Violin Forum/Message Board

Mat Roop

I have an acquaintance in the Sarasota / Tampa area of Florida who would like a reference for a reputable violin appraiser... any recommendations?
Thanks, Mat

FiddleDoug · Member Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 227 Location: Hilton, NY

Matt,
My brother-in-law sent me an article from a Tampa newspaper, about two guys who have opened a violin shop in the Tampa area. They are apparently the only shop in the area. I thought that I had saved the article, but can't find it.
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www.wallindependent.com

Mat Roop · Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 11:12 am Post subject:

Thanks Doug... sure seems like there is nothing much going on in the violin world in Florida! I've sent an email to the Tampa Bay Symphony Orchestra to see who they use... but no reply yet... Cheers, mat

Michael Darnton · Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 11:14 am Post subject:

I think it depends if the violin is anything. For anything where you'd need a real appraisal, the closest place is likely to be some large northern city.
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Spudchucker · Member Joined: 06 Feb 2014 Posts: 39

I found these guys with a Google search (might be the shop mentioned in post 2?) https://www.facebook.com/violinshoptampa

I don't have the slightest clue how legitimate they are though.

Michael- Is it common to package an instrument and ship it somewhere to be appraised by someone qualified? Might be another option for OP if so

Michael Darnton · Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 2:33 pm Post subject:

It's very normal to send photographs, and from those a good shop can give you a good idea whether pursuing things farther is a good idea. What's needed is a good clear shot of the full front, back and side of the head, only. from exactly straight on.

I can't tell you how many times I've told people this and gotten photos from any angle but straight, along with 20 pix of details I don't need to see. Straight means straight, not two inches over to the side. Because the things we need to see are so subtle, anything else is useless for this purpose.
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new blog at my site! http://darntonviolins.com/blog
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