selection of gorgeous left-handed violins for all levels of players WITHOUT the prohibitive lefty mark-up that so many other vendors have.

I will be purchasing all my future violins, bows, and whatever else I need from Fiddleheads from now on!

[Email to Rhiannon] I've already left a review at the website but I just wanted to thank you personally as well. I received my Sun VN-102L today and I cannot get over how gorgeous it is.

It sounds beautiful (and here all this time I thought I was just a bad fiddle player! Turns out I was limited by my previous cheap instrument!)

As I said in my review, being a left-handed musician is a constant headache, mainly because of the severely limited options at an obscene mark-up.

This violin really is the upgrade of my dreams and I just wanted to say a massive THANK YOU for providing so many lefty options at such a reasonable price.

You've gained a lifelong customer in me and I'll be sure to send any family members looking to upgrade your way as well (we're Irish so there's a LOT of us and we're all musically inclined...you know how it is!)

Playing is my passion so being able to afford this violin and have my music actually sound good for once has made me so happy in the midst of a trying time for me.

I just wanted to let you know what a valuable service you've provided.

Sláinte!

March 11, 2023

Perfect match for my Baroque violin

I unwrapped your bow and I'm just thrilled!! It's wonderful!

The bow is a perfect match for jacobus stainer copy I use, since it's built in the baroque style and has a light, sweet sound.

And thank you for the treats, too. Cookie cutter... :D !

Love your site, love your energy, love your kindness!

February 15, 2023

Love the Lady in the Red Dress

Thank you for sharing your amazing musical journey. I'm over the moon you replied to me!

I'm a 70 year old lefty that's played right handed string instruments (upside down) since my teen years. 3 days ago I bought a Left handed violin. Found your website and article on left-handedness and read everything about your incredible journey.

I was so inspired with your musical journey that I wanted to thank you for sharing your love of music with all of us aspiring to become better musicians. I play guitar, uke, bass, piano, and Native Indian flute (my fav) all self taught, I've always longed to add violin to my arsenal.

You are awe inspiring. LOVE, Love, Love the Lady in the Red Dress!! Blessings. I'm excited for my Violin journey!!

February 13, 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

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

Wish I had two

My only regret is not buying another Bon Musica shoulder rest shoulder rest as I seem to misplace the ones I have all the time.

November 18, 2022

I like this bow!

I honestly don't have much technical knowledge about bows. My original favourite bow was the one I got with my first violin, (more on that on my review of the VN103-L).

I have no idea what it was, but as it was the bow I started playing with, it was all I knew. I think it was probably a good bow. I even had it re-haired, until it slipped from my hands one day, landed on it's nose and cracked. I managed to make a repair, by binding with string, which would have added a little weight to the tip, and all that prompted me to get a backup bow.

According to my economy at the time, I bought a couple of cheap (really cheap!!) bows in local stores. How do they even produce them for €10? (rhetorical question, I know how) and I played with those bows for years. What I remember about them is that they were as bendy sideways as up and down, if you know what I mean. I also remember putting LOADS of rosin on them, and I never developed the ability to hold the bow steady and silently on the strings, start and stop clean, or get a nice even tone with a slow bow, that kind of thing.

But this is a review of the Voxy Vogue, not of my old €10-15 bows. Well, all I can say is: This bow is NOT anything like the above.

If you can afford it, get it!

I'd be really interested to find out some day how the Astute or Panache feels.

PROS: Cross-Border Arrivals, Fast Shipping, Free Gifts, Personal Connection, Value/Good Price

November 17, 2022

This is a very nice, very special violin

I sometime wonder about whether as a left-handed musician, choosing an instrument is actually a lot easier.

As a guitarist, I often walk into guitar shops, and the first thing I do is scan the walls, full of guitars, sometimes hundreds of them, but within 1 minute I have walked out the door again.

"Nope, no guitars in there".

What must it be like as a right hander? How can you choose from that myriad of options?

So when it comes to looking for a violin, years ago when I first looked I went through the usual:
- "Such a thing does not exist"
- "There is no such thing as a left handed violinist"
- "I advise you to learn to play the violin 'properly'" etc, etc..

Fiddleheads already had my attention just by OFFERING left handed violins, I REALLY appreciate that.

Next comes initial contact, a few questions, and I am delighted by Rhiannon's responses to my emails. (even checking, to be sure, that I do really want the left-handed model)

I don't know so much about violins, when you're left handed you don't always get to try out other people's instruments.

My first violin was certainly very old, the seam on the back was coming apart. I flipped the strings, fashioned a new bridge for it, swapped the bass bar and sound post, yes, I unglued the back and carefully removed the bass bar... But it never really sounded very good.

Some years later I bought a 5 string left-handed model on ebay from china, then I found out just how much the 1st string peg on the wrong side was getting in the way of my right hand. This new one didn't sound so great acoustically, but anyway I "optimised" it for pickup use and mostly played it through guitar pedals.

All this rant about this past is kind of a "full disclosure" if you like, because otherwise what is my opinion on the VN-103L worth?

But even so, I'm going to tell you, this is a really, really nice violin.

I'm finding tones, noises, feelings in there that I simply cannot put into words.

Originally, having gotten separated (certain events of 2020-2021) for the time being from those other two violins (maybe a good thing) - I decided to look on line for a something affordable, anything at all that I could use to improve playing, or at least not allow it dis-improve.

As I said, I found Fiddleheads left hander section and starting talking to Rhiannon. She inspired me to up a level to the 103 (and the rest of the kit) - with the great value packages, free advice, and throwing in a few gifts, and assurances about shipping and import to Mexico - that all came good.

Yes, I ended up spending about double what I had envisaged. I am really, really happy that I did, that she helped me see the wisdom in that.

I think this VN103-L is a very special instrument, and I have not even broken it in yet!

November 17, 2022