On the little label in the soundbox of my instrument the manufacturers refer to it as a violin, so I guess that's what it is.
But I don't care what it is, I call it a fiddle.

BTW, I see there is considerable thread creep already, not that I criticize, I have picked up some brilliantly useful info and I haven't even finished it yet.
Where was I? Oh yeah, on my brand label it says the fiddle was "Made in Canton, China". On my daughter's it says "Made in The Republic of China". Does this mean mine pre-dates the revolution, and if so, is that good or bad? Does anybody know? They are both Skylarks.