CJB Collin Mezin, is it worth it?

January 22, 2013 at 06:12 PM · Hey all, it's my first submission to violinist.com and before I typed out this query for open discussion, I have of course, tried to dig out older threads for the gathering of information which hasn't served me much purpose.

To start off, I am an amateur at playing the violin and have tried out many instruments ( new and antique ) to evaluate their tone at one shop and have narrowed down my decision to two (Peter Racz and CJB Collin Mezin at $9500 and $22000 Singaporean dollars respectively)Though I'm leaning closer towards the decision to the Mezin for the sound I can draw out of it. There is a twist to this though-- the instrument is made in 1924, a year after Collin Mezin died. From what I've heard, the violin was started by Collin Mezin and finished by his family/son(maybe). It is authenticated by Walter Mahr in a certificate. Is $22000 SGD/ $18000 USD a price too high to pay for such a piece? What will its resale value be like down the road?

Sincerely,

James.

-Summary that I couldn't use because I had errors like "Whoops, something slipped up" Or something-

Guy searches for violin. Guy finds violin and likes it. Antique violin costs US$18000 and is not completed by the luthier in question himself but his family instead. Guy is confused and searches the net for answers but it turns up empty. Guy starts new discussion thread to hopefully get some information and hopes not to tread on any toes.

Thanks once more!

Replies (6)

James Low

January 23, 2013 at 04:29 AM · Thank you so much Evan: for your very informative reply.

Scott Cole

January 23, 2013 at 06:18 AM · I've never seen a CM for more than about $9000. Maybe they exist--I just haven't seen them. Since their price has been stable for a while, I don't that you'd get your money out of it for a very long time. CM strikes me as the French equivalent to Roth--both respectable workhorse fiddles yet with static valuation over the years.

James Low

January 23, 2013 at 07:43 AM · Here is the site where the pictures are at, under the Collin Mezin headline.

http://violinlessonsingapore.com/antique_violin_investment_violin/index.php

Scott- It' my first time dealing with the instruments with the CM label and I was contemplating to get an contemporary Italian for that price. I've not seen any other CMs for sale here so I'm not very sure if I should bite. In fact, I can't really find any medium priced instruments (within range of $10k) over here.

Scott Cole

January 24, 2013 at 02:54 AM · James,

Just to be clear: my doubts concern the CM for US$18,000, not the one for $9500.

Scott

James Low

January 24, 2013 at 02:58 AM · Duly noted Scott, thanks.

Theodore Kruzich

January 25, 2013 at 10:21 PM · Here is me (just after I passed 80 years of age ), with Jeff on piano, playing my 1922 Colin-Mezin violin.

We just had dinner and a few glasses of wine and decided to record a few old favorites. The piece is "Plaisir d' Amour" by JB Martini.

Ted Kruzich

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubhBl62n4vM

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