News Release

September, 2008

A new stringed instrument shop is open at 242 E Center Street in Kingsport. Fiddlesticks Stringed Instruments, owned by Tanya Davis Logan, offers orchestral and folk instruments, strings, and accessories as well as repairs, professional instrument setup and bow rehairing.

Logan, a violinist and private teacher since the 1980s, is no stranger to music sales. “Early on, I realized that parents struggled to pay for lessons and instruments, especially if they had several children. So I offered instruments for sale and trade at a low cost, first at the Royal Academy of Musik in Front Royal, VA and later here in town at Fiddlesticks.”

Logan closed Fiddlesticks a few years ago to focus on her freelance writing, penning five books  along with her weekly Times-News column. She continued to play violin and then in April she married Mickey Logan, owner of Trace of Time Antiques on Broad Street.  “We thought it would be fun to have shops side-by-side, so when the space behind Trace of Time came available, we jumped on it.”

“I still want to offer affordability, so that beginners can afford to learn to play. A student instrument can cost from a few hundred dollars up into 4 digits, but if that is a hardship we offer rentals starting at just $25 per month. We do not use bottom-line instruments for the rentals. If a child or adult’s first instrument is not capable of a good sound they can be quickly discouraged. You can also pay a little more and upgrade your rental to an even better instrument. In addition, part of the rental cost can be applied to a purchase.”

Although there are other shops that sell violins in the Tri-Cities, there are none that specialize in them. “What’s missing in our area is the ability to try out different instruments, especially for the more advanced players--to see what feels right and sounds good. I hope to fill that niche. Do you like new, or vintage? Do you like this kind of string, or that one? You’re almost forced to shop online, and then you don’t know what you’re getting until it’s too late. At Fiddlesticks, musicians can take their time, try out different sounds and see what they like best.”

A big advantage in helping customers is her ability to play the instruments for them. “Even people who don’t know how to play anything yet understand the kind of sound they like.”

Many of the instruments at Fiddlesticks are handmade, coming from makers all over the world. The smallest size is a 1/10 violin that looks like a toy; the oldest instrument in the shop dates to the early 1700s. In addition to traditional instruments, visitors can find some “different” items, like violins with carved heads or banjos with intricate mother of pearl inlay.

Logan hopes that her ability to handpick and adjust every instrument will make a difference. “Sometimes the tiniest adjustment can make a big difference in sound. People are always astonished when fifteen minutes adjusting the bridge or soundpost completely changes the instrument.”

Violins are like living creatures, requiring constant care. Most experts recommend taking them to an instrument shop for a maintenance check every six months. A well-kept instrument should outlive its owner by a few centuries.

Fiddlesticks Stringed Instruments

242 E Center St.

Kingsport, TN 37660

423-378-0088

www.fiddlesticksviolins.com

Hours: Thursday 11-7, Mon-Wed, Friday & Sat. 10-5 or by appointment

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