RaptorDragon said
Just want to drop in and say hi

I just bought a FM Concert violin, and I am a complete beginner with this instrument. I've been playing music in some form for several years (played saxophone in school band, and I play some piano as a hobby), but never really tried a string instrument. I hope I enjoy playing the violin as much as I love listening to it, but it's a lot of fun so far!  

Welcome aboard @RaptorDragon !

  I think you made a good choice there.  One of my acoustics is the FM Concert (yes, I now have 3, plus one EV - that's an average of "another instrument every 6 months" - during the time I've been playing - good grief ! )

  To be honest - I just didn't really know what to commit to - and decided (largely for financial reasons at the time) to go down the FM Concert path.   It is way better than the other two acoustic "student" violins I have - in fact one of them I have now re-strung as a viola - and - ( and don't misunderstand this or read too much into it ) I had kind of thought the Concert might do me 5 years or so before (or indeed IF ever) I wanted to upgrade.

  Well, at just over two years in, with rarely a day not playing (say an average of 90 minutes per day - some days a LOT more, some days somewhat less)- I just know that there "is more to come" and I'm kind of caught between a rock-and-a-hard-place trying to decide on an upgrade to a 5-string EV or a more professional acoustic (and whichever I do end up going for it will come from FiddlerShop LOL )

I am certain that although completely new to violin/fiddle - with some degree of musical background as you say - you'll make rapid progress - sure- there's a lot of technique to get to grips with - but you ear and previous musical background is going to help you out a lot with intonation  - one-less-thing-to-understand.

Good luck and best wishes on you journey.....  it will change your life !