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Vintage Music Instruments
By OnTopic | February 1, 2010
One of the hottest trends in antiques collecting today is music instruments. Because instruments are built to last for many years, it’s not uncommon to see an instrument from 100 yeas ago or longer still in working order and looking great. Instruments that are maintained will last a very long time. From a collectible standpoint there are a few different musical instruments that are favored by collectors which include: Vintage Guitars, Vintage Pianos and Vintage Violins.
Vintage Pianos
Pianos had their beginning back into the middle ages in various forms that would loosely resemble a piano, but the modern piano in it’s current configuration was perfected in the 1820′s when the seventh octave was added. Prior to this, pianos had been built with fewer octaves. With many famous composers writing complex music, it became necessary to add more octaves to the keyboard.
Prior to the Great Depression of the 1930′s, the United States was a larger producer of pianos. Before the time of radio and television, evenings were often spent sitting around piano as members of the family took turns showing off their skill on the instrument. At the turn of the 20th century, most respectable homes had a piano and millions of them were in existence.
Because of the large quantities of pianos produced around 100 years ago, there are still many opportunities to own one of these vintage instruments today. Even for those looking for a piano to actually use, rather than just for collectible purposes, antique pianos are a great option for many. Newer pianos have been built with inferior materials and certainly do not have the quality and beauty that a vintage piano has.
Vintage Guitars
The guitar can trace it’s roots back several thousand years to instruments with strings that would resemble a modern guitar. Many variations of guitars have been produced over the years including: acoustic guitars, classical guitars and electric guitars, just to name a few.For collectible reasons, vintage Gibson guitars are one of the most sought after. Many famous musicians used Gibson guitars and can fetch very large sums of money at auctions.
Vintage Violins
Likely everyone has heard of the famous Stradivarius violins which are the most sought after antique violins in the entire world. They were build several hundred years ago by a talented string instrument maker named Antonio Stradivari. These violins are so rare and desirable that at auction, one of the masterpieces can sell for well over $2 million.
For most people of average financial standing, the best place to get a glimpse of a Stradivarius violin is at the U.S. Library of Congress were 3 Stradivarius violins are on display as well as other stringed instruments by Stradivari
Vintage instruments offer quality and beauty like todays new instruments cannot. Whether you are a serious collector of vintage instruments or just learning to play, learn to appreciate the beauty as well as the historical significance of your instrument.
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