All very good advice.........but dont ignore what is comming out of china and the far east. Find a good one and they are superb value. Wages and the price of good quality woods give them the edge and if you can find one that has been well made then they can be a bargain. £800 should find you a good instrument and a good bow from what ever sorce. Definately have someone with you that knows what they are doing. If you happen to be in yorkshire try Charles O`Connors shop in Whitby,(ex Horslips fiddler). He usually has a reasonable selection for about that price. Last summer he was selling one of this own fiddles that he used on stage and for someof his recording work for about that price. If it was good enough for him then it should do for the likes of us! :-) Good luck.