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Advice on instrument purchase


someguy201

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Hi,

I'm looking to purchase a new violin in the Pacific Northwest area, looking for something around $10,000. There are a few instruments I've been trying out, and looking to get thoughts on one in particular.

Label lists the instrument as made by A.N.Roberts, 1906, Southern Pines. It's in overall good condition, and plays nicely, priced at $10,000 from a well respected luthier in the area. My concern is whether this type of instrument would hold it's value, or be difficult to sell in the future. One part of this concern is that an auctioneer mentioned that lesser known makers tend to underperform significantly at auction, and that in that setting it would only achieve a fraction of the retail price.

My main intention would not be to sell the instrument in the near future, but I'd like to avoid a scenario where after purchase the instrument is appraised much lower in future or difficult to insure for the purchase price.

Any advice appreciated!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by someguy201
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6 hours ago, someguy201 said:

an auctioneer mentioned that lesser known makers tend to underperform significantly at auction, and that in that setting it would only achieve a fraction of the retail price.

It looks like a nice violin in good condition, and not Markneukirchen production. 

In the pre-war period, violins made by individual American makers tended to be sold locally with the exceptions being some makers near major distribution centers (New York, Chicago,  Cincinnati, etc) or who had their violins marketed, sold, and shipped nationwide by big music houses. 

The auctioneer is correct - lesser-known or unknown American maker do not realize high prices in auction regardless of the quality of their work.

(BTW, if the violin is not yours and the pictures are not public, then it really isn't ethical to post pictures of somebody else's violin in a public forum without their knowledge and permission.)

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19 minutes ago, Bill Merkel said:

^He or she says that in every thread with a picture, and I think it's mostly their personal opinion.  The website itself doesn't seem to have any such objection, and it is their decision

I would agree with George re pictures. The whole approach of seeking an opinion online about a violin being offered somewhere else is somewhat problematic, because we have bitter members on this forum who piss on any violin they see. This will leave the seller compromised, as his/her customers will not discern the quality of the negative poster.

10 minutes ago, Michael Darnton said:

The best advice I can give is that violins are not an investment. You buy them to enjoy using them. Dealers like to suggest they are, but the process for achieving that is not achievable for most musicians in any meaningful way unless you buy something incredibly expensive with historical value.

While I generally agree with this, I do think it is a good idea to try and consider re-sale even if its only a distant possibility. A relatively unknown American maker might indeed be a bad choice in this regard. If you buy , for example, a Collin Mezin instead, you are likely to get (more of) your money back.

 

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9 minutes ago, Guido said:

I would agree with George re pictures. The whole approach of seeking an opinion online about a violin being offered somewhere else is somewhat problematic, because we have bitter members on this forum who piss on any violin they see. This will leave the seller compromised, as his/her customers will not discern the quality of the negative poster.

Exactly. And the internet is forever. Thanks. 

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3 hours ago, Guido said:

I would agree with George re pictures. The whole approach of seeking an opinion online about a violin being offered somewhere else is somewhat problematic, because we have bitter members on this forum who piss on any violin they see.

What you and George are saying is you can't get an honest and accurate evaluation of a violin here.  Is that what you mean to say?

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9 hours ago, Guido said:

The whole approach of seeking an opinion online about a violin being offered somewhere else is somewhat problematic, because we have bitter members on this forum who piss on any violin they see.

I can think of one who posts both here, and on another site, with their rabid hatred of anything Chinese.

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