(If some of the details in this question are inexact or vague, I apologise. I’m translating for my technologically-challenged father.)
Recently, my father’s been thinking about selling a violin that we’ve had in the family for quite a few years. He had it appraised, here in town, by a local music shop, and for whatever reason he didn’t fully trust the price they quoted him. As he’s not sure where else to go to get the information, he’s turned to the internet. Basically, we’ve got two questions:
Is there a good way to get a musical instrument appraised over the internet, or else to compare his instrument with the prices other dealers are offering for their violins?
There’s a red serial number written on the inside of the violin body. Does that number correspond to the year the violin was made, or the value of it, or anything else specific about it?
It’s a Dodd violin, and it was given to Dad by his father about forty years ago. We really have no idea how long it’s been in the family prior to that. And apparently the tone is still excellent.
What’s the purpose of the appraisal? Are you trying to seel it? What value did the local dealer place on it? Was it really an “offer” or a retail price for the violin?
The reason I want to know is, that I appraise diamonds for a living. And there are at least four different levels of “appraised value.” I’ll tell you more when you tell me more.
The local dealer appraised it at $2500. He offered to consign it for that price, taking a commission (I can’t remember how much) for himself. Dad thinks he was intentionally given a low price so that the dealer could easily sell it and make a quick buck for himself.
Where do you live? Check on the 'net and in the phonebook for any other instrument appraisal-type places (repair shops, antique dealers, schools even) within an hour or so of your dad. Unless you literally live in the middle of nowhere, there’s got to be numerous places you can go.
Get a bunch of offers or appraisals from as many different places as you can. It doesn’t seem like too much legwork for a $2000-3000 return. Once your dad has a few prices to compare, then he can choose how and to whom to sell it.
Forget about the internet. If the violin is any better than one of those crappy manufactured jobbies, your best bet is to just hoof it around town to get several different appraisals.
Also, it’s unlikely that any reputable string instrument dealer would be interested in playing games with you for just a couple grand. Chances are, subsequent appraisals won’t vary much from the first one.
My understanding is that comparing bows and violins is an “apples and oranges” sort of thing. It’s not unusual for for a fiddler/violinist to pay quite a bit more for a bow than for the violin.
Where is there? Unless the local music shop does a national/international business by mail/internet, it may or may not be the best marketplace for a collectible instrument.
IANAV but I’m a guitarist, and as the wood ages it generally improves the tone. The same is probably true of violins, so not only would the tone be still excellent, it may be better than new.
A Google search for “dodd violin” came up relatively sparse, however Thomas Dodd was a 18th century violin and bow maker.
Your father’s first instinct is good being this is the only appraiser that as looked at the violin…I ususally look on E-bay for auctions of the same item to see what it’s selling for, but a search for Dodd violin came up empty.
Your next step could be biting the bullet and finding a reputable dealer in a major metro area (NY, Chicago, London, Etc) and just writing and calling to let them know what you have. Find out from them what it would cost to have the item appraised and then fork over the cash and do it. The main concern would be if this violin is in fact made by Thomas Dodd, or if is a fake (which it could very well be).