Hi,

I don't venture much inot the Strings forum on account of not currently playing my violin!
However, I was looking at my violin the other day, specifically at the label inside. It says "Jacobus Stainer in ABSAM prope Oenipontum 1794". I looked up Stainer violins, but it appears they were made in c17. It also says that Stainer copies are stamped on the back - mine isn't. Could it be a real one? I bought it from a violin repairer of sorts who just told me that it was German and was worth a lot originally but was damaged so not any more (I bought it for £250).

Anyone know about Stainer violins? I'm not bothered about getting it valued or anything, would just be interested to know!

Cat

A real Stainer would be worth a lot, it is probably a good copy.

A good dealer would be able to give you an opinion.

That was what I thought. It might be a bad copy.... it sounds pretty good but I don't know anything about violins! Thanks

As an afterthought, Stainer was Austrian wasn't he? That violin man must have had no clue!

Stainer was Austrian, but a lot of Stainer copies were made in Germany.

After Stradivari, Stainer violins were the next most copied instruments. During the 19th century and early 20th century, thousands of these copies were churned out of factories/workshops to satisfy the eager public demand to learn to play a musical instrument. The biggest giveaway of copies is the label and the varnish. I've been around string instruments for long enough to be able to spot commercially made instruments, or 'trade' violins as they are sometimes referred to. Amateur makers also sprung up around Europe and later in America, plying punters with their own rather more 'homemade' copies, with varying degrees of success in playability.

I can say for sure, if the violin had been a genuine Stainer, the repairer you bought it from would have known what it was and wouldn't have sold it to you for £250 - even if the instrument was in need of repairs.

Many people think they have a acquired a valuable instrument, either through a purchase or from benefitting from a Will, but it rarely happens. If a violin owned by a family member is a 'genuine article', then it would have either been auctioned by the owner for lots of cash, or family members would have almost been murdering each other to get their hands on it - so that they could sell it for loads of dosh instead.

Most valuable violins/violas/cellos/basses by highly acclaimed makers have been un-earthed and are now either in the hands of private collectors, top soloists, or form part of a collection at a conservatoire such as the York Gate Collections at the Royal Academy of Music.

Thanks guys! Whatever it is it makes a lovely sound... which is what counts!!

Definitely! As long as you're happy with it, that's all that matters...

A high priced violin might look nice and it might have a fancy makers name, but it doesn't guarantee the tone you want. Money can't buy sound.

Some of the violinists from the English National Opera Orchestra have been playing on the top grade of Yita Music violins from Shanghai in China. They cost around £500 but have a terrific tone. Once set up with decent strings and new bridge, they make excellent teaching or touring instruments.

Some of the better Chinese violins and cellos are also finding their way into the London orchestras.......

That's the company I've used.....the violins are amazing for what you pay (less than £100 for a basic model)