The inside has a label stamped stradivarius model made in japan. The ultimate guide to choosing the best violin strings. Some believe that he was the apprentice of nicolo amati, the grandson of violin maker andrea amati 15111577. For example, i play a modern maggini model c1580c1630. All these violins have a great story that continues today. Chemists have cooked up recipes for the varnish that coats a violins raw maple and spruce. Mendini full size 44 mv300 solid wood violin with tuner, lesson book, extra strings, shoulder 3. This is an important question in the evaluation of a violin from the 18th or 19th century. These violins are estimated to bid at the starting auction price of millions of dollars.
Some copies are quite good, especially if the are the european made ones i think, and hand crafted. Having a violin thats really fun to play is an invaluable asset to your overall life enjoyment, and the. Stradivarius violin revealed 68 years after being brought. Dec 05, 2011 a violin organization generously footed the bill to insure the instruments for the 212 days of the experiment you know, just in case the scientists dropped one or accidentally destroyed their. Nov 22, 2008 is a stradivarius violin better than other violins. Aug 21, 2000 i was also very interested in the czech. Stradivari strings is very friendly and knowledgeable about music instruments. Stradivari also made harps, guitars, violas, and cellosmore than 1,100 instruments in all, by current estimate. Make sure that the copy you have matches the copy that is being offered.
Chemists have cooked up recipes for the varnish that coats a violin s raw maple and spruce. When i started, makers didnt have much to go on, but now with francois denis excellent book on. They are known in the music world for their quality of sound, their great value and rarity. The violins journey to siberia is a remarkable story dating from the soviet invasion of hitlers territory at the climax of world war two.
Answered by a verified musical instrument appraiser. Violin maker david langsather has provided this 250 page educational resource for those interested in improving the sound and power of current and new violin family instruments. Given your budget, id suggest considering your potential new violin in a less financial, and more personal light. Bromptons reference library, in association with claudio amighetti, provides you with the price of a violin by nicolas bertholini from giafferi march 2012 auction results. Is a stradivarius violin better than other violins. Their combined value is around 10 million us dollars, a hundred times more than the three new ones. We showed it to an expert in the field, who dated it to the early 1900s 1930s at the very latest. What to look for and look out for when purchasing a violin. Rare stradivarius violin hidden in reclusive heiress closet for 25. If you have read the smart violin playing guide, what do you think. Tradein credit may be used towards an instrument or bow, excluding consignments, of the kind that was originally purchased violin, viola, or cello and of equal or. Its new owner anonymously donated the historic instrument to violinist anne akiko meyers, on loan for the rest of her life.
Antonius stradivarius cremonensis faciebat anno 1725, the last two digits being handwritten. We pay for specialist insurance that will cover instruments in transit and are often willing to pay you in advance. Being a historical, theoretical, and practical treatise on the scienc and art of violin making, for the use of violin makers and players, amateur and professional. Violins came into the world back in the 16th century, when it had its first violin maker in history, andrea amati, in the 1500s. Violinists cant tell the difference between stradivarius. Value of violins violins, violin maker, books, legends. Antonio stradivari, violin, cremona, 1725, the chaconne. A stradivarius is one of the violins, violas, cellos and other string instruments built by members. So you think you found a stradivarius written by andy fein, luthier at fein violins. Owning a stradivarius violin is a status symbol in the world of music, thus increasing its legend, value and price. There was an envelope inside that had very old stings in it and it was postmarked may 23, 1924. Tradein credit may be used towards an instrument or bow, excluding consignments, of the kind that was originally purchased violin, viola, or cello and of equal or greater value. It is not a novel, but you will get the feel of living inside several good stories that did actually happen.
Players judgments about a stradivaris sound may be biased by the violins extraordinary monetary value and historical importance, but no studies designed to preclude such biasing factors have. As a stradivarius violin is sold in an online auction for a record. The top of the messiah is made from the same tree as a p. My first introduction to stradivari violins came in the form of a catchy little tune i. These are the 12 most expensive violins of all time. Just a note that maker luther spidlen of prague came in. What is this stradivarius violin that is made in j. See todays violin for sale, best offer and auction. Stradivari, violins, tree rings, and the maunder minimum. Antonius stradivarius, during the 17th and 18th centuries. Unfollow antonius stradivarius 17 to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Buy full size 44 handmade stradivari copy german style violin fiddle case bow set. During my violin selection session with stradivari strings, i was given a lot of information to make an informed choice on the violin i would eventually select, i was given a lot of time to decide on.
Being a historical, theoretical, and practical treatise on the scienc and art of violinmaking, for the use of violin makers and players, amateur and professional. I hope to stop this, and help violinists enjoy their violin music again. It is marked inside with the inscription copy of antonius stradivarius made in germany. Another implication is that he was a woodworker by trade, which would explain his genius talent in design and drafting. Reid and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. For many years violin makers and scientists have tried to find the secrets to. Stewart pollenss new book, stradivari, gets at that question. Finding the proper strings guarantees youll be able to play your violin to its full potential, which leads you to achieve more efficient development as a musician. The varnished truth about a stradivarius books the guardian. Anatomy of a stradivarius scientific american blog network. The sound that the audience hears will be the same as what is heard under the ear by the player.
How can you tell if the label in your violin is original. For many years violin makers and scientists have tried to find the secrets to their amazing resonance. Jul 06, 2011 so you think you found a stradivarius written by andy fein, luthier at fein violins. 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. A novices guide to determining if a violin is valuable and.
You can make a stradivarius violin by reid joseph v abebooks. The messiah salabue stradivarius of 1716 is a violin made by the italian luthier antonio stradivari of cremona. According to their reputation, the quality of their sound has defied attempts to explain or equal it, though. Stradivarius 1714 violin dolphin this violin is recognized as. In nearly all instances, an old case should be thrown away and a new case purchased. I would go and get it seen to by a professional, and get quotes, you are a beginner, so if you could get the violin set up at the same price as buying a cheapish student then i would if it is done properly and will then be of good quality. Stradivarius have a greater range and resonance than other violins, and respond in a big way to minor changes by the player. Most modern makers make some instruments using proportional models of the great masters. If it is neatly and tightly inlaid, that is a good sign. A rare viola made by the italian artisan antonio stradivari in 1719. In the course of developing a system that would be easy to communicate to my workshop students i started more closely examining how stradivari dealt with this problem.
Asked if putting aside the monetary value of the instrument, he would like to have a stradivarius to play, lyon said, yes, i can. Purfling is tedious to put in, so if it is missing or painted on, the instrument is probably not very valuable. Jan 02, 2012 their combined value is around 10 million us dollars, a hundred times more than the three new ones. Sell your musical instruments amberviolins amberviolins.
The only exception i am aware of is a case covered in genuine alligator. A great book on the historical origin of the violin, the classic luthiers, some famous players, world background of the violin. Simple economics dictates that when there is a demand but little supply, value increases. These are the 12 most expensive violins of all time cmuse. Investment grade violins archives stradivari strings. Many of the puzzling questions as to what makes certain violins better, are answered here. A missing dust jacket, or a dust jacket that is in poor condition, can cut a collectible books value more than 50%, and make it harder to find a buyer. In the 17th century, we had famous violin makers, antonio stradivari and andrea guarneri, each with their own unique craftsmanship of violins. The violin s journey to siberia is a remarkable story dating from the soviet invasion of hitlers territory at the climax of world war two. You can find out the value of a violin by nicolas bertholini and the amount you could expect if you sold your nicolas bertholini violin at auction. How does one set a price on a genuine stradivarius instrument. Full size 44 handmade stradivari copy german style violin fiddle. In an interview published on national public radios nprs website, nationally renowned violinist miles hoffman said of a real stradivarius, under the ear, theres a sweetness to it, theres a depth of sound.
The recognition of an original label is an essential part of authenticating an antique violin, and the presence of an original label will. Identifying and appraising violin family instruments. The recognition of an original label is an essential part of authenticating an antique violin, and the presence of an original label will naturally enhance a violins value. I have a violin, on the inside it says copy of antonius stradivarius made in germany. This violin has been passed down by my grandfather, said the owner. This instrument was once owned and played by the world famous virtuoso jascha heifetz 19011987. Mendini full size 44 mv300 solid wood violin with tuner, lesson book, extra strings, shoulder rest, bow and case, satin antique finish 3. The tuning pegs and the tailpiece that shows the nativity of christ are not original, but were added by vuillaume. Play the instrument to determine its sound quality. Tradein your string instrument johnson string instrument. During my violin selection session with stradivari strings, i was given a lot of information to make an informed choice on the violin i would eventually select, i was given a lot of time to decide on my violin and violin bow. The earliest known stradivarius violin was made in 1666, when stradivari was only twentytwo. It is in the collection of the ashmolean museum in oxford, england the violin, known as the messiah messie in french, remained in stradivaris workshop until his death in 1737.
Only the instrument is eligible for tradein, not any case or bow. One was a guarnerius and two were stradivariuses, among the most storied names in instrument making and considered the epitome of violins. These factory violins are considerd to be of fairly good quality. In 1998, russian violinist maxim vengerov purchased the 1727 kreutzer for. I have a violin, on the inside it says copy of antonius. One reason the value of a stradivarius violin is so dear is because there are so few of them left, and they are no longer being made. Feb 4, 2015 stradivarius 1714 violin dolphin this violin is recognized as one of the top three violins made by stradivari along with the 1715 alard and the 1716 messiah. Tradein credit is defined as the tradein value minus refurbishment fee. What is the value of a antonius stradivarius cremonensis. It came from germany, and how he obtained it was, i guess, quite typical for that moment of the war. If you want to know about who made the violin and its value.
You can make a stradivarius violin joseph v reid on. A stradivarius is one of the violins, violas, cellos and other string instruments built by members of the italian family stradivari, particularly antonio stradivari latin. It is considered to be the only stradivarius in existence in as new state. Unfollow stradivarius violin to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Twopiece, quartercut, displaying vigorous flaming that drops slightly to the outside. Scanning a stradivarius at the smithsonian smithsonian. How to tell if you have an authentic stradivarius violin. Nor does he see much value in trying to assess how a violin actually soundsmainly because there is no objective way to measure euphony, where beauty is in the ear of. The refurbishment fee covers the cost of readying your instrument for its next player. Looking at the labels, and seeing how it plays compared to a genuine.
Vintage early 1900s stradivarius copy violin made in germany. Heres what those in the violin world have to say about why the stradivarius violin is so expensive. Here are few suggestions that will help you get what you pay for. Your violin by stradivarius may be by the greatest violin maker of all time, and will allow you to spend your retirement in luxury. Any stradivarius in existence is at least 300 years old, making it an historical icon as well as an instrument. Violin by nicolas bertholini auction results bromptons. There is also greater projection of the music played. With only 650 in existence today, these immaculate works of art are prized as much for their unique and supreme craftsmanship and sound as they are for their rarity in quantity. Your violin was made in mittenwald, germany in the 1950s. A violin organization generously footed the bill to insure the instruments for the 212 days of the experiment you know, just in case the scientists dropped one or accidentally destroyed their. If you do choose to sell to amberviolins, your instruments can be sent to us by courier or registered post from anywhere in the world. Does a fake stradivarius violin have any merit or financial.