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Question about a violin

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mushroom_ff

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January 19, 2014 - 9:53 pm

Member Since: January 21, 2013

Forum Posts: 13

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Good evening all.

I have been thinking about getting a new violin after a year of learning (got my first one last Jan. and been having loads of fun). I found one at our local music store, but I wanted to get a bit of feedback from some of you more experienced buyers. I didn't get to take any pics yet.

It is an older violin, but it still look to be in pretty good shape for it's age (either 1920 or 1904). On the inside the label reads (not in exact order) "John Friedrich grand prize and Gold medal St. Louis World's Expedition, Stradivarius copy" I forgot what grade they said it was. They are offering $500.00 for it.

From what my newbie-trained ears could tell from giving it a try, it sounded very nice. I was just wandering if this would be a good investment for the price, giving the name and the age. I intend to get a new violin in the near future even if this is not it, and about the price range I was planning on. The biggest issues I have with it is if it being an older violin, would a lot more maintenance be required, and if it would be overwhelming for a newb.

Thanks for any advice and info on this.

Fiddlerman

Fort Lauderdale

January 20, 2014 - 8:03 am

Member Since: September 26, 2010

Forum Posts: 16537

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Hey mushroom_ff,

Welcome to the forum. If you are only worried about the age of the violin, as long as it is set up properly, newly fitted sound-post, bridge, good fingerboard without grooves, working pegs and fresh strings, you should be fine. A violin will last many life times and even many hundreds of years and in many cases sound better.
There are a few things that can happen that require a little work such as glued seams opening.... but nothing serious or expensive as long as you take good care of the instrument. If it's in good condition right now you should be fine with it. If you like the sound of this instrument you probably shouldn't hesitate. However, the word investment in your post above. I cannot say whether or not the violin is worth the price or if the value will rise or drop. My guess is that it will never really be an investment but probably maintain it's value. Also, that $500 is very little money for a violin that you like.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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