Sound Investment

Posted by Brittany Karford Rogers (BA ’07), Associate Editor

When it comes to violins, never buy new, Sini advises. “The wood changes in the first two years.” Hers, made by Eero Haahiti, a Fin, was made in 1995. “It’s a young violin. My last one was made in 1845,” she says. “Some people say older violins have a softer sound, and it’s true, but this one is a lot better than my old one.” It was made for her violin teacher back in Finland, who sold it to her for roughly $18,000, which she paid entirely in scholarship money. Insurance on the instrument is about $150 a year, which also covers the bow—a good thing, because rehairing the bow costs $60. “I’ll have this one maybe forever, unless I get rich,” Sini says. If money weren’t a problem, she could spend $100,000. “Violins are an investment,” Sini says. “I could sell mine in 20 years and make money.”