Older instruments
I guess that you can always pay more. For almost anything. Today I came across an old episode of that auction show where people bring in their treasures to be evaluated. This particular episode kept me interested because they were going over how old musical instruments can rise in value. Among the showcased pieces were guitars that were older than I. As well some of the instruments were epic in that they had been played by famous musicians. That is not a sign that something is better but it does drive the price up at auction. Most of my shopping for instruments has been done at retail. The local music store. Although I did get that cool recorder in a pawn shop between trains but I digress. My own collection is sparse. In fact the oldest piece is a violin that was purchased when I was just a boy. And that I have played. And it was not a rare treasure. The only anecdote was a surprise on my music teacher’s face when he saw that a name had been written inside. My father. He had pushed a ballpoint pen in through one of the sound holds and place his name. Too difficult for anyone else to erase should the instrument be picked up by accident. I would love to see some of these older instruments. To see if the sound really does improve with time as I have heard. I would really love to come across some of the brass instruments that I handled in high school. A long time ago. And given the way that budgets in schools run those instruments are probably still out there. Perhaps on a future trip to the place where I went to school. Even if the building has changed. I have no experience with larger instruments. A grand piano is forever if only because it is so difficult to move. But a guitar? You can pick that up and take it with you. And if the previous owner has shown any care the instrument should still be playable. Hence the high price at auction I suppose.
