How can I sell my violin now?

Here is the whole process, honestly, including the parts that take time.

Step one - find out what it is

Before anything else, you need to know roughly what you have. A free valuation takes photographs and about three weeks, or three days if you pay for the express service. Or come to a valuation day.

There is a reason to do this first beyond the obvious. Knowing what an instrument is worth changes how people feel about selling it. Some people discover it is worth more than they thought and decide to keep it. That is a perfectly good outcome and we would rather you reached it before the thing is in a catalogue.

Send photographs

Step two - talk to us

Ring us on +44 (0)20 7099 7114 or send an email, and we will tell you which sale suits the instrument and when it runs.

Some instruments want the specialist sale. Some do better in the affordable sale, where the buyers are looking for exactly that. Putting an instrument in the wrong sale is one of the easier ways to get a disappointing result.

Step three - the research, if it needs it

If the instrument merits it, our specialists will do the work: archive research, consultancy, and dendrochronology where the dating is worth establishing.

When that is done you can sell with us or have the instrument back. No obligation either way.

Step four - the sale

Your instrument is catalogued, photographed, and goes into the next suitable auction.

We photograph everything in 360 degrees, which as far as we know nobody else in this trade does. It matters more than it sounds. A buyer three thousand miles away can turn your violin over and look at the wear on the ribs, and buyers who can see properly bid more confidently.

We have auctions almost every month, although there are four specialist sales spaced throughout the year. There is nearly always an auction waiting for your instrument.

When auction is not the right answer

Sometimes it is not.

If you have an instrument that a player needs to try before buying, or something with a very narrow market, a dealer may serve you better than a saleroom. We will say so. We would rather tell you that than take on something that is going to sit unsold and come back to you looking tired.

Ready?

Start with a free valuation. Send photographs, or book a valuation day. If you would like the longer version first, read more about selling at auction or see our upcoming auctions.