violinnewb Posted November 11, 2019 Report Share Posted November 11, 2019 On 11/8/2019 at 8:17 PM, Lukebow said: Thanks for all the information. I am in LA area. I don’t mind to go to NYC or Chicago or anywhere in US. Any recommendation for reputable dealers? Yes, I am considering the sound and authenticity. Los Angeles? Louisiana? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted November 11, 2019 Report Share Posted November 11, 2019 On 11/8/2019 at 11:17 PM, Lukebow said: Thanks for all the information. I am in LA area. I don’t mind to go to NYC or Chicago or anywhere in US. Any recommendation for reputable dealers? Yes, I am considering the sound and authenticity. Thomas Metzler in the Los Angeles area (Burbank?) has a major exhibition of contemporary instruments, about once every year, with makers from all over the place submitting instruments. Have you tried that yet? There are also many other possible ways to experience lots of instruments, ranging from visiting the many dealers in the Chicago and New York areas, to attending a VSA Competion, where there are typically in excess of 400 instruments and bows to try, from all over the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwl Posted November 11, 2019 Report Share Posted November 11, 2019 LA has tons of dealers. I imagine that with 25+ years of adult (professional?) playing under your belt in your local area, you probably have a relationship with one or more shops. There are multiple large high-end shops. Metzler, Benning, Weisshaar, etc. See https://stringsmagazine.com/a-roundup-of-5-violin-shops-in-los-angeles/ for starters. In this price range, focus on playing qualities, not country of origin. (It's kind of strange you're US-based but you quoted a budget in euros.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violins88 Posted November 11, 2019 Report Share Posted November 11, 2019 Something fishy here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael.N. Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 On 11/8/2019 at 4:00 AM, Lukebow said: Good 20th century makers? Or older? I wouldn’t prefer contemporary instruments. Can anyone give some recommendations of makers? Reputable Dealers? Many thanks! Why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Preuss Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 On November 10, 31 Heisei at 10:25 AM, Lukebow said: Is it hard to get an old Italian violin under this buget? No one mentioned any Italian maker. What if I increase the buget to 50K, any recommendation for Italian makers? Why Italian? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violinnewb Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 I'm not sure what the OP is trying to accomplish here. If someone has that kind of money and wants a nice fiddle, it is reasonable that the person knows a thing or two. So that being said, instead of spending time here asking this question and dragging out debate, I would just google shops in the area that have been around for awhile or have good reviews from local professionals and just try instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porteroso Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 I think that for someone who is looking around, but doesn't know a ton, this site is a pretty valuable resource. It must seem like a good place to ask this question, as there seems to be a lot of collective knowledge. It does seem strange, on the surface, that such a collection of knowledge can't answer the OP to satisfaction, but it is because the violin world is still largely specific knowledge from the old world. Values seem almost entirely arbitrary, as they are based upon some combination of what dealers think of value, which is entirely different from what players value, and then collectors, which are investing in instruments that seem valued by both players and dealers, but also scarcity, which has to do with time, maker's output, and correct attribution...... None of that is documented in some database, it just exists in people's minds, which is the thing to explain to someone who wants advice on buying an instrument above 5k. That's why you just have to visit shops, because none of them are cataloging their shop with the reasons behind the pricing, and certainly not online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violinnewb Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 2 hours ago, Porteroso said: I think that for someone who is looking around, but doesn't know a ton, this site is a pretty valuable resource. It must seem like a good place to ask this question, as there seems to be a lot of collective knowledge. It does seem strange, on the surface, that such a collection of knowledge can't answer the OP to satisfaction, but it is because the violin world is still largely specific knowledge from the old world. Values seem almost entirely arbitrary, as they are based upon some combination of what dealers think of value, which is entirely different from what players value, and then collectors, which are investing in instruments that seem valued by both players and dealers, but also scarcity, which has to do with time, maker's output, and correct attribution...... None of that is documented in some database, it just exists in people's minds, which is the thing to explain to someone who wants advice on buying an instrument above 5k. That's why you just have to visit shops, because none of them are cataloging their shop with the reasons behind the pricing, and certainly not online. Oh, no doubt..this forum is a great resource. My point was that (aside from the obvious inconsistencies such as using euros when living in the USA) it is unusual for someone to throw that kind of money around looking for a valuable instrument if the person is a beginner. If not a beginner, then there should be some base knowledge of how to shop for an instrument. Hopefully, we can help the OP here. OP--if "LA" means Los Angeles and not Louisiana, then try Metzler, Benning, Weishaar, and LA Violin. I have been to all four and pretty impressed with the collections they have amassed, as well as their knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin swan Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 3 hours ago, Porteroso said: None of that is documented in some database, it just exists in people's minds, which is the thing to explain to someone who wants advice on buying an instrument above 5k. That's why you just have to visit shops, because none of them are cataloging their shop with the reasons behind the pricing, and certainly not online. I'm happy to explain how things are priced to anyone who asks - it should be very easy to explain, and if it gets too complex then you begin to smell a rat! I'm also very happy to answer the OP's question, taking as read their preference for older instruments ... but I would just be expressing personal preferences, and probably advancing items from my own stock, since these happen to coincide with my own personal preferences So it would appear self-serving and disingenuous, and indeed it would be. However, a couple of general observations ... 1. Most people start with a budget. This is not a bad thing, though it can leave them open to being fleeced. If the dealer's prices are fair and immutable (for example advertised online), then the dealer would do well to respect the client's budget. Most clients actually want to spend a certain amount, they have their reasons, and that often has nothing to do with their level of competence or their career plans. Very often people have been left some money and want to put it into something that will have sentimental value, or they want to reward themselves in some way for something. Our responsibility as dealers is to respect their limits, not to push them into uncomfortable expense, but to offer something for the budget which is worth the money. 2. Italian violins come at a premium. If the budget is €35,000 and someone has a sophisticated ear, don't buy an Italian violin ... all you can afford is a Mario Gadda! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matesic Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 But if you have a budget of 7000 and want a decent Italian violin by a real Italian maker you never heard of I know the place... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rue Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 On 11/13/2019 at 2:27 AM, matesic said: But if you have a budget of 7000 and want a decent Italian violin by a real Italian maker you never heard of I know the place... Does it involve a back alley and a trench coat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matesic Posted November 18, 2019 Report Share Posted November 18, 2019 On 11/15/2019 at 2:14 PM, Rue said: Does it involve a back alley and a trench coat? No, but it is like that round here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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