VIOLINS AND BOWS FOR SALE, including COLIN CROSS VIOLINS, Inverness, Highlands

NOTE: If you are looking for a beginnner fiddle outfit I recommend a Primavera 200 violin with a VIVA shoulder rest and a D'Addario clip on tuner - all available from Ness Music, Academy St, Inverness. This combo will get you started very nicely and they have a good resale value compared to cheap but virtually unplayable instruments you might find on Amazon (ugh - avoid!).

I currently have a number of quality violins for sale, as well as a nice selection of bows.

BOWS CURRENTLY IN STOCK
(scroll down for violins)

These three are superb carbon fibre bows. When you're looking to spend hundreds rather than thousands, carbon fibre bows are far better and perform brilliantly. I have tried all three of these and am very impressed.



Left: this grey beauty is similar to the famous Arcus bows but it's £380 instead of several thousand.

Middle: this is a veneered bow with a wooden snakewood effect. I have sold a lot of these; they are very good and a great upgrade from your beginner bow. This one is £240.

Right: If you're on a budget, this one at £150 is a really good choice. You'd need to spend a few hundred to get a wooden bow to play as well as this one does. 

I also have antique violin bows, and a very nice cello bow too.


NOTE: please do come and try a few bows with your own violin - the relationship between you, the instrument and the bow is important. Also, surprisingly, the bow you choose changes the way the instrument sounds, and I can also play them so you can hear the difference. 

VIOLINS!

They include new instruments by the wonderful modern maker Colin Cross as well as some lovely antiques.

I have tried to capture the varnish colour as closely as possible but would always recommend you come for a look and a play.

Here are some of the instruments I have right now:

NEW IN!
Beautiful full size violin, c. 1800, probably English
I really love this violin. It looks gorgeous and sounds absolutely wonderful. It feels like it has played everything before, and has that lovely old mellow but sweet tone that is so desirable. This is a superb instrument for a serious upgrade, or a professional player. 
Lovely one piece back and golden brown varnish. Professionally set up. Comes with a very old wooden case with working catches and a handle.
£6,000





NEW IN
British, probably Scottish amateur hand made violin, full size, c.1930
This is a very likeable and characterful violin, and has spent its life in an area not far from Beauly. Stamped MacGregor, Glasgow, the previous owner had it for 40 years, and the lady he bought it from remembers her father playing it when she was a little girl. It is a very appealing instrument and has been recently set up. Comes with a sturdy case.
£1,200





NEW IN
German Full Size Violin, c.1880, Leipzig School
A lovely German antique, recently set up and ready to go. A super upgrade for a student who is looking for an old and attractive instrument that sounds great and will play anything, at a reasonable price. Case available if required.
£2,400





French full size violin c.1900
Newly set up, this attractive antique French violin is ready to go! It's quite a chunky one, and has a big sound to match. Nice and even, its tone is strong and powerful. Light golden brown varnish.
£2,000. Case available if required.










German Lion's Head Antique full size violin, c.1880
In great playing order and freshly set up, this violin has a clear tone and is very playable. Popular for their cute lion scrolls, these violins are fairly common and I have managed to source this one after the last one sold. Dark brown slighly glossy varnish.
£1,800. Case available if required.








Colin Cross 1987 full size violin
Something very special here - this is the second ever violin made by superb luthier Colin Cross. It is dated 1987. I was very excited to try this one - and I was not disappointed! It's a superb violin and a total steal - it's mellowed into a very playable, sweet, powerful instrument that will take you wherever you want to go. I wish I could keep this one! 
£3,000. Case available if required.




















Antique German 7/8 size violin, 1920s Perfect for ladies with shorter arms who might struggle with a full sized violin, this still has the volume you want and it just a little easier to play. I have had several adult pupils move down to either a three quarter or a 7/8 size instrument, with great success. Set up by a top luthier and ready to play.
£1,900 with a free case.



15.5 inch Viola
This viola is 15.5 inches, and was made in Hungary or Romania around 1960. It is finished in an attractive red varnish and has a super sound, warm and strong. A lovely instrument for a student moving up from their first viola. Set up by a top luthier and ready to go
£1,250 with a free case






Colin Cross full size cornerless violin This one is purfled and very lovely. It's got a strong, clear, sweet tone and is very easy to play. The last two of Colin's curvy instruments sold really fast, they really are gorgeous and sure to create a stir!
£6,000 with a free case







Chinese full size violin, made in 2008. This violin is a powerful and versatile instrument, in new condition, and professionally set up by one of the country's top luthiers. It's perfect for serious music students, and plays folk and classsical music with ease. Super if you don't always want the worry of a more fragile antique, but you want something that will perform in any situation. The varnish on this is 'antiqued' which means it's been made to look old.  
£1,800, with a free case



RECENT SOLD INSTRUMENTS

A Guarneri model violin by Colin Cross, made in 2022
****SOLD****

An old German violin, c.1900, lovely sweet tone, easy to play and very attractive. Comes with a free case, professionally set up and ready to go.
 ****SOLD****

This is a German antique in excellent and professionally set up condition. Lovely fiddle, it is very attractive with a nice warm strong sound.
Comes with a free case.
*******SOLD*******

Here's a real character - an old Saxon lion's head fiddle! As usual this violin is in perfect playing condition with a professional set up, and the tone is clear and strong. Dark varnish which is also quite shiny, and problematic to photograph! Come and have a look! Comes with a free case.
********SOLD********

Colin Cross curvy violin - a gorgeous new violin with a sweet and strong tone, so playable and something a bit different! Made by one of the UK's top luthiers. Comes with a free case.
*****SOLD*****

A curvy viola to match the curvy violin - an absolutely delightful viola, very easy to play and a fabulous tone. Newly made by Colin Cross, this instrument is really special.
******SOLD******