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Full Size Violins / Fiddles

(We have all sizes! Contact us for Smaller Sizes!)

Bluegrass Shack Productions has one of the finest selections of fractional and full size violins and fiddles over the internet. All of our instruments come set up and ready to play, and there are sound clips of each one for you to listen to. We are currently in the process of photographing and recording our vintage fiddles, which number over 200 in all, so if you don't see what you are looking for, feel free to contact us. Our vintage fiddles start at $200.

We do carry new cases (starting at $40 with purchase of instrument) and bows (starting at $15 with purchase of instrument) and can get you a price quote upon request.

Bluegrass Shack Productions wants you to be satisfied with your purchase. If you are looking for a fiddle and you don't know what size to order, or if you aren't sure if you should buy new, used, or vintage, take a look at this information from the LearnBluegrass website.

One of the most frequent questions we get asked is, "What is the difference between a fiddle and a violin?" There is no difference in the instrument at all. The setup of the instrument might be slightly different, such as a different brand of string or a different bridge curvature. Usually classical players refer to the instrument as a violin, and bluegrass, country and folk musicians will refer to it as a fiddle. Your purchase will work for any style of music!

If you save your receipt, you will also be able to trade in your fiddle for a different size (for children starting on a less than full size instrument) or for a more expensive one later on. We offer great trade-in values, many times giving you the full amount you paid for your instrument when it is returned to us in good condition with the original receipt.

Instruments may be purchased using a credit card or your checking account through PayPal. This is free for buyers. You may also call us with your credit card number. If you would like to purchase with a check or money order, please contact us at BluegrassShack@aol.com for instructions. Thank you and happy looking!

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4/4 Vintage Violin/Fiddle $425 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 807

Nice, vintage instrument with great sound! This beautifully antiqued 1890's Amati copy instrument is just waiting to come to your home. It features ebony pegs, ebony tailpiece with four fine tuners; ebony fingerboard; plastic chinrest; and Prim strings.

This instrument is in excellent condition. There are no seam separations, but there are several repaired cracks in the top and many faux cracks and antiqueing to the varnish and the wood itself. There is also a faux scroll graft. This is typical for this instrument, as it was made to be an EXACT copy of another instrument made in 1650. It was copied all the way down to the cracks and scroll graft. (Again, these are fake on this particular instrument.) The cracks that are "for real" on this instrument are in the top and have been cleated and glued. I believe there are four actual repaired cracks in the top. None are bass bar or soundpost cracks, and none will affect the value or playability of the instrument. The instrument has its original varnish which is in very good condition. This instrument would be great for a beginner or intermediate instrument. Medium to loud in volume with a nice sound. It has a nice bass and treble range; not at all tinny. Recommended for all types of music. Overall length is 23-1/4".

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4/4 Vintage Violin/Fiddle $735 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 800

This is a really nice Maggini copy violin. Circa 1900 from Dresden, Germany. In true Maggini style, the double purfling is on both back and front. Regular scroll pattern. Slightly petite violin, but still full size. Rosewood fingerboard; ebony pegs; ebony tailpiece with four fine tuners; plastic chinrest; new bridge; new Prim strings.

This instrument is in excellent condition. There is only one crack that I see, and it is a small, repaired crack that is under the fingerboard where the neck attaches to top. The repaired crack is in the top and is approximately 1" long. The instrument has its original varnish which is in okay condition, though there are numerous nicks, scratches and dings. Please note that what looks like the word "pair" on the photo of the back near the heel is a reflection from our "Repair" sign. This instrument would be great for a beginner or intermediate level player. Really great sound! Medium to loud in volume with a nice, full tone quality. Recommended for all types of music. Overall length is 23-1/4".

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4/4 Vintage Violin/Fiddle $425 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 808

This beautiful German fiddle was made around 1900. It has a rosewood fingerboard; ebony pegs; dyed wood tailpiece with four fine tuners; vintage plastic chinrest; new bridge; Super Sensitive strings.

This instrument is in very good condition. It has been entirely refinished, but a fairly decent job overall. There are a some spray marks, but I don't see any runs. There are three repaired cracks in the top: two repaired saddle cracks (one on either side of the saddle) about 3-4" long, and a 2" repaired cracks that runs from the top of the instrument on the left side of the fingerboard. All are stable and are cosmetic in nature. This instrument would be great for a beginner or intermediate level player. Nice, medium toned sound with a good bass end! Medium to loud in volume. Highly recommended for all types of music. Overall length is 23-1/2".

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4/4 Vintage Violin/Fiddle $880 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 684

Beautiful, handmade vintage instrument. Circa 1920, Nippon (Japan) made by M. Suzuki. Instrument features beautiful rosewood pegs; rosewood fingerboard; new ebony tailpiece with four fine tuners; plastic chinrest; vintage bridge; new Super Sensitive Red Label Strings.

This instrument is in excellent condition. There are no cracks, repaired cracks or seam separations. Original varnish is in super condition with only light scratching and dings overall. Please note that the reddish mark on the photo of the top is a reflection from our neon sign. Great condition for its age! Loud in volume with a great tone quality! This is a wonderful intermediate to advanced level instrument. Recommended for all types of music. Overall length is 23-1/4".

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4/4 Older Violin/Fiddle Outfit $475.00 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 809

Here is your chance to get a great looking, great sounding older instrument for less! This is a Maggini copy most likely made by Neuner & Hornsteiner. Circa 1890 made in Mittenwald, Germany. It has all rosewood fittings including pegs, tailpiece with four fine tuners, chinrest, and fingerboard; and Dominant strings. It has beautiful double purfling inlayed all around the top and back of the instrument, with inlayed designs in purfling on both the front and back. There are also Latin inscriptions on the back that read "JN SILVIS VIVA SILUI CANORA JAM MOR TUA CANO." I have been told that this means something like Alive I am silent, in death I sing. This is referring to a tree providing the wood for an instrument -- when the tree is alive, it doesn't make music; but when the tree is cut down and the wood used for an instrument, it can sing.

This instrument is in very good condition. Typically, this instrument would sell for three to four times what we are asking for it. We are selling for less due to having obtained it for less, and also due to some repairs that were made to the instrument. I count six well-repaired cracks in the top of the instrument: two from the left f-hole, one to the right of the center seam that is even with the inside foot of the bridge, a 1/4" wing crack, a 5" crack that runs from the top of the instrument down the left side of the fingerboard and almost to the f-hole, and a 4" saddle cracks. All have been well repaired, are not obvious, and are guaranteed solid and stable. There has also been a button repair, which would probably also mean the neck has been reglued, though it is not obvious and the neck angle is good (see pictures). On the ribs to the right side of the neck, there is a 3/4" repaired crack and a small patch (see pictures). The instrument has its original varnish, but has been clear coated. No drips or runs that I can see and it looks very nice. Beautiful tone on this one, as would be expected with this maker. Medium loud in volume. Suitable for a beginner or intermediate player and all styles of music. Overall length is 23-1/2".

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the dark color of this instrument, it was very hard to get any detail to show up. Several pictures have been changed slightly (contract and color) to show detail. The actual color of this instrument is very dark, reddish brown. Not at all orange.

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4/4 Vintage Violin/Fiddle $399 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 667

Here is a really unique, vintage fiddle. Most likely a German Framus from the 1920's. Beautiful and unusual one-piece birch veneer top and back. That's right -- both the top and the back are one piece! Nice wood grain overall. New ebony pegs with parisian eye; new ebony tailpiece with four fine tuners; new ebony chinrest; dyed hardwood maple fingerboard; and Prim strings.

This instrument is in excellent condition. There are no cracks or repaired cracks. The instrument has been completely revarnished. This was done very tastefully with no runs or drips. There are a few sandpaper scratches here and there that are underneath the varnish, but nothing that really stands out significantly. Maple neck and sides; inlayed purfling. This instrument has a nice, deep tone to it. Very desireable sound and loud in volume! Recommended for all types of music. Overall length is 23".

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4/4 Vintage Violin/Fiddle $385 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 653

Here's another nice German instrument in an affordable price range! This instrument was made around 1890 and has a beautifully flamed back! Other features include rosewood fingerboard, new ebony tailpiece with four fine tuners, new plastic chinrest, new ebony nut and endpin, new Super Sensitive Red Label strings, and a new bridge. The tuners on this instrument are metal, non-slip Grover tuners. To adjust the tightness of the pegs, all you need is a screwdriver and now you no longer have slipping pegs! The peghead/scroll is undamaged and the instrument could be fitted with regular friction pegs at some time if you so desire.

This instrument is in good condition. The entire instrument has been revarnished. I don't see any drips or runs, and there are very few brush marks. Overall, a good job. There are several repaired cracks, including a 3" repaired saddle crack on the top, and another 1" crack on the top to the right of the saddle crack. The back center seam has been reglued at some point, but is solid. There appears to be two repaired cracks on the end near the endpin. One is in the rib to the right of the endpin, and the other comes directly out of the endpin where the endblock is. All of these will not affect the instrument, and are only cosmetic in nature. The top cracks in particular are very hard to see. This instrument is loud in volume and has a good tone quality. Recommended instrument for beginner or intermediate player. Overall length is 23-1/4".

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4/4 Vintage John Juzek Master Art Violin/Fiddle $1000 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. JN-Consign

This REALLY NICE instrument is on consignment here at The Bluegrass Shack. It is a 1956 John Juzek Master Art violin made in Czechoslovakia. It features an ebony fingerboard, ebony chinrest, ebony pegs with gold colored diamonds on the ends, Wittner metal tailpiece with four built-in fine tuners, Tourte bridge, ebony collar button, bone nut, and Dominant strings. It comes with an older case, but no bow.

This instrument is in super condition! The original varnish is all intact, with practice no scratches, dings or edge wear. It hasa finely grained spruce top, beautifully flamed back and sides, a grafted scroll (which is original to this instrument from the factory), fluted f-holes, inlayed purfling, and finely cut scroll. No cracks, separations or repairs! Due to the condition and sound quality of this instrument, I would recommend it for a more advanced player. It is really incredible! I would classify it as a loud instrument, with good tone and balance across all strings. I believe this instrument would be good for ANY style of music. Highly recommend. Overall length is 23-1/8". Due to this instrument being a consignment instrument, it is fully guaranteed, but is not eligible for the 100% trade in for life. It CAN be returned for a full refund minus shipping costs if you do not like it when it arrives, although I can't imagine someone not falling in love with this instrument.

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4/4 Vintage German Violin/Fiddle $480 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 534

This nice instrument was made in Mittenwald, Germany around 1920. It features an ebony fingerboard, new ebony tailpiece with four fine tuners; new bridge; vintage wooden chinrest; vintage pegs (I'm not sure if they are ebony or dyed hardwood); new Red Label Super Sensitive strings.

This instrument is in excellent condition. The original varnish is in good condition, with a few scratches and dings overall, most noticeably under and to the left of the tailpiece. There are no cracks or repaired cracks. I would classify this instrument as loud and bright, though not tinny. I think it would be most suitable for folk or bluegrass. Overall length is 23-1/4".

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4/4 Vintage August Glass German Violin/Fiddle $575 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 546

Made by August Glass family in Germany, circa 1890. Please note: all cracks and neck graft are fake. This instrument was antiqued to look exactly like a specific Joseph Klotz violin. This instrument features a one-piece back, a beautiful rosewood fingerboard, new ebony tailpiece with four fine tuners; new plastic chinrest; vintage ebony pegs; new bridge; and new Pirastro Chromcor strings. Really great looking instrument for antique lovers!

This instrument is in excellent condition. The original varnish is in very good condition, with a few scratches and dings overall, however it is tough to tell what is original antiqueing and what has come with use and age. There are no cracks or repaired cracks -- all lines that look like cracks are part of the original antiqueing. Neck graft is fake. Peghead has been rebushed, but I believe this was also original to the instrument. I would classify this instrument as medium loud, and suitable for all types of music. Overall length is 23-1/4".

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4/4 Vintage German Violin/Fiddle $455 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 651

Beautiful, vintage instrument here! This German Stainer copy was made around 1890 and looks almost brand new! The original varnish has been clear-coated and so has protected this instrument well. Rosewood fingerboard; ebony tailpiece with four fine tuners; hybrid ebony pegs with pearl dot; Prim strings; new bridge; plastic chinrest; new ebony endpin.

This instrument is in excellent condition. The finish is chipped off around the edges of the pegholes where the tuning pegs go into the scroll (see picture of scroll). There are no cracks or repaired cracks, and no open seams. There is one dent in the ribs near the endpin; costmetic in nature only and not requiring repair (see pictures). There is some small crackling to the finish overall and a few dents and dings, but this is really a great looking instrument! The purfling is inlayed. Beautiful flaming on the back and sides! This would make a wonderful Christmas gift for that someone special -- including yourself! Loud in volume with a bright tone quality that will carry well in a jam session. Overall length is 23-3/16".

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4/4 Vintage German Violin/Fiddle $299 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 630

Looking for the inexpensive red violin? Then you'll want this one! Certainly suitable for the beginning student! This German fiddle was made around 1900 in Berlin or Dresden. It has dyed pegs and fingerboard; ebony tailpiece with four fine tuners; sloped ebony chinrest; and Perlon strings.

Overall condition of this instrument is good. It has no cracks or repaired cracks, and no seam separations. The original red varnish is in good condition. There are some scratches and dings, and wear along the edges, but nothing major. Light flaming on the back, and very even medium grain spruce top. This instrument is medium loud in volume and would be nice for a beginning player of any style. Overall length is 23".

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4/4 Vintage Austrian Conservatory Violin/Fiddle $449 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 547

Another ugly instrument with a good sound. Original red sunburst varnish is chippy. Ebony fingerboard; metal tailpiece with four fine tuners; new bridge; hybrid ebony pegs with pearl dot; ebony chinrest; Prim strings. Made in Austria, circa 1900.

This fiddle has numerous chips and scratches overall. No cracks or repaired cracks. No seam separations. This is a loud instrument with a good, bright tone quality. Neck angle is slightly low. With a neck reset, this instrument would be killer! As is, this instrument would be great for a beginning to intermediate student. Very easy to play. Overall length is 23-1/4".

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4/4 Vintage Czech Violin/Fiddle $535 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 551

Another great student or intermediate instrument! Nice looking and nice sounding. Circa early 1900's. Dyed rosewood fingerboard, ebony pegs; new wooden chinrest; new Wittner tailpiece with four built-in fine tuners; new bridge; Super Sensitive Red Label strings.

This is a VERY easy to play instrument. Close grained spruce top has a slight wave to it on the upper bouts. There is one small crack (about 1") on the upper right bout that is cross-grain. It appears to be a flaw in the wood. You can see it in the pictures. There are two other repaired cracks that are very hard to see. One on each side of the tailpiece on the top. Neither are soundpost or bass bar cracks. Original finish is great condition. Scratches under the bridge and tailpiece, but hardly any other scratches or dings overall. Beautiful, lightly flamed back, and very pretty scroll. Medium to loud in volume with a nice tone quality suitable to all styles of music.

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4/4 Vintage Left-Handed Violin/Fiddle $749 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference No. 599

Here is the first of its kind that I've ever seen, though I'm sure there are more... This is a left-handed fiddle made in the early 1800's. Yes, it was built that way with the bass bar on the opposite side. It has the old style neck block that is attached to the neck with the ribs inserted into the block. It also has the baroque neck, though we positioned the new fingerboard and the nut so that the scale would be standard. New ebony fingerboard; new ebony nut; new ebony tailpiece with four fine tuners; plastic chinrest (Right-handed, because it came without one and I don't have a left-handed chinrest. This is a flat chinrest so will hopefully work okay for a lefty.); new bridge; new fancy ebony pegs; Super Sensitive Red Label strings. It has the original varnish, which is dark brown, and also has been touched up with several different colors. It has not been stripped or refinished. Beechwood neck with a very unique scroll curl.

The back has a geometrical design that has been painted on. The purfling is also painted, but is very fine and beautifully detailed. It is stamped "GOFF" and "LONDON" on the back near the button. (See pictures.) This has been rebushed to fit the new pegs. There are two well-repaired cracks on the right-hand side of the top. Not bass bar cracks. There are also several rib cracks on the left side ribs. I do not know if/how these were repaired, though they seem to be stable. There is also a picture for you to see this. I looked inside but was not able to see this part of the fiddle through the endpin hole or the f holes. There is a 1" crack in the rib on the end. It appears to be fixed as well. NICE bass sound!!!! This is a rare opportunity for a left-handed fiddle player to get a great sounding, vintage, left-handed fiddle!

Please understand I am not left-handed and it really was something for me to get ANY soundclip recorded for this fiddle. I believe an actual left-handed fiddler would be able to make this fiddle sound better than my soundclip.

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Almost New Protege Violin / Fiddle - $380.00
FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Comes in full size (4/4) - Reference No. JP336

One available. Almost new Protege violin, circa 2000. Nice sounding instrument with gorgeous flaming!!! A few nicks and scratches around the edges, but otherwise in perfect condition. The pictures listed are of the actual instrument you will receive. Medium loud in volume. Features of this instrument include:

* Ebony fingerboard
* Ebony pegs
* Ebony chinrest
* Metal tailpiece with four built-in fine tuners
* Inlaid purfling
* Spruce top
* Tighly flamed maple back, sides & neck
* Includes luthier setup to insure proper string height and good playability

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Add a featherweight case and a student bow with real horsehair and ebony frog for only $65.

4/4 Vintage Violin / Fiddle - $799.00 - FREE Shipping/Insurance (US only)
Reference cn2

This is a real beauty! This fiddle was made in Berlin, Germany circa 1890. It is a Maggini copy. It has ebony pegs, ebony nut, ebony fingerboard, ebony tailpiece with four fine tuners, dyed wood chinrest, double purfling all around the front and back, extra turn in the scroll, and Supersensitive strings. Overall length is 23-5/8".

The overall condition of this fiddle is great. There are no cracks or repaired cracks. There is a shim under the fingerboard, which can be seen in the "Side" picture. Nicks and scratches overall that are consistent with age. This is a bright sounding fiddle, with a slight edge to it. Loud in volume – perfect for hoedowns! Very easy to play.

Old, but serviceable case.

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For more information about any of these violins or if you are looking for something that is not listed here, please send an e-mail to BluegrassShack@aol.com.

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Last updated: June 16, 2009
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