Wow......

I won't go further into why I want try a fretted fiddle as I did this in my second posting.....

But thanks to all that have put their options forward - re mandolin I already play mandolin - but they don't bow very well :-) and re learning fingering as you exert pressure between two notes allowing the fret to pick the right note I would think this would aid you to play "out of tune" on the fiddle as you would play flat all the time?

re. slides I would be looking for more on the style of low "jumbo" style frets and presume like on other fretted instruments less pressure on the strings would allow a slide that was virtually above the frets and give a more even slide

As a banjo player who has played both fretted and unfretted banjos must admit the style varies quiet a lot but both have their own charms - and the frets certainly were a "God send" when playing bluegrass runs

I have a "few" fiddles (both electric and acoustic) which I mess on and feel a fretted fiddle would be fun if nothing else (especially if I could MIDI it!!!) I hope this doesn't upset too many real "violin players" out there - maybe if it was renamed it would be more legitimate???

I also have and use on stage a Q-chord (previously the omnichord) which is basically an electric string less auto harp..... which also has a niche in our playing.

I am aware of one builder of 6 string fretted fiddle builders in the states Woods which have had very complimentary remarks made... but a) the price is very high and b) I'm a long way away from the states - I will try the chap in Bills reply and see what he advises...

keep the observations coming they are all very helpful

Pete