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Hello from Ocala, FL
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Fred
Central Florida, USA

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February 12, 2017 - 7:34 pm
Member Since: February 12, 2017
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Hello to all,

My name is Fred and I'm 65 yo.   I've been reading many posts here and the review section.   I don't own a violin yet but hopefully will be placing an order with Fiddlerman very soon.   I just have to decide which one, the Concert or the Artist.   Listening to the various models demonstrated on YouTube makes the decision quite difficult.

Having not ever played a violin makes me wonder if the Artist would be too much of an instrument for me, my expectations initially aren't very high and I would be happy just to make a joyful noise.

I live about 20 miles NE from downtown Ocala so getting to any lessons would be difficult.

I did take cello lessons but that was 40+ years ago, so I'll be starting from scratch.

Well that's about all for now, hope to make some new friends here, from what I've read that shouldn't be too difficult here.

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Charles
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February 13, 2017 - 1:05 pm
Member Since: June 7, 2016
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Hi, Fred. Welcome to the forum.

One of the biggest reasons for buy from Fiddlerman is that you can hear the instrument ahead of time. Get on Youtube and search for "fiddlershop concert" and "fiddlershop artist". Listen to example of both.

If one really appeals to you more than the other, go with that one.  If they're about the same, let your budget decide. I know of many people who have been quite happy with the concert.

They also have a trade-in (trade-up, whatever you want to call it) which has fairly good percentages for their own brand of instrument. If you're not sure, and the Artist would strain your budget a bit, get the Concert and figure on trading it in for something better on down the line. (Personally, I would skip the Artist and got to the Master, if I were in your shoes.)

You can also request them to make a video of the kind you want and you can choose which specific one you'd prefer.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
February 13, 2017 - 9:10 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Welcome Fred. You will definitely find new friends here as we love new members.
As for "too much of an instrument for me" is concerned. I'm a believer that whatever instrument is better for a pro, is way better for a beginner. Why make learning harder by getting a lesser instrument.
Having said that, my intention was not to convince you to buy a more expensive instrument, rater to emphasize that a great instrument is equally great for a beginner as a routined advance player.
They vibrate easier, require less bow pressure. Are not excessively loud under the ear but project wonderfully...... They have a more soothing sound... The list goes on!!!
Looking forward to some follow up posts. :)

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Fred
Central Florida, USA

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February 13, 2017 - 11:29 pm
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Thank you Charles and Pierre for the kind welcome.

I have probably watched every Concert and Artist violin video there is on YouTube. 

Right now I'm leaning towards the Concert, it has a rich but warm tone which I have always liked when playing the cello many years ago.   Additionally I like the darker wood color and finish on the Concert as well.

Pierre I tried calling your office today to discuss the violin but ended up leaving a message for a return call, I'll try again tomorrow.

Thanks again!

Fred

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damfino
my own little world
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February 14, 2017 - 10:26 am
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Welcome to the forum, Fred! I look forward to hearing which violin you go with :)  

☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆
World's Okayest Fiddler
☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨* •☆•*¨*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆

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Fred
Central Florida, USA

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February 14, 2017 - 1:03 pm
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Thank you Damfino, as soon as I place my order I'll let you all know!

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Fred
Central Florida, USA

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February 14, 2017 - 4:44 pm
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Fiddlerman said
...As for "too much of an instrument for me" is concerned. I'm a believer that whatever instrument is better for a pro, is way better for a beginner. Why make learning harder by getting a lesser instrument...

They vibrate easier, require less bow pressure. Are not excessively loud under the ear but project wonderfully...... They have a more soothing sound... The list goes on!!!

I really appreciated the advice I got from Pierre  and Mike, they were very helpful!

I stayed up quite late last night listening to the Concert and Master violins and then had a great conversation with Mike today.   He was very helpful in answering all my questions.

I have a cello, not a very good one, that warped by the F cutout, but loved the sound it made before it warped, so I went for the...

Master Violin Outfit

Unfortunately (maybe good) Mike told me they just sold the last two today but they have a new shipment coming in a week or two.

I did ask for choice of three with the following characteristics:

Dark tone (which all the Masters I've listened to sound), dark color and a one piece back.   I asked if Pierre could pick three and play "Amazing Grace" so I could choose which one I wanted.

I'm excited but a little apprehensive because I'm a real newbie and the cost is twice the Concert.   Someday I hope to be able to play in my church band.

I will keep you all posted.

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damfino
my own little world
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February 15, 2017 - 9:07 am
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If the price isn't too far out of your budget, I wouldn't worry about jumping into a more high end violin. It'll save you in the end, because you will be less likely to feel the need to upgrade for quite a while. Since you've played a stringed instrument before, you probably have a pickier ear than most of us when we started out from nothing, so your desire to upgrade may have happened a lot sooner that it would for us.

Oh, and I'm with you, I love dark tones :D Very exciting stuff, can't wait until you get your violin :)

☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆
World's Okayest Fiddler
☆•*¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨* •☆•*¨*¨*•¸¸¸.•*¨*•☆

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Fred
Central Florida, USA

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February 15, 2017 - 2:33 pm
Member Since: February 12, 2017
Forum Posts: 50
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damfino said
... It'll save you in the end, because you will be less likely to feel the need to upgrade for quite a while.

That's a good point that I hadn't considered.

Since you've played a stringed instrument before, you probably have a pickier ear than most of us when we started out from nothing, so your desire to upgrade may have happened a lot sooner that it would for us.

That was a long time ago hopefully my hearing hasn't diminished to much since then,  but true I won't be upgrading for a v-e-r-y long time. 

Oh, and I'm with you, I love dark tones :D Very exciting stuff, can't wait until you get your violin :)

When I receive the violin I will post some photos.   I don't expect to receive my violin for three weeks hopefully sooner.   When Pierre posts a YouTube video for my selection I'll let you know so you can see my choices.

I discovered today that the First Baptist Church of Ocala gives music lessons, their semester just started last week and the next one will begin late May or June so I'll have to wait 'til then, I'm hoping one of the instructors offers private lessons which I can do until the new semester begins.

I also discovered that the music store that my church buys their sound equipment has a full-time luthier so I'm going to drop off my cello and see if they can fix it.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
February 17, 2017 - 5:23 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429
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jer29 said
Pierre I tried calling your office today to discuss the violin but ended up leaving a message for a return call, I'll try again tomorrow............

Fred, did you ever speak to anyone? Generally we are able to handle all calls but we can get very busy at times. Hopefully someone has returned your message, if not, please let me know. It's not acceptable to not be able to reach us.

Sorry

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Fred
Central Florida, USA

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February 17, 2017 - 12:09 pm
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Fiddlerman said

jer29 said
Pierre I tried calling your office today to discuss the violin but ended up leaving a message for a return call, I'll try again tomorrow............

Fred, did you ever speak to anyone? Generally we are able to handle all calls but we can get very busy at times. Hopefully someone has returned your message, if not, please let me know. It's not acceptable to not be able to reach us.

Sorry  

Yes, no problem, Michael called me the next morning and was very helpful.

In addition, we've had several emails back and forth.

I have placed my order for the Fiddlerman Master Violin Outfit.

You guys have been great and you certainly live up to all the excellent reviews of your outstanding service!

Thank you.

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Kim D
Nevada
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February 18, 2017 - 3:18 pm
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Welcome @jer29.  I'm a newbie too (even though I got my violin from @Fiddlerman September 2015).  I wasn't able to play it too much over a nine month period.  I've been practicing almost everyday since January 2017.  The folks on this forum are very nice and supportive.    

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Fred
Central Florida, USA

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February 18, 2017 - 4:20 pm
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Thank you Kim D, will you be in the StreetJelly audience tomorrow?   If you have a chance checkout the StreetJelly thread, several of the members will be performing tomorrow!

I'm glad you've returned and practicing again.   Which violin are you using?

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
March 8, 2017 - 12:21 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429
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Did you perform on StreetJelly too Fred?
I haven't found the time to check it out lately but I should. I tend to be busy and have plans on the weekends as well as the weekdays. :(
I'm thrilled that so many of you are participating.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Fred
Central Florida, USA

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March 8, 2017 - 2:12 pm
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Fiddlerman said
Did you perform on StreetJelly too Fred?
I haven't found the time to check it out lately but I should. I tend to be busy and have plans on the weekends as well as the weekdays. :(
I'm thrilled that so many of you are participating.  

No I didn't Pierre, I am waiting for my Master violin to be shipped.   I did pick up an electric violin which arrived Friday evening.  I start my lessons on the 23rd so I sure hope I get my Master violin by then!

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
March 8, 2017 - 4:07 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429
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Very cool. Looking forward to hearing about it.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Fred
Central Florida, USA

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March 8, 2017 - 5:50 pm
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Fiddlerman said
Very cool. Looking forward to hearing about it.  

Hi Pierre,  I was a little hesitant to do a review on my electric violin because of spamming issues that have been brought up on the forum in the past.

I will post a review with some videos and stock photos in the review section when I get a chance.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
March 8, 2017 - 8:24 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429
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Sounds like a plan. Look forward to hearing about it.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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