Is it worth restoring an old violin?

Question

I inherited a 1785 violin made by Nicolo Giuseppe (fecit Venetiis anno 1785). It is in need of new strings and some minor repair. The bow needs to be restrung as well. I understand the violin was restored less than ideally in the mid 1930s. Does anyone know anything about the maker? Should I hire a restorer? Any suggestions would be helpful.

Answer 1

I don't know much about violins but I do know about antique and vintage instruments.  If it were my violin, I would have it restored... you do say that repairs are minor... and the wood is beautifully aged by over 200 years.  Where would you be able to get another such wonderful instrument? and if you could find one...  what kind of fortune would it cost you?

I cannot imagine you could find a violin that is going to play as nicely and have as beautiful of sound as the one you already own.  Your problem is going to be finding a restorer who is an expert in his field.  Even if there are minor repairs,  I would think that the person you hire must be highly reputable and in demand which might run the cost up...   but again, this is an heirloom.... you cannot have just anyone put their hands on it.

Hope that was helpful.

Thanks for reading.

Answer 2

I'm always astonished that people want appraisal information over the internet.  What you must do is take it to a luthier and have them examine the instrument and estimate costs of a restoration.  Get two opinions, if you must.  But nobody can tell you anything of value without examining the instrument.  

Answer 3

send us a pictur eof the violin and bow and ill

ask this man who fixes my violins and bows

and see what you need to do with it so it will

be more easier to hire someone to fix it.

Answer 4

Any violin of that age would be worth restoring - like wine, violins just get better with time.  However, there are tons of 'reproductions' out there made in the early 20th century with much-older dates and names inside them.  There's a good chance that's what you've got.  Take it to a local luthier (violin maker) to get it appraised, and find out how much it would take to fix it.  This really can't be done over the internet, so try to find one near you.