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The fiddle reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
215 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: E-Bay
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: $87.90 ($US)
The BV-100 is probably the loudest fiddle in the room at my jam, but maybe a bit "scratchier" than some other fiddles that were made for more of a classical style of play. But for what I play (Old Time and Irish Folk) it's perfect. I personally like the scratchy tone, which people have told me could also be my lack of experience and the bow hair. I've let others play it and they seem to get a sweeter tone than I do. I play with the stock 3/4 bow that it came with (I like the control of the 3/4 over the 4/4), and Old Fiddler line strings (not sure what guage).
Sound Rating: 8
No, it was not set up because I asked the seller to ship it with the bridge down. $40 later at my local shop, she was ready to roll. I'll rate set up at 5 just because it really doesn't apply in my case. I did toss the stock bridge and had my luthier set it up with a new Aubert maple bridge shaped for double-stop playing. He also filed a little under each string at the nut to lower the action, but nothing major.
Setup Rating: 5
The BV-100 is bare bones stock as far as looks. But don't let that turn you off. The grain in the spruce top is really nice and close together, the maple back is 1-piece and is nice though not lined up in the typical diagonal flame pattern. I personally don't care all that much about the back anyways, so this doesn't bother me. There are minor finish flaws in the lacquer(?) where the neck meets the body, but it definitely doesn't affect playability and is not immediately noticeable. Overall I love the satin finish and the staining really gives it that "old time" look. I chose this fiddle as much for its looks as for playability.
Appearance Rating: 9
Being new to fiddle I don't know all that much about fiddle hardware. Though when I let a fiddler from my regular jam who is very knowledgeable take a look at it, her second comment, after how nice the finish was, was how good the hardware was. She said she couldn't believe that they put this high quality hardware on such a low-priced instrument. She even suggested that the hardware on it was probably worth more than what I paid for the fiddle.ttp://w
Reliability Rating: 10
The BV-100 comes with a 10 year warranty against manufacturing defects. If they really stand behind their products it should be a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. Just my opinion.
Customer Service: 6
I really have no complaints here. All the parts seem to be high quality.
Components Rating: 10
I would definitely recommend this fiddle to beginners and intermediates. I love it. I am at a beginner level (2 months) but learning very quickly as I've been playing guitar for 20+ years. Experienced players always seem to want an 1840 German fiddle or something, so I'm sure they wouldn't be interested in this one since it's new. But I have been going off the reviews of it by my peers that I play with. They all seem to think that it's a really good overall quality instrument, they can't believe the price, and they love the shape. They also complain a bit about how loud it can be. LOL. Compared to the other fiddles I have played it's a bit stiff, but these fiddles are a lot older and have been played for 100+ years or so. I imagine in 100 years this thing will be hitting its prime.
Overall Rating: 9
