3/30/2016

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.

Music retail stores are one of the best places to source an old or valuable instrument and there are many of them on the market. One of the advantages of making a purchase from a store is that the instruments can be played before buying to ensure it is suitable and to your liking. Knowledgeable staff will also be there to help in your choice and offer helpful advice and your purchases will be covered by some kind of warranty.

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.

When buying any vintage items you should always enquire about its history and ask where the seller obtained it. Get purchase receipts off them from when they got it if possible and if it has any serial numbers you can do a little research online and maybe via the maker if they are still in business. Ideally it should come with its original case and any documentation that has accompanied it over the years.

One final thing to consider is insurance cover for your vintage instrument. Standard home contents cover will usually not be enough for a high value antique and you should check this with your insurer. There are specialist companies that provide insurance cover for antiques and a few quotes should be obtained before making a final decision.




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