Now Eastman (Chinese) makes some very fine instruments. Truly hand made violins and mandolins. The price has killed a lot of business for small shop builders(me). I only build out of boredom now. Still plenty of repair business, especially the Gibsons made in Nashville. They had lousy environmental control and the things just fall apart.

Had a buddy of mine at a music store ask me about the same box. He showed me one on the internet from one of his suppliers. Retailed for like $595, but was on sale to dealers for $99. I've had some Paletino fiddles that were ok student violins, but I wouldn't be buying one from ebay.. I will say that the Morelli I bought off of ebay never has given a moments trouble, and I have played it to death trying to learn. The Hohner on the other hand that I got has broke a few times and I've had to doctor on it often. Well I just think you get what you pay for in the Chinese boxes, and with a little luck you may get one that will stay together, till you can get the real thing. Bruce

Just another person using the word CAJUN to try and make a buck.

You can pretty much rest assured that anything new and costing $400 is going to be Chinese. It would cost a builder that much for Italian reeds and bellows alone. Which brings up a point of curiosity - who makes Gabinelli reeds?
My rule of thumb, any description on ebay that uses hyperbole instead of hard cold facts, I ignore. That I gar-un-tee!!
Steve