Professional Instrument Appraisals & Written Valuations
For Insurance, Probate, Sale, Planning & Peace of Mind
What We Offer
Professional instrument appraisals, valuations, and documentation — tailored to your needs.
At Alan Yates Music, we provide clear, evidence-based appraisal and valuation services for stringed instruments, from informal market guidance through to formal written valuation reports and historical documentation. Whether you’re seeking clarity for insurance, probate, resale, personal records, or simply peace of mind, each service is carefully structured to deliver the appropriate level of detail, accuracy, and professional judgement — offered remotely or in-house depending on your requirements.
Instrument Coverage
We specialise in banjo ukuleles, wooden ukuleles, and guitars only.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide appraisals or valuations for other instrument types.
Who We Work With
Private individuals
Musicians and collectors
Solicitors and estate professionals
Insurance companies and brokers
Auction houses and dealers
House Clearance Professionals
Appraisal vs. Valuation: What’s the Difference?
An appraisal offers a quick, informal estimate of an instrument's market worth — used for personal interest, early-stage sales, or repair/maintenance or restoration planning.
A valuation is a formal, written document that provides a detailed assessment of the instrument’s identity, condition, and market value — typically used for insurance, probate, legal, or official purposes.
23 Reasons to have an Appraisal or Valuation?
Why Come to Us?
Decades of Experience
Years of combined hands-on knowledge.Accurate, Honest Assessments
Every appraisal and valuation is based on real-world expertise, not automated estimates or guesswork.Specialist Knowledge, Not Generic Valuations
From vintage banjo ukuleles to modern guitars, we understand the history, craftsmanship, and market trends behind each instrument.In-House Restoration Expertise
Our repair and restoration skills give us a deeper insight into an instruments condition, authenticity and value.Trusted by Professionals & the Public
Whether you're a musician, collector, solicitor, or insurance provider — our reputation for accuracy and fairness is why people return or recommend us.Flexible Service Levels to Suit You
From initial guidance to full, formal written reports, we offer a range of service levels to suit different needs and situations.Independent & Passionate
We're a small family-run business — We care about everything we do and every customer!
Read below a few stories on people we have helped in the past!
Appraisal & Valuation Services
We offer eight levels of service to suit different needs and situations — from quick guidance to detailed, expert support.
Important – Provenance, Heritage & Historically Significant Instruments
Instruments with notable ownership history, artist association, documented performance use, historical importance, or extensive provenance documentation are not covered by our standard valuation fees.
These cases often require additional assessment, documentation review, research and physical inspection and are therefore quoted individually.
Please contact us before booking to discuss suitability and pricing.
Unsure which service you need? ~ Contact Us for Personal Advice
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Client: Jane W., Lancashire
Instrument: Early 20th Century Banjo Ukulele
Service Used: Standard Valuation (£30)When Jane found an old banjo ukulele tucked away in her late grandfather’s loft, she wasn’t sure what it was — let alone if it was worth anything. Unsure whether to keep it, sell it, or restore it, she reached out to us for advice.
We delivered a full digital valuation including history, age, fair market value, and care options. Jane chose to keep the instrument and display it in honour of her family.
“You gave me history, value, and options — it was lovely to deal with people who actually care.”
— Jane W. -
Client: Graham T., Solicitor, North Yorkshire
Instrument: 1960s Acoustic Guitar
Service Used: Full Valuation (£50)Graham contacted us to support a client’s probate process. We provided a hands-on valuation with photographs and documentation suitable for legal records. The instrument’s value was recorded in the estate paperwork and helped the family feel reassured.
“Alan Yates Music made the process effortless — professional, timely, and thorough.”
— Graham T. -
Client: Malcolm R., Blackpool
Instrument: Modern Electro-Acoustic Guitar
Service Used: Standard Appraisal (£10)Malcolm was unsure what to charge for his guitar. Our quick photo-based appraisal gave him a realistic price and tips for selling online. He listed it the next day and sold it within a week.
“I nearly gave it away too cheap! Glad I checked first.”
— Malcolm R. -
Client: Richard H., Preston
Instrument: Fender Electric Guitar
Service Used: Full Valuation (£50)Richard brought us what he believed was a genuine Fender electric guitar, recently purchased via Facebook Marketplace. He requested a written valuation for insurance purposes.
During our assessment, we discovered several tell-tale signs that the instrument was not authentic but a copy.
“Gutted, not the news I expected. At least I didn’t insure something that in the end wasn’t worth insuring! Alan & Alyson must have felt sorry for me because they also refunded my valuation fee. You were honest, respectful, and took the time to explain everything properly. Thank you both. Next time I will be asking you to take a look at a guitar before I buy it!”
— Richard H.
People we have helped.
Every instrument has a story. Ready to discover yours?
[Start Your Appraisal or Valuation Today]
If we have helped you in the past and you would like us to share your story, please email us.