Who Made My Violin?
How can I tell who made my violin?
Knowing who made your violin is one of the most important clues to its value. Unfortunately for most instruments you might need the help of an expert, such as our team of specialists at Amati. However, here is a quick run down of what you might be able to do at home.
Violin labels
The label might tell you who made your violin. You can find a label inside the (usually) left hand f-hole in the violin. Not all violins have labels, and you may have to blow away the dust and move the violin under the light to see whether yours does. Many labels are fake, but even fake labels might give an idea of who made the violin. Amati has a few examples of labels in their Makers’ Archive to compare your own against, but be aware that it does not take long to copy a label and put it in a violin – it is something that has been going on for centuries.
Family History
If a past owner was a professional musician, it is quite possible that the instrument is a good one. However, stories about being sold a violin by a musician during the Depression and others similar do not help much. The bottom line is whether the person who originally purchased the violin had both the money and the knowledge to buy well.
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