Sound

Sound Rating

9

Appearance

Appearance Rating

not rated

Customer Service

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

I had bought three violin in diffirent price range from corilon.At first I'm a little doubtful about purchasing musical instruments via internet since i can't play or see it.BTW, i'm living in Beijing,China, the delivery process is one of my concern as well.However, as the first violin arrived,i was surprised by it's intergrity. Well intact placed in a delicate designed package.looks and sounds exactly the same on the web.the service is also very enthusiastic.Dr.Roeben reconmended me 3 violins when she got known that i want to have an Guarneri
.The violins are super worthy.Highly recommnend to all worldwide fiddler.
Yuanzhi Chen

Overall Rating

9

Overall Comments

I've just purchased the London 5 Acoustic/Electric Violin and simply can't stop playing! The acoustic tone of this instrument is absolutely gorgeous. The internal piezo pick-up has THE most natural sound of all the pick-ups I've tried over 30 plus years of playing. Double stops are a breeze on this instrument as well. The string length is the same as my 4 string...so no adjustment to intonation is necessary, and last but not least, it is a physically beautiful instrument! Thank you Gary (GB Lutherie). I am a re-ignited musician! (And he also sells a 4 string "octave mandolin" that is a hoot to play...rich mellow tone.)

Overall Rating

10

Sound

Clear, sweet, rich, full sound. Very loud and yet very desirable tone. Everthing to like with no dislikes with regard to the sound.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

This instrument was made using European Spruce and Maple and was hand rubbed with oil varnish. The wood finishing is excellent. It has double purfling around the top and bottom edges and scroll designs carved into the upper and lower bouts on the two piece back. It did have what I considered to be several varnishing flaws or rough spots that have since been polished out. Its very beautiful in appearance and attracts a lot of attention with the carvings on the back.

Appearance Rating

9

Customer Service

This was my first time dealing with Kessler & Son's and their service was excellent and very quick. Their policies and practices are pretty much the norm. They know violins and don't try to sell you an instrument thats not quality. I definately plan to deal with them in the future.

Customer Service

9

Overall Comments

This is a well made, dependable and very beautiful instrument. That comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity from the maker. Its unique in design with a powerful and sweet sound. The finish could have been smoother and for more money, Scott Cao does offer a cosmetically nicer version. I wanted a fiddle I could depend on for years of heavy use that I knew was only going to get rougher looking with time.

Overall Rating

9

Overall Comments

I have always been a steel string user but have been wanting to experiment with synthetic strings for a warmer sound. I am very pleased with the sound and playability of these strings. They are just as easy to play as my Helicore strings I have been using but with more warmth but still seem to be loud enough. Now I have heard that they won't hold up to cross tuning which is fine because I've been more interested in non cross tuned old-time fiddle tunes right now and they are perfect for that. the only other synthetic strings I have ever tried were dominants and I like these Corelli strings WAY better and best of all they are much better priced. I never thought I would like non steel strings this much but these strings have opened my mind.

Overall Rating

7

Overall Comments

Book comes with cd. Excellent for beginner. Each tune offers a chance to learn a different skill. Tunes are played slow and up to tempo. Even though i have been playing for 10 years, i enjoyed it and feel i've tightened up some skills.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

The amount of effort Julian has dedicated to helping me find the fiddle that is right for me has been astounding. He has taken hours of his time where as most retail situations can spare mere moments.


His prices are reasonable and I have taken the time to compare similar (or the same) products on the web and at the local music shop (He actually beats the local shop for price).


He guarantee's his work for restoration and repair, and it seems obvious that he very much knows and loves what he is doing. As an added bonus he's a player himself (for the Victoria Symphony) so for newer musicians like myself he can demo the instruments wonderfully as well as understand what his clients want.


Julian is no elitist, he's down to earth and genuine which I've greatly appreciated.


Located in Victoria BC, I highly recommend him to anyone looking for an intermediate fiddle or up.

http://www.vitekviolins.com/

Overall Rating

10

Sound

I'm really satisfied with the sound of this violin according to my level. It sounds clear and with some character. Love the lower notes. I'm using it in a folk band with some reverb effect in the amp.

The instrument respond well to my technique and I'm been able to reach diferent colours in my play. Difference with my previous violin is incredible.

Sound Rating

8

Appearance

Is an instrument made approx. 1920. It has some flaws and a scracth in the top. Anyway, small details that doesn't afect to the sound and give the violin an interest and old appearance.

Love the flamed sycamore maple back of the instrument.

Appearance Rating

9

Customer Service

I think customer service is one of the strong points of corilon violins. The e-mail feedback is great and they help you to solve all your doubts.

You can try the instrument and returned it in 30 days if you are not satisfied

Customer Service

9

Overall Comments

Probably the best website to buy a used violin. I feel full confident during the purchase and I recomend corilon to all the violin lovers.

Overall Rating

9

Sound

Tone darkly sweet (or sweetly dark?). Excellent volume and superb projection. More than holds its own with dreadnaught guitars and resonator banjos. I bet it'll even hang in with brass. Most of my playing is in folk or popular styles and highly improvisational. This fiddle encourages it.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

Visually very attractive. Maple back and sides beautifully flamed. Grain on the spruce top generally quite tight and very even. Finish virtually flawless except in a couple of tiny, very hard-to-find areas with zero effect on tone, playability, or general appearance. Really somewhere between 9.5 and 9.8, rounded up to 10 because fractional points aren't available.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Haven't had to send an instrument in for repair, so can't speak to that. However, pre- and post-sale customer support were top notch and delivered primarily via web chat and email. (I appreciate this, since almost everywhere is a long distance call from here!) Heather, the rep with whom I dealt, is very knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. I believe Kennedy when they say that all of their staff are musicians.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

Unbeatable value, IMHO. I wanted this instrument to split the difference between my Eastman VL100 and my rather higher-end GCV Il Cannone copy. The Giuliani meets that goal handily, and if anything it's closer to the Guarneri copy. Based on my experience with this violin, I'd put Kennedy at or near the top of my 'go to' list for subsequent purchases.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I was looking for antique handmade violin to buy but i was a bit worried about buying violin online without knowing how it sounds like. I found Corilon Violins web site very well organized with very wide range of instruments and prices with sound samples which really encouraged me to step forward. I had some inquiries and they were really helpful and replied all my mails very fast. The violin was professionally and perfectly packed, with a sound and appearance matching exactly what i ordered. They are trustworthy and i can fully recommend to any musician who would like to buy string instrument.
Yasser Farghaly

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Ok.....I have had a chance to really put the G&Fills pickup throught the paces. First and foremost it needs a high impedance preamp, Red Eye (my favorite), LR Baggs Para-Acoustic DI works well as does the Baggs Stage venue DI. The output is very clean and accurate. It sounds closer to a well micd fiddle than any other piezo type pickup I have ever used and is extremely feedback resistant and noise free. I installed it in the bass side of the bridge in between the wing slot. It is not recommended by the manufacturer to have too much pressure. Just enough for a nice fit so it will hold the position. I am extremely impressed with the tone as it sounds like a violin instead of a saxophone which I always had to work around with excessive eqing. String to string balance is excellent. Even the C string on my Dudley 5 and my Kogut 5 sound accurate and as it should. With Baggs, Gage, Fishman and Bradivarius pickups I always had to roll a lot of bottom end off to get the C string to balance with the rest of the strings and that caused other problems.. I think Barry Dudley will be selling these for around $250 or so. He will be receiving a payment from me for the pickup. No funny business hear. It might seem a little pricey but it is well worth it to me. Barry is a good friend of mine but I have paid for every instrument he has built for me. I am only reviewing this because i think it is an option worth pursuing. I make my living playing the fiddle and sound can make you or break you. Barry Dudley is the US distributer for this pickup.

Barry Dudley

Dudley Violins

770-266-0237 shop

barry@dudleyviolins.com

www.dudleyviolins.com

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Overall Rating

7

Overall Comments

Recently my excellent luthier (who I must travel a very long distance to see) did a setup on a "flea market" fiddle I bought. Tone is now excellent, and the low action (he slightly shaved the top of the bridge thus lowering the height of the bridge and lowered the string slots, I believe) is just so easy to play, so much so that I wanted all my other fiddle bridges adjusted for lower playing action. But since he lives far away, I thought I would try this "self adjusting" Glaesel bridge designed for low action as a temporary measure until I can have my luthier adjust my other fiddles. The Glaesel Self-Adjusting Bridge has feet that can pivot to conform perfectly to the fit of the violin's top, and the bridge is available in three different models for High, Medium, or Low action,. I chose the Low and am perfectly satisfied with the results. No change in the the fiddles' tone at all that I can tell, but much easier to play with the slightly lower action. This product can clearly serve as a "stop gap" measure to allow action adjustments until one can get a fiddle to a luthier for some setup work, although I actually doubt now that I will even need to re-visit my luthier for that purpose; I'm that satisfied with the results.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Let me just say that I firmly believe that every old-time fiddler needs to own this. I have gained so much knowledge from this instructional video and it has also helped me shape the way I approach fiddling. John is a phonomenal teacher and is very articulate in the way he expresses his ideas. He explains them in a way that almost anyone can understand and is very good at showing examples of what he is trying to get across. Overall this is an extremely GREAT investment and I would highly recommend it to any fiddler. I would also suggest you purchase the following recordings for further studying of what John is teaching, "Wild Hog in the Red Brush," Gene Goforth's album "Emminence Breakdown," "Speed of the Old Longbow" and "Hamilton Ironworks."

Overall Rating

10

Sound

This violin was setup to perfection.Sounds just great,and I play variety of gender tunes ,everyone makes a comment abouit its sound.A few have made offers to purchase it. I declined.

Sound Rating

8

Appearance

The fiddle had a crack at the back.this was professionally repaired by an
English luthier. The varnish needs redoing slightly,but still looks fine after it is polished.There is no inlay done to it.

Appearance Rating

5

Customer Service

i have had it repaired

Customer Service

not rated

Overall Comments

I love this violin.Best I have ever had .

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Kennedy Violins is the place to go. They not only cheerfully answer all of your questions, they seems to really enjoy talking about their violins. They also have a video for almost every subject you need help.
My G2 is an awesome fiddle and came to me perfectly setup and ready to play. Don't buy or rent till you check them out.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

Tone is harsh, brash and unrefined. Must be properly set up, within it's limitations, before any more could possibly be determined.
The finish on the fiddle will always badly affect it's acoustic performance/projection.

Sound Rating

4

Appearance

It is very attractive/glossy at first glance. Close inspection shows very thick coating upon the body with sags, runs, and blemishes in the fitment of the body elements, impacts upon the body from the factory before finish was applied, low quality dark coating upon fingerboard, and two blemishes to the fingerboard, as shipped from the factory which the seller fully advised me of.
I AM VERY happy with the vendor, who shipped to me properly, and quickly. All told, a deal for the money I spent!

Appearance Rating

6

Customer Service

I am very pleased with the vendor, BoostLiquidation, which offered the fiddle at a reasonable cost, fully advised me of it's flaws, and posted 8 clear photographs of it's condition in the offering. They packed it quite well, and shipped it quickly. They also offered a money back return policy... which would be foolish, because of the shipping costs.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

I would buy another at this discounted price point!

Overall Rating

7

Overall Comments

Jonathan Goldstein at the String Workshop in Oak ridge TN, does great setups and repair and is very affordable. The turnaround time has been very speedy on both fiddles I have taken in recently. They were ready within 2 days one was for a new bridge and soundpost and the other was just for a new bridge. I was very happy with the results of both and will be using his shop exclusively for now on.

I have heard that more in depth work could take a fairly long time depending on how busy he is but Im sure no longer than any other shop. He is a great repair person and is also certified for martin guitar repairs.

Having a bridge cut only cost 30 dollars with tax and having a new bridge and sound post fit was less than 50 dollars. My fiddles now both sound great!

Overall Rating

10

Sound

rich, full sound with fantastic presence across all strings

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

has antiqued finish that makes your eyes just go wow! looks over two hundred years old. Stunning

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

I had them look out for the "one" that stands in both sound and appearance. Two came in and one was mine. Came in last week on Thurs., drove 85 miles on the next Tuesday and now has a new home.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

If you have a chance to put an ear to one of these models, it will compete with any $8,000.00 fiddle you find.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

My daughter's Mirecourt arrived safely yesterday. She loves its powerful sound. Her teacher is impressed. The whole experience of purchasing the violin was so smooth and efficient with their wonderful website. Dr. Annette Roeben professionally answered every little question I asked. There was no pressure in the decision making process. We'd like to come back in the future!

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I have just received a replacement violin for one that I was disappointed with and returned. Dr. Roeben recommended this powerful, bright, balanced, resonant Strad copy that I spent half the night playing, it sounded so good. Many thanks to Dr. Roeben for her efforts to keep a customer happy. As my skills improve and funds allow, I may use the Corilon 100% trade-in program to upgrade further.

Overall Rating

9