I am looking at getting my first fiddle and had narrowed it down to one of the Kennedy violins first couple of outfits or one of the Hoffman outfits form Sharmusic. Then I run across the Knilling brand with the perfection tuners which seems like a great idea. Would a lower end Knilling be as good as the other brands lower models or is all the value in the perfection tuners?

Unfortunately, I don't own both. I DO like Knilling 4KF Bucharests- I have 3 of them. One has Perfection tuners, and they are handy, since I like to keep a fiddle in alternate tunings, and the Perfections make that a little easier.

However, as far as new prices, Knillings seem to be priced a little high for what they are ( The 4KF I bought new was $400- although they have other models I haven't tried yet), and from what I've heard, the Kennedy beginner outfits offer a lot of "bang for the buck". If you are going to take lessons, many teachers will start you off in standard tuning. If a fiddle's pegs are well fitted and it has fine tuners, normal tuning pegs are not a problem if you want to leave it in the same tuning.
However, that being said, using the friction tuning pegs to retune now and then is supposed to help keep them from developing flat spots.

If you see a Knilling on craigslist, and have a friend who could go with you to try it out and give it a "clean bill of health", that might be a good way to get into one.

I don't remember anybody here talking about having one of the Hoffman outfits from Shar, but they are a very well known company with a good reputation for service.

So I really can't eliminate any one of your three ideas- big help I am!!!

Edited by - fiddlepogo on 06/24/2012 20:42:06

Is there something you are looking for not in or wrong with the classifieds here on FHO?   Guess I believe in shopping where folks support my endeavors.  Just speaking from positive experience here -NGI.

Hi There,

Congrats on starting on the fiddle!  I know the most about Kennedy Violins (I work there).  Fiddlepogo is right, the beginner outfits do offer a lot of bang for the buck.  I don't want to sound too sales pitchy, but I'll say this: I started working with them while doing my own search because I was so impressed with what they could offer for students.

That being said, the Hoffmans, Etude models and up, have a good sound too.  I have no personal experience with Knilling violins but I have heard similar things from other players that fiddlepogo brings up about them being too pricey for what they are.  I guess it depends on what you want to deal with, but personally, I wouldn't pick a fiddle solely on the pegs alone because you can always buy those parts separately. 

Good Luck!