Anton Schuster Cello 1979 - Worth??

[wen...@gmail.com]

How do we find out how much this cello is that I inherited from an old
roommate? It's an Anton Schuster handmade 3/4 cello made in 1979 of
fiddleback maple by M&M Distributing (Michigan)? I have pictures of it
if that's helpful. We're in Austin, TX. Thanks!

[BestStudentViolins.com]

Take it to a luthier and have it appraised. It is virtually (pun
intended) IMPOSSIBLE to evaluate an instrument via the net, even with
photos. See:

Violin/Viola FAQ
http://beststudentviolins.com/StringCareSpecs.html#2

(2) Requests to appraise an instrument.
This must be done by a reputable shop. I get frequent requests about
specific instruments, but that is not my area of expertise, and it
cannot be done, people, over the internet without a direct examination
from a reputable expert, which most violinists are not. Labels can and
often are faked!!

People often write me about instruments with Stradivarius labels,
violins which have turned up in an attic, closet, cupboard, or garage
sale. The "Stradivarius" label often has a tiny copie de above the
word Stradivarius, which means a copy of a Stradivarius, or an
instrument built on that model. If repaired, these instruments may be
good student instruments, but unfortunately, they're seldom or never
valuable. What must be done in every case is to locate a professional
repair person who can do an adequate appraisal.