Testimonials

Thanks simeon. you are the best supplier of wood on ebay and the best seller to work with bar none!   Steve  12-29-11

Simeon!  Thanks for the splendid spruce.  What a pity I am not younger to have full benefit of making more violins with this spruce.  Best, Joseph  (Nagvary)  February 2010

I was SHOCKED when I first played my Simeon Chambers violin! I have played many violins and this is by far the best sounding violin I have ever played! The tone is very smooth, even, rich and also powerful. It far exceeds my expectations, especially considering the price. It sounds and plays better then violins twice it's price! Sound/tone quality is the most important aspect of any instrument I play, but my Simeon's violin is also gorgeous! It is nicely flamed and the finish is great. I am so happy with this instrument that I purchased a second one. This violin is so nice that I need a second one just in case something should happen to the one I already own.    I don't write reviews or testimonials often, but the quality of this instrument has compelled me to do so. I would highly recommend a Simeon Chambers violin to any musician looking for a quality instrument!    Tom Ryans, Wayne, NJ   8-4-11

I just finished the Strad white with your top.  Wow!!!  The tone, timber and volume is incredible.   Lyle  June 2009

It displays greater volume than any violin I have ever owned.  Larry

I got the package today. Thanks for your help. Wonderful wood. Just beautiful.   I have purchased wood from you before. Exceptional quality.   11-5-11

The 6 tops have just arrived.  When I opened the box my jaw fell open as well, and I nearly fell over!   Spectacularly beautiful spruce, I've never seen better.  Thanks a million, they really are the business.  Dave in the UK

I took it to my 70 year old luthier friend who has studied woods all his life and normally imports from Europe.  It was the finest spruce he has ever seen.  David 

Thank you for the amazing wood I got last week.  I never thought a soundpost could make such a difference!   Per in Europe

I received the spruce billet and I wanted to tell you that it FULLY MEETS my expectations.  It as just as you described.  Ronnie in TN

I FINALLY got around to opening up the package you sent......Well anyway, WOW!   The Spruce is gorgeous!  John in the UK 

I received my order today.  I cannot thank you enough for providing such quality wood.  To find someone who actually delivers on what they advertise is greatly appreciated.  Stan 

The practice top I bought from you has really sold me on your Engelmann...all the best...Dick, United Kingdom

Just a note to let you know I just finished the first White Violin purchased from you.  The wood quality was better than previous whites I had made.  What I did not expect was the OUTSTANDING mature and mellow sound that I got from this violin.  The Engelmann Spruce top really made a difference.  I will be buying more of these.  Thanks once again!  Dave in PA

"I frankly needed to replace the post in one of my violins - a 1984 Severin Shurger – American. This is a very good but not an "exciting" instrument. The post was placed by me on 1/26. The result was both remarkable and unexpected. The violin gained volume and clarity. Tonally the instrument was rounder and distinctly more pleasant. As previously, all 4 strings remained in balance..  I do believe the wood you are both using and selling is the basis for the virtual transformation of my violin.  It could be argued that I placed the post in a better location. This is unlikely as I used a marked target to position the sound post.  If this experience is repeated by others I believe you will be the distributor  of one of the most valuable violin accessories money can buy,,,,,,,and how little money it is.  Congratulations,     Elliot Reichbach, MD

The wood you sent me for the last violin I made gave the instrument a great sound.  It has been recognized as an outstanding violin by many professional players.  I would recommend this wood to any violin maker.  Thanks again, George B in MA 

Love the wood, Thanks!!   James

The wood arrived yesterday and I am very pleased.  The spruce cookie looks great.  Thanks again, A violin Pro in MD

By the way, I just set up a violin that I built using one of your low density 50 year old spruce units.  Amazing tone and volume.  Thanks, Ron in KY

The wood we ordered from you is the best we have found.  Thanks, Doyle in WV

I am truly amazed by the quality of the wood you sent me and it looks even better to hold and see first hand than it did in your pictures of it.  I'm truly thankful to have dealt with an honest and efficient tonewood supplier.  Thanks Again,  Rob in the United Kindom,  November 2007  (this wood was the Combo Pack Fine grade)

After 100 violins, I made my first Viola.  An anniversary gift for my wife.  Well, at the quartet party, with the best talent and instruments, this new Viola stood out.  With the good ears of these professionals, (one pro in particular- with his $16,000 Viola by a well known maker) they insisted on a blind sound test.  The first blind test ....my Viola won.  The subsequent test with another player...and it won again!  It's the wood.   Thanks again, Gary   

I just wanted to let you know that I just completed my first violin with your wood.  I was so impatient to hear the sound that I probably skimped on the finish, but WOW- this violin- the first I have ever made- sounds better than the Master Juzek, and even sweeter than the Hannibal Fagnola I have.  And it is not even played in.  It is a pleasure to have the best sounding violin be one I made myself, and part of the credit goes to that excellent wood you sold me.  Thanks!!  doubledave 

The only thing your wood oozes is Quality!  Cheers, Mark 

I just wanted to let you know I recieved the Professional Grade Spruce Violin Top today and couldn't be more pleased.  I just finished a Fiddle that was made out of your "lesser" grade spruce and it still made a good fiddle.  Thanks again, Darrell 

This is the BEST top wood I have used for mandolins.  Thanks, Steve in SC

My 100th violin was the best ever.  There is no question that your old Engelmann is the key ingredient.  My professional violinist spouse claimed this latest violin as her own.   Her colleagues say it is very special and love to play it.  Gary in IL

Hi, I got the bass bars today and all i can say is "WOW".  This wood is exquisite.  I haven't seen any better in many years.  David  in NC 

Thanks again for the great wood.  Even the 5 violin sets for $50 I got on ebay is good.    Nathaniel

This wood is incredible!  This is primo numero uno wood!!  Thanks again, Jeff in OH

From William R. Scott, 2006 Gold and Silver Medal winner:   I have been working with wood from Simeon Chambers for the past two years and have been extremely pleased.  At the last VSA Competition, both medal winning instruments were made from spruce he supplied.  Great Engelmann Spruce!  I would recommend it to anyone.  My best sounding so far. 

This is the best top wood I have used for mandolins.  Thanks  Steve in SC

Thanks again Simeon, still the best wood on eBay.  John in VA

I just received the wood today and wanted to let you know how happy I am with it.   I will definately buy all my spruce from you in the future.  Thanks... Jason in CA

Just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know I received the mandolin tops today and am MORE than happy!!!  Thank you again, Jim in RI

I purchased before and you have the best wood ever.  Virginia, NC

Yes, the wood arrived.  Even better than I thought!  Your careful selection and convenient cut sizes makes my life easier.  The lovely fine even grain and sweet scent of the spruce, easily worked, not prone to splitting or cracking, is truly a pleasure to work with.   Errol, CA

Hello Simeon, I just wanted to say thanks for the nicest tonewood I've seen!  Also, I wanted to tell you and your customersof the fantastic soundposts that I make out of your Engelmann Spruce.  They have greatly improved the overall tonal qualities of every violin I have put them in.  Thanks again, Steve

The spruce tops you have sent me are the best I have used so far.   I made one violin and one viola with your spruce.  The sound was better than any I have made to date.  I hope to make a lot more.  George.  in MA

Your wood is exceptional !! the tone is fantastic !!! I am a builder and experiment alot , I will send you pictures of a project that I am building from an Arch top set I got from you. As I carve and sand the tone just gets better and better . I recommend you to all luthiers if they want great wood at a good price .

I received the wood today, and it is magnificent, it's way better than the photos on ebay.    Michael

Received top wood today.  It all looks fantastic.  The bearclaw is stunning.  Thank you.

Even with an extra 17.5% VAT on top of the cost, they are a tremendous value and I am delighted with them.  Ian, United Kingdom

We tested one piece with a Lucchimeter and it got the best rating EVER of wood in the school.   Simon, United Kingdom

I got your wood yesterday....It looks GREAT.....Thanks.  Dave in OR

The wood is better than I had hoped for.    Virginia

Just received your shipment with the one-piece top and soundpost material.  I'm in love!  Rudy

I made one of my best sounding instruments ever using your wood.  George

I'm making all my custome mandolins with your fantastic tone wood as long as the supply lasts.   Bill in IN

I just strung up my F body mandolin, built using one of your one piece tops.  This is my best sounding mandolin to date.  Wonderful wood!  Barry in PA

...Anyway, the spruce is fabulous!  High grade tonewood; I will be ordering more of that stuff from you.  Bob

I got the wood today, just fantastic!  Thanks for the extra piece also.   Bill

The spruce is fantastic, not sure I can stop admiring it long enough to work it at the moment. 

I can't express how greatful I am for your kindness.....

I am very impressed with its tonal qualities and graining.  The piece i bought was not your highest grade but is as good as anything the UK suppliers sold at a similar grade.  David, UK

....my daughter's harp, it has amazing resonence.  Steve in AZ

I received my tonewood today...I will be ordering more tonewood from you and not from other places.  Lynn

I just got this F-5 strung up tonight that I made from your old Engelmann and man oh man what a sound this thing has!!!!!!!!!  Tremendous bass and incredible volume!!!!  This is just after being strung up for a couple of hours!!!  I love this wood!!!!  This is truly a rare breed of Engelmann.  Thanks again for your experience, honesty and your knowledge of cutting wood properly!!!    Jeff

I have never experienced a wood of this caliber. The Englemann Spruce that I recieved from Simeon was incredible. I made one violin and one A Model mandolin using this wood and both sold immediately.   Against a Frailey mandolin, the analyzer said it was as good or better, and I can hear it!   A music teacher friend of mine who has played mandolin for 45 years, including on the Grande Ole Opry, and he told me that he would never look for a mandolin with a better sound. (than the A model from Simeon's wood).