Overall Comments

I'M A AMATEUR FIDDLE PLAYER, BUT THESE ARE MY THOUGHTS.BETTER THAN THE BRAZILWOOD I HAD.EASIER TO BOW WITH.BOWING TWO STRINGS IS EASIER.I LIVE IN A VERY LOW HUMIDITY IN SUMMER TO VERY HIGH HUMIDITY IN WINTER. ONE LESS THING TO WORRY AMOUNT.IT PLAYS THE SAME ALL THE TIME.

Overall Rating

8

Sound

Clean rich sound, every note not has character

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

looks great.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Fret Mill Music in Roanoke VA. is the best,
A Big Thank You to Ken.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

this is worth every bit what you pay. a very nice violin.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

Fast Old Time and Scottish Tunes.
Bright sound not real loud but still breaking in.
Has good resonance.
Sounds as full as more expensive model three times the price.

Sound Rating

8

Appearance

Very pretty back. Front has nice red grain.
Fair finish in the "F" holes few noticeable flaws.
Chin rest wasn't centered.

Appearance Rating

7

Customer Service

Lifetime Eastman warranty.
Haven't dealt with the company but they have a good reputation.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

Great moderately priced fiddle. Advanced fiddle with good sound.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I just recently purchased a Genial Guarneri fiddle from S G Fiddles and I have to say it is one of the sweetest sounding fiddles I have ever heard. It has lots of power and drive as well as it is very loud. The Genial Guarneri fiddle is excellent and it plays and sounds good enough to play in a band or on stage.The staff at S G Fiddles suggested this fiddle to me and I am so glad they did! They did the set up on it ,and it plays so easy and so smooth, with very little effort. I also like the J. Laselle bow they suggested. It has a nice balances and draws the sound out well. It came with a Protech case that is super nice. The staff at S G Fiddles are very nice and helpful. They listened to me and suggested exactly what I needed to get the sound and playability I was looking for. They did not pressure me at all. They just wanted to help me get what I was looking for. I got my fiddle in only a few days after I ordered it and it was packaged well. S G Fiddles met and exceeded all my expectations.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I am a beginner, purchasing a starter Fiddle/Violin. I shopped hard online, and found this retailer through Fiddle Hangout links. I received very personal service, step by step advice and a lot of help by e-mail and phone from the owner. This is a small shop, which I like to support anyway, but the service far surpassed my expectations. I was not pressured to over buy and given very detailed but accurate information. The owner is a musician and the set up and recommendations were excellent. When I learn and am ready for an upgrade, I will not shop again...I will contact this seller first. Very high recommendation. While this is my first fiddle, I play mandolin and guitar, and understand how important the specific set up and specifications are to musical success and learning.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I've been looking for a efficient and effective way to practice scales and arpeggios. I think, for me, this book and the accompanying CD might be it.

There are many things I like about it:

1) Each exercise has a recorded track which can be adjusted for speed or looped if it's played with a program like BestPractice.

2) There are suggested bowing patterns for many of the exercises.

3) The exercises are varied, e.g., an arpeggio in jig time, a scale "played in hornpipe fashion."

3) The exercises were chosen to help fiddlers develop an ear for the elements that make up fiddle tunes.

4) The exercises focus on fiddle keys (G, D, A, C, F, Bb).

5) The book advances into minor, 7th, and diminished arpeggios and scales and arpeggios over chord changes.

In the past, I've had to think up which scales to practice and decide how I was going to do it, sometimes recording a play-along track on our digital piano to keep me in tune, and that's been a time-consuming stumbling block. I've also tried playing along with the program "Fiddle Scales" (which I like, by the way) but the artificial sound gets old.

I've only had Mr. Stobbe's book and CD three short days, but I think it's a keeper. I'm finding that the challenge of playing a variety of exercises along with the recording and staying in tune is valuable and because it's enjoyable, the time goes very fast.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

I have it set up with Helicore strings with a dark sound. It has opened up a lot since I got it but it is still maturing. I like the dark sound and it plays the high notes very brightly.

Sound Rating

8

Appearance

The finish is a semigloss. It isn't shaded and doesn''t show fingerprints. There weren't any flaws scratches or cracks. There was no custom inlay work.

Appearance Rating

8

Customer Service

The seller was very nice but the lady I spoke to wasn't an expert on fiddles and couldn't help me with questions. I can't complain about their service. I havent had any reason to have it repaired so I don't know about warranty.

Customer Service

7

Overall Comments

Overall I was pleased and would buy it again from the Fiddle Barn. Here is the Youtube URL I made reviewing the fiddle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL9T5LsqbUA

Overall Rating

8

Overall Comments

I have started teaching from his Book 1. My young students enjoy playing the American Tunes, and not as easily bored as with my other method books. A bit pricey, but well worth the investment. The piano accompaniment is fun to play with. I also like the historical inserts about the tunes. Mark has several photos of him at a young age.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

i need info on what types of sealer needed as first coat on bare wood, i read where the varnish, ect., would saturate the wood and dull the sound and that sealer is required as first preparation, if so, i would like to know about the types used ....

Overall Rating

9

Overall Comments

i need some info sealing the bare wood of this instrument before the finish varnish color.
the heel of the neck inside the box is stamped 1711

Overall Rating

5

Sound

I Have started playing fiddle 3 years ago and so far it's been great. I put new strings on and adjusted the bridge for fiddle style. I'm good enough to jam with now and got compliments on the loud sound but not my ability to play!

Sound Rating

8

Appearance

Check them out on the web. there are pictures and everything. just google k&k music. I have one small appearance flaw on the back but doesn't bother me or the sound. After all I got a good price on it.

Appearance Rating

8

Customer Service

No repair was necessary. Check the web sight for warranty

Customer Service

9

Overall Comments

Good fiddles.

Overall Rating

9

Overall Comments

This bow is one of Yita's AAA Top Models, snakewood, with "gold" fittings, and a snakewood frog. The craftsmanship is excellent, in all respects. Not a thing amiss to note. The hair quality was excellent, as was the job of hairing. Only one hair broke when I rosined it, and I've yet to lose another. (I've only lost two hairs on my Coda Diamond GX since it was new.) The bow is well balanced, biased a bit toward the tip (tip heavier), which suits me best. This was a factor that I considered in my purchasing this particular bow. Yes, it is heavy, 10 grams heavier than my Coda, but I knew that when I bought it. Yita clearly posts the specs for each of their bows.

The weight didn't seem to be much of an issue . . . until I hit dance-tempo, with some quick shuffles. I was used to the lighter bow, thus my right-hand wasn't used to pulling the extra weight at that tempo, and I could tell that it ever so slightly affected my timing. Some tunes I noticed this, others I didn't, but as the night wore on, I got more and more used to it, as I figured I would.

The tone was every bit as good as the Coda Diamond GX, only bigger, in ever sense. The extra weight is a blessing, and actually what I was after. Since I play off my chest, the fiddle is canted quite a bit. This allows my right-arm to hang naturally, and I only have to raise it a little for crossing onto the G (yes, the bridge is flatter). That's nice for ergonomics and speed, but provides that less of the bow's weight be transferred onto the strings, owing to the angle of the bow in relation to the ground.

The bow does its best work by allowing it to work. No extra pressure at all, ever. The stick is very resilient, and recovers rapidly. Not as quick as does the Coda, but this is all very subtle, and only noticeable whilst looking at the sticks. As stated, the tone does not suffer, so I consider this a necessary part of its design. Different materials, different taper, etc., so it should be different. Also, I find that it takes less tension on the hair for this stick, as opposed to the Coda, and yet I never bump the stick. I have about 1/8" of air between the hair and stick.

As far as the bow goes, I couldn't be happier. The price was quite reasonable for what I got. Actually, it was more than reasonable.

Yita's service was exceptional, too. I paid on a Tuesday night (here), they sent it on a Wednesday morning (here), and I got it Monday. It was sent via China's EMS (Express Mail Service), then picked up by USPS after clearing customs. It was sent in a rigid, plastic tube, to which was taped a large piece of foam. This foam provided a flat place for the paper-work (customs), but also made it difficult for the postal services to lose. Wrapped in a bright, yellow tape, it looked like a flag.

Buying a bow sight/sound unseen like this is a potentially risky venture. Knowing what I wanted in a bow minimised the risks, but there is always the potential that it wont be as good as the photos, or the tone will not be sufficient. Yita offers 14 days for returns. The loss would be shipping both ways (shipping to me was included in the price of this bow). I would have attempted to sell it, rather than shipped it back, though.

Yita Music has 11,800+ positive feed-back ratings on eBay. That says it all about their devotion to a high level of quality and customer-service.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I was fortunate enough to attend Megan Lynch’s and Casey Henry’s Bluegrass Jam Camp in Goodlettsville TN in late Sept 09. This was my 3rd time to attend a camp hosted by Megan Lynch and I must say that her camps keep getting better and better. Once again, the level of talent that she was able to find to teach the classes was second to none. Many of the instrument instructors were or have been nominees for IBMA instrumentalists of the year. Others were active touring Bluegrass professional musicians who converged at Megan’s camp to openly share their vast knowledge. Her instructors were able to teach at all levels. No matter your playing level/ability, you were able to learn and improve. Each day consisted of several classes on all different aspects of Bluegrass Muisc. In only 4 days, I was able to get EXPERT instruction on Jam etiquette, harmony singing, fiddle playing, mandolin playing, upright bass playing, and guitar playing. After class we even made a few field trips to the Station Inn, and the Grand Ole Opry. The food was excellent, and the joking between campers was a lot of fun. Nowhere else in the world can you go and get this much musical education from the top performers in the Bluegrass industry.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

“If You Want To Go To Sleep, Go To Bed”. Is the title of the new cd by banjoist Hunter Robertson and fiddler Casey Joe Abair. And it is obviously a work that involved a lot of late nights for a long time before any recording equipment was ever set up. When the players know each other well, and have put in many hours together, fiddle and banjo duets can catch fire, producing an event that is more than the sum of the two instruments. Abiar and Robertson obviously know each other well and know how to throw ideas back and forth in a way that brings the listener a new insight into the music. If that all sounds a bit “classical”, well perhaps it is. The banjo fiddle combination is does not have the full sound of a string band, it is more like a chamber group, where the communication between instruments and players is more important than a full group sound. Listeners can really hear the two instruments because they differ in range, timbre, attack, sustain, and so many other ways. It is almost as if the fiddle and banjo go so well together because they have so little in common.

Banjo and fiddle is also one of the most exacting and dangerous combinations to record. Unlike a full band, fiddle and banjo will not cover mistakes for each other. Each player is fully responsible for every note he produces. This is not music for players who need the safety net of guitar and bass.

The selection of tunes is heavily weighted toward the old tunes played with the fire and enthusiasm they really deserve but seldom get these days, but there are some less common tunes that work beautifully in the duet setting. their “The Devil’s Dream” is from Hobart Smith and very different than the one I play. It is actually considerably more “band” friendly and the tune is closer to John Brown’s Dream.

“Fort Smith Breakdown” doesn’t show up on many jam lists but is a super tune from a 1920s recording by Luke Highnight’s Ozark Strutters. Here Robertson is playing a fretless Harmony ResoTone in Old G (gDGDE) tuning. “Run Slave Run” uses the same tuning and probably the same banjo.

“Hog Eye Man” aka “Sally In The Garden” is frequently played crooked, but Abair and Thompson seem to have found a whole new crooked way to do it. I’m going to try it out, but I won’t attempt to show it to my jam groups.

Some of the selections are great “trance” tunes where the two instruments seem to float around the melody passing it back and forth until you feel it has been the background music to your entire life. I was very surprised to read that “Tater Patch” and “Sandy River Belle” were each only about four minutes, as was their rendition of “Sail Away Ladies”

The album is Yodel-Ay-Hee number 74, and you can order it direct from Hunter Robertson’s website:
http://www.hunterrobertson.com
where you can also watch videos of Abair and Robertson, and even buy a copy of Robertson's solo album “Hunter Robertson Sings Songs For The Masses.”

Overall Rating

9

Overall Comments

If you’ve never had the opportunity to see Roy Johnstone in concert or attend his past workshops, you should seriously consider attending this. I’ve done both – workshops and concerts. He’s phenomenal!!! His workshops are relaxed, informative and fun. All levels of musicians will benefit.

Sharon

For more information on this wonderful fiddler with "the heart of a poet, the spirit of an adventurer, and plays like the devil" (Atlantic Gig Magazine), check out www.royjohnstone.com

Overall Rating

10

Sound

Please understand - I am new to fiddles, so – for what its worth - I am very please with my purchase. I perform with a guitar and sing in 2 bands (both have had fiddles through the years) and as a solo artist. So, I've heard a lot of fiddles played.

But this is a new instrument and it is my first fiddle – and I’m just starting to really try and learn the instrument. So, I personally don't have anything to compare it to. But to my uneducated ears the tone is as good as any fiddle I've heard played, it doesn’t seem to be quiet as loud as others - but that may be me. Then again – it took about 2 years for my Martin D-18 Authentic to “wake up and sing” – and she’s still getting better.

This fiddle has a very rich and deep tone and still has clean highs that are not shrill - not cheap sounding at all. You can feel the instrument vibrate when you play.

Sound Rating

9

Appearance

It has a beautiful hand rubbed dark stained varnish finish, definitely not sprayed. No high gloss here, and not flat. Rich satin finish. There are a few places where a picky shopper could point to as "flaws" but IMO they are not. To me, they lend themselves as evidence to the fact that this is a handmade instrument. None of the mentioned will ever affect the quality of sound - and is not in places where parts are fitted together to suggest a possible future problem or faillure.

This particular fiddle is (according to all that I have read and received) a handmade violin made with 200 yr old spruce top with beautiful curly maple sides and back that has been seasoned for over 12 years.

Inside is fully lined with 4 corner blocks - no glue squeeze out. Clean.

Appearance Rating

9

Customer Service

I did upgrade the case after the prucahse and had to correspond with them a few times by email. Each inquiry was promptly answered and very friendly. I don't expect any issues, but I do have confidence if there are any - these folks will take care of me. They have an eBay rating of 100% with almost 12,000 transactions! They must be doing something right.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

As I said earlier - I do perform with other instruments. And I also fancy myself as a beginner luthier (hobby). So I am familiar with what goes into making a quality instrument and the difference between the tone of a poorly made instrument and a good one.

Having said that - I'm not at a playing level to perform with the fiddle, but I will not be ashamed to pull this out to play in any situation. This will probably be the fiddle I play for a long time. I purpose to write an update to this review in the future, just to see if my opinion changes any with experience.

I'll say again, this is a beautiful sounding and good looking instrument. I can't believe the price I paid. I'm very fortunate and very, very pleased (today).

For my first fiddle - I don't think I could have done better. If something happened and I lost the fiddle - I would replace it with another in a heart beat.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

This was the first time I had ever went to the fiddler's convention in Hillsdale, and it most definatley will not be the last. I loved it there! Great jam sessions.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

The city of Sedalia, Mo., holds it's annual Scott Joplin Ragtime festival every year during the first weekend in June.

The event features ragtime piano players from around the world, as well as various string bands, jug bands and old-time dance events, both on the downtown streets and in paid concerts.

For folks interested in this type of original American music, I highly recommend this festival. Sedalia is charming town (and site of the original Maple Leaf Club -- now demolished -- where S. Joplin worked) and the streets come alive with toe-tapping syncopated music for several days, most of it free.

For more info on this annual festival, contact http://www.scottjoplin.org/

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I attended Megan Lynch’s FiddleStar camp in Nashville this spring. WHAT A BLAST!! Megan is not only a top notch performer and instructor but she also has the contacts to line up some of the most talented Fiddlers around. This time she was able to line up Grammy award winner Bobby Hicks. What a treat to hear, see, and learn from such talented people. Anyone considering a fiddle camp should consider this one. The amount and quality of top notch instruction is mind blowing. And the fun and fellowship shared by all the campers will stay in your mind for a lifetime.

Overall Rating

10