About Michael Avagliano Expertise I can answer questions about the violin family of instruments, including violins, violas, cellos and their bows. I can give advice on repair issues, valuation, and authenticity, although exact appraisals are not possible through the Web. If you'd like an appraisal of a particular instrument, and you tell me your location, I can usually find someone in your area to take it to for help. I have no expertise in fretted instruments (guitars, mandolins, etc.).
Experience 17 years of experience working in violin shops across the US, including 4 years of owning my own firm in New Jersey and 3 years working as director of sales for one of the best-known firms in the world. Also, as a professional musician, I've known the violin all my life.
Education/Credentials BM, Indiana University School of Music; AS, String Instrument Technology, Indiana University; MM, Rutgers University. I also have spent 24 years as a professional violinist and violist, and 17 years repairing, restoring, and dealing in instruments.
Question QUESTION: I have a Violin that was given to me. My grandmother said she was told it was a Stratavires ( i know that is spelled wrong) It was my great grandfathers. It does not have a label something on the the violin say's germany. The case it has a metal plate with GEIB Chicago stamped on it. Do you know how i can tell what kind it is? What year?
I also have a Mandolin (gibson) that was made in the late 1800's. Who can help me with that? I have the serial number for it.
ANSWER: Hi Barbara,
Well, violins with a Stradivari label (that are not actually by Stradivari) have been produced since before the maker's death in 1737, so saying that it has a label with that name doesn't do us much good. The "made in Germany" addition that many labels have occurred when the US changed its customs laws with the outbreak of World War I, so any violin made before that wouldn't have any notation of the country of origin.
Unfortunately, with the information you've given me, there's absolutely nothing I can tell you about the instrument. The case is incidental, for the reason that the case may not be the one the violin originally came in, and at any rate, old cases are generally worthless. Without more information, such as pictures or a detailed description of the violin, there's no way to put any kind of date or origin on the violin.
If you have pictures and would like to send them, I'll be happy to take a look at them. In the meantime, I would recommend taking it to a qualified violin shop for examination. The website www.violinist.com has a fairly comprehensive listing by state.
Good luck!
Sincerely,
Michael
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QUESTION: Thanks after looking at the bow which reads
oskar c. meinel I think the violin may be this also. I looked that name up on line and the violin looks JUST like the one in the picture. Only difference is there is no chin thingy. There is no label that I can see inside the Violin. So where can I sell this? I am almost afraid to have this at our house due to the boys playing with it. They are drummers,Guitar, Trumpet and Piano players. Also who can I talk to about a really old Mandolin?
ANSWER: Hi Barbara,
Well, just in case, Oskar Meinel was a trade name of the Ernst Heinrich Roth firm. There was a maker with that name, but his instruments are very rare and are labeled as such. The Roth firm essentially bought the rights to use the name and made workshop-level instruments with it for about 40 years. It was done for marketing purposes, so that one shop could be the "sole importer" for Oskar Meinel and another the "sole importer" of Ernst Heinrich Roth. Many German workshops did this, so it's not unusual.
That being said, Meinel workshop instruments are usually labeled, and in addition, many carry an internal brand stamp as well. So the lack of a label or any identifying mark inside the violin throws up a red flag or two.
As far as taking care of it, as long as the boys are using it as a violin and not a wiffleball bat, it should be all right. If the instrument's in playing condition (with a good bridge, strings, and so on), it's better off being played than sitting in its case. However, if you're worried about its lifespan, then the best place for it would be in its case in a corner of the room (not the closet).
Concerning selling it, if it's not in playing shape, that makes it more difficult, because selling a violin privately usually involves the buyer testing it for sound quality. Some violin shops will buy instruments that are in disrepair for restoration and sale, and there are also instrument auctions that cater to the less expensive end of the violin market (as opposed to master instruments that sell in the five and six-figure range).
If you'd like, you can contact me for more information through my shop at (732) 549-3382.
Good luck!
Sincerely,
Michael
P.S. Mandolins are another breed entirely. There aren't many qualified mandolin makers or repairers, and guitarmakers usually can't do the first thing with them because they're built differently. If you let me know where you're located, I might be able to come up with a few names for you, but it's not nearly as easy as finding a violin shop.
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QUESTION: I live in the Savannah Ga area. Its a Gibson Mandolin, I think style A1 or A4. Its written in Pencil on the label and hard to tell. The serial number is 17050.
Answer Hi Barbara,
Well, I wish I could give you some information about the mandolin, but I'm honestly at a loss. I don't know the first thing about them. Your best bet for finding someone in Georgia who might be able to tell you more would be Reggie Williams at Williams Gengakki Violins in Atlanta. I don't think he'd be able to tell you much about it, but he might know someone in the area who could help you. He can be contacted through their website.
