Marion:
I have hand knotted/beaded ribbons on the fiddle I use to play by myself. The fiddle I use to play in sessions with others has no decoration. I don't know why, probably because it tends to distract from the music a bit, but that's just how it goes..;)
My 'practice' fiddle is more for comfort than anything, and the ribbon was a gift from a friend who has died since. I can't seem to take it off, and don't really want to.
Let's see...I learned classical violin in California, Bluegrass fiddle in Indiana, and then more folk/C&W fiddle since I've moved out West. Each area has it's own flavour.
Thanks for the interesting topic, ~Elle