🎻 Old or Modern Violin?

What I Believe You Should Know Before Choosing Your Instrument

When a musician visits my atelier with the intention of buying a new instrument, they often ask me the same question: “Should I go for an old violin or a modern one?”

It’s an important question — and the answer depends on many factors.Every player is different, every path unique. But over the years, I’ve learned a few key things that I always like to share, especially with those approaching fine violin making for the first time.

📜 The charm of an old violin

There’s no denying the appeal of old violins. They carry history, character, and stories. Some of them have resonated in concert halls, traveled the world, and developed a mature, sometimes very personal tone. For those who love the idea of playing an instrument with a long past, it’s an understandable attraction.

That said, it’s worth knowing that not every old violin is automatically a great one. Many have undergone repairs, internal modifications, or have simply been worn down by time. Their acoustic response can be inconsistent or compromised, and their structure might be more delicate. And then there’s the cost: even instruments that are simply “old” — not necessarily exceptional — can be quite expensive, not always justifiably so when it comes to sound.

🛠️ The value of a modern instrument

A modern violin, on the other hand, offers clarity, freedom, and connection. When I build an instrument, I do it with a musician in mind. Every decision — the choice of wood, the arching, the varnish — is made to serve a voice that hasn’t yet fully been heard: yours.

I like to think that a modern violin doesn’t have a story yet… because it’s ready to grow into yours. Its voice is young, yes — but flexible, powerful, and capable of adapting to your style and hands.And there’s something else: when you choose a modern handmade violin, you also gain a relationship with the maker. We can talk, adjust, refine. The instrument evolves with you, over time.

⚖️ Old vs Modern — some things to consider

What matters to you?	Old Violin	Modern Handmade Violin
Mature tone, already developed	✅	🔄 (develops over time)
Responsiveness and technical reliability	⚠️ (condition-dependent)	✅
Historic look and patina	✅	🔄 (more subtle, but elegant)
Made for your unique playing style	❌	✅
Ongoing support and adjustments	❌	✅
Cost and investment	💰 often quite high	💡 more accessible and transparent

🎯 In conclusion

If what you’re looking for is a sound that reflects who you are, that grows with you, and if you like the idea of knowing the hands that built your violin, then a modern instrument may be the most natural choice.

Each instrument I build is crafted with the musician in mind — not just how it will sound, but who it will sound for. To me, that’s the true legacy of Italian violin making: not nostalgia for the past, but the ability to shape the present — and give voice to something not yet heard.

Your sound.

🧭 This helped you reflect? Let’s talk about what your ideal instrument might be →Contact Marco