Fiddlerman Soloist Violin Outfit

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

Fiddlerman Soloist Violin Review

As soon as you take the Fiddlerman Soloist Violin in your hands, you’ll notice that it’s a premium product.

This violin comes from a renowned GCV workshop with a reputation for building some of the best on the market.

Overall, the Soloist Violin is definitely an instrument for advanced violin players as only a seasoned violinist will appreciate its premium features and craftsmanship.

Who Is the Fiddlerman Soloist Violin For?

Instruments like the Soloist Violin require more technique than it might seem at first glance. And that’s why this instrument is best suited for experienced musicians with an advanced playing technique.

Even the smaller versions are not recommended for children as their first instrument but rather as a second one.

On account of its sound qualities and price, Fiddlerman’s Soloist is perfect for live performances. Accordingly, experienced players can use it to the fullest in a string quartet or a big orchestra.

With a focused and brilliant projection, it’s excellent for fast passages or solo variations.

What’s Included in the Outfit?

When you decide to purchase this outfit, you can choose between four violin sizes. The instrument comes with two different varnishes: “Red-Brown” and “Medium Brown.”

If you’re a fan of red undertones, the former would be the best choice for you. You can choose your case color and decide whether you fancy a dark gray or a sand-color finish.

Among other features, you’ll get a well-balanced Fiddlerman carbon fiber bow, Oblong Violin Case FC75, and Holstein Premium rosin that give a nice texture to the bow’s hair.

As part of the Fiddlerman standard violin outfit, this package includes a rubber practice mute, polishing cloth, and Fiddlerman digital tuner.

Fiddlerman Soloist Violin Outfit Features

This violin is one of the best in its price range. It’s entirely hand-carved from premium-quality spruce and maple more than 12 years old.

It also features an exceptional hand-carved French Despiau bridge and an ebony fingerboard, pegs alongside precise fittings. All these features are state-of-the-art, which you don’t see in standard violins.

On top of that, it comes with Thomastik Vision strings that work well with its airy carbon fiber bow. That’s how you can get warm tones in the lower registry and light ones in the upper registry.

The Soloist Violin Outfit comes with some pleasant surprises as well. With a sturdy but not too heavy FC75 case, you’ll have a safe place for your violin and additional equipment.

As mentioned, you can get it in two stylish colors: a dark gray and an elegant sand color. There’s enough space in the case to store four bows, and it features exterior upholstery for a better feel while you’re wearing it.

Fiddlerman Soloist Highlights

• High-quality boxwood fittings
• Premium Despian bridge
• Two types of varnish
• Good sound projection
• Comfortable and elegant case

Using the Soloist Violin

What makes this outfit so outstanding is that you can start playing it right out of the box. Since Fiddlerman instruments have to pass a rigorous inspection before they’re shipped, you won’t have to do any additional tuning.

As this outfit includes everything you need to enjoy the Soloist’s warm and sharp sound, you won’t have to spend on any additional features.

Key Points to Consider

Other Violin Outfits to Consider

Fiddlerman Master Violin Outfit

Scott Cao 750 Violin

Ming Jiang Zhu 905 Violin

Final Thoughts: Is the Fiddlerman Soloist Violin Worth the Extra Money?

In this Fiddlerman Soloist Violin Outfit review, we’ve demonstrated that it’s not only a state-of-the-art instrument, but includes accessories that make it an excellent choice for any intermediate or advanced violin player.

With lovely red tin that accentuates the wood grain and ebony details, this violin has all hallmarks that a serious musician needs. Plus, it’s fittings and measurements are spot on, especially if you’re using Thomastik Vision strings.

The case offers enough room to use four different bows, but the carbon bow with horsehair will be more than enough for most semi-professionals and professionals. In the outfit, you can also find Holstein Premium rosin and a Fiddlerman tuner for e-string.

Lastly, any player would benefit from playing an instrument as delicate as the Fiddlerman Soloist Violin. The musicians who will fully appreciate it are those with advanced technique and the ability to use its powerful projection to the fullest.

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Scott Cao Violins From Good To Great

Some music professionals think that violinists are only as good as their instruments, which could indeed be said of the best Scott Ciao violin.

Undoubtedly, Scott Cao violins are some of the best on the market, made with excellent wood from incredible Chinese workshops.

The company respects the tradition, the vintage way of doing things, and creating beautiful instruments that everyone loves.

Established thirty years ago, Scott Cao’s workshop has received many awards from the Violin Maker’s Association and other institutions worldwide.

Performers like Sarah Chang described their violins as some of the best she’s ever played on. Itzhak Perlman, another famous musician, has played some renowned violin pieces on Scott Cao instruments.

But in actual fact, these violins are made as copies of legendary violins created by the Italian masters, models that embody a lot of history.

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Top 5 Scott Cao Violins In Review

1. Scott Cao 500 Violin

If you’re looking for a good Scott Cao violin for a beginner, there’s no better model than this one.

It has a beautiful body, is the perfect size for many different players, and an excellent starting model for anyone.

Scott Cao 500 Violin

A professional player might use this violin as a second instrument as it has good projection suitable for long practicing hours.

Overview

This model is made from ebony and flamed spruce from Europe. It has a lot of delicate features like ebony fittings and high-quality fine tuners.

Compared with other violins from the same workshop, its tone is deeper and more profound.

Scott Cao 500 Violin Features

This Scott Cao 500 violin has a handmade European spruce top and maple body, plus superior quality ebony details and fittings.

It has a lovely varnish and comes with Thomistic strings that give it a nice color and depth. Every 500 violin has a two-piece back and a hand varnished finish.

In terms of weight, it’s a light and airy instrument that you can easily use for very complex performances.

It has a clean sound and a strong projection that can easily handle all the deep notes without any tension.

Model 500 Key Points

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2. Scott Cao 750 Violin

The 750 model is a useful instrument that functions perfectly in an orchestra or any small quartet.

A custom-made replica of a historic violin, you might have to wait for six months to get it, but it will be well worth it in the end.

Scott Cao 750 Violin

The Scott Cao 750 series is for those musicians in love with artistic violins who want a high-quality finish for a fraction of the original cost.

Overview

Every instrument is unique and comes with a top-quality maple body and Italian spruce top. With varnish, both types of wood get a fine topcoat of quality Italian oil.

Of course, when an instrument has this high-quality varnish, it significantly improves its sound quality and tone.

With a lovely resonance and warm, powerful sound, this violin is best for solo performances and concerts.

It’s also a beautiful instrument for young players who are just starting their careers and students who want to learn more about different techniques.

Scott Cao 750 Violin Features

Every violin from the Scott Cao workshop comes with an excellent, detailed finish. The 750 features a maple body with lovely lines and an Italian spruce top for additional resonance.

It has fine ebony fingerboards and hill style ebony fittings. Everything is carefully chosen to fit the highest standards of fine craftsmanship.

One of the best features is the Domino strings that give it an exceptional thick sound.

With awards for the best tone quality from the Violin Society of America, it doesn’t surprise that this model is one of the best in its category.

Model 750 Key Points

Read the Latest Model 750 Reviews >>

3. Scott Cao 850 Violin

Another well-crafted series of violins that are considered among the best around. The quality of the Scott Cao 850 violin craftsmanship is unique, and the sound instantly recognizable.

Scott Cao 850 Violin

Ideally, they are for advanced learners or adults who want to have a great instrument.

The violins are replicas of some of the most renowned King Joseph, Lord Wilton, and Ysabel instruments, and all are made in China.

Since original violins can cost a small fortune, master luthiers from Scott Cao’s workshop recreate and customize them for advanced and famous violinists.

Overview

What makes the Scott Cao 850 model a premium instrument is first-grade materials.

With Italian spruce and some of the best Bosnian maple on the market, the 850 violins are a rare combination of high-quality wood.

All the fittings alongside boxwood are made from Indian ebony, making it one of the most expensive violins.

The famous “Strings” magazine states that these violins are among the best performance violins due to their varnish and superiority over similarly priced instruments.

Features

Every model is constructed from the finest materials. From the combination of fine maple and spruce, all the way to the best hand-applied varnish that combines special oils to achieve warm and intricate sound qualities.

The wood was carefully drained and combined to get the best look and perfect fire lines.

With Indian ebony and a whole array of accessories, everything enhances the instrument’s overall durability and beauty.

The 850 violins are often called some of the best sounding violins in their price range, and when compared with similar violins, their sound is far superior.

Model 850 Key Points

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4. Scott Cao 950 Violin

Scott Ciao 950 violins are well-designed instruments with excellent tonal quality. Created with a professional violinist in mind, this instrument excels at solo performances and long hours of practicing.

Scott Cao 950 Violin

Overview

The Scott Cao 950 series‘ replicas are mostly build based on Cannon, Kreisler, Ex-David, and famous Soil violins, instruments with the best acoustic abilities.

Many students find these violins ideal, and adult learners also use them to advance faster. With a light body, these violins can produce a versatile sound.

Every violin is hand-built in China and later shipped to the USA, where the varnish and finishing touches are applied.

Features

The violins you can find in the 950 series are made from a one-piece back, using exclusively European maple.

In combination with the finest Italian spruce, Chinese luthiers carefully assemble a high-quality violin.

The combination of Bosnian maple that’s 15-year aged, and highly flamed maple specially used for the 950 series, creates an instrument that can match more expensive brands for the complexity of sound.

Another excellent feature is the hand-carved Indian ebony fingerboard that comes with the Hill style boxwood fittings. To finish, the special varnish for the violins is added to the Campbell studio.

The violin gets its final coating, most delicate strings, and other accessories to become a complete product.

Only highly skilled craftsmen make these violins. What’s more, every Scott Cao 950 series violin is ready to play as soon as you receive it.

Model 950 Key Points

Read the Latest Cao 950 Model Reviews >>

5. Scott Cao 1500 Violin

The last violin in this review, model 1500, is one of the finest products from the Scott Cao workshops.

Scott Cao 1500 Violin

The price is the highest, but it’s entirely justified with a spectrum of accessories that only a professional solo player would appreciate and accentuate in their performance.

In Scott Cao’s workshop, only two 1500 violins get assembled each month – that’s why there’s a long waiting list. It comes in four varied sizes so that every player can find the perfect fit for them.

Overview

The 1500 series is the one we could call exclusive when it comes to violin quality and craftsmanship. It’s made from 20-year dried Bosnian maple and the best Italian spruce.

You can find Indian ebony fittings and Aubert or Despiau bridge, depending on the player’s preference.

The quality of the wood makes the instrument light and airy, especially when a professional plays it.

With a good bow, this violin is perfect for the most challenging compositions. Its sound is sharp and responsive, hence why you see it in many orchestras.

Features

Being a concert-quality violin, the Scott Cao 1500 is equipped with everything a top performer requires from an instrument. It has a specially made Indian ebony fingerboard and boxwood fittings.

To create a rich sound, the 1500 comes with Thomastik Dominant strings and a chinrest from Guarneri.

It also has fine tuners for E string as standard on every instrument, but it comes with Scott Cao’s luthier setup.

In many respects, this looks and sounds like an antique instrument – and what player wouldn’t enjoy the historical aspects of a 300-year-old violin?

It comes with a range of color and richness, a unique depth that no other violin in that price range can achieve.

With every violin, you get a certificate that proves the quality and craftsmanship of the best luthiers and masters from Scott Cao’s workshops.

Model 1500 Key Points

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Scott Ciao Violin Buyer’s Guide

A violin’s quality is heavily influenced by the shape and type of wood used in its construction. The craftsman that creates the violin is the one that determines the ultimate outcome and the sound.

Violins are some of the world’s oldest instruments, having been around for more than 1,000 years. The best violins come from Italy, and their body, bridge, and pegs determine the softness of the sound and projection.

Scott Cao

As mentioned above, Scott Cao is a world-famous luthier who’s won many awards for his craftsmanship. Not only that, but he’s also received a lot of accolades for recreating the works of great masters like Stradivari.

His instruments are excellent for players of diverse backgrounds and knowledge levels.

Cao moved to the US from China and settled in San Francisco, where he still has a workshop. He first started working with old violins, repairing them with skill and knowledge.

Soon, he started reproducing various models and making expensive instruments that are considered masterpieces.

He has created many outstanding violins of varying values, from the most affordable student violins to soloist models.

Scott Cao Violin Body Design

The essence of sound in every violin created in Scott Cao’s workshops is the wood. If the wood is dry and dense, the body of a violin will strongly resonate.

That’s why luthiers choose only particular wood types like spruce, ebony, rosewood, and Italian maple.

All of them are considered superior to other classes of wood as they grow in the European climate and have a specific texture. They’re easy to shape, and once the box is made, its qualities become even more apparent.

Every piece of wood needs to dry for at least five years, but for most violins from Scott Cao, they use wood that has dried for more than 10 or even 20 years.

The older the wood, the better the violin. What’s more, the process of forming the violin is more comfortable when the wood is dry and when it can be cut to the perfect shape and size.

The Bridge

The Strings

The strings transform a violin into an instrument that allows artists to express their feelings and virtuosity. Every violin comes with different strings depending on the violinist’s preference or a recommendation from the luthiers.

One of the essential elements that determine the sound of any string instrument is violin strings. Different wires can produce an entirely different feeling on the same instrument.

It heavily depends on the materials, quality, and gauge. Before buying strings, make sure you do your research.

On modern violins, you’ll usually get an instrument equipped with strings, but you might need something different.

In most cases, the E string is made from metal as it is the highest note, and the metal will provide higher frequency and strength. Scott Cao uses the best strings on their violins, like Thomastik Dominant.

Lifetime Quality Warranty

With most hand-built violins, you can rest assured that they will stay in good condition for a long time.

When it comes to the price of those premium instruments, it will slowly rise over the years.

Accordingly, every Scott Cao violin is a worthwhile investment. After ten or twenty years, the instrument will either hold its value or rise twice or more.

Every Scott Cao violin is a worthwhile investment

One of the best aspects of owning a beautifully made instrument is the quality of its varnish.

In Scott Cao’s San Francisco workshops, most violins get a final coating to give them a unique tonal quality.

Whether you prefer red violins or high-quality yellow varnish, all Scott Cao models from the 850 and 950 line have a refined look.

Replicating Old Violins

Cao has immense knowledge about the violins that old Italian masters created, and he can replicate them with extreme precision and skill.

He even managed to recreate some of the most difficult “Cremonese” strand violins from 1715. And the “Kochanski” Guarneri del Gesu.

All of the models recreated in the 950 and 1500 series are more than 300 years old. Plus, he can also refurbish a customer’s violin to create a marvelous new instrument.

All of the models recreated in the 950 and 1500 series are more than 300 years old

If there’s an instrument that you want to recreate with a different varnish or a different color, a specialist from the Scott Cao workshops has the skills to make it happen.

Cao Violin FAQs

Are Scott Cao Violins Good?

Scott Cao Violins are widely known as great violins for both professionals as well as beginner players. There is a name that guarantees quality, craftsmanship, and high-quality finish of all of their instruments.

Most of their designs are inspired by traditional violin maters, often replicated with great accuracy.

While they still preserved a standard violin’s features, every product that comes out of the workshop has unique qualities. They specialize in reviving old violin models for wider audiences.

Many famous musicians own one or more Scott Cao violins.

Among them are Nigel Kennedy, Rideau Grau, and Sheng Ko Shu, a renowned concertmaster.

Many violin masters and orchestra conductors admire Scott Cao’s abilities and use his instruments with pride.

Where Are Scott Cao Violins Made?

All Scott Cao violins are made in workshops in China. Once ready, most are transferred to the San Francisco workshops.

After final adjustments and varnishing, the violins are tuned and prepared to be delivered to customers worldwide.

Some Scott Cao violins stay in China throughout the process, but their quality is the same as those made in the San Francisco workshop.

The Final Defining Points Of Scott Cao Violins

If you compare Scott Cao violin prices and quality, it’s more than clear how much you’re getting for a decent amount of money.

The instruments made with so much knowledge and precision are the perfect examples of violins for semiprofessional and professional players.

A premium instrument will showcase your expertise, therefor Scott Cao is an excellent brand to help you achieve your best voice.

Keep in mind however, these models are not as forgiving for intermediate players as only skilled solo players can handle them.

Each model has a different set of accessories and is considered among the best in its price point.

They all meet the rigorous requirements that Scott Cao’s luthiers demand of themselves, ensuring a superior sound for violin enthusiasts and professionals to enjoy.

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Fiddlerman Master Violin Outfit

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

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Fiddlerman Master Violin In Review: Is It The Right Premium Instrument For You?

Overview of the Fiddlerman Master Violin

The Fiddlerman Master Violin is built with premium woods. It’s also a newer model and dubbed by many as the obvious next step over the Artist series.

It’s more than a transitional instrument – it’s an affordable premium quality instrument for serious violinists.

Who is this violin best suited for?

It’s not in the nature of the Fiddlerman Master Violin to be forgiving by any means. As such, this is an instrument best-suited for those who already have a firm grasp over proper playing technique.

It’s also a pricier violin outfit so it doesn’t make much sense as a first violin; it’s better as a second purchase.

Due to its overall build and sound quality, it’s appropriate for someone that needs a violin to play live or record with.

Given its projection and response, it’s also a good fit for those who want or need a louder instrument.

What’s Included in the Master Violin Outfit?

This outfit comes with a 4/4 style Master violin, either Kaplan Amo or Thomastik Vision strings and a high-end Fiddlerman Oblong Case.

A carbon fiber bow is also included, with Mongolian horse hair for better tone and longevity.

Among the rest of the accessories you’ll also find a polishing cloth, shoulder rest, an Ultra Practice Mute, and a Holstein violin rosin.

Features

• Kaplan Amo and Thomastik Vision strings
• Premium bridge
• Wood dried for at least 10 years
• Perfect measurements and sizing

After all is said and done, the Fiddlerman Master Violin is one of the best in its price range. The quality of craftsmanship is top-notch, something that’s made clear in the feel and sound of the violin.

Although the outfit doesn’t offer many size options as other Fiddlerman series, the 4/4 style violin has very accurate measurements for string height, separation, etc.

Among its standout features is the detail and quality of the bridge. Depending on the size of the violin this will be either an Aubert Mirecourt Deluxe or a French Despiau 3-tree. Both high-end choices that you normally see in more expensive violins.

The outfit as a whole has some interesting accessories too, starting with the bow. This features durable Mongolian horsehair that facilitates a smoother play style and very rich tone. Ideal if you don’t like your violin sounding too bright, as most student models do.

The case is very durable, and its compartments ensure a snug fit for everything you put inside. Even better, the case also features a hygrometer. Therefore, you’re always alerted if the violin isn’t stored in optimal conditions.

Even the shoulder rest and chin rest have a much nicer feel and make it easier to maintain a proper posture during longer playing sessions.

Of course, as many other high-end Fiddlerman outfits, the Master violin also comes with high-grade carbon fiber tailpiece, a big step up from the much more common Brazilwood tailpiece.

The tuning retention is also impressive to say the least, although to be expected in this price range.

Using the Fiddlerman Master Violin

One of the best things about the Master Violin is that it requires little to no adjustments and tuning out of the box.

You can just take it out and play it in your preferred style, enjoy its loud and clear projection, and smooth fingerboard.

Fiddlerman Master Violin Review Key Points:

Alternatives to Consider

Final Thoughts on the Fiddlerman Master Violin Outfit

The Fiddlerman Master Violin is a great choice for a second violin and a good gift for anyone serious of perfecting their craft. This outfit doesn’t just include one of Fiddlerman’s better violins for advanced players but also premium-quality accessories.

The robust travel case, the included hygrometer, the bow with Mongolian horse hair and superior strength – these are all hallmarks of a well-balanced high-quality bundle.

Even the choice of strings is spot on, and the precision of the measurements leaves nothing to chance.

Although it offers little use for beginners, players with a good grasp of technique and posture can experience a massive jump in tonal quality and projection from playing on other similarly priced violins.

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We certainly hope you benefit from the information we provide in this article! Just so you know, we may receive compensation if you use the links on this page. If you do, thank you so much!

The Fiddlerman OB1 In Review: One of the Best Built Violins for Beginners

OB1 Violin Outfit ratings at a glance:

Fiddlerman OB1 Violin Outfit

Fiddlerman OB1 Overview

The craftsmanship on the OB1 is nothing short of impressive, given its very low-entry cost. Although it comes in limited sizes, the OB1 is a staple for learning the very basics of playing the fiddle from a very young age.

Fiddlerman OB1 Violin

Who is the OB1 for?

The Fiddlerman OB1 outfit is for very young students. Its 1/4 and 1/8 sizes cater to those between the ages of two and seven. This makes it a good choice for any parent that wants to start their kids learning a prestigious and complex instrument very early.

It’s also a solid choice if money is an issue, as the OB1 outfit is among the cheapest entry-level violin kits. The violin is also good for those without any musical or violin experience; because it’s so well-adjusted from the factory, it won’t need additional fiddling at home or immediate teacher input.

What’s Included with the Fiddlerman OB1 Outfit?

Fiddlerman does a good job of creating violin outfits that have everything you need for playing and practicing. Yet this kit lacks two accessories in the form of a chromatic tuner/metronome and an Ultra Practice Mute. The latter isn’t available for 1/4 and 1/8 OB1 violins.

That said, the outfit comes with a good quality bow, a lightweight oblong case, Fiddlerman rosin, shoulder rest, and even a polishing cloth.

Fiddlerman OB1 Violin Outfit

OB1 Violin Outfit Features

• Carbon fiber bow
• Lightweight and sturdy case
• Great default adjustments
• Good tuning retention
• Decent projection

It’s not often that you get to say many good things of such an inexpensive violin, and the Fiddlerman OB1 is inexpensive, whether you get it alone or as part of the OB1 outfit.

As an entry-level fiddle for kids as young as 2 years old, it sounds better than expected and feels very smooth.

The violin also comes with either Prelude or Fiddlerman strings and meets NAfME and Suzuki student standards. The accuracy in measurements is also spot-on, something that makes this a comfortable instrument to play with very small hands.

Even the wood has been dried for at least 4 years, which is another trademark of a quality fiddle. It gives the little instrument durability and enough volume for its size.

Also worth praising is the use of carbon fiber for the bow as opposed to Brazilwood. The tailpiece is also carbon and features four built-in fine tuners for quick and accurate adjustments.

The French Despiau bridge is a nice touch, although it does have a tendency to come loose at times. But all things considered, it also helps novice players understand the hardware of the violin and how to service it too.

The pegs, fittings, and fingerboard are all made of ebony. A nice touch in terms of style that also improves the playing comfort. The Fiddlerman premium wood shoulder rest is another nice addition that takes some of the load off the violin and allows for practicing in longer sessions.

Fiddlerman OB1 Violin Review Key Points:

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Compare Alternative Violins

Final Thoughts On The OB1 Violin Outfit

There isn’t much one can argue against the Fiddlerman OB1 violin, especially as part of its own outfit. The violin itself sounds very good for its intended purpose, even though it clearly lacks projection over its more expensive competitors.

The feel of the fingerboard is as smooth as they come, and the tuning retention should really help beginners. There’s also a lot of value in the carbon fiber bow and the lightweight yet sturdy storage case, which even contains a thermometer to help gauge storage conditions.

All in all, the OB1 is a very good starter instrument for kids between two and seven years old. But it’s also an instrument that quickly loses value as kids tend to outgrow it fast in both size and technique. Luckily, it maintains a good resale value because of its build quality.

Fiddlerman OB1 Violin Outfit

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