One of the most authentic sounds you will ever experience from a musical instrument is that of a violin. Classical violins are therefore some of the most sort after instruments in the world today. This is partly due to their meticulous crafting and the value placed in the manufacturer. A vintage violin is therefore a challenge to find. Since there exist imitations, you need to find a way of isolating the antique class from modern and imitated ones. Here are expert tips to guide you.
Check the name or label of the crafts man. Some of renowned makers included Stainer, Amati and Guarneri, whose labels and unique designs are visible on the instrument. In the absence of these signs, it is an indication that you are getting an imitation. In fact, some of these violins came in limited series with numbers. They can be traced and thus confirm whether it is a genuine one or an imitation.
The label on an instrument will give a hint whether it is authentic. To see the label, you need to use the f-hole. The details of manufacture including the producer and dates are included there. The label will be as old as the instrument. For new labels, it could be an attempt to dupe you since both the instrument and label age together.
The tag on place of origin will help you identify a genuine from imitated instrument. Prior to 1914, goods imported into US were supposed to bear the name of country of origin. The instruments thus had single names like Germany, Czechoslovakia and Italy, among others. Post 1921, these names had to be in English and include the tag Made in. This is a way to identify the date.
You can judge your violin by checking on the quality of varnish used. Vintage instruments used a special quality that never seemed to dry. This varnish is oil based and very easy to detect because it would penetrate deep into the wood. The varnish used today dries up easily and never goes deep into the wood. The possibility of flakes and chipping is also very high. Such low quality varnish will affect the appearance of your instrument.
Seek professional advice when buying a classical violin. There are professionals who appraise instruments with an incredible level of accuracy. If you suspect that your instrument does not fit the description given, invite an expert. They have sold the violins for years or are even professional players who can distinguish its age by the quality of sound produced. In case of doubt, they will direct you for further examination.
The shop where you buy the instrument provides a hint of authenticity. Is the store recognized for selling vintage instruments or are you using backdoor vendors? A store that is recognized has a name to protect and will rarely offer a low quality product. Further, in case you verify and realize that you were duped, you can seek recourse since the business is registered.
The attachments that come with violins should also be of concern. Look at the quality of the accompanying bow. It must be intact with high quality string. The casing and storing of the instrument also give an indication of the quality to expect. Avoid poorly stored violins that are likely to have been eaten by mites.
Check the name or label of the crafts man. Some of renowned makers included Stainer, Amati and Guarneri, whose labels and unique designs are visible on the instrument. In the absence of these signs, it is an indication that you are getting an imitation. In fact, some of these violins came in limited series with numbers. They can be traced and thus confirm whether it is a genuine one or an imitation.
The label on an instrument will give a hint whether it is authentic. To see the label, you need to use the f-hole. The details of manufacture including the producer and dates are included there. The label will be as old as the instrument. For new labels, it could be an attempt to dupe you since both the instrument and label age together.
The tag on place of origin will help you identify a genuine from imitated instrument. Prior to 1914, goods imported into US were supposed to bear the name of country of origin. The instruments thus had single names like Germany, Czechoslovakia and Italy, among others. Post 1921, these names had to be in English and include the tag Made in. This is a way to identify the date.
You can judge your violin by checking on the quality of varnish used. Vintage instruments used a special quality that never seemed to dry. This varnish is oil based and very easy to detect because it would penetrate deep into the wood. The varnish used today dries up easily and never goes deep into the wood. The possibility of flakes and chipping is also very high. Such low quality varnish will affect the appearance of your instrument.
Seek professional advice when buying a classical violin. There are professionals who appraise instruments with an incredible level of accuracy. If you suspect that your instrument does not fit the description given, invite an expert. They have sold the violins for years or are even professional players who can distinguish its age by the quality of sound produced. In case of doubt, they will direct you for further examination.
The shop where you buy the instrument provides a hint of authenticity. Is the store recognized for selling vintage instruments or are you using backdoor vendors? A store that is recognized has a name to protect and will rarely offer a low quality product. Further, in case you verify and realize that you were duped, you can seek recourse since the business is registered.
The attachments that come with violins should also be of concern. Look at the quality of the accompanying bow. It must be intact with high quality string. The casing and storing of the instrument also give an indication of the quality to expect. Avoid poorly stored violins that are likely to have been eaten by mites.
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