The audiofile is kind of low so please boost up the volume on your computer. Many times, string replacements and cleaning, refitting the bridge, soundpost, or other small fixes can make a huge difference in the look and sound of an older violin. Like a broken bone, a crack in the face of a violin can be an incomplete fracture or a complete break through the wood. Selecting tone wood, fitting, and shaping a new soundpost is an altogether more complicated task requiring the skills of a seasoned professional.
When your violin is in need of some tlc, we can take the worry out. This 19th century dutch violin presented an interesting problem, as not only did it have a soundpost crack running down the front plate alongside where the treble bridge foot would sit but it also had a square piece of wood let into the top plate right under the location of the treble bridge foot. New or used, youre sure to find the violin that will be a perfect complement to your musical career. Jul 14, 2012 this video shows a soundpost repair and a faked label in an antique german stadiuarius violin. Violin top crack repair fixing a short crack on a violin. The usual repair consists of removing the old bass bar, gluing the crack, fitting a new bass bar, cleating the crack, fitting t. They occur at the top of the bottom hole of the fs, usually due to too much pressure on the top while cleaning. Please contact us for a free estimate and consultation of your instrument. Stradivari strings luthier did an excellent job replacing with a milo stamm bridge, as well as air dry the violin for a time period. Jun 28, 2011 taking an entire top off and having to reassemble the pieces together, including readjusting bridge and soundest position didnt seem at all like a worthwhile effort for a relatively short crack on a viola that didnt bear the name stainer, stradivari or any other big german or italian name. I am a 21 year old violinist who recently had a serious traumatic soundpost crack right through the back of the violin. On hindsight, we should have invested in an air tight and waterproof violin case.
Dec 21, 2014 repairing of badly damaged broken violin rib. Setter vspclassic, smcello and smdb, helps to easily set the sound post in all size instrumenta from 18 size violin up to 44 double bass. Miles doubleday, our senior restorer, has over 20 years experience with ealing strings london, uk. All repairs are undertaken for violins, violas and cellos. One very common problem with violin family instruments are wing cracks.
The following is a break down of the most common repairs. Regardless, cracks can be repaired via a special glue or clamps that arch across the top or back of the violin. This procedure to restoring the violin is very intricate and elaborate, thus making the procedure expensive. For a job like this, superglue would work best because one, this is a crack that we do not expect a need to open in the future, and two. When repaired properly with a sound post patch, the instrument. Violinsoundpost easy to use now even i can set my violin. To book a time to discuss your repair and receive a quote, please visit the appointments tab on our website, or give us a call at the shop. To book a time to discuss your repair and receive a quote, please visit the appointments tab on our website, or give us a. Obangong violin sound post setter repair tool violin luthier tool set,shoulder rest shaft screwdriver,44 violin tail cord. Otherwise, shrinkage cracks, fhole cracks, and other cracks are common on old instruments that have dried out and seen a. Its usually ten to 15 percent of the total value for a soundpost crack in the top, but for a crack in the back, its 40 to 50 percent, says rob mayes, director of sales at carriage house violins in upper newton falls, massachusetts.
Why diy wont do when your violin suffers a major malfunction. First, the crack is cleaned out and glued not illustrated. If there is a way to damage an instrument, someone at some point has done it, and we have seen it. Best sound post tool ever for violin, viola and more. There was also a distinct arching distortion and wing cracks. Hold on tight andreas hudelmayer compares notes with london restorers on using small clamps for crack repairs. Repairing an instrument with a sound post crack triangle. The wood above the soundpost needs to be sturdy to handle the pressure of the soundpost, and a crack prevents it from be strong and conducting sound well. My father milan simonovic, an architect, was an amateur violinist. With this violin the more challenging job was to glue the other crack, about a centimeter to the left of the soundpost crack. In order to repair a sound post crack the violin top must be removed, and a support cast made to assist in the fitting of the repair patch. For the most part, repaired top cracks are not a problem, with the exception being cracks that run over the soundpost. The original bell patch also strengthened the sound post crack repair.
I recognize that a bass bar crack is a serious crack, and will devalue an instrument. Cracks in the face, back, or ribs of the violin can be more serious than an open seam, especially if left untreated for an extended amount of time. If you have a broken violin, viola, cello, or double bass in need of repair or restoration, stop by and well be happy to take a look and talk things over with you. Koehler performed the majority of the repair and restorations at the bonita springs location. Soundpost crack if the instrument has suffered a crack in the area where the soundpost stands, this is called a soundpost crack and is serious.
Corbishley violins offers prompt and professional service to keep your instrument sounding its best. When a sound post crack occurs, it is generally not adequate to repair it like a. Soundpost crackif the instrument has suffered a crack in the area where the soundpost stands, this is called a soundpost crack and is serious. For more information or to order daniel strings, violins, bows or accessories, please go to. Terry allen, the owner of evergreen workshop and violinmaker, performs most setup and violin repairs inhouse for the virginia peninsula. For the purpose of this essay, im referring to a crack in the top of the instrument. We are a nationally acclaimed repair center that specializes in restorations. Its usually ten to 15 percent of the total value for a soundpost crack in the top, but for a crack in the back, its 40 to 50 percent, says rob mayes, director of sales at carriage house. Scroll down the page to see a list of our standard repairs and prices violin bow repairs are at the very bottom of the page. Quality repair and restoration are prerequisites for a violin shop to be taken seriously. The cost of the repair depends on the size and severity of the crack, and whether or not cleats are required.
When his violin, made by check maker ladislav prokop, needed repair my parents invited to our home vojislav filipovic, a violin maker and a family friend. Having a bespoke bridge or soundpost made for your instrument can give your sound a completely new lease of life. Violin repair, violin restoration services uk wide tim. Were proud to offer professional restoration repairs, from complex tasks like crack repair, to bridge and soundpost setup work. Aug 01, 2012 this question was prompted by lyndons reply to puckfans thread labeled pietro guarneio. Im also well aware, and have done, the standard repair for a bass bar crack. James koehler violins was formed upon the retirement of violin maker, william fleischer, owner of the violin shop florida. There are two major cracks on the top on the table where the fholes are. Yinfente violin tool brass hold repair violin crack clamp luthier tool violin making adjustable size 1pcs.
Terrys philosophy is that setup is an art, a combination of all things that make an instrument playable. Sound post cracks are very common in the long life of a violin family instrument. Again, only a dealer, a luthier, or even a trusted violin teacher will be able to tell you if you should invest in repairing your violin. The fall of the soundpost jim clinton violins greenville, sc. Join daniel as he travels the world exploring, helping violinists, violin makers and teachers, making and sharing videos that entertain and educate. Dec 14, 2016 join daniel as he travels the world exploring, helping violinists, violin makers and teachers, making and sharing videos that entertain and educate. Whenever i have to tell a client that their instrument is in need of a soundpost patch, i am prepared to provide an explanation. We are one of only a couple stores in the entire virginia area that performs any needed repair on violins, violas, cellos, basses, and bows. A scrap 5mm soundpost is split and glued into the trough and, after the glue dries, it is trimmed flush with the surrounding wood.
Usually that means pulling up a portfolio of photos, or even reaching for an actual project undergoing the procedure. Soundpost repair and a faked label old violin youtube. Cracks in other areas of the top may be reinforced by the installation of small cleats to the surface of the wood, like this. A patch is the correct repair for a crack running through the soundpost area. Repairs rentals about us soundpost, bridge, and peg adjustments, repair estimates, and verbal appraisals are always free of charge. Clients, both professional and amateur, should be assured. The counterpart is clamped into place and a trough is made along the crack with a 5mm incannel gouge. When i started out, a post crack in the back was seen as the death o. I tried about 30 violins in a shop yesterday, and i was reminded that price is no. About three quarters of the back panel is visibly cracked from the soundpost going through the wood. Please make appointments at least twice a year for a free checkup and adjustment. This instrument is a 1927 violin by kurt gutter, one of the better markneukirchen makers.
In our experience, the biggest reason that people are reluctant to consider a used instrument is that they assume used equals damaged. We are neither performing a professional nor a permanent repair. A soundpost crack is tough to repair and results in. My professional violinist and amateur repair person apparently had his own soundpost setter, too. The violin i want to buy has a repair is this a problem.
Click on the product for full description and larger photo. Yet to glue a crack perfectly remains one of the most difficult tasks, with tension, sinking arching and unevenly swelling wood making things difficult and slightly unpredictable. Price list and instrument repairs available at master hand. It must have taken quite an impact because the chinrest was cracked in half and the bridge was broken. Restore violin violin making, restoration and repair.
When a top crack passes over the sound post area it is the usual procedure to. Violin repair, violin restoration services uk wide tim toft. I learned that the repair for this problem is very expensive. Hold on tight andreas hudelmayer compares notes with london restorers on using small clamps for crack repairs glueing cracks is one of the most common jobs in violin repair or restoration. Here is a viola where the top was cracked into two pieces, there was also a small crack from the f hole up near the bass bar. Just like fine wine, great violins only get better with age.
Apr 15, 20 i am a 21 year old violinist who recently had a serious traumatic soundpost crack right through the back of the violin. Bass bar crack repair the pegbox maestronet forums. Our workshop staff are all trained to the highest standards and they know exactly how to get the best out of your violin, viola or cello. Whatever circumstance led to your violin discovery, many people wonder if some instruments are worth the trouble and expense of repair. Dutch violin soundpost patch the violineri melbourne. Helps to easily set the sound post in all size instrumenta from 18 size violin up to 44 double bass. Often they are neglected for years, and by the time the decision is made to fix them properly it becomes a monumental task to clean out the. Sometimes a ninja soundpost crack may occur, even months later when low humidity changes occur, for example during dry winter weather conditions. We offer a full range of maintenance and repairs, including bow rehairing, bridge fitting, soundpost setting and adjustment, crack repair, varnish restoration, neck resetting, fingerboard dressing, peg fitting and adjustment, and the list goes on. The appropriate repair is a soundpost patch, when fitted and finished the instrument will be playable but sometimes a change in sound can occur, particularly if the patch is fitted to the back. About a week after i got it, the soundpost fell out and on closer inspection i noticed two parallel hairline cracks on the top of the violin near the right foot of the bridge.
After this the crack is retouched, and, hopefully, it becomes invisible. Be aware that damage may occur at the f hole, and a crack may occur at the top or back if a soundpost is installed improperly. As head luthier and shop manager of the violin shop florida, mr. When repaired properly with a sound post patch, the instrument can continue to be a reliable tool beyond your lifetime and perhaps even improve its tone. An open, unreinforced, soundpost crack in the top has the potential to become a larger problem than it presently is. As of 3182020 we are accepting repairs by appointment only. And two went straight through the soundpost, which is always the bad spot to hit, garrett says. Bbc news uk magazine how to repair a valuable violin. The violin bridge was total warped and had to be replaced. As its italian name suggests, the sound post is one of the violin. Cant believe it took so long for this to be invented. Home about us hours directions gallery eisenbarth instruments repair price list rental program contact us. An apprentice violin technician will perform this task in excess of 30 times before being considered capable of properly inspecting and installing a soundpost. Soundpost crack repair or buy a new violin early posts.
Soundpost repair and a faked label old violin duration. Yinfente violin tool brass hold repair violin crack clamp luthier tool violin. What is the current thinking on the devaluation of instruments that have been damaged by sound post cracks in the back, replaced heads, etc. The broken violin will take at least eight months to repair. Clients, both professional and amateur, should be assured that their cherished instrument or bow is in good hands. Repairing an instrument with a sound post crack triangle strings. I would recommend their repair and restoration service to anyone. At master hand violin shop, we have a reputation for the highest quality repairs around. Aside from the intrusive repair, there will be significant depreciation. The violin is a wonderful instrument that has many facets that affect its worth. Glueing cracks is one of the most common jobs in violin repair or restoration.
Hold on tight the strad nov 2001 article on crack repair. It tends to happen more in basses that have a tight soundpost. The permanent repair solution is to remove the back plate, glue up the crack, install an inlaid patch with the grain slightly skewed in relation to the wood of the back, then reinstall the back and fit a new soundpost. The shock is sent through the soundpost, which then splits the back. Mar 01, 2009 my professional violinist and amateur repair person apparently had his own soundpost setter, too. Instrument repairs t he sound post has a repair and restoration team comprised of luthiers with specialized training at european violin making schools and considerable international experience.