VINTAGE INSTRUMENTS is America's largest and most eclectic shop specializing in old and antique acoustic musical instruments. Our inventory ranges from Vintage guitars, banjos and mandolins, to nineteenth-century woodwinds and brass, and a wide range of historical instruments such as concertinas, lute family instruments, melodians, etc. Shop hours are Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm.. If you have specific needs, please call in advance of your visit so that we may arrange for the appropriate personnel to be available to assist you.
FREDERICK W. OSTER FINE VIOLINS Specializes in instruments of the violin family. The shop carries a large inventory of fine violins, violas, celli and bows. In addition, we carry accessories ranging from strings to cases. Appointments to try instruments in the violin family should be scheduled in advance, so please call before you arrive.
HISTORY
Established in 1974 by proprietor Fred Oster, Vintage Instruments was
originally located in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, and later
moved to a historic four-story Philadelphia brownstone built about 1860 in
Center City. Today, the area is know as the Pine Street Antique Row district.
The building has been home to a prominent judge, a school for the fine and
musical arts, and a recording studio (Zest Records). In 1996 Vintage Instruments expanded to a
second building, just a block away at 1609 Pine Street. This building, a lovely
three-story brick row house built about 1840 is now the home of Vintage
Instruments: The Guitar Shop.
PHONE ORDER INFORMATION
We ship instruments for a 48 hour approval period once we receive payment in
full (check, credit card, etc.). Shipping charges are not included in the
instrument prices listed. Mail order shipments within Pennsylvania are subject
to Pennsylvania sales tax of 6%. Shipments out-of-state are not subject to PA
state tax. We ship within the United States via UPS. We use BAX Global for most
international shipping. Before sending payment, please call to confirm the
instrument's availability and the cost of shipment.
SHIPPING INSTRUMENTS
Although we wish everyone could visit the shop, we know the trek isn't always feasible. So, we do ship instruments. However, we do not ship violin family instruments (this includes violins, violas, cellos, basses and their bows). In addition, we will only ship guitars in hard shell cases. If a guitar came to us with a soft case (original or otherwise) and it is described as such, we will charge an additional $75 to provide a nice new hard shell case for shipping. Typically, we ship using UPS services, though we also often use BAX for overseas shipping.
WE ACCEPT PAYMENT BY VISA & MASTERCARD
We do not have an "online" system for accepting payment, largely
because we still find that the unique nature of vintage instruments calls for a
conversation with the client to discuss the individual characteristics of an
instrument, as well as the client's specific needs or concerns. If you would
like to pay by credit card and cannot phone us with the information, we caution
that sending credit card information via e-mail is not secure and recommend
sending the information to us by fax (215-735-3634). Personal checks are
accepted, but must clear our bank before we will send an instrument. Cashiers
Checks are also accepted--just like cash. You may also transfer funds directly
to our bank (contact us for wire information).
RETURNS
If you decide not to keep an instrument we have shipped to you, notify us by
telephone or fax within 48 hours of receiving it, then ship it back to us via
UPS, insured for its full value. We will refund the price of the instrument as
soon as we receive it, provided it arrives in the condition in which it left
the shop. The customer is responsible for all shipping charges.
SERVICES & REPAIRS
Vintage Instruments is a center for fine instruments and craftsmanship. Pierre
Moisy is the Director of Violin Workshop operations for our shop.
Classically trained at the Lycee Jean Baptiste Vuillaume in the art of violin
making and restoration, Mr. Moisy has worked in various studios in Europe,
including the renowned Maison Bernard Huis in Brussels, Belgium. We also have a
selection of Mr. Moisy's violins available for trial.
We are also delighted that Jacob Mitas, formerly from the cool climes of the western coast, has joined our workshop. Jacob studied with Michael Yeats and others and is making, repairing and rehairing bows of the violin family. He plays viola in the rather raucous West Philadelphia Orchestra.
Locally, we can also
recommend the following:
Ron Ruggiero for fretted stringed instruments: 215-732-9727
Michael Menkevich for fretted stringed instruments:
215-288-8417
NEW GUITARS and ACCESSORIES
We also carry new instruments in addition to our vintage inventory. These
include guitars by C.F. Martin
& Co., National Reso-Phonic
Guitars, and others. In addition, we carry classical style guitars made by Marc Silber of Berkeley, CA , and Gold Tone Banjos. We have goatskin head
bodhrans made by Roundstone
Musical Instruments of County Galway, Ireland. They are well made and come
in a number of sizes with plain or decorated heads. We are always on the
lookout for new instruments that are well made and a good value.
APPRAISALS
We are happy to provide written appraisals at no cost for any instrument you
purchase from us. If you have an instrument you would like us to appraise,
please call to make an appointment to bring it in for an examination.
Rates for written insurance
appraisals are as follows:
Guitar: $35; or $25 each for multiple items on the same form
Flute, Woodwind, Brass: $35; or $25 each for multiple items on the same form
Violin, Viola, Cello: $75; $50 for each additional on the same form
Bow: $35; $25 for each additional on the same form
CARE & MAINTENANCE
PICK GUARD CRACKS: One of the most frequent guitar repair question we hear
about is the pickguard crack. Over time, most pickguards shrink. If you are
fortunate, the pick guard will pull away from the surface of the guitar. If
not, it will pull at the wood until it separates. Although usually minor at
first, a pick guard crack (in fact, any open crack) should be dealt with
A.S.A.P. because it will grow, detracting from the appearance of the instrument
and ultimately affecting the sound and structural integrity of the guitar. A
good repairer will loosen the guard to relieve the stress caused by shrinkage,
then repair the crack and replace the guard.
WINTERIZING: Winter weather poses an array of problems for all wooden instruments, from guitars to violins and flutes. Cold dry air draws the moisture out of wood and causes seams to separate, braces to loosen, head joints to crack, and so on. Begin winterizing precautions in autumn. When not in use instruments should be stored in a case that provides a fairly well sealed and controlled environment. Keep string tension loose, and take woodwinds apart into separate joints to relieve problems at the joints. Use a dampit or other form of humidifier to keep the humidity in the instrument's environment above 40%, and preferably closer to 50%. Make sure that the instrument is not stored near a heat vent, radiator, or other heat source. When traveling with the instrument allow it to adjust to changes between outdoor and indoor temperature and humidity gradually before removing from the case, tuning and playing
INSURANCE
Generally, insurers rarely require a written insurance appraisal if the value
of an instrument is less than $5,000. We recommend that you check with your
home or apartment insurance provider for specific requirements and coverage
information. Regardless, we recommend that you keep clear photos and complete
descriptions (with serial numbers) of your instruments with your important
papers in a fire safe location.
Heritage Insurance Services, Inc., a subsidiary of St. Paul, has developed a specialized musical instruments policy for musicians, collectors, and shops. We have found them to be a knowledgeable and reliable firm. For information, contact Ellis Hershman 1-800-289-8837
SUGGESTIONS REGARDING STOLEN INSTRUMENTS
If your instrument is stolen report it to the police immediately. Even though
it can be a pain in the neck, you will need this report should the instrument
ever turn up. Be sure to include a full description, as well as a serial number
or any other unique identifying information. There is always the possibility
that the police will recover your instrument. If the instrument is relatively
new, notify the manufacturer since some maintain databases of stolen instrument
information. Additionally, send notices to reputable shops and repairers in
your area. Some publications, such as Vintage Guitar magazine, have free classified sections where
you can advertise your stolen instrument. Stolen violins should be reported to
the American Federation of Violin
and Bow Makers and Maestronet for inclusion in their stolen instruments
registry.
DIRECTIONS
We are located in center city Philadelphia, one block from the Broad Street
"Avenue of the Arts," a ten minute walk south from the Suburban
Station commuter rail and New Jersey transit terminus station, or a $5.00, ten
minute cab ride from the 30th Street Amtrak station.
From the South: Follow I-95 North to I-76 West (Schuylkill Expressway). Exit at South Street (left lane exit ramp). Turn right onto South Street and cross the bridge. Turn left onto 25th Street and continue for two blocks. Turn right onto Pine Street and continue to the 1500 block. We are on the left (north side).
From the Northeast and New Jersey: Follow I-95 South to the Vine Street Expressway (676W) OR take the NJ Turnpike to exit 4 and follow signs for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and cross it to the Vine Street Expressway. Exit from the expressway at Broad Street (the exit puts you onto 15th Street, which parallels Broad Street). Pass City Hall on your left and continue straight on 15th Street. Pass Chestnut, Walnut, Sansom, Spruce, and Pine Streets. Then turn right on Lombard Street, one block and turn right on 16th Street, one block and turn right on Pine Street in the 1500 block. We are on the left (north side).
From the Northwest: From the Pennsylvania turnpike exit to I-76 East (Schuylkill Expressway) and follow the highway to the South Street exit. From the top of the ramp turn left onto South Street and cross the bridge. Turn left onto 25th Street and continue on 25th Street for two blocks. Turn right onto Pine Street and continue to the 1500 block. We are on the left (north side) in the middle of the block.
Parking: There is metered on-street parking throughout center city, a parking lot on our block, and other parking lots nearby (17th and Pine, 15th and South). If you don't mind a bit of a walk, the least expensive parking lot ($7.) is on South Street between 15th and Broad. That's about a 3 block walk. There is also a 20 minute loading zone on our block on the left,just a few doors up the street.