I don't attempt to play fiddle in public but I have one, that many would class as junk for closet playing. It is an old, rather beat up but sound Skylark made in Kwangchow, China. It is fitted with a four machine tailpiece, a Dresden bridge and Dr.Thomastik strings. I bought it second hand about 10 years ago for about $100 . By the amount of fingerboard wear it has seen a lot of playing.
My point is that this thing with this setup really sounds pretty good. Friends who play better than me are impressed with it and I love it's tone. The strings cost me half as much as the fiddle and I paid as much again for the bow but the combination seems to work. It is no Strad. but then again I am no Buddy MacMaster either.
                              Sandy