What to look for in old violins?
What to look for in old violins?
How do I know if my violin is worth money?
- Flame of the Wood. The back of the violin is a good indicator of the quality of the instrument.
- Craftsmanship. The craftsmanship of the violin is the greatest indicator of the quality of an instrument.
- Label.
- Sound and Ease of Playing.
- Materials.
Is it worth restoring an old violin?
Many times, string replacements and cleaning, refitting the bridge, Soundpost, or other small fixes can make a huge difference in the look and sound of an older violin. However, sometimes the repairs will exceed the worth of the instrument.
Can you refinish an old violin?
Refinishing an instrument for aesthetics is not recommended. One of history’s great, unsolved mysteries is what makes the sound produced by the finest of Italian violins so magnificent.
How do you clean a vintage violin?
Most antique violins are coated with a sensitive varnish that most violin-specific cleaning products can easily damage.
- Step 1: Wash Your Hands.
- Step 2: Wipe the Body.
- Step 3: Clean the Rosin Dust of the Strings.
- Step 4: Clean Your Bow.
- Step 5: Polish the Wood.
- Step 6: Clean Your Violin Case.
- Loosen the Bow.
How much does it cost to refurbish a violin?
Repair Price Estimates
| Repair (For Violin and Viola) | Cost | Time and Materials |
|---|---|---|
| New Soundpost | $70 | 1 hour, $10 |
| New Pegs (traditional) 4 | $120 + cost of pegs | 2 hours, $20-$150+ |
| New Pegs (mechanical) 5 | $160 | 1 hour, $100 |
| Replace Tailpiece | $30 | .25 hours, $20 (Wittner) |
How much does it cost to get a violin refurbished?
This repair typically requires that a new piece be cut with precision so that it fits perfectly on the violin. This new piece is often included in the cost of the repair, which is $50-70 for student and intermediate-grade instruments, and $70-$100+ for professional violins.
How much does it cost to re varnish a violin?
Major Restorations
| Major Repairs | Violin/Viola | Cello |
|---|---|---|
| Top Cracks (from the outside) | $40.00-$75.00 | $60.00-$100.00 |
| Varnish Touch-up | $120.00 per hour | $120.00 per hour |
| Reset Neck (Bridge is Additional) | $75.00+ | $100.00+ |
| Neck Pin (includes fingerboard removal) | $150.00 | $200.00 |
Should you polish a violin?
Only use water on a damp cloth to clean the body of your violin – you should never use polish or other harsh chemicals, as this can damage the varnish. The varnish is there to protect the wood, so take care to keep the varnish layer safe.
What kind of cloth should I use to clean my violin?
Microfiber
August 21, 2016 at 04:04 PM · Microfiber does the job nicely. Wash it from time to time and replace it when I don’t like how it looks. August 21, 2016 at 05:25 PM · Nice, microfiber then… I’ve been using a piece of fabric from a shirt I had.
How do I know if my violin is solid wood?
Solid wood construction is very important; but you should understand that “solid” doesn’t mean one piece. The table and back of a quality violin may be joined together with one or two joints. “Solid” means that these pieces are crafted from a plank, not particle board with a spruce veneer overlay.
