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Hi Everybody, I am an amateur violinist who has been playing since high school (over 10 years ago) on a German trade violin purchased for about $8k. Although it is not a valuable instrument, my teacher and I picked it out of many instruments on the market, and I find that it has a powerful tone that exceeds its price. My playing has not yet exceeded the instrument's tonal limits, but a bit as a personal reward for myself and just out of love for music and instruments, I am considering getting a new, better violin. I have set a wide budget at this time, from $20k up to $50k at the absolute maximum. I am still figuring out what I want and need, but the purpose of this post is to gather some input on that side of things and also to ask for suggestions to look out for. I recently went to a well known shop and tried six violins around the $20-$30k range. Out of these, two I disliked and four I liked. To be honest, out of the four I liked, I would be hard pressed to rank them, as they were all powerful and beautiful in tone. Perhaps it is my inexperience playing fine instruments that I could not rank them. I would say the four I liked were indeed slightly better than my current violin, but not drastically so. Power was similar, but the instruments seemed to have a bit of a sweeter tone and faster response. Surprisingly to me, three out of those four were new fiddles made within the past year and the two I disliked were old Germans. So in this price range, the violins by new makers were indeed very appealing to me. Given that I already own an old German, I decided to discard the one German trade violin I liked from consideration (I believe a fine example of Roth) and focused on the three new fiddles. The cheapest (surprisingly) was made in Italy, for $20k. The other two were by modern American makers and had won prizes in America, they were priced close to $30k. The sales assistant told me that competition in Cremona for new construction is fierce, which means new Italian instruments are often priced more aggressively than the American violins. I did note however, that at the $20-$30k price range, if the goal was to get an antique, it seemed far too low to get a fine French or Italian fiddle. I must admit, that when I was a violin student, I only cared about quality of sound. Now that I am older, making my own money, and playing only for hobby rather than performance or competition, I must disclose that my motivations are more impure, as I am now also somewhat concerned with the issue of collectability and appreciation in conjunction with sound. I wonder if I were to extend my budget to $40-$50k, what types of violins would become available? I am also aware that at the higher end of the price range in the title it is also possible to acquire a new violin from one of the more well known new makers. So to distill my thoughts into a series of questions. 1. What antique violin makers are available in the range of $40-$50k? Some Italian makers I have heard of include Poggi and Scarampella, although I fear my price range is much too low? 2. Do you find antique instruments in the $40-$50k range to be better, worse, or equal to modern violins (speaking in huge generalities, of course). I unabashedly claim that the modern violins I have tried in the $30k range to be tonally outstanding and perhaps superior to antiques in the same price category. 3. From an economic perspective, do you expect a modern or antique violin in this price range to hold value better (or perhaps even appreciate)? Of course for violins like my current one, the issue of collectability is a moot point. Thank you for reading this long rambling post, I would love to hear everybody's thoughts. Best, Jason
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- antique
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Hey, guys! Anyone have any information on a Dolfin 910 Cello? This is my first time here so I hope I didn't make any mistakes with this forum. Don't hate me o-o I'm new to Cello (though I have played the violin for years) and are looking to get one before everything gets worse with all these recent lockdown and more shops are closed as being "non-essential" (except puzzles are for some reason and I'm actually getting this for learning and career reasons, so...). I want something that I will keep for years without a need to replace it, something that would be decent enough for an intermediate player as well as a student, I just don't have that amount of money to throw around to just replace it after a few years lol. So I've been looking at second hand one's and found one, I'd like to know your opinions on it. It's labelled as a Dolfin 910 model and I believe it's made in Korea. It's price online is $699AUD but they've told me they're willing to lower the price to $550AUD. It comes with a hard case and bow. I'm pretty sure it's a newer cello, but I can't find much about it, I am allowed to view it in store, however. The sale is only for Easter though. Is it worth a shot? Or should I wait a little while before making a decision? I know $550AUD isn't much for a Cello, but hey, I'm a lonely pauper, alright? That's a lot of money for an unemployed 19yrd student and that's all my savings of ten years gone until I can find a job to compensate (I'm trying, it's just that I've left school at the most inconvenient time in history). I'm not flinging it on something just because it's cheap without some thought. Anyway, here's the adverts so you can get a look at it: Official website: https://www.cashconverters.com.au/shop/music-tv-video/musical-instruments/guitars-string-instruments/cello/001300268259 Gumtree advertisement: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/collingwood/other-musical-instruments/cello-dolfin-910-was-749-/1237985675 s-l400.webp
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i have a friend that has this violin, he paid 1500 euros for it, from a romanian luthier, and i heard that this luthier buys form china , a good set up and he sell at a higher price. Does it looks like a chinese violin?
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We all know the unparalleled feeling of finding "the" violin. Well, a couple of weeks ago, I did: I went to a shop and found a beautiful instrument that has exactly the sound I am looking for. Therefore, I want to upgrade. I'm looking to sell my current instrument to set up the right financial situation. My violin was made in 1998 by Raphael Le Cointe (who then went to Cremona). I have an insurance appraisal for $15,000 and his instruments have sold for upwards of $20,000. I'm hoping to get 10-12K to offset the cost of the upgrade. The violin is in suberb condition: it's more a solist's instrument (powerful, bright, direct, and responses). However, and I am playing much more orchestra and chamber stuff now, so it's not the right sound for me anymore (I'm looking for something warmer and less penetrating). I've read a bunch of old threads (from this site and others) on various tips for selling violins and the different options one has (consignment, auction, private sale, shop sale, trade-in, donation for tax break, etc). However, I think I'm stuck at the point where only a private sale is a realistic option, despite the difficulties that come with trying that. Consignment: I can't afford to buy the new violin and put my current one on consignment, because the up-front cost is too high (and I don't want to get trapped in a scenario where my current instrument doesn't sell for years). On the other hand, I can't put my violin into consignment and be left without an instrument to play while I wait for it to sell. Auction: I think an auction would yield far too little money. I've contacted the bigger auction houses (Tarisio, Bromptons, etc) and they don't seem interested in a modern NY instrument. Trade-in: The shop where I found the violin I love (a reputable shop in the USA) assessed my current instrument for a trade-in. The luthiers there confirmed it is well-made and in very good condition but they required the vice-president's approval. He, for whatever reason, declined the option to trade the instrument, even though I would have paid a significant net cash difference. The shop won't tell me why they weren't interested (they want to charge me for a "verbal appraisal"), even though I think this information would help me. Donation: quite simply, my income is too high since I file jointly with my wife, and the tax break I'd get for donating, even at the insurance appraisal value, isn't worth it. Shop sale: I can't imagine a shop or luthier will just buy my instrument from me to add to their inventory if I'm not buying a new instrument from them. PRIVATE SALE: This leaves me with private sale. I have reached out to old teachers, fellow musicians, a couple of youth orchestras in the area, and some other resources. However, this has proved futile so far as I am finding that potential buyers have an inherent trust in shops (it's understandable: it gives an impression of legitimacy in case something were to go wrong). I'm looking for tips, resources, or even contacts anyone might have on how to get word out about my instrument and find a student who is looking to upgrade. I believe my current violin is perfect for an advanced player, especially someone looking to move into a fine instrument and continue studying solo repertoire (something like a promising high school student or early conservatory student). I have also listed my violin on Reverb.com: https://reverb.com/item/31296574-fine-violin-american-hand-made-4-4-size-raphael-le-cointe-nyc-1998
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I was trying violins at a leading dealer and eventually took away a G B Morassi on approval, but before I left the room a guy came in with a Fagnola costing 4 times as much and said "just try this for comparison" The Morassi sounded a lot better! A week later I returned the Morassi and waited behind a guy who was taking out a violin on approval. He remarked " It sounds a lot better than the Fagnola" I recounted this to another dealer who remarked that it was an old dealer trick. The violin shop in question is no longer trading, but has anyone else come across dodgy practices?
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So I'm thinking more and more about purchasing a cello from a maker or seller online. And while recommendations for a reasonable place to do this are welcome, this post is mainly addressing my concerns for the delivery of said instrument. How are instruments shipped? (I'm in the midwestern US if that has any impact) What dealers ship reliably and pack them well? Do you guys trust online delivery and returns? Of course most sites claim to have integrity and to thoroughly pack and protect their instruments, but I'm curious if everyone's experiences are overall good or bad. Especially since Cellos are a lot riskier to ship than smaller stringed instruments. I've heard people say their setup was compromised, or that their instrument arrived safe and sound and even in tune. Thoughts?
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I have a budget of $1200 for a violin, and was looking at Eastman 305. I tried 2003 Eastman 305 with a used pernambuco bow, and it sounded really nice compared to my 1983 Suzuki 220. But my local violin shop had and recommended 2015 Carlo Moretti, which I also tried with pernambuco bow, and it seemed sounded little better than Eastman. Of course, I don't have trained ear as I'm only on Suzuki book 4. I think this Carlo Moretti was a rental, as I can see some wear. Also, inside, it had this local violin shop label with handwritten Carlo Moretti, serial number, and date. When I searched online, I couldn't find much information about Carlo Moretti violins except that it's made by Amber Strings. But this violin didn't have Amber String label. The shop offer 20% off, making the price $1000+tax, with used pernambuco bow and case. Although it doesn't have it's original label, based on sound quality, is it worth $1000? I need some help buying decent violin at $1200 range. Thanks.
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Hello everyone, I am currently in the market for a new violin. Hoping for a step up from my $1000 infinite strings master build violin. I saw infinite strings' new private stock violins and wanted to know how they compare to the Jay Haide (special and non-special edition violins), and the Scott Cao STV-1500. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Hello all, I've been reading Maestronet for years, but this is my first post. I'm a professional violist. I recently got the opportunity to purchase a gold bow, relatively recent, by Sylvain Bigot, and I found a bow I liked by William Salchow, silver, which is about half the price of the Bigot. I could purchase the Bigot, which I have not yet played (!), though I'm familiar with his bows, and confident it's high quality. If money is not an issue (though of course it always is!) which one is the better investment? I have a gold bow by Thomachot that is my main bow and I love it, but I'm hoping to expand my collection.
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Hi there, I recently borrowed a friend's viola, which she isnt using anymore. It is a non-expensive Palitino viola, 15.5inches. Unfortunately, to me it sounds incredibly nasal, and overall not what Im looking for. I want to buy my own viola, but unfortunately, unlike violins, there arent that many Antique violas on Ebay for affordable prices, like I got my beloved German cottage-industry violin. Does anyone perhaps have experience with new violas, from Ebay, like the following ones? http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-year-New-16-5-inches-viola-Ornati-style-No-4201-with-best-handcraft-viola-/321401043197?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad4feb8fd http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-5-420mm-Mellow-Tone-Orchestra-Top-Favourite-VIOLA-plus-a-PERNAMBUCO-BOW-/181321497103?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a379a7a0f http://www.ebay.com/itm/Best-quality-16-5-viola-nice-flamed-maple-wood-back-sides-spruce-top-/360923362760?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5408b575c8 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Attractive-sound-viola-16-bird-eye-wood-BD-156-/231203986830?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35d4d4dd8e These are all pretty looking Chinese violas, which seems to already (some of them), be strung up with good strings aswell. If I buy one of these, and it sounds dreadful, I could always try regraduating the top plate, change the bass bar, or if the varnish is ultra-thick I could revarnish it myself, or whatever might be suggested. My other option is to buy a white viola on Ebay, and go from there. Since this is for myself, time and effort is no concerning matter, so I wouldnt mind having to work on it myself, and since the viola wouldnt have any antique value, I see no reason for using a better varnish (if needed, and if it comes to that). What do you think? Any suggestions? I would really like a smaller Viola, but I doubt I'll find a cheaper one that sounds great which is 15.5 inch, so I guess 16-16.5 inch is a safer bet.
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Hi, I've been violin/bow shopping recently and I began to wonder, will the customer ever know the "true" value of the instrument/bow that they bought? Stores will definitely put some sort of premium on the instrument, but as a customer unless we have the violin appraised elsewhere, we're never really going to know the true value. I was looking at a violin couple months back and really liked the instrument (feel and tone), but the instrument was marked at $3500. This was over my budget. When I asked if the price could be lowered, the sales person punched some numbers on his calculator and very willingly knocked off $500. I personally felt that was a little too easy and probably could have brought it down more. Similar story, I went back to the same store to buy a new violin bow. This Nickel Mounted Marco Raposo was labelled at $650. When I said it was over my $500 budget, the sales person punched in some numbers and brought it down to meet my $500 budget. Again, seemed too easy. Is this a sign of 'good customer service'? Or the result of a significant markup in prices? This makes me wonder how much my "$3000" violin is really worth. Maybe it's only worth $2000 and they just pocketed $1000. Kind of depressing, but I might just get it appraised at another store some day just out of curiosity. Anybody else have a similar experience? For people that own violin stores, is there a general "mark-up" (like 20%) on the actual value of instruments/bows?
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