|
1. What is the value of
my instrument?
- Some stringed instruments
are easier to value than others. Vintage acoustic guitars are so well
documented, it's easy to locate a website with posted values. One of
the leading authorities on guitars, banjos, and mandolins is George
Gruhn. His Nashville store is a must-see for guitar enthusiasts. He
has an appraisal service available on his website at www.gruhn.com.
Written appraisals are $25 for each instrument. He also offers a free
Online Appraisal service.
- Violins are harder to value,
due to the large number of builders. In every center of building activity,
whether Italy, Germany, France, or even Japan, there are only a few
quality builders and very many mass-producers. The biggest problem is
that so many are labeled "Straduarius" and dated in the 1600s.
Owners are often convinced they have an original Stradivarius, but nearly
all are from Germany and manufactured in the 20th Century--and most
are valued in the hundreds, not hundred-thousands. To have an appraisal
done on your violin, do a "Google" search for "violin
appraisals." Quite a few will pop up.
- Other instruments, like
those sold through catalogs or door-to-door during the first half of
the 20th Century, are also hard to value. Hybrid instruments, like Ukelins
and Marxolins, are sought after by collectors, but are usually priced
under $100. Montgomery Wards and Sears contracted different instrument
manufacturers over the years for their guitars, banjos, and mandolins,
so values can vary widely, depending on the builder. At times they used
Lyon & Healy, Washburn, Harmony, and Kay. For very short periods,
even Martin and Gibson made cheaper catalog instruments. Again, George
Gruhn would be able to help appraise many of these instruments.
2. My instrument needs repair.
Where can I find someone to fix it?
- Right here. I offer restoration
and repair services for guitars, violins, banjos, dulcimers, and mandolins.
In fact, I'll work on most types of stringed instruments. After viewing
an instrument's condition, I can give you an estimate on the amount
of necessary work and the cost. All work is time-and-materials.
- Note that Martin Guitar
repairs should be done at the Martin factory or through a certified
Martin repair person. Most Gibson repairs should also be done by a Gibson
certified repair person. I can work on some vintage (pre-World War II)
Gibson instruments.
3. There's no label on my
instrument. Can you tell me anything about it?
- I need to see the instrument,
either with photos or in person. Photos can be sent by mail or digitally
by e-mail. Also, if possible, use a small mirror to look inside for
any serial numbers or maker's marks. Often they are stamped on the front
underside of the sound board or on the fingerboard heel. Sometimes there
are pencil marks with numbers or letters. Let me know of any marks when
contacting me. I have a large reference library and access to many other
sources, so it's possible for me to approximate the age, location of
manufacture, and maybe even the maker.
|
