TX2AK - Posted - 02/28/2022:  19:25:28

I am looking to buy my wife a fiddle/violin. She played a very beginner fiddle several years back, and then we moved and she sold it, etc. I’d like to get an intermediate level instrument for her. I play banjo, and my boys (8 and 10) have gotten into mandolin and guitar, so she’s pretty committed to learning to play. She’s not ready for me to shell out a ton of money, and would like to keep the budget in the $1,000 range. It looks like good bets would be a used Eastman 300-500 series or a Fiddlerman Master. I’d love to buy a nice American product, and hope that in a year or two she’s ready to trade to that; but right now, she’s not in there to spend enough, unless someone has a recommendation that would fit the bill. We live far from any city with a good shop, and she already told me she won’t play in a store anyway, because she’s intimidated; so, for this purchase, the try before you buy thing is out. Does anyone have experience with these and a recommendation? It looks like the new prices on the Eastmans in that range are well above, but used, they are readily available under $1,000.

ChickenMan - Posted - 02/28/2022:  20:59:28

I have an Eastman v305. It is a fine instrument. Set up is important, hopefully any used one you find will already be set up. If not, that will add a little to the cost. Still, I think a used 305 will be easily within your budget.

TX2AK - Posted - 02/28/2022:  21:26:25

Yes sir, it looks like I can find a 305, 401, 405, and at least one 500 all in the budget range. I’ve read a lot of positive reviews about the Fiddlerman line and that they have excellent setup, but I’d rather buy used, and I’m just more familiar with the Eastmans as mid-level, player instruments (mostly from the mandolin world); so, I’m a little more comfortable with the idea of them. The fiddle / violin universe is so different from what I know (banjo, bass, mandolin, and guitar). You magicians with your bows, rather than fingers, are an entirely foreign to my knowledge. Eastmans seem far more popular with the bluegrass players I know; but that’s a pretty small sample size.

ChickenMan - Posted - 02/28/2022:  21:36:53

Mine has a strong bottom end with Prim strings (Helicore very similar) and works for bluegrass. I just recently purchased one from Royce Burt (member here and can be found on YouTube), it is a retuned (regraduated) old fiddle from early 1900s. I got it because I wanted more projection and a sweeter toned violin. It has excellent balance across the strings and is the last fiddle (there's been seven) I'll buy. He's likely got something in your price range and you couldn't ask for a better purchasing experience; he knows what a fiddler likes. You can message him through Fiddle Hangout and tell him your budget and what you are looking for (bluegrass, old time, Irish etc) and he'll suggest which ones might fit. Then you go to YouTube and listen. Tell him Billy from fiddle hangout sent you.

Edited by - ChickenMan on 02/28/2022 21:41:20

TX2AK - Posted - 02/28/2022:  22:10:28

Now, that sounds right up my alley. I’m definitely checking him out. I LOVE old instruments. Not that it matters, but I have two “pre-war” Gibson banjos - one an all original (except for the 5 string neck) 1926 ball bearing, and a 1929 pot with Huber Vintage tone ring and Hatfield neck; a 1925 Vega open back; a 1921 Gibson F-2 (pre-Loar design, so not terribly valuable) mandolin; and a Martin D-1 (need to find year on it). I’m sure it’s all mental, but the old instruments, even with modern components, are a lot of fun, whether superior or not is a whole other issue. Thank you for that referral. She will wind up playing whatever sounds good to her or to me or the boys; which can be old time fiddle tunes, bluegrass, or modern string bands (Old Crow, Yonder Mountain, Mandolin Orange, Trampled by Turtles, etc.). We just like to play what we like to hear. I don’t know what the fiddle equivalents of those “old standards” are for fiddle, and she (very wisely, I’m sure) doesn’t want me to spend a ton on a fiddle at this revisit phase. She has a helluvan ear. If she wasn’t so taxed with other life commitments, I have no doubt she’d outpace me in no time.

ChickenMan - Posted - 02/28/2022:  22:34:35

IF I were to get another fiddle, it would be another from Royce.

TX2AK - Posted - 02/28/2022:  23:02:53

Fantastic! I sent Royce a message with description of what we have in mind. Thank you!

TX2AK - Posted - 02/28/2022:  23:03:29

And referral source, of course.

ChickenMan - Posted - 03/01/2022:  06:26:04

You won't be disappointed

fiddlerjoebob - Posted - 03/01/2022:  11:53:35

I would look for an old fiddle that has recently been given a good once-over by a luthier. I would not look to buying a new one...ever. I like fiddles that have already been taught a thing or two. Oh, and let your wife pick it out.  

Edited by - fiddlerjoebob on 03/01/2022 11:55:16

TX2AK - Posted - 03/01/2022:  16:56:20

Most definitely, she will choose it. She just gets overwhelmed by searching, and I’m a nerd and love it. I was searching banjos and mandolins, which I’m not supposed to buy for a while, but I just like looking; and she asked me to pause that and put my attention on a fiddle ?? ; so, I volunteered to narrow the field for her.

old cowboy - Posted - 03/01/2022:  17:34:10

I bought a Fiddlerman Master 3yrs. ago absolutely love it!

Dick Hauser - Posted - 05/27/2022:  09:49:31

I would buy a good quality used Eastman in a minute. I have owned Eastman fiddles, Eastman mandolins, and several Eastman guitars. When you buy an Eastman, you get more than your moneys worth. You can no longer say that about very many things. Because of hand problems, I once sold an Eastman 800 series violin. My hand recovered over time.
But my butt remains sore from being kicked so often.

Stevekos - Posted - 06/24/2022:  22:58:42

I used to own a nice violin shop in Arizona (Arizona Fine Violins, recently sold) and I can say that with the brands we offered there, you really get a lot of violin from any Eastman. Don't get the very bottom rung, but I would start on the 300 level and up. Just shop around and you will find a good one somewhere and don't be afraid ask for a lower price.

screecher - Posted - 06/25/2022:  10:30:45

I'm sure both Eastman and Fiddlerman are great (I briefly owned an entry-level Eastman violin), but for a fiddle I'd definitely get an old one set up for fiddling by someone like Royce Burt or Matt Downer (oldcitico on FHO).

Lonesome Fiddler - Posted - 06/25/2022:  14:28:31

I've mentioned it in several posts over the years, but of my three fiddles, it is the two most recently-made ones I enjoy & play the most. Sure, age counts, and a fiddle's age does contribute to its visceral appeal, but modern luthiers turn out instruments that are absolutely lovely in every respect. If you can, go to an upper-end string instrument shop. Let them put a couple in your hands and give them a go.

Edited by - Lonesome Fiddler on 06/25/2022 14:29:48

MissyLee5 - Posted - 12/03/2022:  06:10:00

quote:

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Originally posted by TX2AK

Yes sir, it looks like I can find a 305, 401, 405, and at least one 500 all in the budget range. I’ve read a lot of positive reviews about the Fiddlerman line and that they have excellent setup, but I’d rather buy used, and I’m just more familiar with the Eastmans as mid-level, player instruments (mostly from the mandolin world); so, I’m a little more comfortable with the idea of them. The fiddle / violin universe is so different from what I know (banjo, bass, mandolin, and guitar). You magicians with your bows, rather than fingers, are an entirely foreign to my knowledge. Eastmans seem far more popular with the bluegrass players I know; but that’s a pretty small sample size.

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I'm in the same boat you were in. Looking for a used violin under $1,000, like the sound of Eastman 300-400's model and plan on playing more of a bluegrass style as well. I'm curious, what violin did you end up getting for your wife? 

TX2AK - Posted - 12/03/2022:  09:12:02

We wound up contacting Royce Burt. It was as cool an experience buying an instrument as I can imagine without being able to be present in a store with a huge selection - and frankly, she wouldn’t have played them as much as Royce did in the demos. I told him my budget range, and he came up with a list of fiddles for which he had made YouTube videos, so we watched them together. I made notes of her comments about each one, so we kept narrowing until she chose the one she liked best. Royce refurbishes and “revoices” old fiddles. She wound up settling on a really pretty Czech fiddle from the late 20s; which is adorable, because most of my banjos are from the same era. We were really happy with the experience; and she loves her fiddle.

TX2AK - Posted - 12/03/2022:  09:16:12

I should have been responsible and come back to report, so I am glad you asked. I highly recommend Royce and his process. I’ve bought and sold a lot of instruments, and his method was the coolest I’ve used, short of going to Gruhn’s in Nashville or some other cool pilgrimage.

ChickenMan - Posted - 12/03/2022:  10:31:43

Glad to hear you got one from Royce!