Master builder and award winner Scott Cao has one of the best known lines of high quality violins on the market. One local teacher remarked that she liked the tone of this model as much as her go-to violin costing four times as much. The antiqued aged finish truly emulates classical Italian instruments from the Golden Era of violin building. Big warm mature sound. Comes with step-up with Thomastic strings. Add $95 for Oblong case and Brazilwood bow. This is one of my personal favorites.