Value of my repaired violins

[amateur.geigenbau]

Hello!
I'm a professional violin player. My hobby is repairing violins (I've taken a few courses with violin makers). I have had too many violins at home over the years and need to sell some. Unfortunately I don't know much about value, age or origin. Can you help me find out what my violins are worth?
I would like to lend some of them to my violin students - the value would also be very important for insurance.
I would be very happy if someone would help me with this.

Here is a link to most of the violins: https://photos.app.goo.gl/opQGNUPGSYekEh6Z7

If necessary, I can provide you with more pictures and information about the individual instruments. 

I also set up and varnished some children's violins myself - I would be happy to show you this project too.

I look forward to your answers!

Best regards

[FiddleDoug]

From what I'm seeing (and I'm no real expert), it looks like a bunch of Markneukirchen (or similar) style instruments, so no real Strads there. I would say that the value of these instruments will vary widely between local markets. Other opinions may vary.

[amateur.geigenbau]

2 hours ago, FiddleDoug said:

From what I'm seeing (and I'm no real expert), it looks like a bunch of Markneukirchen (or similar) style instruments, so no real Strads there. I would say that the value of these instruments will vary widely between local markets. Other opinions may vary.

I am aware that the instruments are not Strads, but rather manufactured instruments. It would be good to know what they are worth - also for instrument insurance...

[uguntde]

If you want them valued you may consider an auction house. Here I doubt people will want to give valuations. But I agree with the post above, it doesn't look that these instruments will make you rich.

[amateur.geigenbau]

I've already tried contacting some auction houses (e.g. Bromptons). Unfortunately without success. The answer is: go to a luthier. 
The violin maker nearby sees me as a competitor (although that's not true, it's just my hobby...). That's why he doesn't help me. The violin maker I trust is great when it comes to new construction and repairs - but unfortunately he doesn't really know much about the origins.

I don't want to get rich from my instruments. 

Edited February 2 by amateur.geigenbau

[Alto Ego]

To be fair, the OP never said, or implied, that he wanted to get rich from his instruments. It’s difficult to tell from the photos, but a very rough guesstimate of value ranges from $1-$4K. As mentioned earlier, your local area will have an influence on valuation.

It would be best to get written appraisals/insurance valuations from a reputable shop. 

[tetler]

On the open global market (ebay), maybe a couple of hundred each. If you have a lot of time or very good connections, maybe up to $1000 each, also depending on local market 

[uguntde]

Some seem to have been frenchpolished, oder had a layer of varnish added. Whoever did this may know more about such violins.

[amateur.geigenbau]

1 minute ago, uguntde said:

Some seem to have been frenchpolished, oder had a layer of varnish added. Whoever did this may know more about such violins.

The French polish was made by me. I can repair violins and assess the condition. I just don't know anything about origin and value - no one has taught me that yet.

[Brad Dorsey]

3 hours ago, tetler said:

On the open global market (ebay), maybe a couple of hundred each. If you have a lot of time or very good connections, maybe up to $1000 each, also depending on local market 

That sounds about right to me.

The value depends a lot on how they are sold.  If you wanted to spend a lot of time finding a player who liked each one, you would get more than you would by selling them quickly in one lot.  A full-service violin shop would be able to get more for them than you could.

[amateur.geigenbau]

18 minutes ago, Brad Dorsey said:

That sounds about right to me.  If you wanted to spend a lot of time finding a player who liked each one, you would get more than by selling them quickly in one lot.  A full-service violin shop would be able to get more for them than you could.

Thank you! I don't want to sell them together as one slot. I have no time pressure. (:

[jacobsaunders]

A bunch of “usuals” tarted up by some amateur aren’t really worth anything

[Brad Dorsey]

They are worth something to people who like how they sound.  But they aren't worth much.

[Wood Butcher]

23 minutes ago, Brad Dorsey said:

But they aren't worth much.

Indeed, especially now they are covered in lots of shiny slops.

[Don Noon]

1 hour ago, Brad Dorsey said:

They are worth something to people who like how they sound.

Except for that one apparently chewed out by an industrious beaver.

The ones that look OK, are set up well and sound good I think could sell for a few hundred $.  For a professional shop that needs to cover expenses, that may be too close to zero to bother with.

[violinsRus]

Not sure where you are located, but one could try eBay or Facebook marketplace for direct sales. As mentioned, these are only of any value to someone who wants them.  At the moment I think supply of such wares outweighs demand. :-) At least a few shelves in my shop are full of similar instruments! 

[amateur.geigenbau]

5 minutes ago, violinsRus said:

Not sure where you are located, but one could try eBay or Facebook marketplace for direct sales. As mentioned, these are only of any value to someone who wants them.  At the moment I think supply of such wares outweighs demand. :-) At least a few shelves in my shop are full of similar instruments! 

Thanks so much! I live in Europe (Austria, Germany). @violinsRus What do you charge for similar instruments in your shop? I'm aware that I have to charge a lot less, but it would be a big help...

[amateur.geigenbau]

It's a pity that there was no further reply. 

[Just Sayin’]

Jacob said it all.

[M Alpert]

Yes, I think you got your replies...

On 2/2/2025 at 12:53 PM, tetler said:

On the open global market (ebay), maybe a couple of hundred each. If you have a lot of time or very good connections, maybe up to $1000 each, also depending on local market 

[amateur.geigenbau]

I meant @violinsRus because he has so many similar violins in his shop.

[violinsRus]

Ah sorry, yes, they mostly sit on my shelf and gather dust. And if I repair them it usually means putting in more time than I would wish. I think the input you received is on point. Good luck!

[Ganymede Piggot]

On the bright side, you don't have to worry about insurance if you lend them to your students.  They could be very useful instruments.  You're the best judge of that.

[amateur.geigenbau]

@Ganymede Piggot They are really good instruments for students. Some have already chosen something to rent.

[Dr. Mark]

5 hours ago, amateur.geigenbau said:

They are really good instruments for students. Some have already chosen something to rent.

Then sell them to the students for some multiple of the rental fee.  Estimate how long the rental will be and offer the sale as a deal.  Alternatively, if everyone with a 'usual' went out and burned most of their inventory it sounds like it would be little loss and could increase the collector value of the remaining instruments.  Or maybe give 'usual' fiddles and bows free to the homeless.  There's not much worse than keeping a lot of stuff around that's of no value to you.