This is a truly outstanding violin for Intermediate to pro player. The violin really sings with superb projection, touch and tone. I would not hesitate to compare the 950 with many instruments in the $4000 to $5000 range. In 2013 Scott Cao took one of his top violins to New York to compete in the Mondo Musica Festival. They held the competition with eleven of the top builders in the country plus three actual Stradivarius violins valued at millions of dollars each. The players were blindfolded and performed behind a sheet separating them from the judges so no one but the festival officials knew what was being played. Each instrument played the same two pieces and the Scott Cao tied with another builder for first place. Free shipping in the continental US.  Call for bow and case options.