In selecting the 'right' violin to purchase, I did my
due diligence on line and at the various music stores, and talking to the best I could find.

For me, price and tone/resonance, were the deciding factors. And regardless of the price, do NOT buy on line (fiddles/violins). Why? Because you have no clue what they actually sounds like!!

I went to a couple of shops to 'test' drive. I finally
found a gorgeous looking violin at The Violin Shop in Boca Raton that played really well(kinda like my old girlfriend) and I loved the tone.

After deciding that was the one I wanted, I had my personal violin instructor play it as well (without my presence).

We were both sold. It plays beautifully.

And that is why mine is better than yours!

When you can say that with confidence, and it puts a smile on your face when you play it, then by golly it's gotta be true!

I have bought almost all my instruments online, with no problems at all. A reputable seller will give you a couple of days to try it out. That's how I bought my fiddle and 2 of my mandolins.

Allen, thats why you test drive them locally, then use Dave's discount and go thru First Quality. Dave got me a $50 discount on my Martin guitar. They are very flexible, and i have no doubt on the quality and their ability to stand behind their stuff. Of course, i hung out at the local guitar shop's acoustic room noodling on Taylors, Takamines, Martins, Fenders, Ibanez's, Yamahas, before i chose the Martin. I just like the tone, and how it fits. I like the lower action on it too, it's very easy to play. I don't know anything about fiddles and violins, i would imagine given same manufacturer and materials, they should play the same. But then again, maybe no 2 instruments are the same. I probably wouldn't have done that if Dave wasn't connected, it's good having an "inside" guy. But i would have paid alot more.

I bought my banjo on line from a "reputable" source. It was advertized to be "porfessionaly" set up and ready to play when shipped. Of course it come completely out of tune and the bridge placed incorrectly. Fortunatly I had done some homework and was able to correct the bridge placement with out much trouble. Otherwise I have been very please with the purchace, it plays well and sounds good (as long as someone else plays it)

I guess it is possible to get burned. Nothing is perfect in this imperfect world. You definitely can't be there when the guy throws it in the back of the truck (even though the box says "fragile" Not Fra-gee-lee.