We live in a culture which expects glistening perfection from its professionals. Never has the public’s sense of entitlement been so high. Concerts must be note perfect or the artist may not be re-engaged, politicians must never have transgressed or they may not be electable, and medical professionals are expected to make no errors lest […]
My eBay Experience
WinterI recently joined the ranks of the innocent who have been taken advantage of by an unscrupulous seller on eBay. Regrettably, I decided to purchase a violin sight unseen over the Internet in a quest for my “sound.” I will try to detail my thoughts behind this, and some of what I have learned. As […]
On the Edge News and Upcoming Events
FallTwo upcoming sales events in the U.S. will be closely watched by consumers and dealers. One is Skinner’s November 5th [2000] sale in Boston. The other is Tarisio Auctions online sale which will be open for bidding on November 3rd [2000]. Skinner’s offerings include a well certified and healthy violin catalogued as the work of […]
At The Auctions Are Major Changes Underway?
FallIf London is still the center of the international string instrument auction world, it is certainly much less so than it once was. A decade ago London was the only serious hub for musical instrument auctions. At that time Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Phillips’, and Bonham’s all staged major auction events, usually coordinating dates with one another. […]
How to Shop for a Fine Instrument or Bow
FallEntering into any market as an uninformed consumer can be a scary proposition. The string instrument business is no exception. The esoteric and arcane nature of the objects, the clubishness of the dealers, and the stories of fraud and deception in the business all combine to give the impression of peril waiting at every turn […]