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Price trend for 18th century French violins?
May 10, 2017, 11:11 AM ·
Hello!
Does anyone know about late and expected price trends for 18th century French violin? I have a chance to look at a Louis Guersan violin, 1731 . What would be a fair price range for such an instrument and would it be a good investment if it is in good condition?
Thanks!
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If you are a player, perhaps it would be better seeing a violin more as a tool for making music than an investment.
In order to make money with old violins as an investment you have to know a lot about violins and its market, a bit like if you were an investor in the stock market. And it is not an easy thing at all, it is a market full of subtleties.
A violin, for instance, can be "oversized" or "petit", and this can have a huge impact on its price, but can be totally irrelevant from the player's perspective.
The violin market is a bit like the art market, so the best opportunities in terms of investment are perhaps with rather unknown, good young contemporary makers. Van Gogh just sold one of his oils during all his life.
But, again, get an instrument you like, you will use it as tool for making music.
Life is too short to play an instrument you don't like.