I've been asking about this too...and have never received a definitive answer (and I'm sure there is one).
Why the bright orange varnish?
It doesn't seem to be quite as rampant as it was a few years ago...but I'm still seeing it. I purchased an Eastman LV80 about 3 years ago as a back up - and I have to say, for the price it was good introductory level instrument - but I was put off by the colour - to the point I traded it in. I am also put off by bright yellow violins and I find a lot of new/amateur makers seem to gravitate towards an overly yellow varnish. Anyone think they know why?
It seems mostly inexpensive violins are bright orange - although I've seen it on more expensive ones as well. I was wondering if there was a deliberate movement to colour-code violins at one point? Orange = cheap?
Then I was wondering if it might have anything to do with colour blindness (at least originally). Since colour blindness is predominant in men...and men predominate in violin varnishing...well...take it from there...