Tuesday 31 May 2016

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.

Most professionals and music teachers will tell their students that the more they pay for an instrument, and the higher the quality it is, the better they will eventually play and sound. All hand crafted violins will be individual have a tone like no other, as well as looking and feeling different. Before making a decision and purchasing a valuable instrument you should spend a little time playing it to make sure it suits 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 worked out your budget you can begin your hunt for a suitable antique violin. The prices charged for violins will range from a few thousand dollars into the millions for the really rare and exotic pieces. A few factors will determine the price and these will be age, the name of the manufacturer and the woods and materials used in the construction.

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.

You can also find vintage instruments being sold by web based retailers and internet auction pages. You should exercise some care when purchasing items online, as you may not be able to play or view the item before buying. Any antique should be verified by an expert in their field as many counterfeits are frequently offered for sale as the genuine item.

When you are purchasing a vintage instrument, you should always talk to the person selling it and ask about the history of the item. Ask them where they purchased it, check the serial number and get as much documentation as you can to prove its provenance. A violin should be sold with its original case and this is important as it will add to its overall 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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