Worlds most expensive instrument?

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 25 Sep 07 - 04:31 AM

If you got into an altercation and just happened to grab a Yamaha guitar to bludgeon somebody to death with, it would have been an expensive instrument.

That (entry level) Yamaha guitar would have cost you your freedom - if you'd got caught.

Similarly if George Bush was going to countermand the order to attack Iran, and reached for his mobile phone - but it was dark and he picked up a kazoo instead - that also might be considered an expensive instrument, in the circumstances.

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 08:30 PM

I have heard that the Pipe Organ at West Point Academy must be very expensive - something about having another new rank of pipes donated when rich benefactors die. Apparently only one other pipe organ rivals it - one which was installed in a Department Store - dunno if it is still extant.

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: GUEST,ibo
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 08:16 PM

eddie murphys organ,it will end up costing him a small fortune

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: GLoux
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 04:19 PM

From: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12824291/

Stradivarius violin auctioned for $3.54 mil
300-year-old violin shatters record for amount paid for an instrument

Updated: 9:48 p.m. ET May 16, 2006
NEW YORK - A nearly 300-year-old Stradivarius violin sold Tuesday for more than $3.5 million, shattering the record for the highest amount paid for a musical instrument at auction, Christie's said.

The instrument, made in 1707 by Italian violinmaker Antonio Stradivari, sold at Christie's auction house for $3,544,000 after less than five minutes of bidding.

The winning bid, which included the house쳌fs commission, broke a record of $2,032,000 paid for another Stradivarius at Christie쳌fs in April 2005, the auction house said.

The new owner bought the violin anonymously via telephone. Kerry K. Keane, who heads Christie's department of musical instruments and was the bidder's proxy, described him as "a gentleman who is international" and a "benefactor and patron of the arts" who loves classical music.

The violin, which had been expected to sell for $1.5 million to $2.5 million, will probably be heard soon on stages worldwide, Keane said, declining to elaborate.

The violin쳌fs former owner, who also wanted to remain anonymous, bought it privately in 1992 from an estate, Keane said, and loaned it to violinists including Kyoko Takezawa, an orchestral soloist, recitalist and recording artist who has performed with many of the world쳌fs top orchestras.

The violin, made in Cremona, Italy, is considered a product of Stradivari쳌fs golden period. Musicians and collectors covet the violins he made from 1700 to 1720 because of their beauty and superior sound, Christie쳌fs said.

A violinist and teacher brought the violin to the United States in 1911. Since then it has had various owners.

It is named The Hammer for Christian Hammer, a 19th-century Swedish collector.

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Ernest
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 07:52 AM

@ Betsy: I suppose it would cause a shutdown on the system it tries to connect to every time the popup-window with the words "Do you really want to ... now?" would appear.

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Betsy
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 07:05 AM

@ Ernest , some might say it would Excel as a Power Point if properly Accessed.

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 02:53 AM

Just what you want to hear early in the morning....

singing renault


Kitty

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Ernest
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 02:06 AM

@ Betsy:

I doubt that, because:

Bill G.`s would of course be microsoft.

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: terrier
Date: 23 Sep 07 - 03:03 PM

The talking harp in many a folk tale made from the bones and hair of the murdered maiden comes pretty damn close!

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 23 Sep 07 - 01:41 PM

Rowan asked,"I did wonder if there had ever been an instrument which was known to have cost lives. I can't recall one just yet but I'm sure there'll be 'catters who'll have such info at their fingertips."

I recall reading in Sing Out! during the sixties about a fellow who had been electrocuted in an English pub while playing an electric guitar. The tag line was,"He who lives by the sword..."

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: terrier
Date: 23 Sep 07 - 08:17 AM

The most expensive instrument is the one you really would love to own, but just can't afford it!

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 23 Sep 07 - 03:12 AM

Bill Monroes Gibson mandolin sold for $1.25 million, not bad considering how battered it is.

eric

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Sep 07 - 12:47 AM

Cost Lives?

They use cannons in the 1812 Overture... :-)

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Rowan
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 09:46 PM

"Money! It's only money!" says one who would be happy to have someone respond kindly to me asking Oliver Twist's question. And, while life can be cheap in some quarters, I did wonder if there had ever been an instrument which was known to have cost lives. I can't recall one just yet but I'm sure there'll be 'catters who'll have such info at their fingertips.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Phot
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 04:52 PM

An F1 car costs around £7,000,000, engines are around £1,000,000 each, mad isn't it!

Wassail!! Chris

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Deckman
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 03:58 PM

My first wife!

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 12:15 PM

An instrument actually made by Antonio Stradivari would set you back $3 million or so, not that one is likely to appear just like that on the market.
I have a late C19 German copy. I actually think it might be cheaper to look out for the real thing because of the rate at which mine eats up Dominant strings.

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: GUEST,jim
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 11:56 AM

What would a strad cost?

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 11:25 AM

How much does the car cost? Because I toured a new pipe organ in Lincoln Nebraksa that cost $1,000,000 or $2,000,000 - I forget which.

The organ was a joint venture between the classical music community and the religious community of Lincoln.

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Kevin Rietmann
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 08:14 AM

How 'bout
The Great Stalacpipe Organ? Definitely the biggest.

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Mooh
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 06:27 AM

Or stupidest. More reasons to dislike (okay, hate) motor sports, besides the waste, consumption, noise, pollution...oh, never mind.

Peace (and quiet), Mooh.

Subject: RE: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Betsy
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 06:26 AM

How about Bill Gate's cock ?????

Subject: Worlds most expensive instrument?
From: Phot
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 05:27 AM

While passing a few spare moments yesterday, I came accross what may possibly be the worlds most expensive musical instrument......a singing Formula 1 car!! I kid you not!!

By altering the revs of the engine the Renault team car, it produces a full range of notes from the exhaust. It can sing the British, French, and Spanish national Anthems, and We are the champions by Queen, what will they think of next?!

Just go to Google video, type in "Renault f1 singing" and there it is, I tried making a link but failed, maybe someone else can have a go.

Wassail!! Chris