2006 John Sipe Violin

[JRoberts]

I am interested in finding a buyer for a 2006 John Sipe violin. I am not a musician and have no idea how to price this. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Jeffrey Holmes]

Find a shop that has sold one or more recently and ask or consign and/or check various auction houses for results (retail and auction sales are not the same "thing", however... and both shops and auction venues charge a commission of sorts).

Since the maker has passed away, asking for him for a current price for the instrument is unfortunately not possible.

Please tread lightly here.  Commercial or "for sale" posts are discouraged. Asking for opinions concerning value ranges is OK (lots of curiosity there).

 

[GeorgeH]

There have been 3 sold at auction by Tarisio:

Year: Hammer price

2013: $1,920

2012: $2,400

2010: $3,000

If you send pictures of it to Tarisio, they will estimate what they think it might bring today at auction:

https://tarisio.com/upload-images/

Also, the bow might be valuable separately from the violin.

[Andrew Victor]

Just google "John Sipe, violins" and you will find he was a respected maker whose instruments brought good retail price, 3 to 5 times higher than the auction sales.

[Navyasw02]

I seem to remember Gailes violin shop in MD had a lot of John Sipe's instruments and bows from his collection after he passed away. You may want to contact them and see what they think.

[Erlkonig]

I had a John Sipe violin through my studies at university. It was a wonderful instrument and passed on to a young lady doing her major at a major conservatory.

There are definitely days that I miss it...

[Christopher Jacoby]

16 hours ago, GeorgeH said:

There have been 3 sold at auction by Tarisio:

Year: Hammer price

2013: $1,920

2012: $2,400

2010: $3,000

If you send pictures of it to Tarisio, they will estimate what they think it might bring today at auction:

https://tarisio.com/upload-images/

Also, the bow might be valuable separately from the violin.

Unless historically important, or sometimes--for charity-- an auction price is always the lowball. Anyone who bought a Sipe for 3k would expect to sell it for more.

I think I saw one for 14k a couple years ago. Can't put my finger on it...

[GeorgeH]

2 hours ago, Christopher Jacoby said:

an auction price is always the lowball.

Often, but not always. Some auction prices are creeping closer to retail prices as more bidders are also end user players.

The data I provided is over 10 years old, anyway. I’m sure that these violins would get significantly more at auction today.

[Shelbow]

There are a few around for sale if you do a bit of a search. Price seems to vary between about $8-15k

I really like the colour of the varnish he used.

[Glenn McCorkle]

I was a friend of John Sipe and frequently visited his two story shop in his back yard in Charlotte. It was amazing to see him use his hand tools to shape all of the parts.
 

 I got one of his violins made in 2002 of 3 along with his signed certificate of appraisal for $12,000, which was in the range of what he was getting frequently. 

I'm going to sell mine for less than that price if anyone is interested. I can provide pictures for those interested.

Glenn McCorkle

Charlotte NC

[Kelsey]

I am starting the process of considering what to buy for my daughter. I'm not in a rush as she is still in a 3/4 size.  My childhood teacher absolutely loved his John Sipe violin.  I remember him telling my parents that it would be a good investment and he loved that violin much more than more expensive ones he had.  They couldn't afford it back then and I see they have increased in value!  I would love to check one out the next time I'm in NC--does anyone know a shop in NC or TX that might have one for sale?