An old violin in your cabinet that's been handed down to you by a distant uncle might actually be worth something if you follow the progress of current violin appraisals. It's not rare to find someone who's earned tens of thousands of dollars from the sale of an old instrument. Before you jump for joy at the prospect, you should learn some of the basics before having your copy appraised by a professional.
You will probably base your first thoughts on the label inside the instrument. Don't be surprised to find the names Stradivari, Amati, Guarneri or Stainer as these famous makers were unfortunately used to pass of fakes as much more valuable copies. Even if you suspect that your instrument is original, you should know that almost all of the instruments made by these famous luthiers have already been recorded.
Of course, there have been some fakes that were actually very nice instruments in their own right. This is backed up by the fact that there were many fine luthiers at that time that crafted in their own impressive style but still labeled their instruments as one of the more popular makers. Check out the craftsmanship and tone of the instrument as it might actually be worth something.
In order to appraise an instrument on your own, first check the label just under the f-hole. If it's in English and it clearly indicates the country of origin, then it's probably a factory made copy and is not really worth investigating further. If it is however old and seems to match the condition of the rest of your violin, then it could be worth something although reputable appraisers rarely go by the label alone.
The best way to be sure about your copy is to ask a professional. You don't need to take it to an appraiser immediately, but someone who has extensive knowledge handling these instruments will be much better than no one at all. If your area has a local orchestra, ask for the opinion of the first violinist. He will have a good opinion of your instrument and will also be able to recommend you a good appraiser. If you live near a reputable music school, asking the string faculty will also be very useful.
He may be able to recommend to you a good appraiser that you can hire. The cost of this usually is usually around five to ten percent of the value indicated, but many appraisers charge much lower fees. Be sure to get a written appraisal just in case.
With your written references, it is best to have your copy restored. This will make it more respectable in case potential buyers are interested in your copy. You might be surprised that these simple violin appraisals can net you in excess of ten thousand dollars at one time.
violin appraisals
You will probably base your first thoughts on the label inside the instrument. Don't be surprised to find the names Stradivari, Amati, Guarneri or Stainer as these famous makers were unfortunately used to pass of fakes as much more valuable copies. Even if you suspect that your instrument is original, you should know that almost all of the instruments made by these famous luthiers have already been recorded.
Of course, there have been some fakes that were actually very nice instruments in their own right. This is backed up by the fact that there were many fine luthiers at that time that crafted in their own impressive style but still labeled their instruments as one of the more popular makers. Check out the craftsmanship and tone of the instrument as it might actually be worth something.
In order to appraise an instrument on your own, first check the label just under the f-hole. If it's in English and it clearly indicates the country of origin, then it's probably a factory made copy and is not really worth investigating further. If it is however old and seems to match the condition of the rest of your violin, then it could be worth something although reputable appraisers rarely go by the label alone.
The best way to be sure about your copy is to ask a professional. You don't need to take it to an appraiser immediately, but someone who has extensive knowledge handling these instruments will be much better than no one at all. If your area has a local orchestra, ask for the opinion of the first violinist. He will have a good opinion of your instrument and will also be able to recommend you a good appraiser. If you live near a reputable music school, asking the string faculty will also be very useful.
He may be able to recommend to you a good appraiser that you can hire. The cost of this usually is usually around five to ten percent of the value indicated, but many appraisers charge much lower fees. Be sure to get a written appraisal just in case.
With your written references, it is best to have your copy restored. This will make it more respectable in case potential buyers are interested in your copy. You might be surprised that these simple violin appraisals can net you in excess of ten thousand dollars at one time.
violin appraisals
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