The Rickert Model 2.0 Fiddle sounds as good as or better than most fiddles. It definitely plays better than the average fiddle. One could definitely compete with this fiddle and a better bow than the one that comes with the base instrument outfit.

The Rickert Model 2.0 Fiddle starts as a new John Juzek Model 100 violin, a serious step-up instrument, but an intermediate violin nevertheless.  The Model 100 is a completely hand-made and hand-varnished instrument, with slightly-flamed back and ribs (sides) and a good quality select spruce top. It has plain but well fit ebony tuning pegs, a polycarbonate tailpiece and reasonable quality ebony chin rest.

By the time we are finished with it, the instrument is a serious fiddle with a nice full-bodied sound and is quite playable. The Rickert Model 2.0 violin-to-fiddle transformation keeps the standard Juzek polycarbonate tailpiece; however, the tuning peg fit is fine-tuned.

The nut grooves and bridge are expertly lowered significantly and the instrument is strung with medium high tension Thomastik-Infeld SuperFlexible strings, darkening the tone and sonority, while making it much more suitable for lower alternative tunings (due to the higher tension strings).
The fiddle comes with a good quality feather-weight suspension case and pretty good, but not great, brazilwood bow. The bow should be replaced with a better one.

About John Juzek Violins

John Juzek began producing master quality violins in Schoenbach, Czechoslovakia in 1900. He established a violin shop, then called the Czeckoslovak Musical instrument Company, in New York City around 1920. The company is now called Metropolitan Music Co. and is one of the most respected suppliers of instruments and tools to the lutherie trade.