Hi, i got a offer for a second hand eastman strings VL200, it's a handmade violin(i good condition, or so he says) with a carbon fiber bow. The original price the violin was brought for was 800, now the owner is asking me for the best price i am willing to offer. How much should i offer?

By the way, I'm complete beginner and i am planning to start learning the violin.
Delzac

Well, generally a violin's value should go up as it ages, not down. (assuming its made with good quality. A cheap instrument off ebay wont gain any value!)

I have a Eastman vL305 and have been VERY happy with it! I've had it for about 3 years and I really love it. Im sure the vL200 is a nice instrument as well

As to what to offer.. I don't really know. Have you played and compared it with other violins? Try out a few at a few local music stores (if you can) and see how much they are selling those for so you can kind of compare it..

Well for one thing, i can't even tell a good violin from a bad one.

Well, the bottom line is that any musical instrument drops in value by 50% of the list price the instant you take it out of the shop. So search around, find the list price on the violin plus the bow, and offer a maximum of half of that.

Liz

And one more thing, how do i know whether the violin the guy is selling me is the real stuff and not some other look alike model?

If you look inside the violins left f hole, it should say the maker, what year it was made, and the model.

Good quality violins will have some flaming or "strips" on the back and sides. Also a one-piece back can be found on many higher quality violins, although many that are good quality have 2 piece backs. (Mine is 2 piece, the vL200 is probably 2 piece as well, which is fine). It may have a more grainy look on the front as well.

A bad quality violin is usually one color, no flaming at all. Pegs will be plastic instead of ebony or wood

http://www.regalmusic.com/pointers.htm This website basically says what i said (but it goes over bows and a few other things), but shows pictures

Nobody's going to bother faking a label for an Eastman!