-----Original Message-----
From: Scout1760@aol.com [mailto:Scout1760@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2000 8:48 PM
To: jacob@theviolincollector.com
Cc: Scout1760@aol.com
Subject: Chiriac violin


Jacob,

Thanks so much for the timely way you mailed me my Chiriac violin. UPS
brought it on Friday and I've been playing it as much as I can and after
just
a couple of days I can safely say its a "keeper". This violin is as you said
a very nice instrument. I was'nt sure at first about ordering over the mail
but your seven day guarentee and the quality of your web site with its great
pictures gave me a feeling of security in placing the order. The instrument
was packed very well and I don't say that lightly as the company I work for
does alot of package shipping every day and your packing is first rate! This
is my second violin and it cost twice as much as my first one but looks and
sounds ten times the cost! The finish and antiquing gives the Chiriac a
slightly aged look and really adds to the look of quality to this violin.
The
back may noy be highly fiqured like other violins but the way the staining
and varnishing was done it brought out quite an amount of figure in the wood
than I could see from the file picture you sent me, I'm very satisfied with
the looks! The highly figured  tail piece and chin rest really compliments
the overall look of the violin, its  really a shame to have to keep it in
its
case so it won't be seen.I played it with the steel strings for about ahalf
an hour and switched to a set of Dominants that I ordered just for this
violin. The sound understandably changed dramatically, from bright and high
with a thin sound, to a much fuller and richer tone that seems to come from
deep in the body of the instrument. Very nice to say the least! The action
of
the bridge is higher compared to my other one but I'll play it for awhile
and
decide later if I need to lower it. All in all Jacob, the experience of
buying from you has been an excellent one and please feel free to refer any
prospective buyers my way for a recommendation. Again thanks.

Sincerely,

Don Mears