Any Musicians Here?

[Sirgin]

Hmmm, it's certainly an old violin and of great emotional value to you considering your great-grandfather used to own it. But I don't think there is such thing as the "Antonius Stradivarius" company. Because he was so famous, even during his own lifetime, copies started being made from the 19th century onwards. All with a similar label that Antonio Stradivari used. These copies range from good to poor quality and there are hundreds of thousands of them. Yours probably is one too. But that doesn't make it a bad violin, don't get me wrong. It's just a little misguided to call it a Stradivarius, as if it was made by the man himself. If that were the case, your violin could easily be worth 2-3 millions.

Interesting reads: http://www.holeintheweb.c...d/StradivariusViolins.htm and http://artiquesroadshow.c.../Stradivarius_Violins.htm

[Razor Knuckles]

Yeah I never had it appraised so I don't know the exact details of it myself. But it's a interesting piece to have in my possession. I have no plans on selling it, I just want to fix it up and play it. I don't really care for it monetary value, the sentimental value alone is cool enough for me.

[Fleach]

If that's an authentic Strad then it's worth BIG money, even in its current condition. I agree that this instrument has significant sentimental value to you. That's great. You can't a price on that.

Having said that, I'd still look into having it authenticated/appraised.

I feel the same about my '76 Rickenbacker. I bought it from a music store employee, who bought it from someone else. It's got some history. The pickgaurd is cracked, the finish has chipped away in certain areas, the back has beautiful buckle rash. It's great!

[Razor Knuckles]

^ I'm sure it's a copy/replica based on his original design.as Sirgin stated. I'm no professional at telling who exactly made it but it feels very well built and I'm sure it's hand made given the age. Their is a name carved into the neck which isn't anybody I know from my family. Maybe it's from the person that made it?  

[Fleach]

Either that or a previous owner. I've never heard of luthiers engraving their mark/name into the neck. Those pieces of info are usually found on the inside of the body. Any pictures?

[Razor Knuckles]

Inside the body is very hard to take a picture of other than the one I posted earlier, the camera wants to focus on the outside wood more than the label.  half the sticker label inside is deteriorated. As far as the name on the neck I can't quite make it out as it's like a doctors signature and hard to read, almost looks like it says Edna.

[img width=700 height=525]http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/RazorKnuckles/name017.jpg[/img]

[Fleach]

Let me start off by saying that's a great looking violin. It's got character and it's fantastic that's it has stayed within the family for so long.

Having a name etched into the fingerboard is weird. My guess is that's a previous owner (student maybe?). But that doesn't change the sentimental value this instrument must have for you.

I'd suggest getting that baby a new new bridge and restringing it as soon as possible. Let me know when that happens and thanks for sharing those pictures.

[Razor Knuckles]

Yeah I'll get it up and running in the next few months.  I don't want to refinish it as I like the beat up look from it's age. I'm sure it will cost me around $200 to get it playing again.