About L. Dalton Potter Expertise I have been involved in the violin trade for over 28 years. I am currently the President of The Potter Violin Company in Bethesda, MD. I can offer clients initial advice on the value, authenticity and quality of almost all bowed string instruments (violins, violas, cellos & basses) using good quality digital photos. I would decline to give final evaluations without examining instruments in person.
Experience Experience in Music Business: Charlie Byrd's Music House; 1977 - 1980
Senior violin technician: Violin House of Weaver; 1980 - 1996.
President: The Potter Violin Company; 1996 - Present
Organizations: Founding member;String Industry Council, Violin Society of America, American String Teachers Association, Guild of American Luthiers,
Suzuki Association of America, Publications; Journal of the American String Teacher's Association, American Suzuki Journal Education/Credentials;Berklee College of Music 1974 - 1977
Awards and Honors: Chester J. Patranek Award for Excellence in the Music Industry
Traugott Rohner Leadership in the Music Industry Award
(26 years of service - too many to list)
Expert: L. Dalton Potter Date: 4/27/2008 Subject: 20 inch violin
Question I have a 20" violin that is at least 70 yrs old. It is a model of Antonius Stadivarius Cremonenfis, Faciebat Anno 17 -- made by Jackson Guldan Violin Co in Columbus, OH. It is in remarkable condition with only 1 peg missing and tightening screw on end of bow, and of course, strings. Is there any call for such small instruments and do you have any guess as to value? Thanks for info. CM
Answer Hi Cate,
The traditional method for sizing a violin is to measure the length of the back, not including the "bump" where the neck joins the body.
In answer to your question, yes, there is a specialty market for older student instruments. Many shops (like mine) will buy them for a couple hundred dollars and the put another few hundred dollars into restoration costs and then provide them to the public at a modest margin above cost. Because these violins are usually only played for about two years as the student grows through them they can't be sold for a lot of money; most parents hope to trade the smaller size instruments (like this one) back to their local violin shop as they move along into bigger and bigger sizes without making a large investment in the temporary student violin. The American musical instrument companies generally did not actually make the violins they sold; they were mostly produced in Germany for resale. Yard sale and flea-market prices run between $100 and $200 depending upon condition. The used bows and cases generally don't have much value at all.
Hope this Helps.
Dalton Potter
