Woodland Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 Here's an eBay listing of interest: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=3708023962 I'm not an appraiser by trade, but I'm curious to see what Jeffrey Holmes and others think about this violin. That's a bit of a risk to be bidding 28K on a violin with no papers. I'm curious as to who this furniture dealer is seeing he/she is just 15 minutes or so down the pike from my shop...
Jeffrey Holmes Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 OK. Bidding is over. Looks like a nice fiddle. I have a 1930 in the shop. It's #248.
brontosaurous Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 You know, I hate to say this since someone did pay that hefty an amount for this violin, but I reckon nobody would actually place anywhere near that much for the fiddle if it had just been placed on auction along with a description like "Good violin from 1920s". I wonder how many of those people who bid such high amounts for it actually contacted the seller to try the violin out.
Flyboy Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 Well, it *is* a Becker. There are plenty of people "in the business" who buy quality (and not-so-quality) instruments without trying anything out at all.
elidatrading Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 28k with feedback like that, nothing but the seller's word for it that it is genuine, and payment only by cheque or money order? The buyer was brave ... Liz
brontosaurous Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 Yes, I find the entire situation a bit beyond me, really.
LadyAmati Posted March 10, 2004 Report Posted March 10, 2004 The seller said that two people went over there with scopes and looked on the inside. Does anyone know about any violin optical scopes/probes that allows you to look around the insides of a violin through the f-holes? It might be fun to bring this to violin shop.
Michael Darnton Posted March 10, 2004 Report Posted March 10, 2004 Search ebay for "endoscope". I'm not sure if that's the precise term for what some violin people are using, but you'll get the idea....
Cliff Green Posted March 10, 2004 Report Posted March 10, 2004 You could also search for "borescope". I don't see how any scope would be an improvement over a good light and a mirror in examining a violin. Sounds like techno sales to me.
Michael Darnton Posted March 10, 2004 Report Posted March 10, 2004 Well, I don't have one, so you know how I feel about it. :-) My shop partner drove down to look at the violin. He said it was genuine, typical of the period, in perfect condition, and didn't appear to ever have been played.
Woodland Posted March 10, 2004 Author Report Posted March 10, 2004 I wish I was the one who found it at the estate sale, DOH!
Ron1 Posted March 12, 2004 Report Posted March 12, 2004 Yes, borescope is the correct name. They carry a no-heat light source for illumination, & image is transmitted via optical fiber (same outfit the Dr. uses). It can be aimed & turned externally, & you can even attach a camera to the eyepiece. Better than a light & mirror because it's right-reading . Worse than a light & mirror because it costs $1200-$1500 .
David Tseng Posted March 13, 2004 Report Posted March 13, 2004 Our concertmaster plays a 1932 G. Becker. The fiddle has reddish varnish and very nice tone, but is not really powerful. I sit behind him and mine over-power his.
La Folia Posted March 15, 2004 Report Posted March 15, 2004 A couple of notes. 1. Assuming it is genuine, and it appears to be, it is odd that it has never been played. 2. That is the retail price for a Becker. It's very high for an auction price. Maybe the buyer wanted to pay a premium price for an old, mint one. You can easily buy one in known good condition from a known dealer in the Midwest, and you can play it before buying. It will also have been played. 3. They project well. David Tseng may or may not have a violin that may overpower any particular Becker in unspecified condition, but there is a good reason why the marketplace values them highly.
David Tseng Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 Another old Becker was in my shop the other day, 1938, #332. I have the photo on my web site. http://violini.tripod.com and click Becker violin.
Ray Weaver Posted March 17, 2004 Report Posted March 17, 2004 Recently a friend of mine was looking at four Becker's at one time: 2 dated 1919, both Guarneri models, 1 1921 Strad model, and one joint Becker (Carl Sr. and Jur.) from around 1940. The asking prices were 65, 60, and 40 K. for the older three - I don't remember the 1940. I also saw one at Shar and it seems the 1920's Beckers are more in the 40K and up range. That 29 K for a 1920's vintage instrument, especially in mint condition, seems more wholesalish to me than retail. If anyone has a 1920's Becker for sale in the 20-30 K feel free to contact me. .
David Tseng Posted March 18, 2004 Report Posted March 18, 2004 So 1920's is the golden period. Next time if I come across one, I'll pay more attention to it. In an orchestra setting, I personally like Becker more than Peresson, but for solo, I don't know which one is preferred. I know several young players started their career using Peresson as solo instrument, I have yet to see one using Becker as a solo violin (excluding cello). Nowadays due to budget constraint, many groups keep fewer players but want everyone plays louder. Therefore, power is an important feature in a violin.
crazy jane Posted March 23, 2004 Report Posted March 23, 2004 Becker #245 (1929) Interesting how these things get around. J.
Michael Darnton Posted March 23, 2004 Report Posted March 23, 2004 Sort of looks like an auction without a violin, doesn't it? No need to charge for shipping if you have nothing to ship.
David Tseng Posted March 23, 2004 Report Posted March 23, 2004 Well, Mr. Weaver, this is your chance to own a Becker. Perhaps the previous winner backed out. A great thing at eBay, the seller cannot force you to buy if you change your mind after winning.
Steve R. Posted March 23, 2004 Report Posted March 23, 2004 Yeah, but it is a different seller Id. That would make me suspicious, I would send an agent in Chicago over to the shop before I bid. Too Late - The auction has been pulled.
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