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

FREE tartan mute with every violin!

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. I am happy to provide further photographs, or a video 'tour' of the instrument, or chat on Zoom. 

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 and new wooden 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.

I use a child's Orkney chair as a prop when photographing the instruments - do not worry, they are not giant violins!

Here are some of the instruments I have right now - in no particular order - 


Full Size Violin by Colin Cross, 2012

I am very fond of this beautiful little violin. It is a very lovely looking instrument with a sweet, easy sound and great projection.
It has had damage to the front in the past but it has been repaired by the maker, including a sound post patch, and the work is guaranteed. A very pretty and playable violin with a one piece back. The tailpiece can be changed for one with integrated fine tuners on request. 
PHOTOS SOON

Price on Application




Full Size Violin by Colin Cross, 2011

Another superb full size violin by Colin Cross, this instrument features an attractive reddish brown varnish. The tone is strong and powerful, it is easy to play and very responsive with an even tone across the strings. A fabulous instrument for both classical and folk music, it is the perfect upgrade for serious players. 

Price on Application 









Extra Big Violin, by Colin Cross

An unusual and rather special instrument handmade by Colin Cross, and perfect for players with big hands and long arms! If your arms are somewhat 'gibbon-esque', like mine, or if you fancy something with a deeper sound, you might absolutely adore this violin which has been made with a string length and neck a little longer than the norm, and a slightly bigger body. It's the usual Colin Cross quality, featuring a gorgeous one piece back and a superb mellow tone which is rich and deep..... I feel its great grandmother might have had a fling with a viola....
Fits a violin shoulder rest.

Price on Application





Lovely old 3/4 size violin, probably French

Freshly set up and checked over by my fantastic luthier, this violin sounds fabulous and is suitable for a promising youngster, or a lady with short arms. Don't laugh - I have had a few pupils switch to a smaller instrument due to arm length and hand size, and it is a very good idea to consider this if you struggle to play a full size, or if you have shoulder issues and feel that a full size is too much of a stretch. This one carries the tone and volume to equal a bigger instrument, so you can be assured that you are not missing out - a lovely violin, ready to go to a new home.
£1,500





Colin Cross curvy cornerless violin, 2011

A superb violin by Colin Cross, made in 2011 it has been well cared for and is in perfect condition. Tone is mellow and rich, and it is a very easy and satisfying instrument to play.
Case included.
£5,000






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. Due to its age, this violin has had work done on the neck, to retain as much of the original neck as possible. It comes with a very old wooden case with working catches and a handle.
£6,000






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.









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





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


RECENTLY SOLD INSTRUMENTS

Yamaha silent violin SV-110, black
Serial Number 010530
*****SOLD*****

British, probably Scottish amateur hand made violin, full size, c.1930
*****SOLD*****

Colin Cross 1987 full size violin.
**** SOLD****

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******