Comments on: Can anyone identify if this violin is really worth 1000 dollars made in 1907?

By: TaxGurl

TaxGurl — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:19:59 +0000

You need to take it to a specialist and have it appraised. The age and maker alone do not make it a good or a bad instrument.

Don’t just go to the corner music store. Look for a respected violin repair shop. Find out who does the work on symphony members’ instruments in your area. Prior to making an instrument purchase, it is perfectly reasonable to have it appraised for value. If the instrument is particularly valuable, you will want to have a rider added to your parents’ homeowners insurance to cover it.

When I purchased my concert cello, I was very glad to know the actual value of the instrument, bow, and case. My cello has an import tag from 1916 but the original maker tag has been lost. Only an expert can assess the workmanship, tone, sound, and value of the instrument.
When I sold my practice cello several years ago, I was not at all insulted when the prospective buyers wanted to take it to their teacher for her opinion prior to completing the sale.

Older instruments can be tricky. My cello has a wonderful sound that has aged nicely over the years. But if an instrument has been dormant in a closet or attic for years, it can take a long time for the sound to "wake up" again. An instrument purchase is a highly personal one. If you like the instrument, $1000 is pretty reasonable. Many of the new plywood, beginner violins retail in the $600 to $800 range so it is likely that you have a very good deal in your hands.
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By: techfiddle

techfiddle — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:56:59 +0000

You can’t do this over the internet via email. The only viable way is to take the instrument to a luthier and have them appraise it. Sometimes they won’t even charge you anything, though they will if you need the paperwork for house insurance.

But take to a luthier. Look under "violin" in the yellow pages.
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By: mande95747

mande95747 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:33:59 +0000

You should take it to an appraiser.
Look up violin repair shops in your area, and call & ask if they know an appraiser.
Some makers/repairers also do appraisals.

$1,000 is not expensive for a decent violin.
I have a viola that is nothing particularly special, that is worth about $1,800, and an average 100 year old violin that is worth about $2,000 even though it has some badly repaired damage to it.
My former teacher had a viola worth $16,000 and her husbands 100 year old cello (that didn’t even sound that good) cost $25,000.
So, without actually seeing the violin you’re referring to, nobody can really say if it’s worth that much.
But it would certainly not have to be a "known brand name" to be worth $1,000.
Go to sharmusic.com and check out a lot of their instruments.
$1,000 is really kinda a cheap instrument, actually.
I don’t think someone is likely trying to rip you off here.
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By: sweettea1125

sweettea1125 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:03:59 +0000

It's only worth what someone is willing to pay.
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By: ando ciompa

ando ciompa — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:28:59 +0000

google search
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By: Jacky B

Jacky B — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:22:59 +0000

If its worth 1000 dollars now, you should hold on to it until you get older and double its value.
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