This violin is actually is accelerating my learning

This violin is actually is accelerating my learning

Favorite Violin Lady Rhiannon, what do they say up in your neck of the woods when something really terrific and exciting happens? Around here we say something like "The Eagle has landed" or maybe just "YEE-HAW!" However, I'm not well-versed in Canadian idioms, so I'm just going with a simple "RHIANNON RULES!!!!"

You done good.

The much-anticipated new instrument arrived and was quickly being played.

Right out of the box its beautiful wood glowed and, after a tune, the violin had a rich and mellow tone. It's outstanding.

Now don't hate me but I totally disregarded your advice to let it get broken in a bit before I took it to my tough-minded teacher. That was your fault since the instrument you sent is too terrific to hide away. I had a lesson scheduled last night, so I took it with me, and [..... pause, building suspense,.....] she thought it was excellent.

My teacher raved over the quality of the sound, was very impressed with its wood and thought it was ideal for me.
We wound up using it for the rest of the night. It's already given me more confidence and huge enjoyment. My teacher was disappointed in me, however, for not taking a video of playing the first note.

I've had a really great week with my new violin, and my teacher continues to be very impressed with it (less so my playing) and said tonight that I would have to pay hugely more to get a better instrument. So it's a keeper and the payment for the balance I owe you will be on it's merry way on the wires as soon as I get done here.

At first I thought it might be a higher level of instrument than I could use well. I am finding, though, that its quality actually is accelerating my learning and making every session with it a true joy.

My teacher said that she will be in touch with you about sending something in for your website and seeing if she could arrange a link to you on hers, where she features several outstanding violin sellers. She wasn't familiar with you and asked for more information, which I'll give, so you may well be destined to become the Queen of Left-Handed Violins (and more, I hope).

Also, I think you are too modest. Your reputation, integrity and service are Rock-of-Gibraltar solid with me. I expect to nominate you for the Queen of Music (Humor and Customer Service Category) at next year's BC (maybe even all-Canada) Ms. Music Festival.

All funning aside, Rhiannon, I feel quite fortunate that you have lefties. I already feel that both my learning and playing is improving substantially in light of the tremendous sound quality. So thank you, and I truly look forward to finding something else that I need to buy so that I can pester you further.

Very best wishes to you. If ever you get to Chicago, let me know, as I would love to meet. I'll do the same if I find Kamloops in my future.

[UPDATE: 4 months later]
My VN-103 from Fiddleheads is proving to be a phenomenally beautiful appearing and sounding instrument. Rhiannon at Fiddleheads helped me immensely in selecting this instrument to fit where I stand in my learning journey. To note a few observations:

1. The 103 weighs in at exactly 16 ounces, 2 ounces less than my prior violin.

2. The color is beautiful throughout, with intriguing slight variations on both the front and the back as part of the understated antiqued look.

3. Overall, the color is a rich, mid-range mahogany.

4. The front shows a grain running parallel to the finger board, with a few areas of slightly lighter shades, leaving the impression of some aging. There is a darker outline of the violin front where the front meets the sides, which also contributes to the aging effect. The color differences on the back are a bit more pronounced, as the back is comprised of two separate pieces of wood. Overall, the back is something of a number of subtle, light and dark, horizontal stripes that line up seamlessly in the middle. The sides have a pretty-much uniform pattern of alternating and minutely varying stripes that continue up into the scroll.

5. The ebony chin rest has a subtle pearling of brown stripes in the black. This matches the wood used on the front, neck and back and draws attention when seen up close.

6. The sound is impeccable. It is both rich and deep and comes readily from every bow stroke. In contrast to my prior instrument, there is no metallic “sliding” sound that often comes from the slightly imperfect bow stroke of a learning student. In that and other ways the 103 could be said to be “forgiving.” My teacher, who has very discerning hearing, also praised the sound and was definitely impressed that I made the investment in my violin future.. After several weeks of using the violin I don't have a single critique of its sound quality. In fact, the sound has continued to improve throughout my use, and I look forward to reviewing again in a while as I continue to learn about the instrument's great performance.

7. As this is a substantially more advanced instrument than many learner violins, I am finding that the superior sound quality actually accelerates learning, primarily I think because the violin does not produce the harsh notes that can be so disruptive to a learner's playing on a lesser violin and because the superior sound is highly rewarding and therefore encourages more practice.

8. The production workmanship appears superb, and the pre-shipment preparation of the violin before shipment to make it ready to play immediately on arrival was meticulous. The packing for the shipment from Fiddleheads was extremely well-cushioned and protective.

9. This violin is more expensive than many that an intermediate player or a student might see. In my view, though, this is a classic case of long-term value vs. immediate cost. After several weeks of experience with the violin, I am totally convinced that the value (mainly from the substantial improvements in my playing and enjoyment that the violin is leading me to) has already exceeded the cost and will continue to do so.

April 19, 2018
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