Where are all the used instruments?

Edited: November 3, 2025, 10:38 AM · Most dedicated violin shops have “used” violins for sale. If the shop only rents violins and doesn’t do any repair work or if it’s a music store that sells all kinds of instruments, they may only have new instruments that they order from a supplier, but even at many of theses stores you’ll come across a few old violins that are brought in by customers.

They’re not good places for anyone who isn’t able to spot forgeries and bad repairs, but there are several auction houses and online auction platforms dedicated to the sale of old violins. While Maestronet and Violinist.com don’t have marketplaces, the Fiddle Hangout site does have one.

Craigslist and Facebook marketplace sometimes have instruments listed, but they are similar to estate sales—the items, condition, and prices are all over the place and it’s easy to get burned. eBay seems to be the worst place to find fiddles, as there are innumerable scams and dodges at both ends of the transaction—at least if you’re using the other platforms, you’re meeting someone in person before purchasing and have a chance to inspect the item quickly. Caveat emptor.

If you’re looking at the lower end of the market, the options tend to be new factory instruments because those offer the highest markup for the shops that sell them and they’re so readily available.

November 3, 2025, 8:58 AM · Hello and welcome to Violinist. I know only one seller of used fiddles and bows. He has sold to some pretty famous folk and bluegrass fiddlers, and even a few classical players. He reconditions all of them, according to the need. His name is Royce Burt. His shop is in Plant City Florida. He works mainly by the internet, and has samples on his YouTube channel. I’ve tried to get an in person appointment with him to no avail. You may have better luck. Most of his products go pretty quick. I’d still like to get a great older fiddle from him some day.
Best wishes, enjoy the forum!

November 3, 2025, 10:50 AM · Hi Ben and welcome! I think where you look to some extent also depends on what level of instrument you're looking for and what you mean by used. Looking for a step-up instrument of $2000 is a different challenge than looking for an advanced violin of $4000+. However, for either of those I'd be very suspicious of anything on Craigslist or Facebook. Auctions can be quite good, especially Amati and Tarisio, I've purchased several instruments form both over the years, though they may need some rework such as setup, etc.

Edited: November 3, 2025, 6:39 PM · One problem is that a really good contemporary instrument might not have huge appreciation after it is made-- especially when the maker dies and is no longer in the news. Those who own them will still want to play them, and there won't necessarily be buyers pounding on the door to take it away from them at a good price.

For student/intermediate instruments, it is a bit different but I would bet some stay in families for younger siblings or get placed by a teacher. This happened to my violins. My sister got a few-decades-old viola made in the 50s. Her piano teacher was also a cellist in a local orchestra, and when one of the violists died she passed the word to his widow that there might be a buyer. I have it now.

November 3, 2025, 11:29 AM · I appreciate the replies here. It’s such a very different market compared to, say, buying and selling electric guitars…

Full disclosure: I’m interested in selling a bow and also buying a professional bow from someone who has moved on from theirs.

Edited: November 3, 2025, 11:43 AM · hi Ben, in the violin world, many of the top instruments and bows are antique, so "used", meaning that the "used" market *is* (or is a major part of) the main market!

November 3, 2025, 12:27 PM · Thank you, Jean. I suppose it was a poor choice of thread title. What I'm getting at is that new instruments are regularly selling, and advanced students are regularly upgrading, so there is a consumption pattern. Where are all the step-up instruments going?

I concede Stephen's point that many instruments stay in the family (or perhaps go to the attic). My teacher, who is a professional symphony musician, reports that his colleagues regularly show up to practice with different bows/chinrests/whatnot. So there's turnover and churn. I just don't see that reflected on the internet.

November 3, 2025, 6:32 PM · Many people keep their old violins, chin rests, bows etc. It is always useful to have a spare and after a few months they may decide they prefer the old one anyway.