Antique vs. New Violins

You might be asking yourself, should you buy an antique, used, or new instrument? The answer is not so simple, and as always, it depends on the person and the circumstance. A new instrument is not inherently better than an antique, and an antique is not inherently better than new.

To determine which instrument to choose or buy, you must consider many factors, not the least of which is to of course first look at your budget. From there, you may need to ask yourself again, what is your budget really, and what are you really willing to pay/sacrifice for gaining what you truly desire, which in this case would be your beloved violin, viola, cello, bass, etc. I also would recommend against going beyond what you are actually able to purchase, even if you are in a way able to purchase it.

Second question, what are your goals? Do you want to play in an Irish band, or an orchestra? Do you want to use it for university, or for playing for your own enjoyment at home? Do you want to use it for chamber music, or a quartet? Are you a soloist?

Of course, you may have thought of these things already, but you want to be clear in terms of what you’re seeking, because the violin world is vast and huge in terms of choices.

Third main question, what sound (and looks) do you prefer? Sound is much more important of course than looks on a violin, though looks do matter for many. Depending on how many instruments you’ve played on, you may not even really know what sound you prefer, because you’ve played on so few instruments. If you are a serious musician, my recommendation is to try as many violins as you possibly can. Have some fun with it. Visit different violin shops in your area, even if it is a far drive. Meet local violinmakers.

This could go on and on, and we could talk about all the different variables and other talking points, but I’ll try to be concise as I can. Back to the old vs. new argument. When comparing antique and new, don’t forget that antique instruments had their various levels of quality, just as new ones do. There were good old violins, and bad ones. There were instruments in the 1800s that were made by true master crafstmen, and there were others made by the thousands in factories, with profit primarily in mind, and quality as an afterthought.

If, for argument’s sake, there are two violins, one old and one new, and they are of the same level of quality, then now we have a real matchup. Keep in mind new violins are essentially newer copies of old violins. If you compare it to car buying, take for example that every year, the car manufacturer tries to improve upon the previous year’s model, both in terms of quality and of design. Maybe they add the latest technology, or maybe they come out with a more fuel efficient engine. This is not the case with violins. The technology, and method of making, has largely remained unchanged for hundreds of years. It is a very unique profession. On top of that, most modern products (especially cars) have a shelf life. Violins, if maintained well, can last for centuries, if not thousands of years. (Violins have only been around since the 1500s, so we don’t truly know how long they will last exactly.) Wood itself can keep its structure for thousands of years, even if it is no longer a living tree.

Now these two equal violins, one old and one new, let’s say both sound extraordinary. One will have authentic signs of aging, and the other will look new, or it might be artificially antiqued. Depending on the skill of the maker, makers who antique their instruments can easily deceive the untrained eye. So which one do you choose? We’ll get there! Looks come after sound, in any case…

The tone in older instruments is quite simply different. The wood has aged, the varnish has worn off, repairs may have been made. Often, antique violins tend to take on a more “mature” yet more mellow tone as they age it seems. New violins can sound equally outstanding in tone, but they may simply have different qualities. Words can’t really describe these things (sounds) too well.

Oh yea, which one do we choose?! Let’s say we have an old European instrument vs. a remarkable new instrument, made by a renowned violinmaker. The answer is simple. Which one do you like better? Which one fits you? Which one resonates more with who you are? Do you want the old instrument just because it’s old? Do you want the new just because it’s new? At the end of the day, choose the instrument like you’re choosing your best friend, because it will be with you a long time, and it will be with you through your ups and downs. When you know you’ve found your best friend, you just know. Cost, looks, and all the superficial things don’t factor into this decision. Which one fits you, like a puzzle piece? Resale value can be considered, but you need to just look at how much you have to spend, and choose the best option within that range. Good violins bring a certain amount of joy when you play them. It makes you want to keep playing on them on and on and on, and it makes you want to explore everything it has to offer.

You may come across many violins that you like, and you’ll find you may have many potential best friends. But it’s usually pretty simple to compare two instruments and say which one better suits you. If they both suit you, then you have an easy decision to make, because both choices are good ones.

And you might think that we are partial or biased towards antique violins because of our name, but that is simply not the case. We got our name based on how we started as an organization, not because we prefer antique over old. In fact, I’d argue that, when comparing two instruments of professional quality, you’re more likely to find that new makers offer the best value. You will get an extraordinary instrument from them, made by a person who is dedicated to his/her craft. Plus they are living and actually earn a living by making, so you are supporting them and their families when you buy new. Old instruments often need extra care, and they should not be neglected either. In a world where we so easily throw away things that are no longer of use, violins offer a chance to go against the grain in that regard, and provide the chance for luthiers and players to continue using them into eternity.

Also of note! Adjustments can be made to each instrument to make it sound a certain way, regardless of whether it is old or new. But best of luck in your search for your next instrument! If you have the option, why not choose both old and new? It can be quite a joy to play regularly on multiple, good violins. It’s like having more colors to paint your canvas with. Some days you want neutral & relaxing colors, other days you want bright & fun colors.