Luthier Setup

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.

Summary: This is the best intermediate violin I have ever played.

Well worth the money, and it would be hard to find its equal... anywhere near the price, and most often quite higher.

Recommended for any beginner or intermediate player of any level.

Review: I have only received this violin 45 minutes ago. And I already know I am ready to leave a review.

I will be totally honest, and I will be comparing this to my main violin which is a right handed professional violin antique from the late 1800's which I have never personally found its equal.

I wanted a left handed violin, because I have learned to play the violin like a cello and backwards because I am missing the middle finger on my left hand. And I have developed a skill I am quite happy with. However, I want to play the traditional way as well, up on the shoulder.

About the violin. It is charming looking. Well made. No quibbles about construction.

Immediately upon picking it up, I noticed it was heavy. At least compared to other fine violins which I have made or used. I am also a new luthier. However the weight is common in beginner and intermediate instruments, especially from China.

I will one day be making my own left handed personal violin, but I wanted to learn how to play in a standard way knowing that this violin would not be my lifelong violin, but a tool that I can enjoy to teach me how to play.

And I wanted tone. I need to feel pleased and enjoy making music from it, and not be offended. lol. So I am very picky about tone. I have tried literally hundreds of violins, all of them in the thousands, even to $10,000 range, and I am serious when I said, I found all of them unsatisfactory in general.

So onto the review of the Sun 103 Lefty Violin. When I played the first note, I was actually very surprised. The tone was actually quite nice and rich and full. Unlike almost all the other violins I have tried. Which is frankly miraculous considering this is a China factory violin and I have tried hundreds of supposedly fine handmade violins in some serious violin stores.

With the Sun, the G string had a full sound right out of the box (which by the way the packing was perfect, and immaculate).

I would describe it as deep and full. Not bright, but warm. The G string is the string I care about the most, and in most other violins I find it tinny weak and lacking on most violins I try, and I won't even go further. On this one this was not the case. The other strings were fine as well. Actually pretty similar quality along all strings.

The projection of this violin, to me is not up to snuff, although I am comparing it to my professional violin, which would be satisfactory in a concert hall. However, the interesting thing is even though the SUN doesn't have HUGE projection, it still somehow doesn't sound congested or tinny. Its just a nice warm sound that you can lean into, and for an intermediate violin in this price range, unless you are going to be doing solo work, the projection is fine. I would say it is COMPLETELY fine for orchestra work, and very pleasing for home and small groups and impressing your parents ;) .

I also am not looking for completely projecting fill up the concert hall sound. I want something I can enjoy. And enjoy this violin I CAN. All of the strings have a nice warm full tone. And I mean it when I say it sounds better then most other violins WELL above the price of this one. Normally, when the violin is a bit heavier, and doesn't have a huge projection, the sound is thin and tinny and congested. This is not so at all on this Sun violin. I don't know how they did it, but they did.

So if you are looking for professional open clear projection, this is definitely not the one for you, but you would most likely have to pay much more to get that. However, the projection is fine, and due to the frankly miraculous pleasing tone that this violin is able to get, for an intermediate player, it really doesn't matter, and I would honestly say that any advancing student or any amateur would be very happy with this violin.

It have some VERY little squeakiness a few times on the strings, which I have never experienced before, but it was very minor and with a few adjustments really will easily go away once I get used to this baby.

Overall, I am really pleased with this violin. It is nearing some of the qualities of a professional violin, and by far is the best intermediate violin I have ever seen or played. I'm going to really enjoy coaxing the best sound I can out of it while I work on the skills to build my own.

And as to the award winning owner. Thank you for personally speaking with me on the phone, and assuaging my hesitancy at buying this violin site unseen or heard. I am happy I did. I listened to all the other left handed violins I could purchase, and was dissatisfied with what I could hear. This was the last chance. And I'm happy I took it. :)

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[UPDATE: 4 days later] I enjoy thinking about this violin all the time, so I'm happy to write more about it.

[Regarding my review] I really wanted to help other make an informed decision and help them know what they are getting and not getting.

I can certainly assure you that fiddleheads at this moment is the only store I would recommend anyone to with 100% trust.

It is interesting about the weight. My luthier instinct, (and I literally mean mine, and no-one else's) gives me the impression that if I opened it up and took some material off the top and bottom plates in a controlled way, I could open up the sound some. I have actually done this with several violins, antique (worthless) and kits, and newer violins, where it was just tight closed non vibrat-ey sound... and every time I improved the sound in a very noticeable way.

However... this takes a lot of time... and love of course... but to be totally honest, I have no interest in that with something like this... because in a way, when you appreciate something, you appreciate it for what it is. Not what it isn't.

And when you care about an object, you don't really want to dissect it and find out exactly how it works, you want to just appreciate it and enjoy it and stay out of your own head. And that is the way I feel with this little guy (or gal). ;)

I will also say, the weight is not a turn off to me in anyway. I care about the tone, and it will help me build my muscles. haha.

I haven't [re-graduated the wood] on my other lovely violin as well, because they are so special to me I don't want to ruin the magic. In a way it can take some of the magic out of it by being too science-y with it.

As to the squeakiness. I carefully rosined my bow with very lovely forgiving rosin, and honestly it hasn't squeaked at all since that first 15 minutes. And I've been playing every day.

I really appreciate all Rhiannon's insight from everything she said [about real ebony weighing more than low quality or fake ebony used on other violins] too.

I felt in my review that I had something kind of unique to offer because I was consciously buying a 'downgrade' violin from the one I have now that I play in viol/cello mode. And looking for a violin that didn't offend my ear was difficult.

I even purchased another violin [from another shop], I had intended to be a backup for my main from another reputable store, and after I got it out, and from the first note, I knew I could not play it. It was back in the box 15 minutes later on its way back.

At some point, in the somewhat foreseeable future, my music playing will outgrow the current Sun violin, and I will be inspired and know that I am ready for the next. And at that moment, I will be still incredibly thankful for this violin which helped me get there that I had been and that I am playing now.

And the fact that I have this one, will help me appreciate the next one even more. Which is a beautiful thing. :)

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!!!!!

I received my [rehaired] bow today and all looks good.

Wow! What a difference it makes to have new bow hair! Thank you.

[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!

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.

Your violins arrived on our doorstep today! Thanks so much. They arrived in perfect condition.

Don MacDonald [a professional violinist and film composer] is going to swing by and help us tune them up, and give each one a wee test drive, before we do the "big reveal" with my daughter Caitlin this evening. She still has no clue that all this is happening. We'll keep you posted. So exciting.

[UPDATE: 6 hours later] Well, Rhiannon. Don came by to try all 3 violins (before my daughter), and thought there was no question: the Zhu 907. Hearing him play all three, I'd have to say I agree.

The richness of sound is remarkable, and stands out head and shoulders over the other two [905 and Rose Valley].

Certainly was more than I'd budgeted for, but it's hard to argue with the difference in quality and sound, when the instruments are played side by side.

Don, by the way, was so blown away that he is now on a mission to find a new violin. He thought the 907 he tried today was a finer instrument than the one he has been playing for the last four decades. Expect to hear from him soon...

Thanks so much, again, Rhiannon. It's been such a pleasure doing this with you. You've been so responsive, so thorough, and so patient.

We couldn't be happier with the violin, too! Hopefully we get to meet you in person sometime.

[Review: 2 weeks later] My daughter had outgrown her student violin, and was in need of a significant upgrade. A trusted friend (who happens to be a professional violinist and composer) recommended we check out Fiddleheads.

Although a bit nervous and skeptical about purchasing a violin online, my concerns were immediately allayed after my first conversation with Rhiannon.

It was clear that her priority was ensuring that my daughter got matched with the right instrument, and she went to great lengths to understand what "the right instrument" meant to us.

She was informative, patient, understanding, and extremely timely and responsive to our many questions, over the course of [a phone and some email] conversations.

She ultimately shipped us three different violins to trial, all of which met our criteria, and all well within the price range we'd discussed. (The shipping was surprisingly hassle-free and quick.)

We ultimately settled on a Zhu 907, having been blown away by the instrument's richness of tone, warmth, and playability.

Rhiannon's expert efforts in setting up the violin prior to them being shipped out were immediately obvious, as the violin came "out of the box" performance-ready.

Since acquiring the instrument, my daughter's playing has notably improved, and it takes far less cajoling to get her to practice.

We are so grateful for the incredible service Rhiannon provided us, and thank her deeply for the joy this new instrument is bringing all of us.

I recommend her services 100%.

[Read Don's review of this violin - Read Don's Review of the VN-909 he purchased a year later]

This violin reminds me of the one in the movie The Red Violin.

I've taken the fine tuners off the G, D and A strings as I'm a bit of a traditionalist, and tuning is not an issue. Pegs work fine.

Just letting you know that things are progressing slowly, but not discouraged as its fun to learn new things.

This violin is more than I imagined. The construction appears to be nicer than the $750 violin I rented from Long & McQuade. But Rhiannon's violin was better and about half the price. So I took the rental back the right away and got a refund.

I took the violin in to a luthier to check it over. The set up was perfect and did not need any adjustments. The bridge was good. So pleased that everything is as it should be.

Violin is a very hard instrument to play overrall, but I can feel some improvement in the little time I've had with this particular instrument. 2021 is going to be a fun year for me.

I have a Bellissima "Constanza" made in 2010 that came from your shop. [The original owner] upgraded.

This violin journey certainly has been fun. This is my 4th upgrade. I have two cheaper ones, including a Wm. Lewis that I keep for sentimental reasons. There is a nice difference between it and the better "Constanza".

The Bellissima is beautiful and easy to play. I love it. It is in perfect condition. The set up is perfect.

This gorgeous violin is not just another violin, it's truly a work of art!

Where do I begin to start with how magnificent this instrument sings?

Effortless; every time I pick up this violin in my hands to practice its as if it transports me to another world, a dream realm, a concert stage. Truly a pleasure and a gift to play!

I started my musical journey when I was seven, but didn’t officially become persistent at learning until my latter teens. Technically you could say I had a later start in life to music; and throughout the years acquiring a few different violins.

The hunt for a new violin began once I realized my current intermediate violin was holding me back from progression or advancing in technique. I was becoming discouraged by the inadequate sound and playability quality of it. Out-growing the instrument

Reaching out to Rhiannon was the best thing I did! I had a few specific needs and wants in a new lifetime violin. At the time I felt like I was a bit vague, or still trying to find my voice in a superior instrument. Definitely not lost any more in this aspect thanks to Rhiannon! She went above and beyond helping and guiding me in finding exactly what I was looking for.

After narrowing it down, I had the privilege to try out two violins, one by Pawel Migiel and the other by Tomasz Kowalski. Both models were fashioned after Guarneri del Gesu violins.

Once my bow made contact with the violin, no lie, I began to shed tears. Not of sadness, but in awe of how a superior violin has no equal in craftsmanship, tone, comfort, and most important the power of its sound.

Initially, the Migel violin had a very quick response and warm up time. Projecting its sound quality straight away. With first impressions this drew me to consider that this violin was in par with my playing ability now. Making this violin feel like the proper choice.

Before I tested out the sound quality of the Kowalski I was astonished with the artistry and beauty of the violin. I didn't want aesthetics to be my main influencing factor of my decision. Sound and playability were most important.

At first the quality of sound was comparable to the Migel, but after a good twenty to thirty minutes of warm up it started to surpass, becoming superior. Upon examining this instrument further, I noticed it demanded perfection, or a soloist touch. In a sense I felt inadequate to play it.

Feeling confused I reached out to Rhiannon and shared my finding with comparing both violins. She didn't make the choice for me, but she helped me to see why and what I was experiencing when playing. Rhiannon's knowledge, input, and expertise were invaluable!

She offers a great, stress free trial period. If I only had an hour to chose, I would have made a grave mistake. Above all I had plenty of time to decide the prefect fit in the comfort of my own home.

After further playing I noticed that there were limitations with the Migel. An example of this was if my finger positioning happened to be slightly off the violin would hide those imperfections. I felt like there was a limit it would reach and could not pass. I was looking for an instrument with that above and beyond performance level.

The main qualities and reasons I chose the Kowalski violin as my musical voice happen to be its demand for preciseness. I had to play in tune for it to really resonate fully. It was teaching me!

After talking with Rhiannon, she, using her analogies and musical understanding, helped me to see that a relationship with this instrument would allow me to grow in tone, technique, and over all music ability. I was enthralled with the idea that this violin would teach me to become an advance player in the years to come.

Set up can make all the difference in your musical experience. Rhiannon takes the time to set up each violin to her clients needs and preferences. Outfitting them with high quality strings, bridge placement (whether you’re a classical or fiddle player), as well as chin rest adjustments; amongst other things.

Even if you're not exactly sure what you're looking for the fit and feel are comfortable while practicing or preforming. In turn her quality assurance puts the violin to the test to make sure its everything you were looking for.

Tomasz Kowalski designs his instruments to excel in superiority over time. Even now I can confirm that! I can't stress it enough, each time I practice on this violin it improves in sound; through its projection and tone harmony. To have only been made in 2018 this gorgeous instrument sounds like it has been around for centuries. Truly a violin fit for a soloist!

Enthusiastically I can say “I made the right choice”! with putting my faith in Rhiannon’s talented skillfulness and expertise in assisting and guiding me to find my unbelievably beautiful violin.

I was looking to replace my daughter's Gliga violin with something that had a better sound and in a smaller 7/8 size than 4/4. After researching online, we decided to try the VN-102 violin with a 2-week at-home trial to Montreal, Quebec. 


We previously bought a Gliga Gems 2 violin (in 4/4) and her teacher hated it because it didn’t project and it required too much work to get a good sound out of it. My daughter is 18 and has been playing for 10 years. She is an intermediate violinist and not very motivated to go much farther.

The transaction was simple. Upon receiving the violin by mail, we compared the two and immediately noticed that the VN-102 had an amazing resonance and that the Gliga's sound was very muffled.

We took the violin to be approved by our violin teacher since he is very picky and hated our old violin. He just loved the 102 and couldn't stop raving. In his words; "You got an AMAZING (with all capital letters) violin. It's awesome.”

So, obviously we kept it.

Rhiannon, the owner, was very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful during the selection and ordering process.

The violin was securely packaged and it arrived quickly, in perfect condition. It is a beautiful instrument with a great sound, 100% approved by our violin teacher.

Thanks for preparing [setting up] Very happy, overall. Thank you!