SCHILLER 1/2 Size Violin

April 20, 2011 at 02:55 PM ·

Regardless of the "brand" you are unlikely to recover more than 40 cents on the dollar. New fractionals depreciate very steeply. Even used ones you might get 60%.

That being said, many shops will take it in trade at 100% off the list price, towards an upgrade.

Unfortunately, when it comes time to upgrade, you might not find what you are looking for, at that shop.

Keep an eye out for used. I got lucky and bought a 1/2 size for $225 and it turned out to be a fine fiddle. I sold it at $275 a few years later.

April 21, 2011 at 01:26 AM ·

To further what Bill said, find a shop with a good trade in policy.  With 6 shops in the Washington DC area, I ended up going out of state to get my son's fractional instrument in order to take advantage of 100% trade in policy.  He started on 1/10, went to 1/8 and is now using 1/4.  He will likely need 1/2 within 6-8 months.  Eventually, he will nee 3/4, and finally 4/4.  Each step along the way, I am getting 100% of my investment back on the upgrade.  I plan to buy him a professional instrument if he sticks with it.  The shop I am dealing with has a big selection of instruments $10K and up so I am hoping we will be able to find a good 4/4 instrument at the same shop when the time comes.