Hi, i got a offer for a second hand eastman strings VL200, it's a handmade violin(i good condition, or so he says) with a carbon fiber bow. The original price the violin was brought for was 800, now the owner is asking me for the best price i am willing to offer. How much should i offer?
By the way, I'm complete beginner and i am planning to start learning the violin.
Delzac
Well, generally a violin's value should go up as it ages, not down. (assuming its made with good quality. A cheap instrument off ebay wont gain any value!)
I have a Eastman vL305 and have been VERY happy with it! I've had it for about 3 years and I really love it. Im sure the vL200 is a nice instrument as well
As to what to offer.. I don't really know. Have you played and compared it with other violins? Try out a few at a few local music stores (if you can) and see how much they are selling those for so you can kind of compare it..
Well, the bottom line is that any musical instrument drops in value by 50% of the list price the instant you take it out of the shop. So search around, find the list price on the violin plus the bow, and offer a maximum of half of that.
If you look inside the violins left f hole, it should say the maker, what year it was made, and the model.
Good quality violins will have some flaming or "strips" on the back and sides. Also a one-piece back can be found on many higher quality violins, although many that are good quality have 2 piece backs. (Mine is 2 piece, the vL200 is probably 2 piece as well, which is fine). It may have a more grainy look on the front as well.
A bad quality violin is usually one color, no flaming at all. Pegs will be plastic instead of ebony or wood
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