broken violin bow...how much to replace?

hellodolly

Hey All, I'm looking for some advice pls. A relative of mine (who has Downs syndrome) accidentally broke another relative's bow that they play the violin with.

It's a 'named' one as she put it, I don't know the name but could be a Stradivarius. She says it can't be repaired and is looking for €1,000 for another one (the broken one was a present from her da when she was 16, she's now 50).

I've no idea if she's taking the p*ss (she's a real tight-wad who would think it be happy to screw over anyone for a few quid).

Some of my family members think that we should ask her to get the bow valued and get a written report, others say not to as its rumoured her violin is worth €50k! (according to her mind you) and that €1,000 is cheap.

i personally think it should be covered by her home contents insurance (she has said to an aunt that it is covered but she doesn't have time to look into it at the moment)

Nobody minds falling out with her over it as i forgot to mention she's only married into the family and no-one likes her as she has a big gob and is always slagging everyone off anyway.

Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated!

Eoin Madsen

They can cost that much and more alright, so it's not implausible.

But even if she has to fork out to replace it, she should be giving someone the bill after she gets it, not looking for replacement cash up front.

Lands Leaving

If the violin is worth a huge amount, then she must have it insured against damage, so just make her check it out since it was an accident.. Simple.

If it's not insured though, it probably isn't worth that much, since if she's a bit tight with money you'd think she'd worry about losing a 50k instrument. Especially if it's in a position to be broken by someone else.

Just make her sort out the insurance, pay any excess and if that doesn't work, tell her accidents happen and BAM! no more annoying aunt! It's win/win!

spurious

I can't believe the neck of someone looking for money because of an accident by a family member with an intellectual impairment.

I wouldn't give her 50p. If the fiddle was that valuable she will have an all risks insurance policy on it.

crosstownk

Try Charles Byrne Instruments in Dublin. They'll have a good idea of it's value/brand by looking at it.

Welease

The value of the violin would have little to do with the bow I'd imagine though.. I can't honestly imagine the bow is worth 1K..

banjopaul

What? The bow could Easily be worth that and more!
Look at this page for some prices:
http://www.westcountryviolins.com/cat--fine-quality-bows--bows-2.html

Wouldn't suprise me at all, especially if its a good and old bow.

Welease

hehe well i stand corrected.. they are damn expensive glad my plecs are a lot cheaper

hellodolly

Thanks a million everyone for the advice... some very good suggestions here... I think paying the excess (if there is any) for claiming on her house insurance is excellent and i'll tell the rest of the family this.

If i had a million euro right now, i'd go out and buy the most expensive and sought after bow that i could find, go down to her house and show it to her and ask her if she wanted it.

I'd tell she can't have it cos she's not good enough to play with it and then i'd whip out an exact replacement for the one that got broken and then i'd whack her over the head with the really expensive one, poke her in the eye with it and then snap it over me knee!!!!!!!

It'll never happen but it's fun to dream :-)