Professional Violin, Antique Dark Brown Varnish, Handmade in Kansas USA by Colton Mulder, Crow Creek Fiddles 2023

 Sound Description
Hand built with great precision in rural Phillipsburg Kansas, this instrument was designed to produce the finest tone-quality on the market. As my highest-level instrument, this can be considered equal-to, or better than, many of the instruments you will hear on well-known radio or television performances. It clearly sings the tones that every professional player aims to produce. It features perfect balance from low to high, very powerful projection, medium-loud volume with a very large dynamic range, and a warm, deep, rich timbre. The bow may draw a great diversity of sound from the instrument so as to provoke great emotion from the listener. The video of it being played is by Steve Jacobi.

Construction
      I have spent nearly 200 hours on the construction of this violin and professional craftsmanship is equally spread throughout. The neck and fingerboard are shaped to fit the players hand perfectly, and the strings set close to the fingerboard for maximum ease of playability. You won't want to put this violin down; it is a real pleasure to play!

     The violin features high quality European tonewood, responsibly harvested from the high elevations of the alps to produce lightweight plates for the best possible tonal potential. As the pictures display, this wood is not only ideal for sound but also beauty. The flame of the maple back, sides, and neck is quite attractive. The front has a very beautiful corduroy texture characteristic of quality handmade violins. These qualities are all enhanced by the beautiful industry leading Old Wood varnish.  This varnish, made from the finest ingredients is rich in color and transparency. It does a marvelous job at bringing out the wood's full potential for beauty. I applied it as a hand-rubbed antiqued finish rather than a uniform well-blended application.

    This violin features a two-piece back. The neck and scroll have been meticulously carved from a solid block of maple with great care and precision. The plates have been carefully carved to extra precise graduations. The extra crisp attractively shaped f-holes have been gracefully fluted to flow into the elegant arching. The heel has been artistically shaped, and the fingerboard is carved from the highest grade of African ebony available. The purfling has been painstakingly hand inlaid with flawless bee stings.

Set-up
     The professional setup features a delicately hand-carved Despaiu 3-tree bridge and carefully positioned sound post. It includes a beautiful set of ebony fittings with gold trim which match the varnish color perfectly. The tailpiece has a fine tuner on the E string for easy tuning. The chinrest is also ebony of the guarnerius style with gold hardware, and the endpin has an intricate shape with a gold pin. This instrument has been setup with Pirastro Obligato strings.

Conclusion
      Violins of this grade increase in value over the years, since due to playing and ageing the sound becomes more desirable.

       Whether you are an orchestra player who plays classical music, a concert hall soloist, a hillbilly who plays old time fiddle, an Irish fiddler or anything in between, this instrument has the capacity to fit your needs. All images are of the actual instrument you will receive if purchased! This listing is for the instrument only if you would like cases, bows, rosin, shoulder rests, electric pickups, or other accessories, let me know and I can give you a discounted price when purchased together. You will not be let down!

Please note that depending on lighting and reflections, the color in the photographs varies to some degree. The close-up photos of the bridge are the most accurate representation of the actual varnish color.

Why Choose Crow Creek Fiddles as your professional violin/fiddle?

• Commitment to quality - Each instrument sold under the brand of Crow Creek Fiddles is either constructed start to finish by myself right in the heart of the USA or is built by a skilled maker overseas to reduce final cost then varnished and set-up by me in Kansas. I personally test and play each instrument that I build, and you can be confident that you won't be let down!
• I stand behind my work - Most people are nervous about buying a high dollar instrument online without being able to handle it and play it first. I understand these concerns, so I offer a generous 14-day return period. If you buy an instrument under the brand of Crow Creek Fiddles and don't like it, I will give you a full refund of the purchase price and if you live in select states, I will even cover the return shipping! (See full details in my shop return policy.)
• Five-star reviews - Every customer who has bought one of my fiddles has been pleased with the quality of it for the price. I have never had a disappointed customer. Below are a couple reviews:

Handmade Master Grade Violin for the Soloist Level Player 2021 Crow Creek Fiddles Made in USA

Robin – Oct 10th, 2022

What a wonderful luthier/seller! I was nervous to purchase this hand-made violin without having seen it in person from a luthier that seems relatively new to the art, but I'm so glad I did. I've played violin for 30 years, and this instrument is easier to play than my previous violin. Double-stops in particular are much easier! I'm really enjoying playing it, and I know it's just going to get better with age. 

Crow Creek Fiddles- Handmade, Intermediate Grade, Violin/Fiddle, Red-Brown, Strad, 4/4 size

Joshua – Jun 25th, 2021

Great to work with, answered all my questions quickly and with care! Received this beautiful fiddle expertly packed and in perfect condition. Would definitely do business with again.