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Investing
Insights and Perspectives
- Although Stradivariuses and other fine musical instruments command top prices today, their prices have varied over the years - subject to economic conditions and trends and fashions, just like anything else.
- Over the years, violin-makers had to sometimes use plainer and less costly materials during poorer economic times.
- Around 1775 it is believed that an Amati violin was more highly valued than that of Stradivari – nearly four times more.
- Stradivariuses increased significantly in value during 1820 and 1830 and then again from 1857 to 1886, partly due to their reputation and partly due to the increasing popularity and development of music, and especially violin-playing.
- Today an average violin cannot be purchased for less than £600 to £1,000, while a top fine instrument is worth anywhere from £100,000 to £2,500,000.
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The six determinants to the value of fine instruments: - Attribution
- Quality
- Condition
- Provenance
- Freshness to the market
- Fashion
| The value of Stradivari and Guarneri violins has tripled since 1990 and some of the rarest violins can double in price within 10 years. An early Stradivari violin (1686) which was sold in 1941 for £1,000 was resold in 1993 for £330,000, a 11.8% return per year.
While violins still top the list of most expensive instruments, guitars are catching up quickly, especially those attached to celebrity names. Eric Clapton’s ‘Blackie’ guitar – the most expensive guitar ever sold – was auctioned off for $959,500 in 2004 at Christie’s New York.
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| Although there has historically been a demand for musical instruments that exceeds supply, causing substantial increases in value, there is no guarantee that this will be the case in the future. Demand for musical instruments of a particular type may be affected by regional or world trends and tastes. |
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