Glad things worked out...

I imagine this is like fixing any old family heirloom... cost is not an problem.

Damn, no cat fight? This thread sucks.

First, that damn tree in the other thread came down without hitting a building, and now this? Guess I better go cut my sack to make this forum more interesting.


(Sorry for the folks who might not be able to follow that. I know some will.)

And your pole is gone. What's the world coming to?

I think he just took it down until he could get to the bank and get $100 in singles.

Just landed in Princeton.

MIL is here.

Told her "I got the violin back"

She's ecstatic.

Aside from showing the patina of being nearly 100 years old the instrument is perfect. Cousin took excellent care of it.

Sounds beautiful. Very warm and full. Daughter is over the moon and grandma cried when my daughter played it. I'll post video later.

1920 Holm Viertel, German made.

Quick google search puts value between $2,000-5,000.

I made the suggestion that it should become a "family" instrument.

Any kids taking violin who are serious about it will have the chance to be a steward of the instrument.

No one is allowed to sell it or keep it indefinitely.

Have to see how to set that up from a legal perspective.

Sounds like cousin is a real stand up guy. Careful steward for decades, then passes it on with no questions asked. Merry Christmas!

Could you just create a family document - an agreement that goes with the instrument? If everyone is given a copy, then it's common knowledge. If you want, you could even make a place for people to sign and date, which becomes a family legacy of who has used the instrument. Could be quite emotional over time to add your or your kid's name to a long list of family members who have used the same violin.

Nice to see that it worked out well.
My father gave his 60's Gibson to a brother a few years ago, and I'm afraid my pothead cousin sold the thing. :/

This.

You did okay on your choice of cousins. Maybe create some sort of family trust that would actually "own" it. My brother has a mandolin our grandfather made about 120 years ago. My uncle rebuilt it about 20 years ago. It is quite beautiful, sounds good too.