Many of the musical instruments that do well at auction are antiques or vintage, but many newer instruments also fetch a nice sum. The rarity, story, ownership history, condition, and other particulars also influence how much your piece or collection is worth.
Central Mass Auctions has significant experience in selling musical instruments at auction. We have sold guitars, violins, cellos, mandolins, saxophones, clarinets, flutes, recorders, among all kinds of string, wind, and percussion instruments. We work with clients throughout Massachusetts and the rest of New England, both in a live-auction setting and in an online auction.
C. G. Conn Vintage Brass Saxophone – sold for $300 at our December 2021 auction from a Providence estate
C. Rive Sterling silver flute, sold from Amherst, MA estate
Contact Central Mass Auctions today for an appraisal and to sell your musical instruments for the most at auction.
How much can I get for my musical instruments?
Many musical instruments will only be worth a few hundred dollars.
Yet some musical instruments sell for millions of dollars. That is why it’s so important not to engage in guesswork. Auction prices can run the gamut.
Here are a few examples:
- A Thomas Machell & Sons Dulcitone from 1900, sold for $2000
- A Martin Employee Model Soprano Ukelele from 1920, sold for $5000
- An over the shoulder saxhorn from 1865, sold for $7000
- A 1926 Ernst Heinrich Roth Amati copy violin, sold for $10,000
- A François Breton violin circa 1830, sold for $15,000
- A 1967 Ansaldo Poggi Viola, sold for $200,000
The most expensive musical instrument ever to be sold at an auction was a Stradivarius viola made during the 1700s. It sold for $45 million.
Do musical instruments have to be in perfect shape to sell well?
No. Some musical instruments are valuable for reasons other than the condition they come in. If you see a crack or a chip in the body of the instrument, don’t throw it away. You should still set it aside for appraisal. You may be surprised how much even a damaged instrument can fetch at auction. The right instrument easily can sell for least $1,000, if not more.
This cello had splits and cracks, yet still brought nearly $1,500 at auction
What makes a musical instrument valuable?
Musical instruments are like any other antiques: value depends on a wide variety of factors.
Your instrument may be valuable if:
- It comes from a famous brand or maker.
- It comes from a region known to produce excellent musical instruments of that type. A violin from Italy may be worth far more than an American violin.
- It’s in excellent condition. Condition isn’t always the most important valuation factor, but it still matters.
- The rarity of the instrument.
- The age of the instrument.
- If the instrument still plays, the sound quality.
- Whether the instrument is a limited edition.
- Who the instrument belonged to. Did a famous or popular musician play it?
- Is the instrument linked to some important moment in history?
All of those factors can come together to raise or lower the price of an instrument, which is why appraisal is so important. There is no one factor that can skyrocket the value of an instrument or tank it: the various factors work together.
Why should I send my musical instruments to auction?
If you want to get top dollar for your musical instruments, you need to get them in front of buyers who share three traits.
- They understand the value of the instrument you’re selling.
- They care enough about the value to pay for it.
- They have the means to pay for it.
When we run an auction we get your instruments in front of top quality collectors with the means to pay top dollar. Plus, we place those buyers in competition with one another, ensuring you get the best possible price for your item.
