Andrew Hooker Violins

New Instruments

There is a terrific snobbery about violins. How many famous soloists can you think of that don't play an "old master" instrument. It's quite common to see, in a corner of a concert programme, "so-and-so plays a violin by Antonio Stradivari dated seventeen twenty-something" or "a cello by Giovanni Grancino dated sixteen eighty-something". There are various market pressures on a performer to conform with this convention, not least the audiences who want to know that they are hearing something special. Dealers are only too happy to foster this - it keeps the prices up. It has reached the stage where some orchestras and ensembles insist on a certain standard of instrument; this standard having nothing to do with sound. It's as though you can't be taken seriously unless you have the use of a fabulously expensive antique.

 

However it is an undeniable fact that Stradivari only ever made brand-new instruments.

 

Of course new instruments can be just as good as old ones, and in many cases much better, having less trauma associated with long usage. Where they fail will probably be in the investment value. The value of old instruments by named makers has tended to increase by a factor greater than inflation for over a century now, and this shows no signs of slowing up. But if you cannot afford to invest, and just want something that will work for you, then a new instrument may well be the best option for you. Because of the snobbery mentioned above there is a terrific prejudice against violins, violas or cellos which even look new. This was not the case in Bach's time, or in Cremona in the 17th and 18th centuries. Now modern makers have to make things things which will sell and therefore many deliberately make their new products look much older than they actually are. This way something new will be camouflaged in the string section. There are a surprising number of new-but-look-old instruments in professional orchestras.

a new old violin	a new new violin

An instrument buyer's guide - about trying instruments

Who made the instrument? About labels and attributions

Repairs and damage - what to look out for

About setting up instruments soundposts, strings &c.

About new instruments