Rhiannon's Organizational Skills

Inspiring business and owner

Congratulations on being awarded the Chamber of Commerce Environmental Leadership Award!

I have so much respect for you and all aspects of your business. The decision for Small Business of the Year was extremely close and truly a difficult decision, however somehow I knew you would win one award or another.

Listening and learning about your story, and how your business has grown was truly inspiring.

You reminded me of the quote, "settle for more." This is based off the fact that you have worked who hard that you have come to a point where you are truly content with where your business is.

That is really the goal that everyone tries for, and it is rare to see someone accomplish this.

Keep up the amazing work — and thank you for taking the time to meet with me.

November 5, 2021

A beautiful instrument provided with considerate, extensive service

The violin looks and sounds wonderfully. Probably you already know that from having enjoyed playing it a bit already.

We have wanted to conserve your efforts, which is why we've told you what we know, and don't, and we very much appreciate the "copious," helpful information you have been sending us and the time and effort you have expended to help us as ongoing customers.

Mr. Dimitrov does seem to be dedicated to his craft and also a nice person, plus his relationship with you is important; he had written us that you have been his dealer in Canada for 10 years and that he knows you well from that standpoint.

The certificate appears very thorough and professional, and it fits with it being a bench made instrument related to the personal attention of Mr. Dimitrov in its inception.

Thank you for this very thorough and informative insurance letter. It appears to be exactly what we would need for such an instrument. We look forward with great anticipation to seeing it this week. So, we're set for now, thanks to your and Mityo's efforts.

We thank you... for sending Mityo's beautiful instrument to us and for all your considerate, extensive care and attention to our preferences and musical needs.

All your attention to detail and for the helpful information you provided and working hard to complete this transaction... It is obvious why and how your business is successful.

August 26, 2020

Pleasant, efficient, friendly, excellent service

Thank you so much for accommodating my order [with a supplier who refuses to ship to Canadians]. My son will be so happy and it may get to us before he has to go back to Royal Military College in Kingston.

Thank you so much again. My aunt was not wrong when she said you go the extra mile.

[REVIEW: Facebook, 5 stars] Top rate service. Rhiannon is willing to go the extra mile to make your experience first rate. Pleasant, efficient, friendly, excellent.

August 7, 2020

Infinitely grateful to have a left-handed viola made for me

I sent it the payment! I have full faith, and am infinitely grateful that I can cherish a left handed instrument like this.

Thank you for this opportunity! I've been catching myself looking at the pictures you sent over and over again, and will send thanks and a good review when she's in my hands.

These times are difficult for everybody, and being a person who depended on performing for 70% of my income, I know grumpiness won't bring anything back. Keep your life's work alive if you have the opportunity!

All good things for those who wait. Thanks for handling this. Wonderful! All is good! Thank you so much. Don't overwork yourself. I greatly appreciate the [case] upgrade!

July 31, 2020

Completely and totally overwhelmed: It sounds nothing short of magnificent

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!!!!

July 23, 2020

I was incredibly nervous about buying such an expensive instrument online but Rhiannon made it the best experience

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.

July 22, 2020

Fast delivery across the line

I patiently awaited my new baby's arrival and was not worried about the delay for setup.

Rhiannon was very patient with me so how could I complain? Will it make my instrument arrive sooner! No, of course not. She was just doing some small tweaking to make sure I have an instrument that I will love! I can't be upset over that.

She was incredibly kind and patient with me. It is only fair that I extend her the same courtesy. This is how good business relationships are established.

Besides, I have run a business in the past and I understand that there is a lot going on behind the scenes and I also know that I am not Fiddleheads' only customer.

[UPDATE]
I had a nice surprise today. A knock on my door fifteen minutes ago. I was expecting my violin tomorrow but it moved through the system faster than planned.

I opened the door and here is a driver standing at my door with his electronic pad. I looked down and saw a long, rectangular box and I knew what it was. Thanks!

November 4, 2019

All my worries about shopping online melted away

Since receiving my new Ivan Stankov viola from Rhiannon's Fiddleheads violin shop, I have been dancing on air. Let me tell you why, and why I can warmly and highly recommend Rhiannon's help in your search for the perfect violin or viola.

I'm over 70, and have been playing violin for a number of years (about 10), but wanted to switch to viola as I like the alto register better. Since my violins were family hand-me-downs I really knew nothing about how to find the perfect instrument. After searching the internet, I ran across the Fiddleheads' website and decided to just ask for information.

One of my biggest concerns was about shopping over the internet for something so complex and even more about shipping of such a fragile instrument. (I live in a semi-remote area of Alaska, and packages most often arrive late, crushed, or damaged.) Added to all this, I had limited income and a strict budget.

Rhiannon was wonderful, warm and personable throughout the entire transaction, from search to purchase. She answered all my questions large and small, took all my conditions and found a gorgeous viola with an amazing voice for me.

She arranged for photos and worked with the maker, Ivan Stankov, to provide a video recording so I could hear the viola's sound. Even after all this, I was hesitant about shipping, but Rhiannon described the lengths that would be taken to package the instrument safely. Not only did it arrive incredibly quickly, it came through unscathed – from Bulgaria to Alaska! The packaging was superb. The outer box had a couple of dings, but inner was fine.

As to the Ivan Stankov viola itself – first of all, it's beautiful. It's a 16" Guarneri model set up with rosewood fittings. But even more importantly, its voice is dark, warm, and resonant (a friend described it as having a dark chocolate tone). Switching from violin to viola can be, I'm told a bit difficult, but the setup was so great I've found the changeover to be very easy. I love it!

Reading the alto clef is a bit of a challenge, keeps the brain active for sure. It traveled very well, and is doing even better as days go by. As she recommended, I am playing it lots. Truly, I can't thank her enough. I am so glad Rhiannon found this viola for me!

I am so happy!! And I am dancing. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!! Multiple hugs!!

If you want to find the perfect violin or viola, I highly recommend that you ask for Rhiannon's help!

November 4, 2019

By far the best shopping experience with the most knowledgeable shop owner possible

I recently purchased a very fine Polish master violin from Fiddleheads. I highly recommend this shop and its thoroughly knowledgeable proprietor. Rhiannon answered all of my questions about the violin and she just knew that it was the right fit for me.

I had been feeling that the violin that I was playing on was limiting me both technically and interpretively. You reach a point with your playing when you need something more. I had been searching for a great violin that "wouldn't break the bank," so to speak.

I will be performing the Bruch Concerto no.1 this coming November and just felt that my current violin, while very good, was limiting me, not allowing me to express myself as completely as I would like to.

Before I get into the specifics about this violin, let me offer some background information about myself.

While not a professional violinist, that was more a matter of choice. I turned down a very prestigious music conservatory in the East because I was not willing to commit at the time to being away from my family. I have been playing the violin for nearly 50 years and have studied with some very famous violinists over the years. I have played in community orchestras, chamber groups, in churches, for weddings, and as soloist with orchestra.

I have played on violins costing a few thousand dollars, and on violins costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. I also apprenticed for a short time in a major violin shop in New York City, learning about proper set ups. I know good violins. In short, I am a violin buff.

I have owned Italian, French, German, Bulgarian, Romanian, American, and Chinese violins over the years. Some violins have been good, and some have been very good, but none in my opinion were great. I can honestly say that this one is a great violin.

After playing on violins from Romania, Italy, China, and Bulgaria - I was at a loss. The $5000 range is nice, but really could not take me to where I wanted to be with violins . Still, I was limited to a range below $10,000. I had heard and read very good things about these violins, but they were still a bit out of my price range.

Searching the internet and researching violins and makers, I came across this violinmaker. I learned that he was producing very fine violins that almost rivalled his masters.

While his violins can fetch prices as high as $11,000, I saw that Fiddleheads had a very reasonably priced violin of his for less than $8,000. It was literally thousands of dollars less than any other shop. I emailed the owner, Rhiannon, and she replied back within a couple of hours.

When I contacted Fiddleheads and spoke with its owner, Rhiannon, about the violin, I immediately knew that I had made the right decision. We spoke on the phone and she listened attentively to what my playing needs were. Because she is also a violinist and performer, Rhiannon knew that the violin would be the perfect partner for the Bruch Concerto.

Rhiannon is the consummate professional! She is so willing to help and accommodate you with a trial period, that I really had nothing to lose. She arranged for a trial period of a 2018 Guarneri model violin.

I was a bit leery about purchasing a violin from another country, even if it does border the USA. I had always dealt with shops from within the USA (Shar Music, Southwest Strings, International Violin, Johnson Strings, etc.). I have to say that this experience beat them all. From the exceptional price of the violin, to the customer service, packing, 2-day shipping, and trial period, everything went smoothly and better than expected.

I had a couple of sleepless nights worrying about the violins journey to the US, but after receiving the violin and seeing the way it was packaged and shipped I knew my worries were all for naught. The violin came in a couple of days.

The way that the violin was packed was unlike anything that I had ever seen before. It was in a "violin dart shaped" box inside a bigger rectangular box! The outside box was completely enclosed in brown wrapping paper and was marked with "Fragile" stickers all over it.

On the box was a handwritten note from Rhiannon to me about the violin. Once I opened the main box, the smaller violin box was encapsulated by reused Styrofoam walls and plastic bubble wrap. There was also a note to me on the violin box.

When I opened the violin box, the violin was in a beautiful violin sack, surrounded by smaller air filled plastic pillows. The neck of the violin was cradled in a Styrofoam block designed to prevent the violin from moving around in the dart shaped box. This was truly a sight to behold!

Upon unpacking the violin (which was meticulously packed and shipped in a manner I had never seen before), I stood amazed at the sheer beauty of this violin. It wasn't red, or orange like so many modern violins, but a beautiful shade of brown over a golden ground. A very transparent deep varnish. Beautifully figured maple (a one-piece back) and a tightly grained spruce top.

It was tastefully antiqued and very reminiscent of a what a golden period Cremonese violin looks like today. I quickly tuned the violin and proceeded to play it for nearly five hours that first day.

I wrote this to Rhiannon straight away:

"I must admit, I think this Violin is worth the money just by sheer looks! (It even smells sweet!) This is a beautiful, beautiful violin!! After playing it for a minute I could tell it blows away my other master violin!!! I can never play this violin in an orchestra... I would not want to chance it getting injured by a careless player!!!

"I am so happy!!! I feel like my heart is going to burst through my chest!!! This is definitely a better Violin than any one I have previously owned!!! I even tried and considered a [more costly competitor's] violin about three years ago and this violin is better than that one!!

"Yes, yes, yes, yes!!!! She is a keeper. And now back to my new baby!!"

I made this violin my own after only a couple of hours of playing it.

This is truly the violin of my dreams - a marvellously rich tone, dark and broad in the low register, and brilliant and soaring in the high register. It's hard to believe that this is a brand new instrument. The set up is meticulously done, and the instrument is a marvel to look at. It looks like a well preserved violin from the golden period of Cremona.

This violin just sounds like a well maintained old concert violin. I cannot believe that it is only a one year old violin?! It can play the softest pianissimo, and is capable of producing voluminous sound. I cannot wait to play the Bruch on it with orchestra!

Rhiannon's and Fiddleheads set-up of this violin is equally amazing. Pegs that turn smoothly and hold in place. A well- shaped top nut, perfectly planed fingerboard, well-made Milo Stamm bridge, perfectly cut and positioned sound post, proper bridge to tailpiece string after-length, and Evah Pirazzi Gold strings. In NYC I would have to pay close to $1,000 for this type of a set-up.

While I had a two-week trial period, I arranged for the balance of my payment to be made the first day. The violin has that dark desirous Guarneri sound. It is thick and full on the G and D strings. The A and E strings are equally impressive for the quality of their tone. The E string on this violin rings like a bell all the way up the fingerboard.

Back to customer service -- Rhiannon is a complete professional.

Customer service was first rate. Rhiannon is a pleasure to deal with. She is a total professional and knows her violins! She thoroughly answered the many questions I had about the violin both before, during, and after the purchase.

She also sent me a beautifully written letter about the condition, origin, and value of the violin for insurance purposes.

Her price on this marvellous instrument was thousand less than anywhere else. Couple that with an excellent trial period and it was totally stress free experience.

This Polish violin is a phenomenal instrument - deep rich tone, brilliant in the high register, with plenty of power -- truly outstanding instrument, best I have ever owned (and maybe even played too).

I brought the violin to my luthier in NYC and he was amazed by the quality of build and sound of it. He said that for me to get an equivalent hand-made violin in a shop in NYC, I would have to spend at least $20,000.

I highly recommend this shop and Rhiannon.

I am eternally grateful and indebted to Rhiannon for all she has done for me with regards to my violin. She's a great business person and offering excellent customer service and products.

I am sure she has made many musicians very happy since she started Fiddleheads in 1997. She is a true gem! I will definitely be recommending musician friends to here from here on in.

So there you have it, I cannot wait to get home from work each day to play this magnificent violin and unlock more and more of its as yet undiscovered potential.

I highly recommend the Polish master violins from Fiddleheads.

August 23, 2019

Rhiannon gave me the confidence to buy a violin online: Her top reputation is deserved

[REVIEW: Facebook, 5 stars] This is an amazing place to buy your violin. if you were reading this post, you may be in the same position as me a month ago. Looking to buy a violin and stumbled into fiddleheads while doing some research online. I start emailing them to get more information.

The owner Rhiannon is absolutely amazing!! I have never dealt with anyone with such great passion for her work and treat her customers like very good friends. She had taught me a lot and was guiding me and providing different options that totally fit my needs.

At this day and age, we are expected to be comfortable with shopping online. This started out as quite a nerve racking experience trying to buy such an expensive violin online. Our violin teacher was very against the idea. I was very sceptical doing such a purchase online. However, Rhiannon gave me confidence to believe in her and go for it.

I got a Angela Moneff and it is so stunningly beautiful. The sound is still new but I am seeing it opening up bit by bit every it was played. Thank you so much Rhiannon! Once you start contacting Rhiannon, you will know what I mean.

Rhiannon is a talented lady! Busy mom, successful business owner and professional violinist! She is a God sent Angel. Thanks to Rhiannon for being so creative for suggesting some ways to save money. The savings were significant. Her generosity brought tears to my eyes.

I wanted something that has more potential and can retain value. The violin will be my daughter's partner for her performances and exams in the next few years. The violin is beautiful. Soundwise, it still sounds very new. Looking forward to see it opening up as she plays more.

This was a major breakthrough for us to open up to buying violins online. It took quite some courage for me to make this move. Rhiannon was absolutely amazing all the way in my violin hunting journey! I had so many questions and she was always so patient to address all my concerns. I have learnt so much from her.

My daughter's music school has over 200 strings students. I have been sharing my experience dealing with Fiddleheads with other parents. They are all very interested in my purchase. I am sure I will have many referrals.

I can see she is a very genuine and sweet lady. Wish I can meet her in person and am imaginating having afternoon tea with her. :-)

The reputation and attitude of the store are the key and Rhiannon is doing a fantastic job!

[UPDATE: 6 months later] It is 6 months now and the Angela Moneff violin is breaking in and sounding good. The video does not do justice because this was performed in a school gym and I recorded it with my cellphone. It sounded fantastic in person! Its superb performance is very noticeable in such concert setting as the sound (even for a non musician like me) stood out compare to all the other violins being played.

I know there is limited information on Angela Moneff violin, hope this video will provide more confidence for those looking in to buying one. same position as me a month ago. Looking to buy a violin and stumbled into fiddleheads while doing some research online. I start emailing them to get more information.

The owner Rhiannon is absolutely amazing!! I have never dealt with anyone with such great passion for her work and treat her customers like very good friends. She had taught me a lot and was guiding me and providing different options that totally fit my needs.

I was very sceptical doing such a purchase online. But Rhiannon had provided me full confidence to go for it. I got a Angela Moneff and it is so stunningly beautiful. The sound is still new but I am seeing it opening up bit by bit every it was played.

Thank you so much Rhiannon! Once you start contacting Rhiannon, you will know what I mean.

June 9, 2019

Love it! Happy with the bow

Many thanks again for all the organising to arrange me having the Baroque bow.

April 14, 2019

The violin is a beauty! I was not disappointed by relying on Rhiannon. Give her a try!

(Background: I had played violin 30 years ago but never got to the level to make the violin sing. Now I'm near to retirement and am picking it up again. I wanted an intermediate violin outfit that doesn't cost an arm and a leg).

My VN-102 violin arrived today. I found it on my front stoop when I came home. I could not believe how light it was! It arrived undamaged although I had to tune the strings up a bit. It looks great! I love what Rhiannon sent.

Very grateful for all your effort, Rhiannon. She is a beauty! I'm very happy with the violin and can't wait to start getting better.

[UPDATE REVIEW 2 weeks later: Google, 5 stars] The main reason I ended up buying a violin from Rhiannon is that most of the other places I contacted had sales people who were ready to do a deal but had never played the violin. I was mainly interested in how the violin would sound.

Every salesperson just assumed that the violin they sent me would sound great - but they had never played themselves. I know that just buying a violin didn't guarantee that the violin would sound good. Rhiannon assured me that she would play the violin and make sure it sounded up to her standards before mailing a violin to me.

I ended up ordering a Sun VN-102 violin (which was in my budget). Rhiannon was helpful throughout the entire buying process. She also helped me keep the purchase within my budget. I am very pleased with the violin I received - it sounds and looks really good.

I would recommend her to anyone interested in buying a violin. Give her a call and talk to her. She makes herself quite available as she responded to an e-mail of mine as my initial contact.

I knew that buying a decent violin from the start would be more cost effective that buying a "good" deal (less expensive) and getting a violin whose sound disappointed me - requiring me to buy a second.

I was not disappointed by relying on Rhiannon. Give her a try!

February 21, 2019

A strikingly beautiful violin with a warm, rich sound

I received the violin today in fine shape .... thank you very much, Rhiannon, for packing it well and for your fine service. I love the violin ... it is beautiful and has very nice tone and projection ... I am sure I shall treasure it for many years to come. It is a heck of a lot better than my old violin!

Here is my official review:

I am extremely pleased with the Angela Moneff (Guarneri del Gesu il cannone pattern) I purchased from fiddleheads.ca. Before purchasing the violin, I watched theowner of the violin shop, Rhiannon, testing two Moneff violins on you tube and was very impressed with the violin's appearance and sound. I then asked Rhiannon some questions about the Moneff violin in stock which she answered to my complete satisfaction.

I received the violin (with free shipping) via priority Canada Post in immaculate condition and it has even exceeded my fondest expectations. Although far from being an accomplished musician, I find the violin easy to play, very responsive and even through the entire range, with a rich tone and good projection.

In addition it is very well finished and beautiful to look at ... with a one piece flamed maple back and ribs and finely grained spruce top.

The head and pegs are also very nice (pegs adjust smoothly and easily) ... in my opinion, a Moneff strikingly beautiful violin with a warm, rich sound. easy to play and good value for the price!!

February 14, 2019

Rhiannon's patience with a total beginner

[REVIEW: Google and Facebook, 5 stars] I am just starting out learning fiddle as a recently-retired adult. At 60 years old and recently retired, i have decided to learn to play some fiddle, an instrument i have enjoyed listening to all my life.

As anyone in this position will know, the options for selecting a suitable instrument are quite endless, made tougher by not being really able to try one out because... well because I don't play one! I was doing a of of reading on-line and went to a couple of retail stores but not really settling on any firm direction.

I reached out to Rhiannon by email after reading through her website and all the accolades from previous customers. To my surprise, she wrote back with a VERY lengthy and informative email answering all my various questions and more.

We corresponded a bit further clarifying some points, before I made arrangements to visit her and have a look and listen to a few violins in my price range.

She invited me to her home on a Sunday, where she spent over two hours with me answering questions, demonstrating various models and teaching me basic techniques for setting up the violin, tuning, bow selection, etc.

I ended up selecting a Bellissma model. I've had it for a week now and I am confident I made the right choice.

But mostly, I would like to thank Rhiannon for all her time and patience with a total beginner. I felt she really wanted me to have an instrument that would work for me and I was very comfortable purchasing from her.

I would definitely recommend fiddleheads.ca to anyone in a similar situation.

September 3, 2018

My daughter's violin was so good, I got one for myself for solo work

[REVIEW: Facebook, 5 stars] Last winter I purchased an outstanding Wojiech Topa violin for my daughter, who is an advancing violinist in our town's high school elite chamber orchestra. I've enjoyed listening to her play the instrument so much that I decided that I wanted to get one for myself to use as a soloist.

I reached out to Rhiannon with my request for a Topa that was a different model that my daughter's Guarnerius model, and Rhiannon arranged for me to try a Topa Guadagnini model.

I was impressed with the rich tone immediately, and she arranged for me to take it on trial at home. She offered good advice, was very easy to do business with while providing reasonable, competitive pricing. I ultimately decided to purchase it.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Rhiannon to anyone anywhere who is looking for a quality violin.

July 10, 2018