Scott CaoFiddle Reviews
Scott Cao
STV-750s
submitted 1/28/2008
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Submitter |
MikeyBoy (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Von's Violin Shop |
Year Purchased |
2007 |
Price Paid |
1300 ($US) |
Sound
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This fiddle has plenty of volume and is very resonant. I would say it has a very pure and sweet sound, with an absence of muddy overtones. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
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Fiddle was set up extremely well - Von is a fantastic luthier as well as a dealer. Fiddle only came with an E fine tuner, which has taken a little adjusting to, but the pegs turn fairly easily and generally hold well. I may get some PegHeads (sp?), the mechanical pegs that look like real pegs, down the line to make tuning a little easier, but for now it's not THAT much of an issue. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
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The finish is antiqued to look as much like the David Guarneri del Gesu of 1740 (played by Heifitz) as possible. It's a brand new fiddle that's made to look old and generally I have mixed feelings about that, except that in this case the result is gorgeous. It is a very pretty violin with a lot of character. When I purchased it there were a few small scratches from another party who had tried it out and was a little careless. Von will repair them for free whenever I can bear to be without it for a week or so. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
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I haven't played it long enough to give a thorough assessment, but I have no reason to believe there will be any reliability issues. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
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I have not dealt with the Scott Cao company at all. Von's Violin shop is extremely reputable, has been very helpful and fair with me in the past, and I am positive if I had any issue whatsoever with my purchase, Von would take care of it to my satisfaction. He allowed me a free week trial, and let me play about fifteen different instruments including ones that were well out of my price range (more if I'd asked) and several bows of all price ranges. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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Everything about the fiddle is of quality construction. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
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I played close to thirty fiddles in the $1000-$2000 price range, and three $5000+ before buying this one. The Scott Cao blew everything away under $2000 that I found (with the exception of a $1700 Heinrich Gill, the only real competition I found in that price range), and it stood up well against the far more expensive violins I tried. Most of the fiddles under $2000 were either sandpapery, overly bright, muddy, too quiet, or some combination. It is extremely easy to play, it has a lot of depth, power and color to its tone, and I feel like I get more out of it the better I become. Once I start playing it, I don't want to stop. For the xenophobes and Euro-philes, it is made in China using Chinese wood. But it is HANDMADE in China, by one luthier trained by Scott Cao. The "s" in the 750s I believe stands for special varnish - he uses the same varnish on his handmade top of the line violins. The only reason I give the fiddle "9's" on most of the ratings is because I want to leave room in my dreams for upgrading to something greater when I win the lottery (like a real del Gesu). If you are looking for a fiddle in any price range, I strongly suggest you audition a 750s - you will be amazed at the quality for the price. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Scott Cao
STV-200
submitted 12/31/2007
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Submitter |
Clicker (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
folkmusician.com |
Year Purchased |
2007 |
Price Paid |
389 ($US) |
Sound
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Sound..how shall I say...Squeaky when I play, but amazingly rich and boy is it loud. The tone is balanced and is much more than I was expecting at this price range. I play (or attempt to play) folk, irish, and some hymns, and they all sound wonderful.
My teacher who has a collection and generally plays an 1887 Italian fiddle really loved the sound and volume of my fiddle. |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
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My compliments to Folkmusician.com! The setup that they did is top notch, they even tuned to within a half step. My teacher did slightly adjust the bridge when I first got it, but he sais that that was a routine adjustment. I have no complaints about the setup. My fiddle came set up with D'dadario Prelude strings, these too were perfect. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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The rosewood fittings are absolutely georgeous, and they seem irridescent much like well figured maple. The back and sides are highly figured also. The finish is flawless. It is a rich reddish brown without looking bland, or looking like a candy apple.
The only flaw that I found is a slight drip inside one of the f-holes. Barely noticable only under close inspection. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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The hardware and fittings are of good quality and should last for years into the future.
This instrument is perfect and another on par would easily cost 3 times more. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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I haven't had any trouble so no comments.
The warranty on the instrument is 3 years, and the warranty from the dealer is 1 year. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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The finetuners are smooth and stay tuned to where you put them, as do the rosewood pegs.
Nothing to upgrade except maybe the bow, it feels a bit light and bouncy to me. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
I totally reccommend this instrument for the money. Well worth every penny.
If it was stolen I would buy another as soon as I could.
I love my fiddle. My favorite feature(s)...the looks and the tone.
Compared to my teacher's fiddle mentioned above, I like mine better, and compared to my cousin's fiddle...well let's just say that I prefer mine to the others I have played.
Buy it, you won't regret it. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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