> However, automation generally results in higher quality items with fewer defects. So, hand crafted is more likely a selling point without any actual benefit f

> However, automation generally results in higher quality items with fewer defects. So, hand crafted is more likely a selling point without any actual benefit for the product. Ummm.... no. Every piece of wood is different. CNC gets you a "violin shaped object", not a violin. It is the plate tuning and set-up that finalizes the instrument, not the mold shape that you start with. There are decent factory fiddles, but they tend to be heavy in the wood and dull sounding. A nice workshop instrument is much more of a joy to play. ("bench built" == master luthier, "workshop" == one of the aprentices got his fiddle approved by the master, "factory fiddle" == mostly automated, "VSO" == violin shaped object) There are a lot of good luthiers working today. My daughter has now (and her previous fiddle was) a Ming Zhang Zhou workshop instrument. Very nice, under $3k budget. Huge difference between that and a CNC special. Don't get me started on bows.... once I was waiting for an adjustment to my instrument, and was just going through the bow showroom trying stuff. I picked up one that amazed me! I felt like it played itself! Made the instrument come alive with power! I glanced at the price tag and realized I had gotten into the $5K and up drawer by accident....