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How To Appropriately Appraise A Vintage Violin

By Jose McDonald


One of the most authentic sounds you will ever experience from a musical instrument is that of a violin. Classical violins are therefore some of the most sort after instruments in the world today. This is partly due to their meticulous crafting and the value placed in the manufacturer. A vintage violin is therefore a challenge to find. Since there exist imitations, you need to find a way of isolating the antique class from modern and imitated ones. Here are expert tips to guide you.

The label indicating the craftsman or manufacturer will signal the age or dates of manufacturer. Popular brands of antique violins include Stainer, Guarneri and Amati, among very few others. Each has a unique feature and design that made it easier to identify their products. With a different name or a label that does not match the instrument, you have a reason to worry. Because some of these instruments were produced in limited editions, some can be accounted for to the last number. If you suspect that you are being duped, seek professional assistance.

The label on an instrument will give a hint whether it is authentic. To see the label, you need to use the f-hole. The details of manufacture including the producer and dates are included there. The label will be as old as the instrument. For new labels, it could be an attempt to dupe you since both the instrument and label age together.

The tag on place of origin will help you identify a genuine from imitated instrument. Prior to 1914, goods imported into US were supposed to bear the name of country of origin. The instruments thus had single names like Germany, Czechoslovakia and Italy, among others. Post 1921, these names had to be in English and include the tag Made in. This is a way to identify the date.

You can judge your violin by checking on the quality of varnish used. Vintage instruments used a special quality that never seemed to dry. This varnish is oil based and very easy to detect because it would penetrate deep into the wood. The varnish used today dries up easily and never goes deep into the wood. The possibility of flakes and chipping is also very high. Such low quality varnish will affect the appearance of your instrument.

Seek professional advice when buying a classical violin. There are professionals who appraise instruments with an incredible level of accuracy. If you suspect that your instrument does not fit the description given, invite an expert. They have sold the violins for years or are even professional players who can distinguish its age by the quality of sound produced. In case of doubt, they will direct you for further examination.

Buy your instrument from a store whose authenticity is verifiable. A store that is recognized for antique instruments will be more reliable compared to the use of backdoor vendors. In an attempt to protect their name and business, they conduct due diligence on all instruments that they sell. Further, you can sue a store or seek refund if you realized that the details provided were false.

There are attached items that are as important as your instruments in determining quality. The bow and string should be of the highest quality. Ensure that your bow is not broken. Get a quality casing and insist on an instrument that is not stored in a manner likely to compromise its quality.




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