I have recently received an 85 year old violin (approximately). I want to be able to play it. Only problem is, I am sure this thing is worth alot. It is a 3/4 size German made E. Martin Stradovarius copy. (No idea what this means). Consider me a complete beginner with violin, this is my first one. So this thing hasn't been played in 50 years. Basically it needs new everything. New bridge, new strings, new tuning pegs, new bow, new....everything except body and neck I am guessing. Would this hurt the value at all? Cause these are all replacable parts, so I was not sure. I am taking it to a professional...soon. I just wanted a basic opinion first.
Some copies are quite good, especially if the are the european made ones i think, and hand crafted. at that age i would say that it is. I would go and get it seen to by a professional, and get quotes, you are a beginner, so if you could get the violin set up at the same price as buying a cheapish student then i would if it is done properly and will then be of good quality. you get what you pay for
You should probably get a cheaper student violin (eg. ashton) and use that at the start but, should also go and see a professional violin maker/repairer to replace the strings, bridge etc. because antique violins these days arent cheap so take care of it!
Violins are not like coins or automobiles, and eighty-five years is not all that old for a violin. The worth of this violin will depend entirely on how good it is; its age will add nothing to its value. Neither will fixing it up lower its value--quite the contrary; fixing it up should increase its value considerably. The only question for you to consider is whether the violin is worth the expense of fixing up, and the only way to know that is to take it in and have it looked at.
searching...
but, should also go and see a professional violin maker/repairer to replace the strings, bridge etc. because antique violins these days arent cheap