I just tried a Scott Cao STV-600 locally.
It's $695, but I don't know if that's the price for the complete outfit or just the violin.
From what I see online, I'm guessing it's just the violin.

I liked it a lot, but I'd heard good things about the West Coast Strings Rosalia model.
Anybody tried them both???

I used a sister bow to the one I bought just before New Year's, and maybe it's lightened my touch, because I was actually able to play the synthetic strings successfully for about the first time in my life!!! The bow also had less rosin on it than the one I bought, and maybe that helped.
More grab seems to be something steel strings need.
The thought also occurred to me to play mostly waltzes and Irish tunes which seem to inspire me to lighten up on the bow as well.
The violin definitely seemed to inspire me to go in different directions!

Anyway, are there any other new instruments out there that are a better value than the STV-600?

Posted - 02/09/2010 :  09:45:04          

NOBODY else has tried the STV-600???

It seems to be kind of a rare bird- I did a search on the Fiddle Hangout for it- no hits.
The lower priced AND the higher priced ones seem to be much more common.

Edited by - fiddlepogo on 02/09/2010 09:46:15

Posted - 02/09/2010 :  09:57:26      

I haven't or heard anyone who has. I've also heard a lot of good things about the Rosalia outfit. It would be nice if every fiddle for sale came with a sound bite. IMHO

Posted - 02/09/2010 :  15:36:59      

I know that Scott's violins are graduated to perfection with absolute tonality, ie, his higher end. If you like how it plays, and sounds, then go for it. You can't go wrong with his violins. I have a high end Ben Feng violin that is similiar to Scott's workshop, and it has an awesome sound!

Posted - 02/09/2010 :  16:02:18          

quote:

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Originally posted by Fiddlepiper

I know that Scott's violins are graduated to perfection with absolute tonality, ie, his higher end. If you like how it plays, and sounds, then go for it. You can't go wrong with his violins. I have a high end Ben Feng violin that is similiar to Scott's workshop, and it has an awesome sound!

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