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So I just ordered my CVA 500 Viola, Everest Shoulder Rest, Sona 3-1 Metro-Tuner, D'Addario Kaplan Artcraft Dark Rosin, and Artino Practice Mute through Fiddlershop.com.
At this point I don't think I will be capable of ordering items for my instrument from ANYWHERE else!
When I called the shop directly with questions they had the answers. However, the thing that impressed me most about them was that they didn't just answer my questions they took an interest in them!
I found that, even though Violaman/Fiddlerman and Mike have a lot of experience with these instruments and their inner workings, they didn't just give me an answer from a cue card they wanted to share their knowledge and experience.
Unlike many of these large companies, who suggest you buy a more expensive item because it's "better", Fiddlershop actually Tries to sell you quality over "cost". For example when I asked Mike about the rosin that comes with my viola and what a good rosin to upgrade to would be he said, "Well we have some $30-40 rosins, but the best bang for your buck, and what would best for you and what you'll be playing, is going to be the Kaplan artcraft rosin." Then, not being terribly literate in the nuances of playing a Viola I asked if there was a big difference between the light and dark rosins of the same brand, which also sell for the same price, and he told me that, "Yes there is a difference. The Dark rosin tends to increase reaction time and also produces a slightly louder tone as well."
Given how helpful, direct, and interested they were in my pursuit of music the only way I see myself buying something from somewhere else is if I happen to break a string and need a new one right away for a performance/jam session/recital.
Thank you all at Fiddlershop for taking care of me and being so supportive of my passion in music and for having Violaman.com, Fiddlerman.com, and the Fiddlershop out here on the web for EVERYONE to enjoy!
-Dennis
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You are super welcome Dennis. We actually do care. 
Having appreciative customers makes is all worth the effort.
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Well the Viola arrived today and I am pronouncing it a National Holiday, at least at my house. Unfortunately there will be no pics or video for probably a week given that I do not yet have a web cam and the crappy digital camera that I did have I finished breaking by repeatedly dropping it off of cliffs and ledges while it was in my bag while rock climbing. No the breaking of the camera was not intentional nor was I heart broken over it 
So, The instrument is very beautiful. Flaming along the sides and back which I did not expect from the pictures I saw. The Case also has a built in Hygrometer which I also didn't know about but am Thankful for.
The Artino mute definitely quiets the instrument a great deal but it also gives it a very deep rumbly kind of tone to it that I'm still making my mind up about. The only thing that I had a "problem" with is that the end pin was sticking out a ways so I loosened up the strings and pushed that sucker back in. Then as soon as I started to re-tighten the strings I accidentally knocked down the bridge. Good thing I've watched the "Resurrecting a Fallen Bridge" video twice because I was prepared to face the challenge of Resurrecting my own bridge Re-tuning the instrument took a while longer than expected and was definitely more difficult than tuning a guitar but I think I will develop a method for doing that fairly quickly since I'll be upgrading the strings soon.
Not Sure if I'll be ready for the "Ash Grove" project but I'm hoping I will be and I will be posting pics and vid as soon as I can.
THANK YOU again Pierre and Michael for taking such good care of me!!!!!!!!!!! I look forward to doing business with you again in the near future.
-Dennis
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Sounds great Dennis. I'm looking forward to seeing a video 
As for mutes. They do 2 things. They make your instrument quieter so that you can play without disturbing other people. A good thing. The other thing that they do is cover up a lot of mistakes and make you sound better than you really are 
VM's opinion on this would be interesting.
Bite off more than you can chew..... Then chew like MAD
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If youre not sure you would like a mute, pin a clothes pin on the bridge (poor mans mute) and see what you think...like it even more quiet, pin another on the other side
Bach : As the greatest expert and judge of harmony, he liked best to play the viola, with appropriate loudness and softness
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@Ferret Yes I have noticed the mute covering up mistakes. I have also noticed that unless I have it in just the right spot it makes the C string vibrate so bad it rattles
@Barry Nelson I already have the mute. Now I'm trying to figure out if I actually like it. I mean I do need it for here at home but I'm trying to decide if I like the deep growly noise it makes when it's on
-Dennis
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Sorry about the end button. That one slipped by me. 
Regulars
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No worries Pierre I went in a good ways and doesn't bother me anymore. And I now Know why I have a lot of things I didn't expect. I wound up with a CVA 600 instead.
Pierre and I have worked out the details for making up the Difference in price and I will be keeping the 600 instead of Sending it back to have a 500 delivered instead. If you want an early view of my 600, and case, is watch the CVA 600 review video. Because THAT instrument and THAT case, not ones like it, is what I actually received and I just couldn't let this baby go back.
I should be able to get some pics and video up on Tues (Maybe) if I can figure out how to upload a video on you tube. Be warned I will probably be playing Silent Night and it will probably sound awful.
Thanks again to Pierre and Michael without whom I would not have met such a beautiful instrument....even if it was on accident.
-Dennis
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Cecilio shipped that instrument for a review. Who knows if they picked a better instrument for this purpose but it is a great viola. Barry had worse luck with the same model.
I'm glad that you ended up with it.
Also, glad that you found Violaman.com, we need you here.
Regulars
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Yeah that one that Barry received was really something else. I find it hard to believe that a company that does that much business doesn't have better QC.
Anyways. I now have a video, due to some help from a friend, and will be posting it in the Critique corner as soon as I can finish downloading Movie maker and get the different clips together into one file...and then figure out how to post it on you tube....I hate technology....
-Dennis
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