Bean Blossom BV-100Fiddle Review

Bean Blossom
BV-100
submitted 10/8/2007

Submitter

FiddleNewb (see all reviews from this person)

Where Purchased

Ebay (WillsRealDeals)

Year Purchased

2007

Price Paid

153.00 ($US)

Sound

Sound is a definite upgrade from the $45 chinese special I started with. Fiddle is louder and also has a much warmer tone. Have heard the tone of Morgan Monroe fiddles described as "brittle" which I would agree with. This is not a fiddle that "violinists" (even students) or hardcore bluegrass types would find pleasing to the ear. Myself, I tend to play old time fiddle tunes and folk music so I like it just fine. Rating is based on music I like to play.

Sound Rating

8

Setup

Fiddle was NOT set up when it arrived. The sound post was standing (thank goodness) but it was shipped with the bridge floating in the case and the half installed strings and crappy fine tuners flailing about. I restrung the fiddle, set the bridge, doped and set the pegs, installed one fine tuner on the E (included). This was a back stock or factory second fiddle that had been sitting around somewhere and also needed some cleaning of dust etc. The bridge was fitted to the belly pretty well and is cut for fiddling (somewhat flat with a very low dip to the high E). If set up is a major concern or if you were buying an expensive intrument I would not recomend this seller.

Setup Rating

1

Appearance

Appearance is interesting. The shape is a Chanot style body with NO corners just smooth curves all around. Chanot was considered an amateure fiddle maker and developed this style in the early 19th c. in an attempt to make an "original" fiddle design. He claimed the shape was accousticly superior although old books on european fiddle makers say this "muffleled" the tone. Looks neat to me and I like that its unusual. Has a light satin finish which gives it a nice old time look to my eye. This is the lowest end of the Bean Blossom line so the tone woods are sturdy but with little or no flaming etc. The grain of the spruce and the purfing look pretty nice though. Ebony finger board had a slight split near the nut which i filled when I cleaned and set it up and is now nearly invisible (this was a factory 2nd i believe). Scroll is pretty attractive for factory work. Fittings are boxwood and give the fiddle an overall pleasing look, at least to me. Didnt buy this fiddle for looks, but I was pretty happy with its appearance.

Appearance Rating

8

Reliability

Boxwood fittings all seem pretty sturdy with no flaws or cracks. Ebony fingerboard seems fitted well and even with the slight crack mentioned above is solid enough. Nut is also ebony and doesnt seem to be wearing too fast. Finish is light but seems pretty durable. Overall a decent sturdy beginners instrument.