How much does it cost to have a violin appraised?
Most appraisers charge a fee for a verbal appraisal which is based on a percentage of the value of the instrument as determined by the appraiser. Fees will typically run between $35.00 (minimum) and about $200.00 (maximum). Additional instruments or bows are often included at a discounted rate.
How do you know if your violin is a Stradivarius?
How to Identify a Stradivarius
- Experts can distinguish a Stradivarius from a copy by just looking at it for a couple of seconds.
- You can find lots of violins that have the writing “Antonius Stradivarius Cremonenfis” on their label, but a huge number of them are copies of the original instrument.
What makes a violin expensive?
However, at its simplest, violins are priced according to how close they are to being a Stradivari (or a Guarneri del Gesu). Geographical origin is the most important thing (Italian violins sell for at least six times the price of a comparable French or English violin, and German violins lag far behind).
How do I know if my violin is worth anything?
How do I know if my violin is worth money?
- Flame of the Wood. The back of the violin is a good indicator of the quality of the instrument.
- Craftsmanship. The craftsmanship of the violin is the greatest indicator of the quality of an instrument.
- Label.
- Sound and Ease of Playing.
- Materials.
How much would a Stradivarius violin cost?
Antonio Stradivari is widely considered the greatest violin maker of all time, and his instruments sell for as much as $16 million.
How can you tell how old a violin is?
The first way to tell if your instrument is old (modern), old (actually old) or fake old, is to look for a neck graft. Old violins (and violas and cellos) have neck grafts because they were crafted in an era when instruments had shorter necks.
How much is a genuine Stradivarius worth?
How much does it cost to get an appraisal on a violin?
If you’re considering buying an instrument, you can also use our service to get an expert opinion before you make your mind up about the purchase! Starting flat rate of $100 (additional charges may be necessary for research on previously undocumented instruments or bows). You can upload as many images per item as possible.
How to tell if a violin is good or bad?
Rough patches inside the instrument tend to indicate a poor quality instrument. *Crud on the violin — It’s a challenge because most old violins look bad. They can be covered with black crud that is so thick that you can barely see the wood. Don’t be fooled. Even very sticky crud can be wiped away.
Are there any missing pieces of a violin?
Even very sticky crud can be wiped away. *Missing pieces — Old instrument glue frequently dries out and pieces of the instrument, such as fingerboards, nuts, and saddles can fall off. You may hear the sound post rolling around inside the violin. Don’t be deterred; these can easily be set up again.
How does a new neck affect the value of a violin?
Furthermore, a new neck or new scroll is no longer considered to be damage that lowers the value of an instrument; instead, this confirms that the violin was good enough to justify such extensive maintenance work. This is also true of cracks in the top, back or ribs, as long as the repairs were done properly and do not have an effect on the sound.
Can a violin be appraised at the Smithsonian?
The Smithsonian, as a matter of legal and ethical policy, does not determine the monetary value of musical instruments. For such an appraisal, we recommend that you have your instrument examined by a reliable violin dealer in your area.
How can I get an online violin appraisal?
You can upload as many images per item as possible. If you need to send more photos, email [email protected]. Please upload images of any marks, stamps, details, signatures or condition issues. The better the quality of photos and the more information you can provide us with, the more it will help us.
How to tell if a violin is a cheap instrument?
Things to Examine: *Purfling — Purfling is the (usually) black and neutral decorative inlay around the edge of the violin and is usually the most obvious giveaway of a cheap instrument. Purfling is tedious to put in, so if it is missing or painted on, the instrument is probably not very valuable.
How much does it cost to get a violin inspected?
Starting flat rate of $100 (additional charges may be necessary for research on previously undocumented instruments or bows). You can upload as many images per item as possible. If you need to send more photos, email [email protected]. Please upload images of any marks, stamps, details, signatures or condition issues.
