I've had dozens of Bohemian violins and vintage Jap classical guitars, 60s some nice ones. But i never paid more than $200. with case, i never buy a instrument without a case......But on an impulse bought a Martin Style 1 from an established music shop up east, advertised as a 1967 martin soprano But i could see from photos that it had bar frets and it had the original Worchester "Crackerdial" case in good plus cond. Plus $25 shipping. Seems high but rates are up. ..... Arrived quick in good order USPS in 3 days. ......About Oct. 1st.. so i've been looking it over and trying it out.... You are buying a pig in a poke online, but i got lucky, this little thing is solid; no repairs, no separations, no cracks no gouges, no unseemly bonks.... I gave it the dark room flashlight test and it passed, it is solid. It's been played good all over, but never bonked. Keep in mind that these types of novelty instruments were used in places where alchy was consumed on weekends so just surviving in one piece is a minor miracle in itself......more.....