If you are a bit squeamish, it might be better not to read any further. Recently, a client came to the shop, with what we term a loft violin, still in its original coffin case. A violin, which has been… Read More ›
violin restorer Manchester
Mittenwald violin neck repair
This nice old Mittenwald violin came to the workshop following a catastrophic neck joint failure. Being left inside a car on a hot day proved too much for the historic, and poorly done neck repairs. Eventually the neck block became… Read More ›
Violin rib cracks
It’s most common for the belly to crack, but of course cracks can potentially happen anywhere on an instrument when it suffers an accident. The ribs, being quite thin, are especially vulnerable, as we can see on this very fine… Read More ›
French violin restoration part 3
With all of the woodwork taken care of internally, I can then move onto the final stages, before reassembly, cosmetic retouching and set up. As you may remember in the first post about this violin, the neck and fingerboard were… Read More ›
French violin restoration part 1
Eventually in the life of all instruments, there becomes a point where it is no longer useable without some interventions. It’s not unusual for people to soldier on with a poorly performing instrument, sometimes for years, before accepting the reality… Read More ›
In the workshop
While I am fortunate to work on many fantastic instruments, every once in a while one stands out as something extremely special. This can be for a variety of reasons, the varnish, the condition, the tone, the materials etc. This… Read More ›
Violin cleaning
Quite a common job, as all the instruments I work on get cleaned as part of the work. Most players keep their instruments pretty clean, but over time, a cleaning cloth may no longer be sufficient. Rosin particularly, will begin… Read More ›
String vision posture pegs
I’m sure many cellists will already know about these pegs. They are increasing in popularity, due to the greater comfort and posture improvements they can provide, due to the detachable heads. I often get calls about fitting these pegs, with… Read More ›
A tall tail
Although I’ve been restoring and making violins for decades, you just can’t ever say that you’ve seen it all. Quite often something will come into the workshop that just leaves you scratching your head. That was certainly the case when this… Read More ›
Cello varnish retouch marathon (part 1)
I’ve said before that varnish retouching is the most challenging aspect of any restoration project. For a successful outcome, the colour, level of transparency, texture, patina and level of sheen have to replicated convincingly. A heavily textured or crackled varnish… Read More ›
Violin bling
I thought I’d share these pictures of some decorated violin fittings. Both sets of pegs are German made, and date from somewhere around the end of the 19th Century. While both are made from Ebony, and inlaid with mother of… Read More ›
Before, during and after
Varnish wear is a common consequence of intensive use by busy professional musicians. The most handled areas are obviously prone to this, namely the upper treble rib and upper bout of the body. This viola, which is a fine copy… Read More ›
Something buzzing this way comes
This lovely violin, made by Hippolyte Chrétien Silvestre, was brought to the workshop to identify the source of a mystery buzz which had been plaguing the instrument for some time. The owner, along with their orchestra colleagues had been trying… Read More ›
Wear and scare
Old instruments which have undergone centuries of heavy use in the hands of professional players, often exhibit all the signs of daily interaction, in areas where the hand contacts the instrument. On this violin, one of the most striking things… Read More ›
Decorated violin
Towards the end of the 19th C, and into the early 20th C, a lot of the larger violin wholesalers offered a huge range of different violin models, in all sorts of styles. If you can find examples of old… Read More ›
The core
Cor: An expression of surprise, often said by cockneys, probably followed by “blimey”. Caw: The sound crows make, just before they attack you. Core: The central or innermost part. Once upon a time, most fingerboards were made in this manner…. Read More ›
The rule of three
It’s often said that things happen in threes, sometimes you get two and are really looking hard for the third one to make up the set. Not so this day. Shortly after we opened in the morning, someone called to… Read More ›
Wittner geared pegs
Having now fitted over a hundred sets of Wittner geared pegs, I have to say that I’m really quite impressed with them. Geared pegs, in various forms have been around for a long time, but due either to their complicated… Read More ›
Micro button
Sometimes an instrument comes into the workshop which causes a smile, often because it shows the signs of something having gone a bit wrong during the making process, and the subsequent efforts to rectify it, or at least salvage it…. Read More ›
Violin belly cracks
I was going to say it’s a snappy title, but that could be a pun too far… This French violin, made C.1850, was unfortunately dropped onto the floor, resulting in several cracks to the treble side of the belly. The… Read More ›
Slight Violins 