Fine Instruments, Makers and Stories

Violin valuation is a topic that interests musicians, collectors, and investors alike. Whether you inherited an old violin, are thinking about buying one, or already own a valuable instrument, understanding how violins are valued can help you make better financial and artistic decisions. Unlike mass-produced instruments, violins often gain value over time, especially when they […]

The decision to invest in a viola can be life-changing for musicians, collectors, and educators. This instrument plays a fundamental role in shaping the richness and depth of an ensemble, and the quality of the viola directly influences the sound a musician can produce. Understanding viola prices is therefore not simply about budgeting. It is […]

All musicians want to improve their performance at some point, and if you have been in the music world for a little longer, you know that accessories have a very important role in this. It's normal for musicians to change them once and a while, but is there a right time? When should you replace […]

Ferdinando Gagliano is one of the most prominent violin makers in Naples, and his instruments are prized for their bold, bright sound. This instrument is described as being "of excellent quality" and having a rich, singing sound with a very powerful projection and broad resonance. Violin By Ferdinando Gagliano, Naples, 1771 Covered with a lovely […]

When we talk about finding the perfect or the best violin for you, does it come to mind if a traditional handcrafted or industrialized violin would fit you better? Well, this kind of question is typical when you are considering your options to buy a new instrument, and in the violin market, there are two […]

What Violin did Paganini play? Housed since 1851 in Genova inside Palazzo Doria Tursi, is one of Guarneri’s most wonderful masterpieces. ‘Il Cannone’ was Niccolò Paganini’s affectionate instrument and today is exhibited in a particular room inside the museum; along with the ‘Cannone’ visitors can see the fittings and some other accessories owned by Paganini. […]

The history of bow making is an amazing topic and with many interesting facts! But how much do you know of the skillful bow makers who developed and shaped our modern violin bow as it is today? The French bow-making tradition has its roots in Mirecourt, a small town in the Vosgian mountains in France. The […]

Violin Scrolls: carved into the tops of fine violins, violas and cellos are distinctive scroll designs, the decorative woodcarving that showcases the violinmaker's skill as a maker and craftsman. Originated in the Baroque era, they are typically carved as a shape of a volute or rolled up the spiral and have also appeared as human or animal heads. The volute […]

The violin facts you didn't know You've probably heard the history of the violin at some point, but did you know any of these violin facts? One of the most recognized instruments in the world, the violin, just like other instruments, has its history and some fascinating facts that you may not know yet. So let’s jump together […]

Around the mid-term of the 1700s, the Classical Period Music took over since the Baroque era was winding down, and it lasted approximately until 1820. What was the Classical period music? The music of the Baroque period was more ordered and complex than that of the Classical period, which focused on simplifying things a little bit […]