Theghostis

@David Alex Tricot @HoGo and @Brad Dorsey Thank you for all the suggestions. These all seem like good options. I do not know if I will be able to make and insert a thin shim as the space is very small, but it’s certainly worth trying. Regarding the rib, the idea to attempt to force it back in place while gluing seems like the best idea if I can somehow accomplish it. Otherwise, I may attempt to simply glue it back as-is. While the cello is solid wood, it’s a very basic student instrument and I’m not sure it’s worth the cost of repairing the rib professionally especially if the neck issues get worse (or are worse than they immediately appear). It’s something I’ll continue to consider.

I got a cheap student cello that has a couple issues. I’d like to try resolving the issues myself because I don’t think it’s going to be worth getting it professionally repaired. I am interested in getting some advice on the best way to proceed. the neck has separated from the button. The neck angle still seems ok. But I can see some cracked varnish at the sides of the neck mortise so it looks like the cello experienced a fall or other impact. If I glue the button back to the neck heel, is there risk of the button breaking if the neck is otherwise compromised and detaches or otherwise breaks once I put string tension on the neck? The neck still seems to be solidly attached to the body. the lower rib near the end pin is warped. I want to close up the seams but don’t know if it’s more harmful to the instrument if I don’t try in some way to resolve the warp rather than just gluing it back together (if possible). I’ve read a bit about the usual fixes for warped ribs and they look rather involved.

I purchased a viola from a violin shop in Spain and after the instrument has been held up in customs for 10 days, I’ve been informed that I need to submit a Lacey Act declaration. The shop “filled out” the form but neither item on the form was one I ordered. I need to declare the rosin and the viola as they are both made of plant products. Does anyone here have experience with this and advice on the best way to approach this form? I have asked the shop to fill out the form again, but I will need to sign it and confirm that what the shop provides is true. As the form requires all the woods to be listed with their respective codes and quantities, how do you list a product made of multiple woods without it looking like you purchased the item multiple times to prevent duplicate customs duties?

Congratulations on your viola. I bet it will play even better with a setup and adjustment. You might ask the luthier for string recommendations when you take it for a setup. I’ve personally liked both Warchal Amber and Brilliant strings. I’ve been curious to try Dominant Pro as I hear they are easy to play and they are a little less expensive than rondo, PI, Evah, etc. I had bad luck with vision solo on my Jay Haide viola but I know some people like these strings. If the Larsen A looks expensive to you, try Jargar or the warchal Amber A.

@MANFIOthank you for the details on how you set up your violas. This is helpful.

I know after length has been discussed here a lot but I’ve only seen a few discussions specific to viola after length, and they stated that a longer after length often works on violas. My question is how much longer? I had a conversation with a luthier recently about adjusting the setup on my recently acquired viola and he noted that the after length is very long. He recommended a 13.5cm tailpiece and it currently has a 12.5cm tailpiece. Measurements are 37.2cm vibrating string length and 7.8cm after length. I think the viola sounds pretty good but it hasn’t been played in a long time so do believe it could benefit from a setup and the string height needs to be lowered by 1mm according to 2 luthiers (I agree). I don’t want a longer tailpiece and lower bridge to dampen the lively sound of the instrument too much. I am comfortable doing some experiments with tailpieces and possibly using an adjustable foot bridge to experiment with bridge height, but I plan on taking the instrument to a luthier for a real adjustment at some point (and maybe a lower bridge if I don’t dislike the sound).

I just acquired a Henri Vallon viola and am very interested to hear if anyone here has any other information on this maker.

Did you end up purchasing this? I saw it listed as well.

I have a Jacques Leclerc. The varnish is rather shiny and is faux antiqued in an ugly style. The other photos I’ve found online of Jacques Leclercs look exactly like mine. The varnish on the front of yours looks different. Here’s an example of one that looks pretty much exactly like the one I have. Of course the model may have changed over the years it was made so they might not all look alike. In the US, based on the research I’ve done, these instruments sell for around $$4-5k, maybe a little less depending on location. Have you tried the instrument you are asking about? How does it sound?

For some reason I like the look of this viola. I don't know a lot about violins and violas, but visually this one appeals to me. I also enjoyed reading about the violin in the OP and the repair results.

I’ve never purchased an instrument from an auction like tarisio but these two instruments also looked interesting to me as a player who wants a smaller instrument. There’s also a violin by the same maker in the auction.

Out of the two trial violins I brought to a lesson which were pretty different in price, my teacher said both had something that my current violin does not, but to keep looking. There was also some suggestion that the qualities I am likely looking for are mostly found outside of the price range I've been looking in. My teacher does not think that my current violin is holding me back but agrees with me about some of the deficiencies I find in my current violin. I don't get a strong sense that my teacher has a lot of experience with violin pricing specifically. I don't know if my teacher would get a percentage of the sale but given no particular attachment to a specific shop, I think this is not too likely.

I don’t actually think they are. It’s a reputable shop. But the local market may or may not be making prices higher (maybe a lot?) than elsewhere.

Thank you for your insight. I do trust that the shop I reference is reputable. It’s that I am concerned that the local market may be priced a lot higher than everywhere else. It sounds like it’s likely within range of US prices.

I’ve watched the violin shopping video. While it was highly entertaining I’m not sure that it gave me much more knowledge of the actual process of selecting an instrument.