31.5.16

Choosing To Purchase A Vintage Violin

By Maria Long


Many people enjoy playing instruments as a hobby or to earn their living as a musician. Most will usually start off with a budget instrument when learning and progress to a more expensive one later on. After becoming more proficient, many players will consider purchasing a vintage violin and there are some important things to think about before you buy one.

Many music tutors and professional players will say that the better quality the instrument is, the better you will play. Every hand crafted violin will be unique in tone, feel and appearance. Prior to spending a large amount of cash on a violin you should play it for a while to make sure it is suitable for you.

Vintage instruments will usually command a higher asking price than a modern made one and this is the usually case with violins. Their value is dependent on a few factors each of which is extremely important when you are choosing which model to buy. There are well established music retailers in Huntington Beach, CA who stock antique violins and they will be happy to advise you when you are looking for one.

When you have calculated how much money you wish to spend, you can start searching for your instrument. The price of antique violins will differ greatly and they can cost millions of dollars if they particularly rare. The maker, kind of wood, the age and the country where it was manufactured can all influence the sale price.

A music store is the best place to find instruments of this type and there are many for sale in stores worldwide. The advantage of using a store is that you can play the violin and check it personally before making a purchase. The trained staff will also be on hand to advise you and any purchases will be covered by their guarantees and after care.

Web sites are a useful place where you will often find vintage instruments offered for sale. Buyers should be very aware that in many cases they will not be able to see or play the violin before making an online purchase so caution is needed. If you cannot get to view the piece, you should try and get an expert to examine it for you to check its authenticity before making a commitment.

When you purchase antiques with a high value you should ask the seller a few simple questions such as where and when they purchased the item. If the instrument has any manufactures serial numbers, they can be used to check the history in most cases. Most violins will be sold with their case and if it is original, this will usually increase its value.

An important thing to consider is the insurance cover that will be required for your expensive instrument. Your home insurance will probably not be sufficient to cover an antique if it exceeds a certain value so you should check with your insurance company. You can find companies that specialize in covering instruments and antiques and it is well worth contacting these to get some quotes.




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