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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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Hello All! Recently a friend of mine contacted me about beginning to liquidate the workshop of her late husband, who was a luthier. There are tool chests filled with gouges, chisels, saws, clamps of all types, templates for various violas and violins, as well as other odds and ends. Over the last month or two we began to chip away at the room nearly filled with supplies and tools, we have identified as many tools, parts, pieces, and woods as we can for the time being and have compiled an eBay store. There are plenty of quality tools, some homemade tools, and other tools with modifications that made his job easier. In addition to these items, there are some larger items that require local pickup in the NoVA, such as a 10" Craftsman Bandsaw, and a Gemini Carving Duplicator. That being said there is a voluminous wood collection, upwards of 100 sets, that, over the next year will be slowly be liquidated. There are other instrument accessories listed as well such as several cases and gig bags. It is my understanding that at some point soon the collection of cello wood will also be liquidated. Opening on eBay with seller AnthonyZ214 Hello all, who end up reading this ad, its time for one last push here before the holiday season! As some of the bigger items left the shop we decided to list more before a break for the holidays. Everything that didnt sell the first two weeks was given a price reduction and there are still some lovely tools, that people just missed, or didnt end up paying for, regardless, I would like to thank you, for reading this far and if you bought anything from the store I additionally appreciate that, its been a process, and its been great to work hear some of the messages that folks have had, and finding out that some of you have been in situations similar to mine, I truly appreciate the words of encouragement. There are a few slabs of wood left from week two, and a picture will be included of what we'll start working through in January! There are some slabs and stacks of cello wood as well, but that will be sorted through and taken care of in time. Final Auction of Fall 2019, Ends, Friday, December 13th, 2019 7:00PM EST/4:00PM PST Some larger items like the Gemini carving duplicator will stay up until purchase, that is to say afterwards of Friday. Thank you again, it means a lot during the holidays -Anthony Z. https://www.ebay.com/sch/anthonyz214
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I've been contemplating/discussing the challenges of selling 'common' products in a saturated marketplace. Violins fall into that category. Everyone knows what a violin is. There are low end (mass produced), middle range, high end (bench made), and what I'd group as luxury instruments (where provenance is everything)...so anyone can find one at any price point to meet their needs/wants. The internet is great - but it's also overwhelming. If I start looking for something (anything) I find myself in a confusing forest almost immediately. Often times I can't tell what's what. However, while the internet is evolving, it's not going anywhere, so this overwhelming access to 'stuff' isn't going to disappear. I predict it's only going to get worse. A. How do you establish a niche for yourself in this climate? Most MNers would fall into the middle/high end market. How do you advertise? Do you have enough clientele? Where do they come from? What led them to you? B. If you are a consumer of any similar product (ie. where you want something handcrafted and not mass produced) - how do you search for what you want? How do you sort through the mass of items to narrow it down?
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Hi guys, I am about to embark on my 2nd violin build after a relatively successful first build (see ). I really enjoyed my first and plan to work hard on making my second instrument one that I am proud enough to stamp with my name and put it up for sale. If you have sold an instrument, where did you sell your first? A violin trader or classifieds ad? Music shop? Realistically I am not looking to make a profit, but if I can sell it for enough to cover costs, I can continue to make them as I have time and keep this hobby going. This way I can keep improving my craft. I figure for myself as a player, I'd much rather take a well built hand-crafted instrument than a chinese CNC'd template that someone varnished for similar money. Surely there are some players out there with the same mindset? Appreciate any wisdom, you've all been doing this for a lot longer than I!
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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?
- 87 replies
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