Hi Nicole ... I'm not a violin player, or a fiddler, but your question caught my attention. I'm afraid that my post will NOT help you much in your quest, but you did remind me of a personal story I grew up with. My late childhood friend was a master musician: concert violinist, played every instrument in the orchestra, orchestraconductor of five symphony orchestras. (He passed away of cancer some 8 years ago). It was from him that I received much of my formal music education and musical courage. Anyway ... to my story. He received his masters degree in music from Oberlin. His graduation gift from his parents, was a new violin bow ... of his choice. The year was about 1965. The cost of that bow was $30,000. True! Again, I can't help you in your quest except to perhaps give you some encouragement and perspective. CHEERS, Bob