MikeC Posted February 28, 2011 Report Posted February 28, 2011 How does a maker sell his instruments? ???????? How does a maker sell his instruments in this day and age with NAFTA,globalism and the central bank occupation in full swing? there, thats better. I'd say the first step is to get rid of "money printed as debt", everything else seems to fall in place once thats gone. As a part time forex trader, I resemble that remark!
Adam Edwards Posted March 1, 2011 Report Posted March 1, 2011 I trade futures , making and trading go nicely together. A traders worst enemy is overtrading and thinking about violins is a great distraction when markets are trendless
MikeC Posted March 1, 2011 Report Posted March 1, 2011 I trade futures , making and trading go nicely together. A traders worst enemy is overtrading and thinking about violins is a great distraction when markets are trendless A fellow trader A friend of mine, 30yr interbank trader told me it would take 2 years to get good at it and another 3 to make my first million. 2yrs in and I'm starting to get the hang of it! Still a very small account though just to learn on. Sorry yall for getting so off topic from the thread
christian bayon Posted March 1, 2011 Report Posted March 1, 2011 How to sell yours violins? work hard for make them with a great sound. You will not need to go after musicians, they will run into your shop. The trick is technical, not commercial!
Melvin Goldsmith Posted March 1, 2011 Report Posted March 1, 2011 How to sell yours violins? work hard for make them with a great sound. You will not need to go after musicians, they will run into your shop. The trick is technical, not commercial! .............. I agree.
Salve Håkedal Posted March 1, 2011 Report Posted March 1, 2011 I agree too, but.. Don Noon (who started this thread) has made just a few instruments, and I do not doubt that they are very good. But I also believe that Don's #20 will be better. So, maybe, what Don and many other beginning makers will want to find out: How do you sell your decent (say your #5 or #10, depending..) instrument to survive AND hone your skills until you build your #20, which - of course - will be so fantastic that you will be able sell it to the local violinist hero? I had to sell a lot of instruments at a low price before I could raise the price and make a decent living. I think there are many very good young makers now, who find it difficult to sell their excellent instruments. Wasn't it a little easier when Christian and Melvin (and I) started? But I think "technical, not commercial" is well put. Hype or smartness in business probably won't help most of us in the long run. Only a lot of good instruments can. (+ some good luck.)
Don Noon Posted March 1, 2011 Author Report Posted March 1, 2011 How to sell yours violins? work hard for make them with a great sound. You will not need to go after musicians, they will run into your shop. The trick is technical, not commercial! I sure hope you're right about that. Technical tricks are, to me, the easy part. And Salve is right, too... the ones I'm making now are respectable, but not quite right yet. Varnishing, color management, getting corners and overhang consistently right, etc. are continuing to improve, but need a few more iterations really get good. In the sound, too, there is something to be learned from each instrument, therefore something to improve on the next one. So I understand and am happy with selling the early work at low prices. Fortunately I don't have to make a living with this right away. The Plan: Make more Make them better Get them to great players for valuable feedback and hopefully the instruments will attract buyers
Melvin Goldsmith Posted March 1, 2011 Report Posted March 1, 2011 I agree too, but.. Don Noon (who started this thread) has made just a few instruments, and I do not doubt that they are very good. But I also believe that Don's #20 will be better. So, maybe, what Don and many other beginning makers will want to find out: How do you sell your decent (say your #5 or #10, depending..) instrument to survive AND hone your skills until you build your #20, which - of course - will be so fantastic that you will be able sell it to the local violinist hero? I had to sell a lot of instruments at a low price before I could raise the price and make a decent living. I think there are many very good young makers now, who find it difficult to sell their excellent instruments. Wasn't it a little easier when Christian and Melvin (and I) started? But I think "technical, not commercial" is well put. Hype or smartness in business probably won't help most of us in the long run. Only a lot of good instruments can. (+ some good luck.) Hi Salve you make good points. It was easier when we started out but in other ways it was harder because people were less accepting of new instruments. I had a similar experience to what you describe and luck played a part...I become less satisfied with my work the more I learn.
Peter Goodfellow Posted March 2, 2011 Report Posted March 2, 2011 ..I become less satisfied with my work the more I learn. Melvin Your quote says it all!. The more I learn and think I understand and the more questions I have. And also become less satisfied with my work as there is always something that falls short of where I would like it to be. As to selling it is a part of the making process that has to be done, doesnt mean I like doing it but one has to eat! Peter
Bruce Carlson Posted March 2, 2011 Report Posted March 2, 2011 The more I learn and think I understand and the more questions I have. And also become less satisfied with my work as there is always something that falls short of where I would like it to be. Peter It's a good thing it's that way too! Life would really be boring otherwise. Nobody has brought up the idea of selling instruments at gunpoint. Well, come to think about it, maybe it's not such a good idea. Bruce
Craig Tucker Posted March 2, 2011 Report Posted March 2, 2011 Nobody has brought up the idea of selling instruments at gunpoint. Well, come to think about it, maybe it's not such a good idea. Bruce Wait a minute now - just because I haven't mentioned it doesn't mean I havent tried it...
Salve Håkedal Posted March 2, 2011 Report Posted March 2, 2011 ... Nobody has brought up the idea of selling instruments at gunpoint. ... A dedicated violin maker can't afford the gun.
Don Noon Posted March 2, 2011 Author Report Posted March 2, 2011 A dedicated violin maker can't afford the gun. ... and if you have the gun, why bother making the violin?
Adam Edwards Posted March 2, 2011 Report Posted March 2, 2011 I think a few Italian gangsters have used a violin case to hide a machine gun
christian bayon Posted March 2, 2011 Report Posted March 2, 2011 Wasn't it a little easier when Christian and Melvin (and I) started? Actually not! It´s far more easy to sell a new violin today, players are more open mind than 35 years ago! Many young makers try to approach stars, maybe it´s better to try with people more in relation with the level of your work. And NEVER at the end of a concert! They are tired and the last thing they want to do is try a violin!
Selim Posted March 5, 2011 Report Posted March 5, 2011 How to sell yours violins? work hard for make them with a great sound. You will not need to go after musicians, they will run into your shop. The trick is technical, not commercial! Probably I will never be full time maker, still be in IT sector for the rest of my life to support my family and my search or my understanding. However, this response and Melving's agreement on that makes me feel better. Depending on talent or case itself, I am selling or donating some of my violins to young players, usually who are not able to afford playable instruments with good sound, an try to compansate my spendings to certain extend. I am fine with that for this time. However like all other makers, I would love listening a concerto or whatever from one of my violins one day. I am seriously thinking how I can a reach to that one day sooner the better. I think, the key is to understand the expectations of this class of players. Not an easy job, It is as sophisticated as the violin acoustic no doubt. Yes, reaching out these people an other concern, but they are in search for better sound sound always. isn't it?? Thanks for all these good responses..
Craig Tucker Posted March 6, 2011 Report Posted March 6, 2011 How to sell yours violins? work hard for make them with a great sound. You will not need to go after musicians, they will run into your shop. The trick is technical, not commercial! How did I pass by this answer the first time through? I agree with this. One time I got a new violin into the hands of a local teacher, who needed a new violin for teaching. It happens she is also the first chair cello in the orchestra, and knows what she wants. All the local teachers know me well, but I have never been able to impress any of them with my new work - orchestra players have certian proclivities (for old Italian violins - they think) that can be difficult to overcome. I believe that they had me firmly in mind as simply "The Repair Guy". When she mentioned that she needed a new violin - I had her take one of my new ones home, and use it to teach for two weeks, insisting that she at least give it a try. In two weeks, she refused to give it back and proceeded to write a check for the violin. The first trick is entirely technical. The violin has to perform. The second trick is getting them to play your instrument when or while they're still in the market. Another one I sent out as a loner, while I repaired his other one - That guy now owns two of my violins. Sorry if this post comes off as self serving, but the truth is that this type of sale is very satisfying.
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