Hi Pete.

I used a fretted fiddle for over a year, and eventually got tired of it. The benefits are that your noting (especially in the upper register, or with double stops) may be a bit truer, but not being able to slide at all is a complete drag.

Just one of a thousand little weird tricks I've tried. Some work, some don't, but they're fascinating to try. If you go ahead with it though, you have to raise the action a bit, and I suggest tying gut (from a violin string) around the neck the way the viols were done.

Have fun

Rick