Nicole- If you like it, ignore him. Unless it's one of those bad breath situations... you know- where you don't know how awful it is unless someone points it out to you ;-)

But seriously. If you like the sound your fiddle makes, it should make no difference what your luthier says. If the guy's a REAL craftsman, he may be an insufferable bastard as part of his job description. I know a custom guitar maker who is a royal pain in the ass because he swears it's good for business. I dunno- but play your baby 'til the catgut rots!