VN-905

The trial helped me choose my next violin

I received the violin and everything looks in good shape. So far I've been playing and it sounds pretty nice.

I noticed the G and D string resonate really well, but the A and E string sound much more muted in comparison. I'm trying to play the violin more to see if those strings will sound better.

[UPDATE] Thank you for your helpful input about the violin and strings breaking in. I guess I should just play more from now on!

Thank you for the additional discount and taking payments, it's greatly appreciated.

I'm keeping the violin! Thank you for all your help and your patience.

March 5, 2020

I am very happy with the sound of the violin and the custom setup

I have had the VN-905 violin I purchased from your shop (3 months ago) stored for quite a while and just started taking lessons with it (about two weeks ago).

I would like to say that I am very happy with the sound of the violin and the custom setup. The sound has really started to come out now which is very exciting!

August 3, 2018

I have never had this sense of confidence in any instrument purchase before

[REVIEW: Facebook, 5 stars] I do not write reviews often, simply because most transactions are average, in my opinion. Not one aspect of my purchase experience with Rhiannon was average – not by a long shot.

When it was clear that the time was right for me to consider replacing a violin lost years ago during a severe weather event, I took several weeks to search the various shops and companies with instruments for sale, and it was dizzying. I found many with overpriced instruments of questionable lineage and little to no provenance. I was nearly ready to give up when I stumbled across the Fiddleheads website.

What caught my full attention was the direct, transparent nature of instrument origins, manufacture, quality, pricing… It was direct and candid.

Rhiannon’s attention to the details of my purchase preferences and needs was great. Although I knew I was not the only client she was working with, she made it feel as if I were. She was personable, approachable, and willing to answer all the questions I would think of. She was always patient with my curiosity, and encouraged me to explore my options.

Settling on the instrument itself was a breeze. We discussed the visual of the instrument: stain, flaming of maple, boxwood or ebony – that sort of thing – but the focus always remained on what I needed from the violin performance wise… brighter, forward tone, or mellow, gentle depth? Faster action or responsiveness in lower register? It centered around the holistic relationship I wanted to develop with the instrument.

Rhiannon went through her stock to identify just the right fit, and I had full confidence in her suggestion. What made this aspect of the purchase even easier was her presentation of several instrument choices, accompanied by her advice to choose what I felt was the best fit for her. She helped me feel confident that I was getting the right violin and viola visually, aurally, and financially. I have never had that sense of confidence in any instrument purchase before.

Rhiannon’s pricing is competitive, approachable, and more than realistic, giving good quality for the individual need of each client, whether brand new student or seasoned player.

When the time comes for my own children to look at music, I hope at least one of them will want to play. I can’t wait for the day we go back to Fiddleheads for their new friend.

February 19, 2018

This violin convinced me to keep playing

[REVIEW: Facebook, 5 stars] I have just finished a lengthy evaluation process with Rhiannon in which I was trying to decide whether to buy a new violin to replace my "beginner" instrument with a new violin or whether to switch over to "the dark side" and buy a viola.

Rhiannon was very helpful and sent me her 905 violin and a her 202 viola. I had these two instruments for a couple of weeks and finally decided that I would stay on the violin side... yay!!!

I now have a brand new violin in my violin case
Thank you Rhi!!

January 26, 2018

Good upgrade for teenaged daughter

We received the violin today safely. No damage and everything is in good condition.

My 15 years old daughter has been playing violin for 3-4 years. She is currently enrolled in the regional high school strings program. She has been renting a violin and doesn't like its tone as she starts playing RCM grade 5 repertoire.

She tried playing the [905] violin today and thought that it has a nice sound.

[UPDATE: 1 week later] My daughter is playing the violin almost every day. The sound of the violin opens up a lot compared to before.

However, she still doesn't like the sound of the A string. It is still the original cheaper strings - Tonicas. She said it gave out noise when she plays the 2nd position.

We are changing to Dominant strings. Thank you for your suggestion.

[Note: Phyllis wrote a glowing review about the violin on Facebook but it has since disappeared, thanks Zuck!]

October 22, 2017

Puts Jay Haide to shame

I want to thank Rhi for a wonderful recommendation concerning this violin. Obviously, I looked at the site and liked the 903, but there are so many violins and I don't know which way to turn, therefore, I needed your help in making a decision.

Frankly, I bought a violin recently online at another shop and I hated it, so it is going back.

I have another violin that I've been playing, which is an intermediate Jay Haide violin, and quite frankly, sitting here playing them side by side, I have to say that I love the 905 at Fiddleheads. They have somewhat different tones of course, but I love the warm sound of the 905 and it's projection qualities compared to the Haide. The Haide has a brighter quality to it, but still I prefer the Fiddleheads 905 overall.

As I suspected though, the action on the new 905 is a little higher than I like, but that can be corrected quite easily. As far as aesthetics go the 905 is a beautify violin. In fact, it puts the Jay Haide to shame, from the finish to the peg detailing and Fiddleheads' added setup and Rhiannon's testing. I'm quite impressed with the violin in general and it far superior to the last one I purchased.

In retrospect I probably should have just gone with the 909, but I can always buy one from Fiddeheads down the road.

Ah yes, the name! Well, my guitars are all named after women, both fictional and non-fictional. I don't know if it's just me, but I have name instruments after the fairer sex. I've yet to name an instrument after a poet and since my two favorite poets are Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson, I've decided to call her Emily. So there you have it! Emily!

[UPDATE: 4 weeks later] The more I play your Zhu the more I love it. My instructor was commenting last night on how wonderful my violin sounded.

November 17, 2016

The trial was fun and the better violin won

The trial violins arrived quite quick, the Friday after you shipped them. Been playing them usually every second day for a few hours.

I've been humming and hawing , generally the the 905 is sounding best, against the 903 I play it better as well.

So far though I do play/sound better on the 905 (smoother/less mistakes), sound wise they are different but it seems hard to tell which I prefer. Friends and family have been on bouncing back and forth on sound as well, but all like the way I play the 905.

I'm going to keep the 905, I’m quite enjoying playing it and it's working well for me. So I’ll ship the 903 back. Thanks for the trial! It was fun.

October 15, 2015

Trial of 903 and 905: We are keeping the 905

We are keeping the 905 Strad model.

It is really incredible and anyone who plays it does a double take.

Once again, thanks for everything.

March 6, 2012

Fiddleheads' 905 vs. Jay Haide: 905 wins

I have put a few hours on the violins you sent. I like your 905 the best. I did try a John Haide violin today, a 2003 model, it was a little mellower but I think the 905 will come around with more playing.

[UPDATE: 6 months later] I'm loving my new fiddle I purchased from you and putting lots of hours on it.
Thanks for giving my songs a listen and also for the advice, everthing helps and I realize nothing but hours of dedicated practice work.

[UPDATE: 1 year later] Still loving my 905 violin and I think it's sounds better all the time (all the practice probably doesn't hurt either).

August 27, 2011

These violins played very well during trials at my studio

First of all, thank you for shipping 4 violins to my new student. It has been an interesting experience for us all.

As they probably let you know already, they chose one of the 905 models. They brought me the other 3 violins yesterday and I have been showing them to some of my other students.

One of the 903's is very popular - it has a particularly nice warm tone. Three people were interested in it, although only one is ready to purchase right now. I told her I would give her your contact information, so she can discuss payment with you.

Another family is interested in these violins as well.

- Bethany Goluboff

[UPDATE] Thanks for the help with my other student - it is a nice 905 they got there.

February 9, 2011

The best violins I heard at the fiddle contest

A few weeks back when I started thinking about acquiring a good violin, I went to a fiddle contest solely for the purpose of listening to each player. They were all quality players of excellent skill.

When I heard an instrument with an outstanding sound I questioned the player. The Strads were easy to identify and the owners confirmed my feeling they had played a Strad copy.

The three that stood out were Guarneri copies. Two were 905 and 903 fiddles from Fiddleheads. My little research at the fiddle contest has me setting my sights on a violin from you.

October 17, 2010

Wow! Your 1/2 size 905 has tremendous sound

Shifa played the violin over the weekend and likes the bigger sound. More than the violin, she enjoyed the pin you gave her!

[UPDATE: 3 Years Later] Shifa is now 10yrs old and is studying at the RCM Grade 7 level. The 905 Shifa currently uses has garnered many positive comments from professional violinists in the region for its dark tone, and for the projection/volume making many think it's a 3/4 including, apparently, our violin teacher.

June 22, 2009