ShadowStrad

It's a pain in the neck to have to plane a carbon fiber fingerboard because you are forced to keep sharpening your plane blade way more often than an ebony fingerboard. It's just a big hassle. Now, I do use carbon fiber violin bridges. They are well made and won't warp or break.

There are ways to take pictures of violins that greatly help us give good opinions. There is a thread where someone posted how to take pictures of a violin. It's a pain in the butt if you're not a photographer but if you can manage it, we can better answer any questions you might have.

I won't even tough a violin with a bass bar crack. There are just so many good violins out there without this issue that I focus more on them instead.

This is going to take a lot of work and I don't think the violin is worth as much as it would cost to repair it and to make it playable.

I've said it once and I'll say it again. If you put a thin coat of washed linseed oil on your white violin and leave it in the sun for a long time (this is where your patience has to take command), you will end-up with a violin that has a natural, golden color and you can then put a pore filler on the wood ( I use a high quality shellac ). Once that's dry (don't sand the pore filler), I start putting on layers of color. Every time I started using shellac as my ground coat, I've never had it fail when I start putting oil varnish on the instrument.

My experience is that shellac sticks to everything.

Here is a violin I made and finished with the above mentioned technique. I made it for a girl who insisted it be a dark orange color. She's in middle school so other kids had similar color violins.

My eyes are drawn to the far left of the top piece. I don't like the bottom piece at all.

Treat the raw wood with washed linseed oil. Put it in the sun until you're sure it is dry. This will turn your violin a nice, golden color. Don't rush it. This step can take a very long time. Then, put a coat of high quality shellac as your ground coat. Don't use what's at the hardware store. You should be able to get it from International Violin. DON'T sand the ground coat. Your first layer of color will be very easy to apply and of course keep going until you achieve the color you want. I sand with 3000 grit and water between coats. Be careful to stay away from the edges. When you have the color you like, put a clear coat on and put it in the UV box until everything is how you want it. You'll be happy with the results. Of course I'm using an oil based varnish.

You guys are full of shit.

OMG! Everything was funny until you threw in the erect, middle finger.

So are you saying in the picture I submitted, the f-holes look like they are cut by two different people?

Two of the pictures I tried to load wouldn't. Sorry for taking up two posts. Rich

scroll.htmlHey folks! I hope everyone is doing well. I need help with a cello. I would greatly appreciate any input you have for me. Thanks!!! side 1.html