The Appeal of Old and Rare Musical Instruments for Performing Musicians.

Performance artists and musicians are always striving to perfect the sounds they create when playing their musical instrument of choice. Why do some musicians like to collect or use older rare instruments which are often of historical significance because of the manufacturer or previous owner.

Many of the historically significant instruments have been hand crafted some time ago often with a build quality and acoustic sound not possible on later mass-produced products. Whether it's a Stradivarius violin, Fender guitar, Gibson guitar or Steinway piano a rare instrument from a renowned maker will fetch a premium price. If a musician has the necessary funds, they may seek out one of these examples either to add to a collection or to use for performances. What is the appeal of these instruments that makes them so sought after? 

Unique Sound and Playability. 
Many of the older rarer instruments have been hand crafted sometimes to specific sound profiles which may be difficult to replicate with their modern equivalent. The wood used in string instruments and pianos will have aged over time which may enhance the resonance and tonal richness. Musicians often prefer the playability of older instruments because of their unique feel, if it is linked to famous musician this can add to its special feel especially if the instrument was used for historically significant musical creations. A well-maintained older hand-crafted instrument may also be more reliable and durable due to their initial superior build quality. 

Historical Significance. 
If a particular instrument can be linked to a famous historical musician, it makes it highly collectable. It is not unusual that a famous artist would have added a bespoke touch to their instrument giving it a unique sound specific to their material. Not all historically significant instruments come from well-known hand-crafted artisan makers. Some historically significant musicians may have used cheaper mass-produced instruments but the previous ownership and connection to particular material can make them equally valuable. 

Quality Lasts. 
Low volume hand crafted instruments are more likely to be made to a higher specification and quality making them last longer. The artisans responsible for making these hand-crafted instruments will have used unique materials some time ago that are not available in modern manufacturing due to ethical and sustainability concerns. This often gives them a unique sound that cannot be reproduced using modern acceptable materials. 

Investment and Ownership. 
A collectable significantly historical instrument can command very high prices, usually sold through auction houses. Any musician looking to add such an instrument to their own collection will be competing against other individuals who are not musicians but could be investors and collectors wanting the instrument for display purposes only. Despite the high prices commanded by vintage instruments any owner is unlikely to see values drop any time soon, they remain solid investments. Ownership of these older rare instruments comes with challenges because they often need specialist maintenance or even restoration especially if the owner intends to use it on a regular basis. If a musician is intending to use their instrument for touring or music festival performances, there is an increased risk of damage or theft so the instrument in question must be suitably insured too. 

For festival organisers planning their next events using a software management platform like Festival Pro gives them all the functionality they need manage every aspect of their event logistics. The guys who are responsible for this software have been in the front line of event management for many years and the features are built from that experience and are performance artists themselves. The Festival Pro platform is easy to use and has comprehensive features with specific modules for managing artists, contractors, venues/stages, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, guestlists, ticketing, cashless payments and contactless ordering.

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