I didn't notice much difference between the least expensive and the most expensive of the Cecilio violins. I believe that if you get any of those violins, bring them to a Luthier to make sure that they are set up properly you will be satisfied. Only spending $100 on a violin like that will allow you to change strings soon afterwards to good quality perlon strings, get a better chin-rest, bow and possibly a new and properly fitted sound-post.

The sound-post can be good upon arrival but I have unfortunately witnessed some problems with the sound posts of almost all the violins that I recieved. Fortunately I can move the posts but am not qualified to cut and fit new ones. Need special tools to cut one perfectly.

Do you live close to a luthier? A big city?

That is not exactly what I am saying. More like, not much difference. But I am convinced that any of these violins can be seriously improved with small changes and some with new sound-posts. I also believe that it is VERY much the luck of the draw. We all saw the two violas that HC received.

Also, if someone buys a violin for $100 that they are not satisfied with it doesn't hurt as much as spending $4-500. One can learn as much as possible and if they stick with it, take a trip to a violin shop and test out some fiddles. Keep the cheap fiddle as an extra later or as an outdoor instrument, or practice instrument at work or somewhere else.

I think that there is more potential for good sound in the more expensive violins but I would have to invest a little money to be completely sure. Would need to adjust and replace a few sound-posts, change strings and play more hours on them as well.

I was super impressed with the CVN200 but it could very well have been this particular example that was sent to me. (luck of the draw) I would easily and gladly invest money in my (soon to be one of our top posters) CVN200 as a second fiddle for outdoor gigs.

HeadCheese said:

Fiddlerman said:

I actually gave a lesson yesterday to a young girl that had bought a CVN-200 a few weeks back after seeing my video and looked me up for lessons. I was once again very impressed by the quality.

The one thing that I don't like is the chin-rest, shoulder-rest, bow and strings. They are however, usable. The case is cheap too but it looks good.

Not much left after all that, FM.

What don't you like about the chin-rest, by the way? I think mine is much the same and am curious.

The violin itself. I loved the violin and it's sound. The accessories used with it are cheap. The chinrest is OK but they drilled holes that were far too big and used way too little cork between the top of the fiddle and the feet on the chin-rest and I don't like the shape either. Doesn't fit me in any case. The bow IMHO is just an addition. If you can get a violin for $100 you can't really expect a bow at all. Fine hand made fiddles by great makers cost between $10-50,000 and don't include a bow. You can spend any amount on a great bow as well.  New strings of the quality that I use cost minimum $40 and that would only leave $60 towards the violin. The shoulder rest that is included is super cheap plastic and weak. I don't think they will last that long but that is OK for me because there is no shoulder rest that will suit every player. One must discover what works for their own body.