I think one life and one human being cannot answer with efficacity to those analyses...
I love old instruments for differents reasons.
But i have to accept that in a big hall, trying violins or violas, without any informations about the origin of them, i can chose only for the sound a modern one like the best compared to others more older. But only for the efficacity (power, vibratos reactions and colour of the sound).
I think to chose a violin for example, you must play with others to note if the sound can go to the last seat of the hall without losing quality, warm sound and precision.
After this first round, you have to play in a live concert to know if you can play free helped by the violin for technicals parts and for new colours and feelings added to your level. This one has to change your way of playing (maturity) without changing your personnality!
So, for everybody it is different. I can play a modern viola with a wonderful sound and a friend can play the same one with a bad sound. I can play a Gasparo Da Salo with an amazing technique and brillant sound and this same friend can have the same result or the contrary...
I know young talent virtuose disapoited after a trial with famous violins and with this words: My modern violin sounds better, i don't understand why these old violins are so expenssive!" This same violonist 10 years later saying: " Oh i remember this bad experience with famous instruments i had. But now i understand and i regret my words because i was too young..."
The only thing we have to know is:
Who knows? Nobody knows! Maybe tomorrow i will play a very nice chinese after 10 ears playing an old viola, italian? Just because my soul and my body have changed and they need just a simple instrument to communicate my musicality...
The right violin or others is The one we forget during a concert by just listenning the musician and not the instrumentist!
TG
ps: sorry for my poor english.....

Sean,

I think you are correct. At the $10,000 range, buying a contemporary violin will yield more favorable results (better wood, better craftsmanship, better sound). Most French and German instruments at that price range are junk, however; fine Czech and Hungarian/Viennese instruments are still highly undervalued. One can occasionally find masterworks for under $20,000 that equal or surpass Italians in much higher price ranges. The same could be said about fine German bows compared to fine French bows (even Tubbs is still undervalued considering many of them can come very close to the sound quality of a Tourte.) I myself purchased a wonderful Hungarian instrument by Janos Spiegel made in 1926 that would be hard to replace unless I had about $200,000 to spend.

Again, I think you are correct in that most people at that range are just looking to sound better, to purchase an instrument that will get them to the next level. At that price range, contemporary violins are usually the best way to go.

Hi Jeremy
I agree with most of your comments! Tubbs and Hill bows can be great value now! And as regards Hungarian makers, it is rare to see them labelled as in the trade many are being sold as Italian!!
best,
Sean

That is very true about Hungarian instruments! I was told that many of Spiegel's instruments were pawned off as Rocca's, which is no surprise considering they look very Italian and sound great. It also helped that Spiegel was acquainted with the Bisiach's and the Antoniazzi's too! I've personally seen around 4 violins by Samuel Nemessanyi and they look and sound like the great Italians they were meant to represent. I'm Hungarian myself, so when I discovered this interesting school of violin making, I fell in love!

By the way, you have a great website! I always browse the web for shops with great pictures and your website made me very happy when I came across it!

Sincerely,

~Jeremy

New fiddles are usualy made of new wood and hence subject to shrinking and therefore cracking. Also my experience is that most violin makers "shy away" from repairing these instruments, not to mention the serious depreciation caused by new cracks.

Hi Dimitri
yes, new violins use new wood however I am not aware of a general "mass" cracking problem!!
Remember Stradivari used new wood too! As long as the wood has been seasoned for a long enough time then wood should not crack.
I have never had this problem in the hundred or so new instruments I have sold.
cheers
Sean

As an amateur violist (& ex-cellist) I would love to own an antique fiddle if only for the history and the wonder that such a thing can survive and function so perfectly for so many years. Unfortunately the prices of even early 20th century instruments are now such that a contemporary viola is the only realistic option for me. I agree with Sean that we are lucky to have great artisans right now making instruments that sound truly outstanding, are affordable, robust and reliable. Instruments that will improve with age and careful use too. A win win situation for us with limited budgets.

I'm in the market for a violin. I've been looking for one off and on for a few years now. I've had my heart set on a Mirecourt fromt the late 1800's. I've played quite a few. The other day I took home a violin by a completely unknown man who isn't even a violin maker, but made this one under the care of one. The violin is not the one for me. But, it pleased me. It is easy to play, fills the room with sound. I'm not used to that. I'm used to trying violins that are a bit whiney that you have to try very hard to play. This one was....easy to play. So, I'm a convert!! No more old violins for me! I'm going to Cremona in April to find a violin. I really would like to know the names of some modern violin makers whose violins will please me and stand the test of time. I'm looking forward now, not back!

Hi Lisa
Glad you are now a modern convert! don't get me wrong...I love old violins! but as I state often, if budget is limited then 'go new'!!
Cremona has a lot of makers ...some good, many rather average! Why not visit my shop! I have some great new ones! If that is too hard I am happy to recommend some Italian makers.
cheers
Sean

http://www.cremonaliuteria.it/liutaieng.php?page=9