ive been playing the violin for 6 years. my grandfather gave me this violin which would be my great great grandfathers. so it is at least one hundred years old. it has something embossed on the case but i cant make it out. Inside the violin it says "copy of antonius stradivarius cremona. Made in germany." but no year. i would never consider parting w/ it. But does anyone have any idea of its value?

I really have no idea it IT`S value, but on the "Antique Road Show" I saw a 100 year old Copy of Antonius Stradivarius go for around the range of $3-5,000. Go on www.Eaby.com you will always find the Stadivarius copys there.

No, it`s not a Stradivarius.

Antonin Stradivarius was probably the most well-known violin maker of all time, as you probably already know. He wrote compendiums and many essays on the violin, and it`s manufacture. He basically repioneered the violin to have a better sound, and he made many inovations.

Manufacturers of violin`s usually copy off of him because his violins were so genius. Yours said "Copy", so it was just the manufacturers credntials toward Stradivarius. BTW the person who wrote the post about the price, 3-5000 is NOT a lot for a violin. Okay, so maybe a beginner won`t spend that much, but my personal instrument was bought for 2800 but it`s list price is 4800. My teacher has a 7000 dollar violin, and my best friend who is a virtuoso cellist has a 15000 dollar violin.

Your violin could be worth a lot... If you have a local luthier, take it to them, they can help you learn about it. But don`t get your hopes up...

And besides, something that old should typically have a wonderful, warm sound, so i`d keep it to play on!!