I am looking at one on eBay (Brand New) that has a "Buy it now" price of $100. Do you think this violin will be worth anything at that price?

No, I don't. Violins can be finicky instruments.

I play guitar and bass guitar, and can honestly say that there aren't too many decent $100 stringed instruments out there.

I would shy away from a $100 violin, if I were you.

Thanks :cool:

What can I expect to pay for a fairly decent one?

Go to some places that rent band instruments to schools. That's where I've found the best deals and advice on student grade and better instruments. If you're just starting out you want one that's going to stay in tune, and something you can actually play. You might find one that was used & returned. You don't need a masterpiece created in the 1700's just yet.

In fact, get a cheap one. Personally I think that a violin is the hardest instrument to learn. You have a bow, which are tricky beasts to get right, coupled with a fretless neck. I have a cheap student violin sitting near me that I haven't touched in months because it pissed me off. Violins can sound beautiful, but they can also sound like you're torturing a poor little kitty cat. One that screams even after it's dead.

Thanks :cool:

should learn piano, its much more rewarding in my opinion

But much less portable.