Ask Rhiannon Series: Sources for investigation into our violin's origins, and be safe so you're not deceived into paying too much

 

Violin label reads Götz

Question

I am at a loss for information. Where do you find out about violin types?

For example, I found a violin with a paper inside the violin with the maker's name. How do i find out anything about it. Value or worth, history, made of or from. I not sure whether to buy it but would like more information to make an informed decision.

 

Answer from Rhiannon

In a nutshell, there is no way to be sure of an old or rare violin label's authenticity unless you have it appraised by a few appraisers, of which there are not very many that can really be absolutely certain. Note you need to pay for proper evaluations and a verbal evaluation means very little.

Even then there is a lot of fraud since there's a lot of profits to be made in selling high-priced instruments that were bought for cheap. A man recently took his own life after being exposed for selling fiddles he'd picked up at flea markets for hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's a dreadful practice and gives the violin industry a bad name.

As for your question of a source to research violins: You can lookup the past auction prices on violins at Maestronet (though I did not currently see this maker on there). Again, you cannot be sure if the label in this violin is fake or not. Many unreputable dealers will put a fake label in a violin to boost the value, and many of these labels are so convincing. I have written a few articles on the subject (links after the article).

 

What's a buyer to do? Well, I strongly suggest you work with a dealer who works to be transparent in all dealings and who will give you the information you seek.

Myself, I got into selling violins for a few reasons: Mainly to provide a trusted source for my own violin students (then the business took off and I serve the public) but also so I could offer the best possible prices without unfair markup and, finally, because I know the source of the new violins I buy and if the violin is used I will never lie about the authenticity.

Which is why I will say "Strad Copy" or simply say what the label reads and will tell customers I very highly doubt it is original. I mean, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Again, if you like to make informed decisions in your violin purchase, and especially if you are looking to spend a lot of money, it really is best to work with someone you can trust. If this violin you are looking at is selling at a pawn shop for $50 you are not taking a huge risk (though I have seen some nasty violins not worth $50!!).

In the end it is about what you are comfortable spending and taking on as a risk.