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I had the chance to play on an old violin today. It had been worked on by a luthier and he found the text amati under the finger board. There was no other markings on the violin. It is being offered for 600usd. Thoughts please and is it worth it?
I tried to play twinkle little stars and a very useless version of achlindler list (I'm only grade 1 ish so my apology).
Would love to hear your thoughts please and whether it's worth the investment.
I feel the finger board is quite short compare to my cheap full size violin. So that felt a little bit strange. Also the shape of the bottom is very curvy. Another strange feature.
But the sound was full and warm and very loud next to my ear. And schindler list just felt so touching even with my terrible playing.
One thing that is making me considering this 4/4 instrument is that it has been worked on by a well known lutheir in New Zealand. he put on new bridge, string, polished, and he lowered the fingerboard, this is how he discovered the amati text under it. So at least i know it has been setup properly and ready to play. The cost of the work was essentially $300, i.e. half the price already.
Thank you for your advices 
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If you like the tone that's all that matters.
Post it on maestronet and if there is anyone in a good mood they will tell you exactly what it is.
To me it looks German or Czech. But this isn't an appraisal site.
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Welcome to the forum, @yoyogogo. I just sent you a welcome email with information about the forum.
As Stringy said, we are not appraisers. Even if we were, to say whether an instrument is worth the money via photos, is not a very reliable opinion to go by. It is a nice looking violin, but that means nothing.
I think things that you need to consider are
Is it comfortable to hold
Can I play it
Does it have a nice core sound (different strings and bows will affect that)
Do I want to spend the money on it
Since you are questioning the design of it, I would take it to a violin shop and ask them. Who knows, they might just tell you without charge, in hopes of obtaining a new regular customer. Worth a try.
You said the fingerboard feels shorter, did you measure it?
In the end, we are not appraisers, but do you like it, is it worth it to you? Do you want to spend the money on it. I don't think you are buying it as an investment where it will be worth more later, so in the end, do you like it?
I hope you continue visiting the forum and become an active member. Why not introduce yourself? Don't forget to check out the Welcome Email. Important forum information is included. Again, welcome to the forum.
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Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
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@yoyogogo -
Welcome to the forum!
I don't know if it's just your photo or not, but I'm having a hard time understanding why he would lower the fingerboard.
To me, it looks like the string height & bridge are taller than on my violins. You may not find that an issue if you don't expect to play up the whole fingerboard, though.
Did the luthier play it for you so you could hear it's potential?
Like stringy said, if YOU like it & it motivates you to practice - buy it!
...don't think I would be swayed by the 'Amati' thing. If it was a treasure, I'm sure the luthier would've kept it, but there are places you can look up on the internet that evaluate antique violins.
Are you learning to play violin on your own, or do you have a teacher?
- Emily
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Isn't the wear pattern all fake?
Andrew
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i dont know a thing about how to tell the value of a volin..but if youre happy with the tone and how it plays, it doesnt seem like too much to pay for that one. it looks like the bridge has been moved around alot in the past. i wonder what that was about. i like the varnish and to me the wood has a nice grain.
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And is it just me, or does it look as though it has three G-strings?
Are they Warchal Ametyst?
https://www.violinstringreview.....or-id.html
https://www.violin-strings.com.....ification/
What colour are they at the pegbox end?
Andrew
Verified human - the ignominy!
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@Gordon Shumway It sure does look like 3 G-strings. It is looking like that in every photo with a good view of the strings.
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Learn Violin and Fiddle
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Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
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Hadn't noticed that, to be honest, almost looks like someone strung it up just for images, bit strange really, unless hoping for an expensive appraisal.
Wonder how he managed to play it with 3 g strings, wouldn't like that well known luthier to work on my fiddle. 
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Wouldn't tht be bad for the bridge slots?
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Learn Violin and Fiddle
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Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
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I don't think it's three G strings. If you zoom in on the one picture where the pegbox is visible, you can see blue silk on the A string and green on the D string.
Those colors are consistent with Warchal strings.
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AndrewH said
I don't think it's three G strings. If you zoom in on the one picture where the pegbox is visible, you can see blue silk on the A string and green on the D string.Those colors are consistent with Warchal strings.
Yes, you're right. I didn't spot the pegbox picture before.
Since I have Warchals I should have a looked at mine. Coincidentally I had noticed only the day before yesterday that the winding on the D string was alternating - it looks like the G is silver, the A is aluminium and the D is alternating silver and aluminium, making them all about the same thickness.
Andrew
Verified human - the ignominy!
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