Are you searching for vintage violin?
Then you should read this article!
Antique violins have unique design and I’ve described 5 different models you can find on the market. You can read the reviews and learn about their tonewood, strings, bows, quality, sound, and much more. Also here is a short buying guide that will help you in choosing the right model.
Things To Know When Buying Vintage Violin
Antique Violins For Sale Near Me
Online retailers such as Amazon offer the widest range of models. You can compare many products in a short time while reading reviews from other costumers. Also, online retailers have frequent discounts. However, many models can be found at brands’ official websites and in a local store.
Violin Vintage Price Range
The antique violin’s value depends on the tonewood age, quality od the bow and strings, brand, and much more. They’re priced between $100 and $100 000, or above. The professional models can be found in the range up to $2000, so there are many high-quality violins offered for an affordable price.
Quality Of The Tonewood
The antique violins for sale are mostly made from spruce and maple wood that’s layered in unique varnish finish that has a vintage look. The quality depends on the wood type, age, and method of drying. The high-end models are made from aged and naturally dried wood.
Bow And String Materials
Besides tonewood, strings and bow are an important part of vintage violins for sale because these features determine the quality of the sound. Steel strings are common, however, they don’t produce as good sound as strings made from nylon or animal gut. The bow should be made from strong and natural horsehair.
Buying The Right Violin Size
Old violin for sale can have different dimensions from full 4/4 size up to 1/16 size. The 4/4 and 3/4 sizes are the best for adults. The suitable size can be checked by measuring extended left arm from the neck up to the wrist or center of the hand palm.
Best 5 Antique Violin Reviews
Best Vintage Cheap Violin
Mendini Violin Vintage
Size And Tonewood
This model is 1/4 size, which means it has an 18.5” long violin body. Check if the size is right by measuring your left hand. It’s made from a combination of high-quality maple and spruce. The top of the violin is made from spruce, while back, neck and sides are made from maple.
Tailpiece And Strings
The whole structure is layered with antique varnish for a perfect look. The tailpiece is made from aluminum alloy and features 4 built-in fine tuners for tuning the strings. The Cecilio strings are made of steel, and an additional set is included in the package.
Brazilwood Bow
The violin is hand-carved and its bridge, fingerboard, chin rest and pegs are made from maple. The bow for playing the violin is also included. It’s made from durable Brazilwood and the bow fibers are made from real unbleached horsehair.
Rosin And Lightweight Case
Besides getting bow and strings, the package of this model also includes rosin. It’s used for maintaining bow hair, and to ensure the sound is clear and loud. The violin comes with the case that’s lightweight and weatherproof.
Shoulder Rest And Warranty
The exterior of the case is made from canvas that will protect your instrument during any weather conditions. You’ll also get padded and soft shoulder rest to feel comfortable when playing the violin. High-quality parts of this model are covered with a 1-year limited warranty.
- 1/4 size
- spruce and maple tonewood
- Maple fingerboards and chinrest
- brazilwood bow with horsehair
- with shoulder rest
Best Antique Professional Violin
D Z Strad Model
Aged And Dried Spruce Wood
The violin body is hand-crafted from solid and durable Engelmann spruce wood from Russia. This high-quality tonewood is aged and naturally dried, therefore it produces a clear and resonant sound.
Ebony Fingerboard And Synthetic Strings
The fingerboard, chinrest, and pegs are also professionally hand-carved from the standard dark ebony. The tailpiece holds 4 fine-tuners for tuning the strings. The strings on this model are made from synthetic nylon material.
Violin Size And Varnish
The model has 1/8 size, so check if the dimensions are right for you by measuring your left hand. The violin body is layered with the unique varnish material that gives the model an antique design.
Free Accessories
Considering all high-quality features, this is the right model if you’re looking for a professional instrument. If you buy this product, you’ll also get a case, bow, string, and rosin for free.
Bow And Carrying Case
The bow is made from brazilwood and features natural horsehair. The rosin is used to maintain the bow for keeping the sound loud and rich. The carrying case is durable and lightweight, so it’s easy to carry and you don’t have to worry about damaging the violin.
- made from Engelmann spruce
- 1/8 size
- nylon strings
- ebony fingerboard, chinrest, and pegs
Best Vintage Violin Bass
Hofner Ignition Series Vintage Violin Bass
Violin Bass
This Hofner 62 model is a vintage violin bass. It’s a unique model in comparison to other products from the list. It’s a combination of the violin and guitar. It doesn’t have f-holes for amplifying the sound.
Rosewood Bridge
Therefore it must be connected to the amplifier such as a speaker or the mic. The tonewood body is hollow for increasing the quality of the sound that’s amplified with the speaker. The Hofner Fretted bridge that holds the strings is made from rosewood.
Fingerboard, Tailpiece, And Tonewood
The fingerboard is also made from rosewood. The Hofner tailpiece is made from a trapeze nickel, while the tuners are made from a single nickel. The top of the instrument is made from spruce, while the back, sides, and neck are made from one solid piece of maple.
Left-Handed Instrument
This Hofner ignition series vintage violin bass is suitable for left-handed people, which is very practical and user-friendly. It comes with the carrying case, so you can travel with this vintage violin bass anywhere you want to.
Scale And Varnish Finish
The finish on the violin body creates a unique antique design. The scale of the instrument is 30”, therefore it’s short-scale. The model doesn’t include other accessories for free, so you should buy them separately.
- 30” scale violin bass
- maple, spruce and rosewood tonewood
- for left-handed people
Best Vintage Guarneri Violin
Roy Antique Violin
Maple And Spruce Tonewood
This is a handmade violin that’s crafted from flamed maple and old spruce. The top of the violin is made from spruce, while the back, sides, and neck are made from high-quality maple. The quality of the tonewood ensures rich and deep sound.
Full Sized Violin
The tonewood was aged and naturally dried, therefore this is a professional Guarneri violin with the high-end structure. Unlike the previous model, it’s full 4/4 sized and ideal for any adult to play it.
Ebony Fingerboard And Chinrest
The fingerboard, chinrest, and pegs are made from standard dark ebony. The tailpiece holds 4 fine-tuners for tuning the strings. The model includes high-quality Brazilwood bow with the natural horsehair for achieving the best sound.
Professional Level
The body is layered with a varnish finish that creates an antique design. Because of the high-quality, this model is suitable for any professional or intermediate player that has advanced musicality and playing skills.
Lightweight Carrying Case
The package of this violin doesn’t include the whole kit, so it’s not suitable for the beginner that wants to buy everything needed with one offer. You’ll get a protective and lightweight carrying case for traveling with your violin.
- spruce top
- maple back, sides and neck
- ebony fingerboard and chinrest
- full size violin
Best Antique Stradivarius Violin
SKY Music Vintage Stradivarius Violin
High-End Stradivarius Copy
Like the previous model, this also is 4/4 full size, which means it’s suitable for any adult to play it. It’s a fine copy of the Stradivarius violin so it’s suitable for professionals and concert playing. This acoustic model has a high-end violin body.
Aged Tonewood For Rich Tone
It’s made from 25 years old maple and spruce tonewoods. Both are aged and naturally dried which results in high-quality. In that way, the violin body can amplify the sound from the strings while creating a rich, clear, and deep tone.
Synthetic Strings And Brazilwood Bow
The strings of this model have a nylon synthetic core and they produce far better sound in comparison to steel strings. To keep the sound at the top performance, the included Brazilwood bow has real natural horsehair that won’t damage the strings.
Spruce Top And Maple Sides
Included rosin is used to maintain the bow so it’s able to produce the sound. The top of this model is made from spruce, while the back, neck, and sides are made from highly flamed maple tonewood.
Violin Parts And Carrying Case
Chinrest, fingerboard, and pegs are made from black standard ebony, and the tailpiece holds 4 fine-tuners. The bridge is made from maple. You’ll get a high-quality oblong case that’s strong and protects the violin in any outdoor conditions.
- 25 years old spruce and maple tonewood
- brazilwood bow with horsehair
- oblong carrying case
- synthetic strings
- full-sized Stradivarius copy
Conclusion: Two Best Vintage Violins To Buy
In my opinion, the two best models from the list are the D Z Strad antique violin and the SKY Music vintage violin. Both are high-end professional violins offered for a great price. Aged quality tonewood and nylon strings ensure a rich and resonant tone. Also, they both include case and bow in the package, while the first model includes additional strings and rosin.
To read more about different violin models, I recommend this review on the best violin brands that include the buying guide. If you want to check out other Stradivarius like models, read this article on the best Stradivarius violin price. In case you’re left-handed violinist, you should read the best left-handed violin for sale review.