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More detailed information about stringed instruments and the history of violin making.

Our trade guarantee:
giving you the right instrument at every step

Trade in your old instrument when you upgrade

As your skill grows, the standards you have will grow as well when it comes to your violin, viola or bow. We want to accompany you along every step of your musical path, which is why we are glad to accept any instrument you purchased from us at any time when you trade it in to upgrade to a new one. We will give you trade credit for 100% of the original price against the cost of something new, as long as your old instrument is in its original and acceptable condition and the price of the new instrument is at least €500.00 more than the price of the old one. Our guaranteed trade offer applies to instruments within the same category, i.e. you can trade your violin for another violin, your bow for another bow, and so on.

Our trade guarantee also applies to your new instrument, of course – and that means that we will reserve your old instrument for you for a 30-day return period so you can make up your mind.

How do you define "acceptable condition"?

Normal traces of use on the bridge, strings and fingerboard as well as minor scratches or open seams are acceptable. We charge a reconditioning fee of €75 for violins and violas and €50 for bows; this covers minor repairs and new strings. The instrument will undergo our professional appraisal, and the trade value may be lowered if more significant repairs are needed or there is damage such as cracks, broken corners or edges, warping, damage to the varnish, etc.

Shipping fees

When we take your instrument in trade, you will be charged the shipping costs (including any customs fees or import taxes if you are sending it from abroad) for returning the old instrument and shipping the new one. If you are sending us an instrument via international mail, please make sure you fill out the customs declaration correctly to avoid delays and additional fees.

Corilon Violins makes sure you get the most from your purchase. Any of our instruments will be accepted later at any time as a trade towards another instrument or bow from our selection. However, the new purchase must be of a greater sales price than the original purchase. We'll credit 100% of the instrument's original sales price towards the upgrade if the instrument has remained in its original and acceptable condition and the price of the new instrument is at least 500 €.

We'll keep your old instrument for the 30-day return period to make sure that you are fully happy with your upgrade.

What condition is acceptable?

Normal wear to bridge, strings, fingerboard; minor scratches and minor open seams are acceptable. Repairs or damage such as cracks, broken edges/corners, warping, varnish damage, etc., will void the trade guarantee or reduce the trade value at our discretion. To cover the costs of new strings and minor repairs, a reconditioning fee of 75 € for violins/violas and of 50 € for bows will be charged.

Shipping fees

All shipping fees related to the trade as well as any customs duties/import taxes (applicable if the traded instrument is sent to us from outside the European Union) are the buyers' expense.