What we do at Vintage Instruments

Sales of Vintage & New Instruments

Whether you are looking for a unique vintage instrument, or a fine modern interpretation of a classic, we can assist in the search and selection. The shop’s focus is acoustic instruments, and we have particular affinity for the tried and true, terrific craftsmanship, gorgeous materials, and singular accomplishments that include all of these. Above all, we like instruments that sound great.

Strings & Accessories

We understand how important it is to choose the correct strings, cases, fittings and accessories for you and your instrument. Whether you are looking for a comfortable capo, new strings, or a wonderful guitar strap, our selection includes a wide variety of high quality choices to suit a broad range of desires and budgets. Our staff are happy to help you navigate the range of options and translate your needs and preferences into choices that work.

Appraisals

Written appraisals serve a variety of purposes. For instance, they may be written for insurance purposes, for tax deductible charitable donations, estate settlement issues, or as documentation of a collection. In any case, a proper appraisal entails examination of the instrument to determine condition, origin and authenticity. We have the experience to recommend what type of appraisal you need and to accomplish the work for you. Appraisal services are by appointment.

Expertise

Over forty years experience in the field of musical instruments provides special perspective in helping with solutions for the instrument related questions and issues faced by individuals, collectors, and institutions. We are happy to assist with small problems that call for quick, brilliant ideas, as well as large projects requiring a deeper multi-faceted approach to planning, evaluation, documentation, restoration, and more.

Repairs & Service

Vintage Instruments has long been a center for fine instruments and craftsmanship. The luthiers in our workshop are independent makers of violins, violas, celli and bows. In addition, they restore and maintain instruments of the violin family. Violin makers Raija Eggert, Sara Peck and John Thorell specialize in violin restoration, and bow maker Steve Salchow takes care of the bows. We also sell the instruments they make. Whether you need a bow rehair, simple cleaning, tune-up, or major restoration, they are well qualified to work with your instrument. The shop provides follow up care for fretted instruments we have sold. For all other fretted instrument projects we can help evaluate your instrument and recommend skilled craftspeople who can help with your repair or maintenance needs.

Special Orders

New ideas often come to our attention through our customers. If we don’t have exactly what you are looking, please ask us! We’re happy to try and track it down and order it if we can. If we can’t, we’ll still try to help you. Custom instruments by makers such as C.F. Martin guitars and Ome banjos are projects we relish. Bring us your ideas, and we’ll help navigate the options to bring your ideas into focus and become a reality.

We do welcome your inquiries about our services, or instruments in the shop. Many questions can be answered by reading through the information elsewhere on our web site. We do not provide online appraisals. If you are not in the Philadelphia area or it is inconvenient to schedule an appraisal appointment at the shop, we recommend speaking to your local musical instrument shop to find someone in your area who can help with your appraisal needs. Otherwise, phone us with questions about our instruments or services during shop hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 215-545-1100.

Some of the most frequently asked questions we receive, and thoughtful answers:

Q. Do we purchase instruments?

Q. Can you appraise (or give me a ballpark figure for) my instrument over the phone or by email?

A. No. Unfortunately, a professional appraisal requires an examination of the instrument since authentication and condition are important factors in the value of the instrument. We are happy to schedule an appointment for a proper appraisal, just call and set it up, and we do charge for appraisals. If you are not in the Philadelphia area, check with shops in your locale for assistance in this matter. For general information, you might also consult some of the many good books currently available about musical instruments. A well stocked library or bookstore may be very helpful in this regard.

The Strad magazine publishes their directory online. You should be able to use this to locate a violin shop with appraisal services in your area. http://www.thestrad.com/

Q. Is my violin a genuine Stradivari (Amati, Guarneri, Guadagnini, Stainer...)?

A. Unfortunately, if you are not sure, the greatest likelihood is that it is not. Hundreds of thousands of violins were produced in large workshops and factories in Germany, France and Czechoslovakia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of these bear the facsimile labels of such famous makers as Antonius Stradivarius, Joseph Guarnerius, Guadagnini, Maggini, Amati, Bergonzi, Stainer, and others. The facsimile labels were used to indicate that the instrument was styled after or inspired by a model made by one of these early makers. These instruments were produced to satisfy the needs of student and amateur musicians for useful and affordable instruments, and sold inexpensively through music shops and catalogs (like Sears and Montgomery Ward). In order to determine whether your violin can be put in good order and be made playable you should make an appointment with a violin shop in your area.

Q. Egad, my instrument was stolen. What should I do?

If your instrument is stolen report it to the police immediately. Even though it can be a pain in the neck, you will need this report should the instrument ever turn up. Be sure to include a full description, as well as a serial number or any other unique identifying information. There is always the possibility that the police will recover your instrument. If the instrument is relatively new, notify the manufacturer since some maintain databases of stolen instrument information. Additionally, send notices to reputable shops and repairers in your area. Some publications, such as Vintage Guitar magazine, have free classified sections where you can advertise your stolen instrument. Stolen violins should be reported to the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers and Maestronet for inclusion in their stolen instruments registry.