VIOLINS, VIOLAS AND BOWS FOR SALE, including COLIN CROSS VIOLINS, Inverness, Highlands
FREE tartan mute with every violin!
NOTE: If you are looking for a beginner 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 perform brilliantly. I have tried all three of these and am very impressed. 
Left: this grey beauty looks gorgeous and plays wonderfully. Something a little different! £380
Middle: this is a veneered bow with a wooden snakewood effect. I have sold a lot of these; they are 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 a selectrion of antique and new wooden violin bows, and a very nice cello bow too. The wooden bows range in price from £200 to £2,000 for a very nice silver mounted Pernambuco bow.
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 and also some older instruments by the wonderful modern maker Colin Cross, as well as some lovely antiques.
Colin is known for his high quality violins, violas and cellos, and makes some rather unusual instruments too - curvy violins and violas, Gamba shape violas, extra large violins, 7/8 violins - if you are looking for something a bit different this is the place to be!
I have tried to capture the varnish colour as closely as possible in my pictures but recommend you come for a look and a play.
I sometimes 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 -
Just in - French full size violin, c.1900, Vosges.
Such a lovely character, this old violin has been freshly set up, it has new strings, and it's sounding great. If you're after a violin that looks old and interesting, come and give it a go!
£1,750
Colin Cross 7/8 size violin, made in 2018
A beautiful violin just perfect for those folk who find a 7/8 easier to play due to the slightly smaller size. This is very beautiful and sounds gorgeous. A pro level violin which is a superb upgrade and will go anywhere with you. Made by Colin Cross in 2018.
£ Price on application 
French full size violin
Vosges school, perfect condition and freshly set up. Lovely old French violin which was found after many decades in an attic, and has been checked over and set up by my luthier. It sounds fabulous and is a very easy to play, satisfying instrument, suited to both classical and folk music equally.
£2,000
French 3/4 violin, Medio Fino
A lovely old French 3/4 violin in dark red, in excellent condition and ready to go. Comes with the case; bows available separately.
Always a good choice, these are easy to play, sound super and are very popular. Great for a nice upgrade for a child or for an adult with short arms.
£1,350 with case
Colin Cross Curvy Viola, 14.25 inches
What a fun viola this is - very pretty, very easy, and sounds fabulous! One of Colin's popular curvy range, this one has purfling too. Nice and small, and so it is quite easy for fiddlers to get their hands around!
£6,000 with case
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.
£ Price on Application
Colin Cross Gamba shaped viola, ash back and sides, 400mm/15.75 inches
I loved this viola the moment I saw it! A comfortable size, a big sound and something a bit different. This is a beautiful, quality instrument. Comes with the case.
£6,000 with case
Colin Cross full size violin, 2011
A lovely and well cared for violin, this golden beauty was previously owned by the English fiddler Tom Kitching. It is in perfect order and is ready for a new adventure!
£ 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. Comes with the case.
£ Price on Application
Colin Cross curvy 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. I love it.
£5,000 with case
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. All work is guaranteed. It comes with a very old wooden case with working catches and a handle.
£6,000 with old wooden case
German Violin, c.1880, Leipzig School
A lovely German antique, full size, 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
15.5 inch Viola c.1960
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 and ready to go!
£1,250 with case
Chinese full size violin, made in 2008.
This violin is a powerful and versatile instrument, in new condition, and professionally set up. 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 case
RECENTLY SOLD INSTRUMENTS
German 7/8 Violin c.1920
*****SOLD*****
Antique German Lion's Head Violin
*****SOLD*****
Old Russian 3/4 violin, with bow and case
*****SOLD*****
Lovely old 3/4 violin, French
*****SOLD*****
Antique French full size violin c.1900, golden brown
*****SOLD*****
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
****SOLD****
Antique German full size violin
*******SOLD*******
Saxon lion's head violin
********SOLD********
Colin Cross curvy violin
*****SOLD*****
Colin Cross curvy viola
******SOLD******