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I posted an Idea back on Barry's German Violin for $300 thread and was asked to make a new forum thread about so here it goes.
The Idea I presented was for there to be a traveling violin that belongs to the Fiddlerman.com Community. Essentially an instrument would be obtained, nothing too expensive, and would start in the possession of one of the members. They would keep the instrument for a few months, No more than 6 and in reality probably no more than about 3 or 4, the only requirements that I think would exist would be:
1. the person must do some kind of recording while the instrument is in their possession whether it be a video or just audio and post it to the forums under this heading. I'm sure exceptions would be made for those who are unable to do recordings.
2. the person must pay for shipping to the NEXT person in line or Vice verse (The next person pays to have it shipped to them). If shipping is unable to be paid for then arrangements would need to be made with other members or the person would simply be passed by for this round or until they are able.
While in possession of the instrument people would be able to essentially do what they want. Whether it is changing strings, new bridge etc. AS LONG AS the instrument remains playable.
People would also be encouraged to leave something with the violin in the case or on the case, maybe a post card or a sticker, something that lets the violin say, "I was here."
I always thought it would be interesting to have an instrument with a history like that, where people kinda left their mark on it. Say, for eaxmple, Barry threw a chin rest on, Diane replaced the strings with synthetic core, Daniel built a case 
, I added a Carved leather cheek pad for the chin rest...etc.
So please post your thoughts and Ideas here and whether or not you would support such a "Project"
-Dennis
The pack depends upon the wolf, and the wolf depends upon the pack. The loss of one means the destruction of the other.
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Hey Dennis, when I first saw your idea in the other thread I thought it was a great idea,,, just didn't have time then to comment.
I often think of the life of an inanimate object, it's owners, the molecules it's collected, and the meaning it has in various people's lives; this violin could actually be a legacy of OUR Fiddlerman.com Forum; LOVE this idea.
So are you going to manage this? Collect a roster of interested parties, etc., stipulate the method of packing, insurance, etc.?
The only downside to the project is the relatively few lives it will impact over years..... it'll only hit 20 of us in 5yrs! You might consider a shorter holding period, like 30/45/60 days, just so we all get a turn with it, otherwise, you'll want to get it to the oldest people first,,,, I'm not so sure I'll be around by the time it gets to me, lmao!
Just some thoughts,,,, but I'm in if this gets out of the blocks.
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I like the idea. But I got some worries about this thing. First. what if someone take a run for it, and not delivering the violin to the next person? What do we do then? What if the violin got damaged somehow, who will be in charge? Does it only apply for the folks from the US? I agree with ftufc, I think months are way too long.
'Armed with theory, practice becomes meaningful. Through practice, theory becomes fulfilled.' - Egon von Neindorff.
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Definitely 30 days or so if it where to be something special. Could be very interesting after a few years. 
Great idea.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Good idea!
Can we discuss this idea further? because I am also interested in this idea. Why have only ONE instrument? Maybe there are several people who have spare violins that they could donate. And why put a time limit? As long as they are actually playing it and posting videos.
I hate to see people buy $100 violins when they could save up a few more dollars and get a much nicer one. So this will hopefully encourage them to save up while still having something to play in the meantime. Hopefully they will order one and support fiddlershop. The korh 550 is really nice.
I can start this off by offering to donate my student violin to anyone within the USA for free and free shipping. I don't think it would be worth it to ship a student violin over seas, but maybe someone else has one in another country. My violin is a really good one for a student. I put new pro-arte strings on it and it sounds pretty nice. I took note of how fiddlerman shipped my violin and I kept all the packaging material so it is ready to ship! I paid $200 for my violin originally and it comes with case and bow.
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The time frame was just a spitball idea I agree that months would be a long period of time for it to spend at any one location.
I will spear head this if people want me to and I will also coordinate who what when and where etc. (Also only if people want me to run this. If someone else would rather run the operation I will gladly hand over the reigns)
As far as international. I would love to see the instrument go international but it will be up to the international members to decide if they are willing to deal with customs, taxes (if applicable) etc. I figure to save everyone a bit of money if/when the instrument goes international it stays that way till everyone across the pond gets their hands on it THEN it can be shipped back to North America.
We will determine if we are going to insure it during shipping, which probably wouldn't be a bad idea anyway given how often the item is going to be shipped.
As far as someone not passing it along to the next person on purpose. I suppose that is a risk we would be taking given the nature of the project. Which is why I am suggesting we not use a violin like the Kohr 550 for this. A cheap violin, which would also warrant the upgrades that some of our members might do, that can easily be replaced and/or that doesn't leave someone out of a lot of money would be the best bet. Though I would hope that no one here would be selfish enough to keep the communities violin.
Also, having the Violin at any FM Jams/BBQ's would be mandatory IF the person who is currently in possession of the violin is going to the Jam. I understand that not all members are going to make it to the jams which is why you only bring it if you are going, and if it happens to be about the time for you to pass it off to the next person and they happen to be there....then you just saved yourself some dough on shipping.
IF I was able to cover all of the shipping fees myself I would and all the other members would have to do is worry about getting it to the shipping company and playing it, however something like that is not in my budget at the moment so this will have to be a community effort.
Also we need suggestions on a "decent" cheap violin to use for this.
Shutting up now, 
-Dennis
The pack depends upon the wolf, and the wolf depends upon the pack. The loss of one means the destruction of the other.
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just a note, it is going to cost $77 to ship the fiddle to Naska in russia. So it could get a tad pricey for some folks
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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I could possibly come up with the funds to ship the violin over seas and back again when the time comes. I think that it would be worth it to pony up the money for that trip. However once overseas it would be up to the other members who are on the other side of the pond to get the instrument from country to country. I will cover cost from US and back to US everything else will be paid by the members.
-Dennis
The pack depends upon the wolf, and the wolf depends upon the pack. The loss of one means the destruction of the other.
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In that case you should ship that violin to Fred in SoCal for the first jam session
I don't have any tools with me but maybe Fred has a sound-post adjuster. Would be nice to adjust at least that.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Fiddlerman said
In that case you should ship that violin to Fred in SoCal for the first jam session
I don't have any tools with me but maybe Fred has a sound-post adjuster. Would be nice to adjust at least that.
I would be happy to. Have him post the shipping address in this thread, or in a private message to me.
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Hi Scotty, I just PMd you my mailing address; don't know how you could possibly get it here on Sat. though. I think Pierre suggested me first because he knows that because of my really advanced years, I may not be here long enough to see it make its way to me!
Please let me know when and how you're sending it okay.
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ftufc. Scotty's instrument is a whole other project for the most part. His suggestion is to have a community violin/s that would be available for new members to try their hand at playing violin with. They would keep it until they decide that either they don't want to continue pursuing the instrument or they have enough money to buy their own. The Communities Traveling Fiddle would be the one that goes to all the interested members for a short 30-45 days ish and then move along to the next person. Don't worry if this gets out of the gate then we will make sure you get an early shot at it
-Dennis
The pack depends upon the wolf, and the wolf depends upon the pack. The loss of one means the destruction of the other.
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Vince yes my idea was different, but it doesn't matter. I only have one violin to donate and if you want to use it for the "traveling fiddle" then I would be honored!
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I don't know why I'm so confused.
Scotty, the violin you're sending me is for what purpose? If it's not for the traveling violin then you may want to send it to someone who better fits your purpose than me,,, someone who can't afford a violin to try to see if they like, and want to continue learning violin.
I somehow thought that Scotty's violin was the traveling violin. And since it won't make it to me by this Sat. anyway, it surely doesn't need to go to me first.
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No Worries FTUFC. We have it all Worked out...ok we have part of it worked out. Scotty will be donating his Cremona SV-100 Violin to the Traveling Fiddle Project. So a great big "Thank You!" Goes out to him.
Ftufc, Given your interest in getting a hold of the instrument before the imminent demise you seem to be worried about, you are the first person who will receive the Traveler. 
I will need the names, FM forum screen names will do, of any and all interested parties. I think that the time frame of 30 days is reasonable. Though if an individual member wishes to ship to the next person in line early I don't see a problem with that as long as the next member is ok with it. I understand that circumstances may arise where shipping cannot be completed on time, these things happen, but I do urge people to keep the possession of the fiddle to Under 45 days.
As it stands the plan is for the Instrument to make a full North American tour before traveling overseas. I do not know if we have any south/central american members but if there are we will deal with it in due time.
Also when you submit your name, I recommend you do this soon, please also list your City and State. If you have a problem submitting it to the forum you may PM it to me. I will be using that locational data to try and figure out the most efficient route for the Traveler to take from the west coast back east stopping off at different members.
Please leave any and ALL suggestions on how we can make this process run more smoothly in the weeks and months and possibly years to come.
-Dennis
The pack depends upon the wolf, and the wolf depends upon the pack. The loss of one means the destruction of the other.
Regulars
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That sounds great Dennis,,,, yeah, I just don't know how much longer I may have, lmfao, I feel as though I'm on the brink right now,,, just praying I make it through the SoCal Fiddlerman Bbq & Fiddlejam! I'll probably send it along pretty quickly because I don't want my heirs to be responsible for sending it along if I'm "not around".
I don't know if Scotty will be mailing it to me in a violin case. If it's not in a case, I will contribute a reasonable case to the cause which should help protect it during shipping. And I might be able to come up with a shoulder rest for it.
Let the games begin!
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Awesome! and I am a terrible coordinator for this since I forgot to ask Scotty if it has a case or not! 
Also if you get this Could you possibly spread the word about the project to the folks at the BBQ/Jam?
It would be awesome if you could contribute a shoulder rest but don't forget a post card or sticker that gives the location so the next person in line will know where it has been
-Dennis
The pack depends upon the wolf, and the wolf depends upon the pack. The loss of one means the destruction of the other.
Honorary advisor
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this is a great idea...but unfortunately, I won't be joinin' this one, I'm too afraid that it might get lost in the mail, or it might get broken while playing, or broken from shipping, and plus I'm from a far away country, gonna be hard in shipping to me then to another one..... but good luck though.
anyway, I would suggest something like a log paper, where you sign in your name and write where and who you will ship it next...then there should be a forum post where you will announce whom you gonna send it next to avoid some conflict....
cheers! - ⁰ℨ
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ftufc said
That sounds great Dennis,,,, yeah, I just don't know how much longer I may have, lmfao, I feel as though I'm on the brink right now,,, just praying I make it through the SoCal Fiddlerman Bbq & Fiddlejam! I'll probably send it along pretty quickly because I don't want my heirs to be responsible for sending it along if I'm "not around".I don't know if Scotty will be mailing it to me in a violin case. If it's not in a case, I will contribute a reasonable case to the cause which should help protect it during shipping. And I might be able to come up with a shoulder rest for it.
Let the games begin!
If you have a case to donate, I am sure that it will be better than my soft case. If it is a hard shell case, maybe people could put stickers on it or sign it or something. So I will just ship it to you in a box with a bow on Monday it should take about 5-9 days to get there, I will send you the tracking number. You can save the box and bubble wrap for when you are ready to ship it out again. I will ship it in a box within a bigger box so if you donate a case, you can discard the small box.
King
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I have a $90.00 Chinese violin whilch I've had for about 7 or 8 year's that I would be happy to start the ball rolling with.
It would be shipped in a Fiddlerman / Fiddlershop box that my Concert Master was shipped in. Fragile is tagged on all side's of the box and it was well packaged.
My thought's are that is could be shipped each time to the person who is the closest on the list who would like to participate, in that way the shipping cost would be minimal.
I live in/ or near Detroit. There are new "helicor" string's on it and I have moved the sound post a few time's to try to get the best sound I thought was possible. Anyone is welcome to do whatever they wish.
There is no case, so the box will have to be reused for shipping.
I don't play it anyway.
Ken.
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