Professional Violins For Sale
Antique & contemporary Italian, English & French violins available at the Ruschil violin shop.
Professional, contemporary and classical violins for sale, handcrafted by a Master Luthier in our London workshop.
Antoni Ruschil is a Master Luthier based in London, handcrafting contemporary violins for clients including Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall and professional violinists. Our violins for sale are listed below, and you are invited to book an appointment to try one in our workshop.
A fine French violin by H.C. Silvestre, Lyon 1872
“An expertly crafted fine French violin, after Guarneri del Gesu by H.C. Silvestre”
£35,000
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Tonally the violin is very strong and precise, with clarity and confidence. Blended with the darker undertones of a Guarneri del Gesu, it is a very balanced and powerful tone.
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An expertly crafted fine French violin by H.C. Silvestre, Lyon 1874. Made with the confidence and precision of a master luthier, Silvestre has paid great attention to the modelling of Guarneri del Gesu and refined it in the inimitable French style of the mid 19th century. Very much of the same school as Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, Lupot and Gand, it is an accurately made instrument, covered with a rich French ruby red oil varnish and lightly antiqued.
An English violin by George Craske, c.1880
“A beautifully balanced and characterful violin from the prolific 19th century English violin maker”
£18,000
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Tonally the violin is very balanced, characterful and vintage sounding. It has the charm and earthiness of an old violin whilst being confident and sweet. Definitely one to be tried.
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A particularly impressive violin by the prolific 19th century English maker George Craske, made in Stockport c.1880. The violin is beautifully modelled after Guarneri del Gesu and great care has been taken to perfect the arching and varnish on this instrument. Craske’s work varies hugely but this example is among the best seen, confidently and accurately made.
A fine violin by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, Paris 1862
“An excellent example after Stradivari from one of the most important luthiers in history”
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Tonally the violin is focused, voluminous and accurate with the soloistic prestige that comes with a fine violin by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume. It has a confidence, boldness and is in a class of its own.
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The violin is made from the finest materials in the Vuillaume workshop, stunning deeply flamed maple and fine spruce. Made in the antique style after one of the many Stradivari violins that came through the Vuillaume workshop. Precise, historically accurate work, the very highest standard of craftsmanship. Beautifully finished with a very fine, ruby red varnish over a golden ground. Every aspect of the violin was made to be highest level in the world.
The neck of the violin is also original.
A violin by Antoni Ruschil, “The Argyle”, London 2024
“The newest handcrafted violin from the Ruschil London workshop”
£21,000
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Tonally the violin is clear, focused and bright with plenty of volume. It has a balanced and a brilliant core across the strings with a shimmering golden upper register. It speaks with a classic tone even with little pressure from the bow
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“The Argyle, 2024” is the newest, handcrafted original model violin from the Ruschil workshop. A development on previous designs, it incorporates physical and tonal elements of Carlo Tononi, especially the arching and soundholes. Although an original, the workshop model also is influenced by Nicolo Amati, Andrea Guarneri, Eugenio Degani & Ansaldo Poggi.
An Italian violin by Antonio Mariani, Pesaro c.1640
““One of the richest and most characterful violins ever heard”
£30,000
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Tonally the violin is impressive in all areas, quite remarkable. It has a very dark, characterful lower end, with an Italian core; strong, clear and precise all over, with sweet overtones at the top. It’s one of the most tonally impressive violins ever heard. Simply a tone that has developed and matured over the past 380 years to make it the instrument it is today.
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An absolutely stunning Italian violin made by Antonio Mariani, Pesaro c.1640. Distinctly Brescian in appearance and tone it is a very special instrument indeed.
An Italian violin by Ernesto Pevere, Ferrara c.1928
“An impressive Italian violin full of confidence and character”
£30,000
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A violin by Ernesto Pevere, Ferrara c.1928, very typical of the maker. Confidently made with classic modern Italian features. A strong arch and pronounced outline, precise inlay with a beautiful transparent brown/red varnish over a dark golden brown ground. Very interestingly flamed maple as seen on his other instruments, Pevere was a maker with a natural gift for style and aesthetics.
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Tonally the violin is impressive, certainly not shy and one to be heard in a concert hall. Direct, fresh and woody with a beautiful old character. It would suit a player looking to be heard and stand out. It has been set up with Thomastik Rondo strings for a strong, direct tone.
An English violin from the workshop of John Betts, London c.1840
“An excellent example from the well known Betts workshop of London c.1840”
£18,000
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This impressive violin from the workshop of John Betts, London c.1840 is a particularly robust instrument. Confidently crafted and typical of the making of the time in mid 19th century London, it has a strength of character to it rarely found for this price bracket. With a beautiful mix of plum red varnish over a golden brown ground, it is visually impressive and beautifully shaped.
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It has a punchy, confident sound with a thick lower end. Full of old, woody charm whilst having volume and presence, it is a great choice for an aspiring soloist. It has been set up in the Ruschil workshop with Pirastro Obligato strings, adding a smooth, dark, buttery texture to the sound. Very versatile and definitely worth trying.
An English violin by Lockey Hill, London c.1800
“A striking instrument from the famous Hill family of London”
£18,000
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Tonally the violin is quite striking, with a strong, confident sound. Clear and fresh with very woody overtones, it has classic vintage sound. It would excel in quartet, orchestral and soloist situations when needed. Paired with Pirastro Perpetual strings for directness, it is one to be tried.
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The back is constructed from a beautiful, deeply flamed piece of maple, one-piece with a fine, transparent golden red varnish over the top. A typically English feature of the period is the boxwood purfling decorating the edges of the front and back. Lightweight and robust, it is a high performing violin, as well as a piece of history.
A contemporary violin by Piotr Kulcenty, London 2024
“A skillfully made antiqued violin after Guarneri del Gesu”
£13,000
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The violin has a confident and balanced sound, very accessible and precise. A classic del Gesu model sound. Would suit a player looking for balance and quality in all areas.
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This beautiful violin by London luthier Piotr Kulcenty embodies the character of late del Gesu visually and tonally. Constructed February 2024 and based on del Gesu’s model “Leduc, ex-Szeryng” 1744, the violin has been carefully and skilfully created.
A fine violin by Italian master Carlo Tononi, Bologna c.1710
“A stunning example tonally, visually and historically of early 18th century classical Italian violin making.”
£200,000
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Tonally it performs to the highest level across all registers, with the character and grandeur found only with fine old Italian violins. Rich and full of historical character when played softly, and a clear, searing, almost ethereal sound when pushed to the limit. A tone that reaches through the centuries.
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Constructed with the very finest quality one-piece, deeply flamed, shimmeringly close-grained maple only found in the early 18th century, the back and ribs are exhibition quality examples of musical instrument making material. Covering the instrument is a transparent, honey coloured Italian oil varnish to accentuate every detail of the stunning wood.
A French violin by Georges Apparut, Mirecourt 1937
“A beautifully crafted French violin in excellent condition”
£15,000
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Tonally it is very refined, with a full bodied lower end to the sound and a sweet, golden upper register. With Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Gold G, D & A strings and a Warchal Amber Forte E, it excels across the board.
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The violin is exceptionally well crafted, with an eye for the finer details of classical Italian making, especially the inlay and edgework which are expertly made.
A fine English violin by Charles Harris, c.1820
“An exceptionally fine English violin from this sought after maker.”
£22,000
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Tonally it is very elegant, with a fine, strong but sweet E string. With Pirastro Obligatos the lower strings sound confident and warm, transitioning effortlessly to the higher register. It speaks incredibly well with a wonderful golden core to the sound.
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The violin has a very striking Italian look, due to the fine, transparent red varnish over deeply flamed golden brown maple and fine spruce, Cremonese style construction and masterful eye for detail. With a slightly shorter string length, it is phenomenally easy to play.
A violin by Antoni Ruschil, “The Hooks”, London 2022
“A deep, full and clean violin handcrafted in the traditional Cremonese style.”
£16,000
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With a deeper arched front and back, The Hooks has a full bodied, smooth & clean sound. Paired with Thomastik Rondo strings it is also a precise, confident and powerful violin. The Hooks would suit a player looking for the next step in their tonal capabilities.
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Handcrafted as the Cremonese masters intended, The Hooks has a clean, original look with a very light golden varnish.
A violin by Antoni Ruschil, “Il Diavolo”, London 2022
“A world exclusive, made from exhibition quality pyinma burl”
£18,000
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“Il Diavolo” has a deep tone with a sweet upper register and plenty of volume. Accompanied with Pirastro Evah Pirazzi strings, it has a confident, brooding tone that is really one of a kind.
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A truly one of a kind instrument, the back, ribs and neck of “Il Diavolo” are constructed from an extremely rare piece of exhibition quality pyinma burl.
There are no other known pieces of the wood found in the world of this size. It is also the world’s first violin made with the material.
Contemporary Violins, Handcrafted By A Master Luthier
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Master Luthier
Antoni Ruschil is a Master Luthier with 16 years experience, trained at Newark School of Violin Making and apprenticed under masters in Italy, Germany, Cyprus and London.
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Professional Clients
Our clients include Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall, Royal College of Music, Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia, London Mozart Players, London Symphony Orchestra, and notable professional soloists.
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Exceptional Craftsmanship
Our contemporary violins are crafted with the highest quality of materials sourced from around the world, using handmade varnish and the very best fittings.
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Five Star Ratings
We are proud of our over 190 five star ratings on Google, which above all are for the quality of our craftsmanship and the sound we produce.
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Classic Italian Sound
Professional violinists and leading orchestras buy our original violins for their classic Italian tone, their comfortable feel, and their effortless playability.
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Play In Our Workshop
The truth is in the sound, the feel, and the playability, We welcome you to visit our beautiful workshop in Crouch End to try any of our violins.
Get More Information & Play Our Violins
To learn more, ask a question or play our violins please contact us using the button below.
Client Testimonials
Master Luthier
Antoni Ruschil is a Master Luthier with 16 years experience crafting and restoring fine violins for professionals and orchestras. He was trained at Newark School of Violin Making and then apprenticed under Master Luthiers across Europe in Italy, Germany, Cyprus and London.
Professional Clients
We have worked with many of the world’s best schools including Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall, Royal College of Music and orchestras including The Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia, London Mozart Players, and London Symphony Orchestra.
Exceptional Craftsmanship
Our contemporary violins are crafted with the highest quality of materials sourced from around the world, using handmade varnish and the very best fittings. The result is a classic Italian sound, comfortable feel and effortless playability.
Get More Information & Play A Violin
To learn more, ask a question or play our violins please contact us using the button below.