Mouse said
Hi, @Christine 

Welcome to the forum. I have the Fiddlerman Concert Deluxe and I also have a warmer violin. I play more classical in the warmer violin. I use my Concert Deluxe for the more cheerful and fiddle songs. It works better for me. The classical has always been easier on the warmer. The warmer violin can play the fiddle songs, it is just my preference to use the warmer for classical. Keep in mind, I am a beginner and a more experienced violinist may be able to make either work either way. 

People on the forum have said the Artist is a warmer sounding violin. I might suggest you call the Fiddlershop. You can tell them what you are looking for. You can ask for a sample video of each playing the same song, of the genre you are interested, in your case, classical. 

The people at Fiddlershop are really customer oriented and work with you, I also just purchased their hybrid violin bow and it is great. There is information in their site. If you are interested in that option for a bow, you can ask to have one of those used in the video. Just let the folks at Fiddlershop know what your plans and needs are.

I hope this helps.

  

Hi, thank you for your reply, it was very helpful! I will ask for a comparison video then. I think I'm leaning towards either the artist or the concert deluxe - I think the latter looks a bit nicer, but I know that shouldn't be a determinative factor. Since the artist is said to be higher quality, I feel I should get that, but I was worried it would be too deep. 

GregW said
@Christine when I purchased from fiddlershop, I also could not decide.  I ended up letting them pick the one They liked best of the 3.  Is the try at home option available on those models?

  

Thank you! Worst comes to worst, I'll have to do the same. 

I'm in Canada so shipping would be expensive, so I need to pick one without trying them out.  

Mouse said
@Christine My warmer violin, not a Fiddlerman, is not so warm that it sounds like my viola. It can do brighter songs. My hearing is just so sensitive to bright and warm thathit really annoys me.

Also, strings and bow make a difference.

I have found a Pernambuco bow is a warmer sound on the same violin with the same strings. Next is the Fiddlerman Hybrid. Next is the carbon fiber weave, and then the carbon fiber, from warm to brighter sound. I actually tested this last week.

I received my new Fiddlerman Hybrid violin bow. I used it on the warmer violin. I played the hybrid and noticed the fuller richer sound, which is what I was looking for. I did not know if I was just having a good violin day or it was the bow. I tried each of the bows mentioned above. The Pernambuco was warmer, but not as comfortable to hold as the FM Hybrid. The next warmer one, after the FM Hybrid bow, was the Fiddlerman carbon weave, then the FM carbon fiber. I actually like the FM hybrid better than my Pernambuco because, although the sound is a tad warmer with the Pernambuco, the balance and feel of the hybrid suits me better, making it much easier for me to bow cleanly.

Just more things to consider and confuse you further. 😂

  

haha, yeah there is so much to take in! I'll think about what kind of bow I want then. I don't like violins that sound too dark, but I also don't want something too strident. I am very confused right now! 

So you think the concert deluxe is more suited for fiddle music than classical? 

stringy said
Strings play a large part in the sound of  a violin. as well as set up.

If I had been in the states however when I bought my violin, I would have gone for a fiddlerman, I have listened to hundreds of violins on the internet, and the sound you  get from different ones. I know the set up from fiddleshop is excellent which really does matter as much as anything else. If you intend sticking to the fiddle, personally I would buy the most expensive one I could as things like vibrato are easier on a better instrument, but thats my own thought and personal preference,  I will say though because you are just starting you will find it difficult to tell different tones as your ears are not yet developed, but in a few months time you will appreciate a better fiddle.

  

Thanks for the reply! I think I will stick to it, I want to get something that I won't have to replace for a while. The price difference between the violins I listed isn't a factor for me, but right now, I just can't tell if the artist is worth the extra money, since I'm just starting. 

Mouse said
For me, the Artist sounds warmer, but not dark. This is from videos, as I do not have the Artist. There are others here who play the Artist and do fiddle music. Even instruments of the same model can sound different. They all come from different trees, even though they may be aged the same. It is also an individual preference. I think the Artist is a step up and if you can afford that one, I would do that. I do not say that because price makes the difference. From comments I have read. The Artist is a fuller sound, probably because of the age of the wood. I am not saying brighter or warmer, I am talking fuller. Set ups matter, too. You can talk yo them about that.

I am not fond as of classical on the Concert Deluxe. On my warmer violin, Fiddle music sounds fine, as does classical. So, I would go with the Artist, based on my instruments. I think there is about $100 US difference. But check out the clearance violins on Fiddlershop. There may be some Artist violins there. Ask Fiddlershop about B Stock and Clearance, as well as the full price.

I have a B Stock Concert Deluxe. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Sometimes the varnish or whatever might have a flaw, or something like that. It is new, but they can’t sell it at full price. With mine, they were able to fix the blemish. Can’t even see where it was. But there is nothing structurally or playing-wise wrong with them.

Give them a call and talk to them about all options. I would jot down some notes and have them on hand. Write down what you are looking for sound-wise. What your price range is (will this include the case, etc), what kind of music you will be playing, ask about inventory for clearance and B-stock, etc. Bows. Outfits come with a carbon, I believe, so if you want to upgrade to the hybrid, you will need to let them know. Everything you need and want can be mentioned. Then follow up with an email making note in the email everything you discussed and the person you spoke to. This is just so that when you talk later, there is reference to look back on for everyone. Or, you can ask them to send you an email with everything discussed and send back any corrections or changes. It is just good practice with any company when not dealing in person. Plus, again, you are all in the same page.

Have fun. Fiddlershop people really are fun to work with. A really knowledgable group of people work there.

  

Thanks for the detailed reply! After what you wrote, I feel I'm leaning towards the artist, but I might ask for a comparison video so that I can be sure. I will give them a call then, I did send an email but I think it's easier to communicate over the phone.

Yes, I heard it's a great store! During the past two weeks, I spent many many hours researching violin shops and none of them seemed as nice as fiddlershop, there's certainly nothing comparable in my country, so I decided to just pay the extra import costs to get a violin I really like.