Violin Sale

A violin sale is the best time to purchase a violin. It is at this time that one can expect to spend less than it would normally cost to purchase a violin. Presented here are a few things the purchaser should keep in mind when attending a violin sale.

If the instrument is being purchased from a store, it a great idea to the attend the violin sale in the company of an experienced violin dealer or "luthier" which is a person who makes or repairs stringed instruments. In general, however, the instrument should be solid to the touch with no creaks when you press down (but with not too much pressure!) anywhere on the instrument. All of the open strings should sound full, resonant, and pleasing to the ear.

If a higher quality instrument is being sought after from a luthier it is also important that the purchaser be given the opportunity to test the violins and bows before the violin sale occurs. If the luthier (violin maker) lives in another city, he or she should be able to send the violin and bows to the would be purchaser to try out for a time, after which the purchase can decide on one or send them all back or ask for some others to try.

The purchaser should go a violin sale in which the shop has a room or place where he/she can test out the instrument that interests them.

When attending a violin sale the purchaser should not tell the dealer his or her price range. The dealer might have an intent to mark-up violin’s prices on the spot if the instruments do not have a price tag. Only if the instruments have tags on them with clear pricing should the would be purchaser tell them your price range.

An older instrument can be an excellent investment. But there are many modern makers whose instruments sound every bit as good, and if the purchaser is on a budget this might be the way to go. A new instrument, if played well (in tune, for maximum resonance), can "open up," and is quite exciting to be the person that helps shape the fiddle's voice.

Most importantly, the purchaser should never purchase a violin at a violin sale that they either don’t like or have doubts about. There is nothing worse for the purchaser of an instrument than playing on an instrument that they bought for a lot of money that they really don't like.

With these things kept in mind a violin sale should be a great experience for a violin purchaser.