DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online fiddle teacher.
Monthly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, fiddle news and more.
Premier Sponsors
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!
216 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Kessler & Son's
Year Purchased: 2013
Price Paid: 1135 ($US)
Clear, sweet, rich, full sound. Very loud and yet very desirable tone. Everthing to like with no dislikes with regard to the sound.
Sound Rating: 10
This instrument came with a violin setup designed for orchestra/classical music. For a small additional cost and little time it was changed to a fiddle setup. Primarily changing the tail piece to one with four fine tuners and Primm strings. The action was very good and needed no further adjustment. Very easy to play.
Setup Rating: 9
This instrument was made using European Spruce and Maple and was hand rubbed with oil varnish. The wood finishing is excellent. It has double purfling around the top and bottom edges and scroll designs carved into the upper and lower bouts on the two piece back. It did have what I considered to be several varnishing flaws or rough spots that have since been polished out. Its very beautiful in appearance and attracts a lot of attention with the carvings on the back.
Appearance Rating: 9
It has first rate fittings and hardware even though I changed the tail piece to one containing four fine tuners. The pegs are fitted properly and work very smoothly. There is no need for mechanical pegs with this violin. The finish is just the right thickness as to provide good protection but allow quality sound and should last through years of heavy use. This is deffinately a violin to depend on. I have already used it during multiple nightly gigs with no other back up fiddle on hand.
Reliability Rating: 10
This was my first time dealing with Kessler & Son's and their service was excellent and very quick. Their policies and practices are pretty much the norm. They know violins and don't try to sell you an instrument thats not quality. I definately plan to deal with them in the future.
Customer Service: 9
I specifically choose a Scott Cao violin because of their known quality of materials and workmanship. Additionally,They use excellent components while keeping the price reasonable. I needed a violin that I knew would sound great and hold up to heavy constant use and leave nothing to be concerned with.
Components Rating: 10
This is a well made, dependable and very beautiful instrument. That comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity from the maker. Its unique in design with a powerful and sweet sound. The finish could have been smoother and for more money, Scott Cao does offer a cosmetically nicer version. I wanted a fiddle I could depend on for years of heavy use that I knew was only going to get rougher looking with time.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Cavallo's Omaha NE
Year Purchased: 2010
Price Paid: 1350. ($US)
This fiddle is easy to play and is quite loud, with a bright, sweet tone with many over tones. Its an impressive intermediate level fiddle suitable for fiddle competions and local/regional performances.
Sound Rating: not rated
This violin was carved in Mendendorf, Germany then shipped to the US where it was accustically optimized and hand rubbed with spirit varnish then forwarded on to Cavallo's in Omaha, Nebraska where Alex and his staff did a traditional fiddle set-up. I chose to have it fitted with rosewood pegs and chin rest, Whittner fine tuners and Vision Strings.
Setup Rating: 10
This fiddle was antiqued and hand rubbed with sprit varnish to give it an aged and well used look. The double purfling is beautiful. The finish is thin and some what unsmooth and the fiddle appears as though to have spent its last 50 years in the Appalachia Mountains playing Bluegrass.
Appearance Rating: 9
I specifically chose an instrument that was built by an old world violin maker who has their own stock of aged tone woods, its been blocked and graduated. I also chose what I believe to be the best quality fittings and fully expect this fiddle will continue to perform well and get better with age.
Reliability Rating: 10
Customer Service provided by Cavallo's was SUPERB! I spoke personally with Alex Ross (Owner) and he helped me plan the set-up. The fiddle came exactly set-up as requested. The instrument was shipped UPS ground and was prepared and boxed perfectly and arrived on time and without any problems. I might also add, Cavallo's has a written policy which allows their customers who have purchased a violin from them, a 100% trade-in allowance towards a furture violin upgrade. A GREAT SERVICE FEATURE!
Customer Service: 10
I feel this is the best built, sounding and set-up fiddle I could find for the amount of money I spent. So far, I'm completely satisfied and wouldn't change anything on this instrument.
Components Rating: 10
A wonderful instrument well built by an old world violin maker and set up using the best available fittings at no additional cost. Craftmanship is superb and the sound is exactly what I was looking for in an intermediate level fiddle. Dealing with Cavallo's was a joy and I will use them for all of my future fiddle needs.
Overall Rating: 10
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Fiddle Hangout. All Rights Reserved.