# Amati Instruments LLM Directory Amati is a premier online auction house specializing in the sale of violins, violas, cellos, and bows. Operating globally with at least ten auctions a year—including Specialist and Affordable sales—Amati offers expert and transparent services to international buyers and private sellers alike. The platform features industry-first 360° high-fidelity instrument photography and provides free online and in-person auction valuations across England, Europe, and worldwide. ## Key Pages - [Selling](https://amati.com/selling-at-auction/): A step-by-step guide to selling your stringed instrument or bow at auction with Amati, from free valuation to consignment and final payment. - [Buying](https://amati.com/buying-at-auction/): Information and step-by-step guidance on bidding, registering, and buying quality stringed instruments and bows at Amati auctions. - [Valuations](https://amati.com/valuations/): Access free, expert valuations for violins, violas, cellos, and bows online, via video call, or at in-person valuation days. - [Auction Calendar](https://amati.com/auctions/): Overview of Amati's Specialist and Affordable auctions held throughout the year, featuring detailed online catalogs and viewing days. - [Archive](https://amati.com/makers-archive/): A comprehensive database containing historical instrument auction sales price records and detailed violin and bow maker biographies. - [Key Guides](https://amati.com/blog-category/auction-guides/): Educational articles and expert advice covering buying, selling, and investing in stringed musical instruments. - [Buying Guides](https://amati.com/blog-category/buying-guides/): Focus on instrument selection, child sizing, and buyer considerations. - [Selling Guides](https://amati.com/blog-category/selling-guides/): Focus on maximizing sale value, valuation insights, and consignment. - [Contact](https://amati.com/contact/): Get in touch with Amati's specialists to arrange shipping, book appointments, or ask questions. --- ## Page: Valuations (https://amati.com/valuations/) Valuations at Amati Fine Instrument Valuations How much is your stringed instrument worth? Valuations, online and in person Amati specialists travel the world valuing instruments. We also provide valuations online. Although we plant trees to try and offset our carbon emissions, we certainly do the miles at Amati. Offering home-visits as well as valuation days around the world, we try to make it as easy as possible for clients to consign their violin, viola or cello to auction. You can even fill in an online valuation form and we can do our best from photographs. Selling made simple What is my stringed instrument worth? Find out now. Fill in Amati’s simple online valuation form and upload a few photographs. Amati also offer insurance valuations. Visit Us 10a Chandos Street London W1G 9DQ (by appointment) Instrument Archive Instrument price guide With over 40,000 auction records from the last forty years, we try to provide the clearest possible record of the price history of any given instrument or bow maker. We update our price data regularly (and frequently), so you can have confidence that the price history is as relevant as possible. Extensive biographies allow you to research and cross reference over 14,000 makers of instruments and bows. We commissioned John Dilworth to research and write about makers around the world in a project taking years. Read it for free online here. Valuation Days What happens at a Valuation Day? The specialists at Amati have spent years travelling around the world looking at violins, viola and cellos. The discovery of a beautiful instrument is always a special event. Arrange a video valuation If you'd prefer to answer questions in a video call rather than using an online form, you can arrange a video valuation with Amati. **Stories from valuation days** "The widow of a well-known Eastern European violinist brought us his violin to value. We knew straight away that the instrument was a good one – it had a gorgeous back of oppio wood, a reliable indicator of quality. There were a number of makers who could have made the violin, so extensive research was necessary and the research took some time. Eventually, the violin was sold for a good price and the client was very happy. I think she enjoyed the relaxed and informal nature of the valuation day. She also appreciated the care we took with our research on her instrument." **Stories from valuation days** "A client recently achieved a superb result with a violin in an Amati Affordable Auction. He had inherited the violin from a dear family friend with whom his father used to play music. The violin had great sentimental value and, as it turned out, significant financial value. After some feverish bidding, the violin eventually sold for a hammer price of £37,500. The client was delighted. “I am amazed and, naturally, very pleased” were his words." **Stories from valuation days** "A few months ago, a man brought a violin to an Amati valuation day. It had been in the family for some time and he didn’t know what it was or how much it was worth. We researched it for him and found it to be a rare Francesco Gobetti violin, which we later sold for a wonderful six figures." The widow of a well-known Eastern European violinist brought us his violin to value. We knew straight away that the instrument was a good one – it had a gorgeous back of oppio wood, a reliable indicator of quality. There were a number of makers who could have made the violin, so extensive research was necessary and the research took some time. Eventually, the violin was sold for a good price and the client was very happy. I think she enjoyed the relaxed and informal nature of the valuation day. She also appreciated the care we took with our research on her instrument. A client recently achieved a superb result with a violin in an Amati Affordable Auction. He had inherited the violin from a dear family friend with whom his father used to play music. The violin had great sentimental value and, as it turned out, significant financial value. After some feverish bidding, the violin eventually sold for a hammer price of £37,500. The client was delighted. “I am amazed and, naturally, very pleased” were his words. A few months ago, a man brought a violin to an Amati valuation day. It had been in the family for some time and he didn’t know what it was or how much it was worth. We researched it for him and found it to be a rare Francesco Gobetti violin, which we later sold for a wonderful six figures. Common questions about instrument valuations Our valuations are absolutely free and without obligation on your part. ### Why do we value instruments for free? We are often asked why we offer free stringed instrument valuations. The simple answer is because some people wish to sell their instruments and we hope they will sell through us. There is, of course, absolutely no obligation, expectation or assumption from us that this will be the case. Read more ### What happens at a Valuation Day? An appointment at a valuation day is rather like being part of the television programme, Antiques Roadshow. People bring in stringed musical instruments and specialists from Amati appraise them. And, as in the programme, there can be exciting news or disappointment. Read more ### Where can I get a violin valuation? You can get your stringed instrument valued with Amati either online or in person at our offices in London and Monmouthshire. Either way, it is easy to get a reliable, free, auction valuation of your violin, viola, cello, and bows. Amati also offer insurance valuations for £50, either online or at their valuation days. Read more --- ## Page: Selling (https://amati.com/selling-at-auction/) Auctions at Amati Selling at Auction Trusted around the world and with eleven sales a year, Amati sells instruments at all price levels, from the student to the soloist. Selling at auction With auctions almost every month, Amati is well-placed to help you sell your instrument. Sometimes instruments and bows require closer inspection in order to establish who made it and its potential value. With your agreement, our specialists will run the process which will include archive research, consultancy and, where necessary, dendrochronology. When the research has been completed, you may wish to sell your instrument with Amati or request that it is returned. Amati auctions Valuations with Amati Fill in Amati’s simple online valuation form and upload some photographs. Amati also offer insurance valuations. Amati auctions Our Auction Platform Browsing and bidding for instruments takes place on our Live Online Auction page on the Amati website. Selling your instrument at an Amati auction We are the only stringed instrument auctioneers who use 360° photography, which gives our buyers a clear view of the quality of your instrument. ### Valuation The first step is to find out how much your stringed instrument or bow is worth and, where possible, establish who made it. You could have your instrument valued online with Amati’s simple online valuation service. Our specialists will look carefully at the images you submit and give you an estimate of the sort of price you might expect your instrument to achieve at auction. They may ask you for a little more information before they give an estimate. Start an online valuation Alternatively, Amati hold free, no obligation, valuation days for violins, violas, cellos and bows. Our Valuations page will help you find the nearest valuation day near you, and we encourage you to make an appointment. Book a Valuation Day appointment During your appointment, or in your online valuation, our specialists will be able to advise what the current market value is for your instrument. They will give you a price range in which they believe your instrument will be sold. A high percentage of instruments will be sold within that range; a few exceed it, and a few do not. You should always be aware that your instrument may make only the lower end of the estimate range. Our specialists will also recommend which auction will be the most appropriate for the sale of your instrument. If your instrument is consigned to a Specialist Auction, you and the specialist will agree a reserve price, under which your instrument will not be sold. ### Research Sometimes instruments and bows require closer inspection in order to establish who made it and its potential value. With your agreement, our specialists will run the process which will include archive research, consultancy and, where necessary, dendrochronology. When the research has been completed, you may wish to sell your instrument with Amati or request that it is returned. ### Consignment If you decide to sell your instrument, the next step is to complete a consignment form. The consignment form is a written record of the agreed estimates, the reserve (if you and the specialist choose to set one) and the costs of sale, which include our standard seller’s fee. Amati offers an optional Loss & Damage Liability warranty at a charge of 1.5% +VAT of the hammer price. You may not need this if your instrument is already covered by your household or specific musical instrument insurance. If you do choose to use our insurance cover, then that cost will also be deducted from the hammer price. Our specialists and office staff are always happy to answer any questions you have about the auction process. If you consign your instrument on a Valuation day, Amati’s specialists are equipped to carry your instrument safely back to the UK offices. Amati can also accept instruments by post or courier. If you are concerned about your instrument’s safe carriage, we recommend you use an Amati Box, which is a bespoke cardboard box designed and tested for the safe and cost-effective shipping of instruments. Amati can also arrange shipping from your home to their offices. Contact Amati to arrange shipping ### The Auction Back in Amati’s UK offices, we will describe and photograph your instrument in preparation for the auction catalogue. We are the only stringed instrument auctioneers who use 360° photography, which gives our buyers a clear view of the quality of your instrument. The auction catalogue is published online and is, in effect, a sophisticated online auction platform. It is available to view as a live auction for ten days before the auction end date. As with most online auctions, the majority of the bidding activity takes place in the final moments of the auction. ### After The Auction You will receive an email a few days after the auction informing you if your instrument was sold or unsold. If it sold, we will request payment information. Payment is sent by bank transfer 35 days after the auction date. We can also issue a Sterling cheque to UK clients, if that if your preference. If your instrument did not sell, we will recommend new, usually slightly lower estimates and a new auction date. However, Amati has an excellent sales rate, with many of our auctions achieving 90% sales. If your instrument did not sell in the auction itself, it is very likely to be sold in the Aftersales, where our strong personal sales and networking skills come into play. Instruments consigned to an Amati Affordable Auction have a reserve price of £10. Your instrument will be sold for whatever price the market decides it is worth. If your instrument is consigned to an Amati Specialist Auction, you and the specialist will have set a reserve price, under which the instrument will not be sold without your specific agreement. We aim, throughout the auction process, to achieve a fair price for the instruments that we sell. **Words from our customers** "Many thanks again to you and your colleagues, especially Oswald for the work undertaken to achieve a very good outcome in the sale of my violin and bow." **Words from our customers** "I was impressed with your complete service from my initial email and phone call to the fund transfer and everything in between" **Words from our customers** "It’s hard not to be pleased. Straight, clear information and regular updates. I give Charlott and James at Amati honours and my warmest recommendations." Many thanks again to you and your colleagues, especially Oswald for the work undertaken to achieve a very good outcome in the sale of my violin and bow. I was impressed with your complete service from my initial email and phone call to the fund transfer and everything in between It’s hard not to be pleased. Straight, clear information and regular updates. I give Charlott and James at Amati honours and my warmest recommendations. Why sell with Amati? If you sell with Amati, there is a very good chance that your violin will sell. We usually achieve an 80% sale rate (or more) for our Fine Stringed Instrument Auctions, and we have a 100% sale rate for our Amati Affordable Auctions. - 92% Sale Rate for our Fine Stringed Instrument Auctions in 2023 - 100% Sale Rate for our Amati Affordable Auctions. Sale Rate for our Fine Stringed Instrument Auctions in 2023 Our Auctions --- ## Page: Buying (https://amati.com/buying-at-auction/) Auctions at Amati Buying at Auction Amati sells violins, violas, cellos and bows for every budget and level of skill Buying at auction Violins, violas, cellos and bows for every budget and level of skill. Whether you're looking for a child’s first violin to a fine instrument for a professional musician, our experienced and friendly team is at hand to help throughout the buying process. Amati holds viewing days where you can examine and try out the instruments we have on offer. If you wish, you can discuss your individual instrument requirements with our specialists or register your interest in a particular sort of instrument with us. Amati auctions Our Auction Platform Browsing and bidding for instruments takes place on our Live Online Auction page on the Amati website. Past Sales We have an instrument for everyone Amati sells a broad range of violins, violas, cellos and bows suitable for those just starting out to internationally recognised soloists. A violin by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini, Turin, circa 1771 *Including premiums – Sold in our June 2023 Specialist auction A violin by a member of the Rugeri family, Cremona, circa 1710 *Including premiums - Sold in our January 2024 Specialist auction *Including premiums - Sold in our June 2023 Specialist auction Buying at Auction Amati sells more instruments than any other auction house in the world. If you are looking for a violin, viola or cello, we can probably help. ### Auction viewing Amati sells violins, violas, cellos and bows for every budget and level of skill, from a child’s first violin to the fine instruments of the professional musician. Our experienced and friendly team is at hand to help throughout the buying process. Amati holds viewing days where you can examine and try out the instruments we have on offer. If you wish, you can discuss your individual instrument requirements with our specialists or register your interest in a particular sort of instrument with us. ### Registering to bid To bid on any of the items (known as Lots) you wish to buy, you need to register as a buyer. We recommend that you register in good time (at least an hour before a lot is due to end), as your registration must be processed before any bids are accepted. Register to bid. ### Placing bids Once registered, you will be able to bid for items you want in Amati auctions. You can set your price by selecting a fixed increment from drop-down lists tailored to each lot. Bids can be placed from the time the live auction is published online until the auction closes. Each lot has a specific end time, as indicated by the ticking clock on each lot. However, should bids be placed in the final 120 seconds, the end time will automatically extend by 5 minutes. This will continue to happen until there is just one bidder left, at which point bidding ceases on that lot. If you wish, email notifications can sent be sent to you throughout the auction informing you of lots you have won or lots you’ve been outbid on. ### After the auction Once the auction has finished, you will receive an email informing you if your bid was successful. An invoice will be emailed the day after the auction, or as soon as we have the shipping quotation. We will also include our commission (22% + VAT) on your final, successful bid (the hammer price). A London collection day at The Langham Hotel is arranged after each auction. Lots for shipping are carefully packed in-house and collected by our shippers a fortnight after the auction end date. Information on Amati Shipping ### The aftersales Occasionally, not all the lots in an auction are sold. If this is the case, we hold bidding open for the unsold lots. Emails are sent out to the registered bidders straight after the auction is closed. The email lists which lots did not sell and what their estimates were. If you wish to make an offer on any of the remaining lots, contact elena@amati.com as soon as you can. Auction Guides Instrument auctions made easy **Words from our customers** "Thank you very much for your part in arranging our instrument valuation with Simon in Colchester yesterday. The experience greatly exceeded our expectations in the level of individual attention we received and care that he took over explaining the finer details. It was a very enjoyable and enlightening session; please pass on our thanks to him again." — Elaine Henson and Stephen Mitchell **Words from our customers** "It’s hard not to be pleased. Straight, clear information and regular updates. I give Charlott and James at Amati honours and my warmest recommendations." **Words from our customers** "I took my violin and a couple of bows to be valued at The Amati Exhibition at The Langham. The service was absolutely excellent. I was also shown the collection of instruments being auctioned and James Buchanan and his colleagues imparted so much knowledge and were really helpful and very friendly. Highly recommended!" Thank you very much for your part in arranging our instrument valuation with Simon in Colchester yesterday. The experience greatly exceeded our expectations in the level of individual attention we received and care that he took over explaining the finer details. It was a very enjoyable and enlightening session; please pass on our thanks to him again. It’s hard not to be pleased. Straight, clear information and regular updates. I give Charlott and James at Amati honours and my warmest recommendations. I took my violin and a couple of bows to be valued at The Amati Exhibition at The Langham. The service was absolutely excellent. I was also shown the collection of instruments being auctioned and James Buchanan and his colleagues imparted so much knowledge and were really helpful and very friendly. Highly recommended! Our Auctions