Anyone played one of the Magic Fluke Cricket Violins?

May 20, 2015 at 06:24 PM · Yes. I purchased this amazing little fiddle since I travel places where even my junker/outdoor/beater fiddle is not convenient. I made a little road trip with my grandson to the assembly place in Sheffield to try it out before purchase. It was a delightful adventure. The sound and feel are not like our "real" instruments, but adequate But, it is fine and extremely light-weight, small, and portable - qualities we needed.

Must say, walking into the place was a total fun fest. The amazing variety of ukes is astounding and I am hoping they start making some of the uke customized designs for the fiddle! The owners/creators and all of the staff are friendly and welcoming. We got a tour of the assembly areas.

If space, convenience, weight, etc., are a consideration, this is a terrific little bargain. It is not super sensitive to climate change and remains in tune endlessly. For travel, to end worry, I use a carbon fiber bow that fits easily in the soft case we got at the shop for the fiddle. We also selected the version with the amp option for some fun jamming.

Oh, yes, I have left this in a hot vehicle and it stayed in tune and undamaged. Totally more convenient than wood.

May 20, 2015 at 10:18 PM ·

May 20, 2015 at 11:50 PM · Jane, you make it sound like it's http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=26833

May 21, 2015 at 12:03 AM · Jane, you make it sound like it's http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=26833.

Laurie, please delete this - I didn't mean to duplicate - John

May 21, 2015 at 12:50 PM · OK, that made me laugh out loud.

Seriously, one of the reasons that I did buy it on the spot was that my 11year old grandson could easily play it. He is an outdoor enthusiast, lives in the woods, and would gladly take his violin into the forest to play. Now he can do that without jeopardizing his lovely 3/4 $ize. During February, his family all go to a hot and humid island and the substitute fiddle he borrowed from his sweet teacher did not make him thrilled. The Cricket will be much easier to tote there, too.

My use for it will be when I travel and camp cross-country as I stay in state and national parks in a tent. After working so hard to get my lovely violin, I hate to subject it to life on the road, being stowed in a hot vehicle, and the potential for it being taken. AND, the volume of the Cricket is not so loud as to be offensive or intrusive at a campsite. But with the amp option, we can blast away at home and compete with the drums and guitars!

Unlike Bubba, I am not likely to splash beer on it, but a little wine around the campfire..... who knows. This little instrument will allow for a bit more playful use and sharing.

This Cricket will debut at Festival of American Fiddle Tunes and Ashoken Northern Week this year as practice fiddle for play on the beach and in the woods.