WD, Sometimes makers working in master shops will take the time to teach you how to recognize a good fiddle. Maybe a local collector or dealer will do the same. Get all the information you can find.

One reason to educate yourself is that a fiddle that is poorly set up will not be offering it's best sound for your evaluation. The sound post may be missing or positioned slightly off of its "sweet spot," the bridge may be poorly made and fitted to to the top, the strings may be old and rusty, in short, any number of normal maintenance problems may exist that can keep a good fiddle from attracting a buyer. If you have learned some evaluation techniques that don't depend on hearing the instrument, you might be able to identify some fiddles you'd like to take on a trial basis. Then, assuming you know someone who will perform the needed adjustments, you can play it at home when it's properly set up.

Of course these things take time. The quickest method is to visit a local violin dealer (generally not a standard music store) and buy something they recommend. That will be much more expensive but will cut your time and risk.

      - Mark