A good buy/sell forum for violins et al.

January 21, 2016 at 06:48 PM · Dear Violinists:

Is there an established and legitimage forum for buying and selling good instruments from good people? EBay isn't it. There's too much junk and fakery there. I know of and have used really good forums for photography equipment and guitars, for example, but don't know of a comparable site/forum for violins et al.

Thank you.

Replies (7)

Laurie Niles

January 21, 2016 at 06:50 PM · Hi Kevin,

Just to be clear, we no longer accept commercial solicitations on Violinist.com, that policy is outlined in our Rules for Writers. Those wishing to advertise can find information about that here.

Lyndon Taylor

January 22, 2016 at 11:09 AM · The only thing close to what you are asking for would be the most reputable auction houses, obviously not ebay.

Seraphim Protos

January 22, 2016 at 03:48 PM · Anybody selling violins should always be viewed with a modicum of distrust; EBay, Craigslist, guy selling out of the trunk of his car....

Lyndon Taylor

January 23, 2016 at 04:42 PM · And yet Seraphim, you have all this high level of trust for sellers of certain new Chinese violins??????

Seraphim Protos

January 24, 2016 at 12:44 AM · No, I am entirely wary of them as well.

The two that I have used (Yita and Old Violin House) have shown themselves to me to be trustworthy. I had to return two violas to Yita, and the transactions went without a hitch.

So, for ME, "risking" $200-300 on a sight unseen instrument is worth it to ME. As opposed to spending $1000+ on a similar quality instrument I see in a local shop.

Others have different risk/reward equations they may prefer when buying their gear.