Thanks for the photo links, Sorcha. I still can't see the difference between the various models; I guess it's something you have to be a connoisseur for (or have someone point out the exact differences).

About that Sears-Roebuck fiddle... I was looking at a reproduction of an old (late 1800's) Eaton's catalogue and was looking at the music section. The gist of their spiel for the the fiddles was "Other stores will try to sell you a fiddle for 45 cents, but it'll be crap; buy ours for $2." It was amusing.

Marion