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Buying a composite Violin
I am currently trying a violin by the Bolognia maker Johannes Varotti, 1791 I think. I love the sound but it is a composite violin and because of this I am worried about its resale value because it doesn't come with a certificate. It is also I think quite expensive. It is a tough business! Does anyone have any advice about what to do in this situation. It is hard as I have looked at a lot of other violins in the price range and I don't like them nearly as much but because the violin is not it's complete self it's value is hard to ascertain.
Replies (6)
Thanks Jonathan for your response. That is the general feeling I am getting. I have also takedn liberties to get the instrument valued and today got an estimation about 1/6 of the price of the instrument! It was from an auctioneer, he didn't even listen to the sound. in the whole picture the sound doesn't really make the cost at all does it...crazy! I guess cos it is so personal. But how much can you take these peoples opinions of price seriously? I think I am going to offer a lower price but not sure what yet as I am sure the more i get it valued the diffferent opinions I will get. If anyone has anymore to say I would love some help.
Alice,
Well to a large extent the sound really needs to be left out of a valuation - the economic justification being that otherwise the value of an instrument would go up and down like the Canadian Rockies. I've heard Strads for example where I have felt compelled to block my ears, but presumably the players and owners were quite satisifed with the sound.
I hate to get too specific, but the specific actual price is going to be critical here. Also what you want to achieve with the instrument and how long you want to keep it for are critical. At the other end of the spectrum, dismissing a composite instrument whose sound you adore may not be the best course of action either in certain circumstances.
Also, there isn't any need to express surprise that the valuer didn't even play it. It's actually the sign of a good valuer. One excellent valuer I used to go to (now passed away) did nothing more than pluck a string. Another good sign is a valuer who spends a good 5 minutes looking at an instrument and then only looks at any labels as the very last step in the process.
I once auditioned a composite instrument which had an amazing sound (at least comparable to anything in the up to $20,000 AUD range). It was also in excellent condition. I told the vendor I would be interested if they halved the price. No sale unfortunately for either party.
Im happy to discuss further in a PM if you wish to.
Why is resale value a consideration? The only consideration should be how the instrument plays, feels, and sounds. Period. Every other instrument depreciates with age, why shouldn't violins?
Oh, and please educate me as to what you mean by composite. I thought it meant graphite, but obviously not with an 18th century instrument.
Sam,
Resale value is important as it directly impacts the finanicial standing of the owner. Apart from the instrument being an asset (ie an item on the balance sheet), any loss of value upon resale is in nearly all cases financially detrimental to the owner. Even if someone buys an instrument with the steadfast intention of never parting with it, it is still going to be on-sold one day, perhaps by the executors or beneficiaries of that person's estate - so resale value is still important to future generations.
I'm not sure how I can describe it any better, but resale value of anything is just a fundamental principal of economics and sound investment judgement. So in this example, if Alice buys this instrument for, say, $15,000 and it's resale value is $8,000, she has just lost $7,000 in assets. Generally not a good thing (actually she has probably lost more than that because you then have to factor in the cost of goods sold).
As for what composite means, it defines a hand-made violin where major components (ie back and belly) are by the hand of two or more individuals. For practical purposes, the definition does not really include workshop or factory violins, which by their very nature are inherently understood to be built by a number of workers.
Jonathan,
I'd like to take exactly the opposite view about the resale value of composite violins-- not that what you said is invalid, just another perspective.
Especially with newer instruments,quality of sound and craftmanship are far better guarantees of the future value of the instrument's future value than the maker's name. Reputations flucuate; standards of quality, less so. You will always be able to get a decent price for a well-made instrument with a good tone. The disadvantage with a composite violin is that it will never sell for an astronomical figure, and for that reason maybe you shouldn't spend too much on one. However, if a composite instrument is selling for less than you would expect given its quality, buy it-- it will almost certainly be worth as much or more later.
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November 2, 2004 at 07:14 AM · Just my personal opinion only. If I was buying a composite violin, I would only be doing so because I was in love with the sound and it was in very good condition. It would have to be quite reasonably priced as well. I think the market is just too fickle to encourage the purchase of composite instruments with any eye on their ongoing investment value. There are of course exceptions, in the case where major parts are identifiable and properly certified as from the hands of well-known makers, but even so the value isn't going to come near what it would be if the instrument was from one hand only.