People have been playing musical instruments for years, either for pleasure, or as a member of a professional orchestra. A beginner will normally start with a mass produced instrument which costs very little before moving up to a higher quality model. More experienced players will decide to buy a vintage violin and there is some homework to be done before you make a costly purchase.

Most professionals and music teachers will tell their students that the more they pay for an instrument, and the higher the quality it is, the better they will eventually play and sound. All hand crafted violins will be individual have a tone like no other, as well as looking and feeling different. Before making a decision and purchasing a valuable instrument you should spend a little time playing it to make sure it suits you.

A rare or valuable instrument will not be cheap and will cost considerably more than a mass produced model. A few things will determine the cost of these instruments and some care is needed when making your selection. There are reputable music shops in Huntington Beach, CA who deal in violins and they will be happy to guide you in your search for a suitable one.

The initial thing to work out is how much you want to spend on your vintage instrument. With the prices ranging from a few thousand to millions of dollars for the very rare pieces, it is important to make the correct choice. A variety of things will affect the overall value including the maker, the country of origin, construction materials and the year.

A music store is the best place to find instruments of this type and there are many for sale in stores worldwide. The advantage of using a store is that you can play the violin and check it personally before making a purchase. The trained staff will also be on hand to advise you and any purchases will be covered by their guarantees and after care.

There will be antique instruments offered for sale by internet retailers and web auction sites. Some care is needed when buying from these places as you cannot see your potential purchases before buying. Any valuable instrument should be checked by an expert to ensure it is genuine as over the years many have been forged.

When you are purchasing a vintage instrument, you should always talk to the person selling it and ask about the history of the item. Ask them where they purchased it, check the serial number and get as much documentation as you can to prove its provenance. A violin should be sold with its original case and this is important as it will add to its overall value.

When you are purchasing an antique instrument you should take some time to think about some insurance cover in case it is damaged, lost or stolen. Most homeowners will have contents cover but in most cases this will not cover valuable items. Specialist musical instrument insurers are available to cover your purchase and some estimates should be obtained.