Thanks for getting these to me Rhiannon! They all look great, although the Scarlatta looks the best. I've played them all for a few minutes each and definitely feel the "upgrade" in quality from my old heirloom.
This will be fun to get to know these beautiful instruments.
I'm sure it will be tough to decide which is best! Will keep working with them this week and my teacher is going to get a chance to try them as well.
[UPDATE: 1 day later] I'm into playing them and really enjoying comparing combinations of bows and violins. Early impressions are that the Scarlatta and Seraphina are head and shoulders above the VN 102 sound quality and feel.
The Seraphina is feeling very warm and rich sounding.
The Scarlatta a little brighter.
I know the strings have to come along yet so in no hurry to make a decision yet.
I am finding the lower tones on the Seraphina very attractive and the Scarlatta slightly superior in the higher tones and appearance.
Interestingly, my instructor did a "blind" test of the three you sent me, not knowing which was the more expensive or names and she had a very similar feel for them.
[UPDATE: 2 weeks later] Thank you for sending me the Rose Valley violin when I already had violins on trial. In the end it was not difficult. I will go with the Rose Valley Violin from Angela Moneff!
After playing it for the last few days, I just find it sweeter and more even in its tone than either the Seraphina or the Scarlatta.
And of course I will keep the [deluxe] case.
Thanks so much for your patience and this has been a great process to work through.
I'll definitely write up a positive review for you and Fiddleheads!
