With most things in life, you get what you pay for and the same is true for musical instruments. Take the staple of most orchestras - the violin. Modern day craftsman still follow a tried and tested methodology to handcraft, custom-made violins. A handmade instrument will take much longer to make. The wood will be carefully selected from better-seasoned stock and the carving will be done by hand. As it is being carved, the top and bottom plates will be adjusted and tuned by the craftsman. Violin-making is very much an art and so much of the final sound is dependent on the skill of the luthier and his choice of wood.