Hello steveduf (and others).  I was thinking about what I could offer you in the form of assistance in case your daughter wanted to play that instrument, but it looks to me (thank you for the pictures) that less is required than I originally thought.

By comparing the picture of the violin's back and one of my violins (determining handedness was never one of my strong suits), it looks to me that the peg configuration conforms to a standard right handed violin (with the g peg nearest to the nut).  In case that I am wrong, I do have a peg shaver and could make some maple bushing so you could convert it.  I think that you would only have to bush the knob side of the peg box.  That would save you half the work.

The second problem is the bass bar.  Since you can obviously remove the front plate it would seem to be possible to remove the existing bass bar (either by heat or chiesel) and create a new bass bar on the opposite side.  I think that it would be neat if you used a piece of torrefied spruce to mimic the age of the existing bass bar.  If you provide me with the dimensions of the brace, I could roast a couple for you.  Since you only need one, it would also be economic for you to purchase one through Stew Mac.

It looks to me that the tail piece is 3/4 size.  I recently experimented with doing this to improve the tone of a Mendini MV 500 and I liked it.  To get the full effect, I would recommend that you remove the fine tuners on the G, D, and A strings and get a piccolo fine tuner for the E string.

If you decide to take on the project (and I would rather play an instrument than just look at it), please let me know if I can be of any assistance.  

Hi steveduf (and others).  I likely have an equal number.  I am arranging an evening lecture at the local library entitled "The Joy of Inexpensive Chinese Violins" where I can show a "violin shaped object" up through some nice violins, the bulk of them Cecilio or Mendini.  I think that I could also entitle it "When Did This Hobby Become an Obsession?"  And I got two more on the way (another Mendini MV 650 and a Cecilio CVA 500 that I am going to sand blast with baking soda to white and try to refinish).

I am thinking that I will take the same route and provide some to the local schools.

I am glad that you are going to "the dark side" and purchased some black hair.  I am finding that I am only applying rosin about once every other week to my bow with it and it is very easy to play.   

Hi steveduf (and others).  

I think that picking up a used Cecilio solid body electric violin for about $50 on eBay is a wonderful inducement to practice for a young student.  I believe that they come 3/4 and 4/4.  I like the yellow (natural varnish) model over the others since they can't use body filler to cover blemishes.  The piezo pickup should be installed over the g bridge foot and I replace the plastic bridge boot with a wood one that uses double sided tape in place of random screw fasteners.  The bridge should be cut for proper radius and string height.  

In the Mendini line, I am very attracted to the MV 500, which I believe comes in 1/2, 3/4 and 4/4 sizes.  I picked up a used 4/4 one on eBay for $10 ($20 shipping) that is a very pretty instrument.  Somewhat low projection and, as a result, it is not an overly loud instrument.  I put a 3/4 tailpiece on it (without fine tuners since I use Knilling Perfection pegs) and it has a very full lower harmonic component to the sound.  It is like putting 96 keys on a piano in place of the normal 88.  I also have an MV 650 (soon to be two), which has much more aural color than the MV 500 and it is a very loud instrument.  Unfortunately, the MV 650 is no longer made.

The Cecilio CVN 500 is a well made instrument, but I just cannot be excited in the dull pistachio colored finish (not quite a paint) they put on them.  An interesting variant is the 14 inch body CVA 500 viola strung as a violin.  The extra rib height causes a very rich tone for a violin that has to be experienced to be believed.  One of those with a 3/4 tailpiece should be outstanding.  I currently have 3 of them because they were so inexpensive on eBay (I doubt that they are much of a viola).  I am going to attempt to refinish one this summer.

I also have a Cecilio CVN 600 and CVN 800.  Built like tanks and heavy.  Ideal for a football player.

If the violin can be purchased cheaply enough and/or the parent has the resources, I really like Knilling Perfection pegs and the Wittner Isny shoulder rest.  Although I have not put any on an instrument yet, I am very encouraged with the new D'Addario Ascente strings for student use.