The first way to tell if your instrument is old (modern), old (actually old) or fake old, is to look for a neck graft . Old violins (and violas and cellos) have neck grafts because they were crafted in an era when instruments had shorter necks.
How do I know if my violin is valuable?
- Flame of the Wood. The back of the violin is a good indicator of the quality of the instrument. ...
- Craftsmanship. The craftsmanship of the violin is the greatest indicator of the quality of an instrument. ...
- Label. ...
- Sound and Ease of Playing. ...
- Materials.
How do I know what violin I have?
The label might tell you who made your violin. You can find a label inside the (usually) left hand f-hole in the violin . Not all violins have labels, and you may have to blow away the dust and move the violin under the light to see whether yours does.
What violins are worth money?
- The Molitor Stradivari. ...
- The ex-Ries Stradivari.
- The Dolphin Stradivari. ...
- The ex-Szigeti Stradivari. ...
- The La Pucelle Stradivari. ...
- The Lord Wilton Guarneri del Gesù ...
- The ex-Carrodus Guarneri del Gesù ...
- The ex-Kochanski Guarneri del Gesù
How old is an old violin?
An antique violin is a type of stringed musical instrument that is desirable because of its age, which, under the generally accepted definition of an antique, must be at least 100 years .
Is my old violin worth anything?
In fact, the vast majority of old violins that people find tucked away in attics and closets are not worth much. Or anything. Even if the label says “Stradivarius”. ... So that “valuable” old violin may not be so valuable in a decrepit condition.
Why do old violins sound better?
Researchers in England say that laboratory tests conducted on wood commonly used to make violins supports age-old claims by musicians that the regular playing of a stringed instrument improves its tone .
How much is a Guarneri violin worth?
Anne Akiko Meyers, with her recently acquired Guarneri violin, at NPR’s Studio 1. The Vieuxtemps Guarneri is a violin that is older than the United States of America — 273 years old, to be exact. It recently became the most expensive violin in the world, selling for an estimated $16 million .
How much is a copy of a Stradivarius violin worth?
Anywhere from $50 to $50,000 depending on its maker. The vast majority of violins are copies of some Stradivarius or another; most aren’t marked as such.
Who owns the most expensive violin in the world?
Anne Akiko Meyers , with her recently acquired Guarneri violin, at NPR’s Studio 1. The Vieuxtemps Guarneri is a violin that is older than the United States of America — 273 years old, to be exact. It recently became the most expensive violin in the world, selling for an estimated $16 million.
What is an old violin called?
The Arabian rabab and the rebec , which came from the orient in the middle ages and was played widely in Spain and France in the fifteenth century, are said to be the ancestors of the violin. Near the end of the middle ages, a bowed stringed instrument called a fiddle appeared in Europe.
What is the most valuable violin?
This Guarneri del Gesù instrument is now the most expensive violin in the world, selling for an estimated $16million (£10.5million). Its new owner anonymously donated the historic instrument to violinist Anne Akiko Meyers on loan for the rest of her life.
What is the oldest violin in the world?
The oldest confirmed surviving violin, dated inside, is the “Charles IX” by Andrea Amati , made in Cremona in 1564, but the label is very doubtful. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has an Amati violin that may be even older, possibly dating to 1558 but just like the Charles IX the date is unconfirmed.
Do antique violins sound better?
Overall, listeners preferred the sound of the new violins compared to the old ones . They also found that the new instruments projected their music better. In other words, to the listeners they seemed louder and more powerful. (That was true whether or not the violins had been played with an orchestra.)
Do violins get better with age?
There is widespread belief among players of stringed musical instruments, and experienced listeners, that these instruments improve with age and/or playing . A previous study has reported some measurable changes associated with regular playing of a violin [1].
How do I sell my old violin?
When you’re looking to sell your fine violin (or a viola or cello), consignment to a notable violin shop may be the most lucrative option. Although auctions and eBay might seem like a good idea, seekers of fine instruments rarely do their looking online.
