Beardedbruce, I like your sense of values.

Scoville, would you consider selling your 1900-1925 fiddle? Some of them made in Germany or France at about that time are very good. I have a few of them.

Years ago, I used to go to used instrument sales. I bought a violin for $300. Back then, before ebay, that was a rock bottom price. That was a lot of money for me, and the violin had one small crack, but I loved it so I bought it anyway. I took it to my luthier for repairs and assessment for insurance purposes. Repairs, which improved the sound tremendously, cost about $25. Assessment was $3500. I love it.

I also have a violin made in Germany around 1900. It used to belong to my violin teacher, who lent it to me for several years while I was learning to play. My family didn't have much money. After playing the violin for a few years, I told my father that I loved it and that I'd feel sad when I had to give it back. My father said, "It's yours to keep now." For years, he had been paying my violin teacher for it, just a few bucks at a time. That's the best gift I've ever had.