Thinking About Buying A Vintage Violin

By Dennis Perry


Many people play orchestral instruments as a hobby or professionally. Most will usually start with an entry level model when learning and later progress to a better made instrument costing more. After becoming more skilled many musicians will decide to buy a vintage violin and there are a few things to think about before purchasing one.

Most musicians will agree that the more you pay for your instruments and the better made they are, the better you will sound. Every violin which is handmade by craftsmen will have a unique sound, feel and appearance. Before buying a valuable violin it is advisable to spend some time playing it to make sure it is the correct one for you.

Rare and valuable instruments are not cheap and will always cost more than modern mass produced models. A few different things will determine the cost of an instrument and some care is needed when making your choice. There are reputable instrument shops in Huntington Beach, CA who deal in older violins and will be happy to guide you in your search for one.

When you have worked out how much you want to spend you can start looking for your instrument. The price of these antique violins can differ greatly and they can fetch millions of dollars if they are particularly desirable or very rare. The maker, type of wood, the age of the instrument and the country where it was made can all influence its final sale price.

Instrument retailers are probably the best place to find and buy a vintage instrument and stores can be found in towns and cities all over the world. The good thing about buying from a shop is that you can handle and play the violin before you buy it. Another plus point is that you will be able to speak with the staff that work in the store and ask their advice and opinions on any potential purchases.

Antique instruments are also offered for sale by a lot of internet retailers and auction sites. Some care should be taken when buying from these places especially if you cannot see your potential purchase before buying it. Any vintage instrument should be checked for authenticity by an expert as over the years many have been faked and many people have made costly mistakes.

Whenever you buy antiques or items with a high value you should always ask the seller a few questions such as where and when they acquired the item. If the instrument has any serial numbers these can be used to check its history in some cases. Most violins will be sold complete with their case and if it is the original one then this will increase its value.

The last thing to consider when planning on purchasing an antique musical instrument is its insurance cover in case it is lost or damaged. Most homeowners will have contents insurance but in most cases this will not be sufficient to cover very valuable items. Specialist insurers are in the business of covering musical instruments and rare valuable items.




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