[SoundGoon]

I wonder if how much this bugs him. It kinda seems like he would be happy with another expensive instrument, judging by the insurance thing, however, we can't tell just from an article.

Million-dollar fiddle fractured - Europe - MSNBC.com

 

[yuckymucky]

I want to see some pictures of what it looks like after taking the hit. I just can't see it being fixed the way it sounds like he fell on it.

If I had an instrument that was valued at that much I would seek out the worlds strongest case for it that is for sure.

 

[autosound]

Wow, that's a lot of money. At least you know he can appreciate good equipment and sound. On another note, imagine if he became a head-fier. It'd be worse than introducing him to crack.

 

[dantztiludrop]

Ouch! The million bucks is bad enough, but it was made in 1772...that's like losing an irreplaceable piece of history.

 

[tennisets]

Quote:

Originally Posted by autosound /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wow, that's a lot of money. At least you know he can appreciate good equipment and sound. On another note, imagine if he became a head-fier. It'd be worse than introducing him to crack.

You'd be surprised. Excellent musicianship and a great ear does not an audiophile make. Most of the time stuff like this has come up it's turned out that most of the top musicians in fact have only very modest playback equipment.

I don't have any specific examples, but this is how it seems to me. There are exceptions, of course.

 

[stewtheking]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yuckymucky /img/forum/go_quote.gif I want to see some pictures of what it looks like after taking the hit. I just can't see it being fixed the way it sounds like he fell on it.

The BBC has been covering the story a bit...
BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Violinist destroys $1m instrument
Same basic tale as the original link, but it adds that they think the repair is going to take upwards of 8 months.

They also have this little gem of a story, that talks about how the repair is likely to happen.
BBC NEWS | Magazine | How to repair a valuable violin?

Interesting, (and expensive) stuff!

 

[Lazarus Short]

Like racing bicycles, classic Italian violins have a cult following and a legendary reputation. I don't mean to play this whole thing down, but fine violins are still being made - even here in "cowtown" Kansas City, there are a number of artisans making fine stringed instruments according to the classic pattern.

In Norway many years ago, the Hardanger Fiddle [the national instrument of that country, and they sound wonderful] was condemned as an instrument of the Devil. It seems to be a recurring theme of the fiddle's history. Thousands of beautiful, historic fiddles were burned, reduced to ashes.

I find that much sadder than the misfortune of a clumsy violinist...

Laz

 

[Luminette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dantztiludrop /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ouch! The million bucks is bad enough, but it was made in 1772...that's like losing an irreplaceable piece of history.

x2

 

[Rav]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yuckymucky /img/forum/go_quote.gif If I had an instrument that was valued at that much I would seek out the worlds strongest case for it that is for sure.

I'd use a pelican gun case for something as valuable and fragile, plus enough foam inside to absorb any sudden impact.

 

[Uncle Erik]

It doesn't sound like it was completely destroyed. It can probably be pieced back together very carefully. It may not sound the same, but I'd wager it'll still sound very good.

I'd love to see a good documentarian stick around the shop for 6-12 months (or however long it takes) and film the restoration process. I'd find that completely fascinating, especially if historical bits and interviews with other luthiers were cut in.

 

[Jussei]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rav /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd use a pelican gun case for something as valuable and fragile, plus enough foam inside to absorb any sudden impact.

Yeah, that's the first thing I thought too. I'd make sure that, whenever I'd be moving it from one place to another, it was extremely well secured in a case capable of taking tremendous blows. I wonder why this wasn't the case.

 

[SoundGoon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rav /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd use a pelican gun case for something as valuable and fragile, plus enough foam inside to absorb any sudden impact.

That's actually what I use for my headphones when I move about - a handgun case. I carved the foam to fit my 590's and it is great. I also use a pistol case for my mouthpieces and valve oil and other stuff that I need for gigs. It keeps stuff organized and the foam prevents things from moving around, and it's all in one convenient place. Of course, it kinda looks like a gun case, so one must be careful when traveling with that sorta stuff.

 

[Computerpro3]

Some kid here at school the other day had his 25k violin smashed when he slipped during an icestorm last week while trying to get to his class (we were the only institution in the city still open).

 

[SoundGoon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Computerpro3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Some kid here at school the other day had his 25k violin smashed when he slipped during an icestorm last week while trying to get to his class (we were the only institution in the city still open).

Has he looked into the schools insurance possibly covering it, or having them in some way be responsible for the damages?

 

[Computerpro3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoundGoon /img/forum/go_quote.gif Has he looked into the schools insurance possibly covering it, or having them in some way be responsible for the damages?

I'm not sure; I didn't know him. I just saw it happen.

Regardless, your instrument is "yours", it's not really replaceable.