Perhaps even worse because people build up very intimate relationships with their instruments - another violin likely wouldn't do. I personally could afford to replace my violin, but I don't want to because I'm in love with her.

exfuckingxactly

thanks for the kind reactions everyone.
she uses some violin she borrowed from someone, but of course its not the same... we'll know more about fixing it tomorrow. the thing was worth about 10000 euros before the cracks...

about teh case: it was a solid case, but the shock of it bumping into the ground wouldn't do any good to any instrument.

she's really depressed about it, didn't even make fun of my pants this morning.

and of course, this kind of drama might seem minor in perspective, but she makes a living with that instrument.

OMG:eek:

be strong

Have her check with the conservatory around there and they'll probably get her a loaner after hearing about the unfortunate happenstance.

Maybe she'll get an even finer instrument to play out of the whole ordeal.

The same thing happened with my dad's 1966 Gibson Hummingbird. One of my brother's idiot friends put it in a stand and it fell out and cracked the headstock in a half. I'm sure it was worth several thousand dollars, because it had all its original parts and it still played like a beaut. We had it fixed, but the little e string is very tinny sounding.
I've been lucky thus far with my violin. I'm sure it's not worth nearly as much as your mother's was, but it is still beautiful and plays amazingly.

that sucks... my stepdad also has some guitars worth a lot of money, and he cringes every time he sees how his son handles them.