Welcome to Frank's Fiddles
Thank you for visiting Frank's web site. Frank's Fiddles, located in Meridian, Idaho, is proudly celebrating its 15th year in business thanks to their loyal customers here in Idaho and throughout the country.
Frank Daniels, owner, has completed 146 four-string violins/fiddles; 38 five-string fiddles; 7 left-handed fiddles; and 7 violas (15-1/2" - 16-5/8"). Frank's handcrafted instruments are recognized for their ease of playability, their beautifully figured wood and their excellent tone, evenness, and projection.
In addition to selling his handcrafted instruments, Frank does repair work and sells used instruments and violin accessories. If you would like more information about Frank's handcrafted instruments after exploring the web site, or if you are interested in visiting his shop, you are welcome to email him (click here).
Frank and his wife, Karen, feel very fortunate to be able to travel and share Frank's instruments with professional musicians as well as players at all levels. Frank feels blessed that his instruments are being played at venues throughout the United States and abroad.
Rewards of the Business
Frank and Karen want to take this opportunity to send out a special thanks to BJ and Molly Cherryholmes who have faithfully endorsed Frank's Fiddles for over ten years.
For those of you who follow bluegrass bands and have attended concerts on college campuses or in concert halls, you are probably aware that the "Cherryholmes" disbanded as a family band in May 2011 to allow Cia, BJ, Skip and Molly Kate to pursue their own music careers and give Jere and Sandy a chance to take a breather and enjoy their home and community.
BJ and Molly Kate purchased their first Frank's fiddles in 2001 and Frank met the Cherryholmes for the first time at the Blythe, CA Bluegrass Festival in 2002. For the next ten years BJ and Molly Kate faithfully played and endorsed Frank's fiddles at their venues and Jere always took time during their set to thank all their sponsors. Through their efforts, Frank's instruments have become widely accepted throughout the bluegrass community and are played by a number of professional band members today.
Frank and Karen were able to attend numerous Cherryholmes performances throughout their career. One of the most memorable events was watching them receive the 2005 IBMA Entertainers of the Year award. The next night Frank and Karen were guests of the Cherryholmes backstage at the Grand Ole Opry. Other performances attended were at Silver Dollar City, the Nampa Civic Center, the Portland Center for the Arts, and their last two performances in Denton, North Carolina and Galax, Virginia.
Words cannot adequately express Frank and Karen's gratitude to BJ and Molly Kate for their efforts in promoting Frank's Fiddles. Thanks for your loyalty, your friendship and for spreading the word.
Award Winning Fiddles
Frank began entering his instruments at the Violin Makers Association of Arizona, Intl. annual competition in 1997 and his 11th instrument placed first in tone that year. In 1999 he had the prestigious honor of winning the Bob Wallace Memorial Award when his 34th instrument, a steel-string violin, was judged best in tone (by playing and listening judges) out of over 80 gut-string and steel-string violins. Through the years several of Frank's steel string fiddles have placed first in tone or in the top five instruments. His violas placed first in tone two years in a row and third in tone and workmanship in 2005.
Frank with BJ and Molly Kate Cherryholmes at Blythe, CA in 2002
Cherryholmes IBMA Entertainers of the Year 2005
Cherryholmes last performace, Galax, VA May, 2011
The trophies Frank has won since 1997
See more performers and owners in the Photo Gallery or listen to some audio samples of Frank's Fiddles on the Audio page.