How to Buy or Sell — Musical Instruments, Player Pianos and Music Boxes

Everyone has heard of the Stradivarius violin that sold for over $16 million. Unfortunately, very few people know that 99.99 percent of the violins labeled Stradivarius are nineteenth- or twentieth-century versions and are worth very little even if labeled inside. Some old musical instruments have great value, but most of them should be priced as secondhand instruments to be used by young musicians. If you have an old violin or other musical instrument, the best way to start determining the value is to take it to a friend who is a competent musician. Anyone who plays the violin well will know if your violin is of good quality. If it seems good, take it to a local store that sells used musical instruments. They are listed online. Don’t forget that even the bow might be of value. Very good vintage bows can sell for thousands of dollars.