Bayer521 Posted September 28, 2001 Report Share Posted September 28, 2001 Hello everyone, I just got my violin restored and below is the webpage of the pictures. I am not sure the exactly origin and the violin hopefully you guys can tell me more about this violin. www.alpine.net/~panda Thanks. ps. feel free to email me at fiddler_on_roof@hotmail.com if you wish to tell me in private. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_W Posted September 28, 2001 Report Share Posted September 28, 2001 Wow--looks like Brescian style, all right. Whether Italian, I can't judge. The age looks over 150 years. The only thing I find disturbing is the lack of evidence of cracking in the top. Usually if the edges need doubling the violin has been used a lot and there should have been more damage over time--evidence of soundpost wear and so on. You're right, the block and some of the linings are not original, so we know this violin has seen some work. Can you tell us a bit more about it? Body size, etc.? One more thing I just noticed--thick neck and fingerboard, as seen on some antiqued German copies. I see a new neck in the background in the photos--what can you tell us about the old neck? [This message has been edited by Mark_W (edited 09-28-2001).] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveg Posted September 28, 2001 Report Share Posted September 28, 2001 the varnish has a nice patina, but my photos are not that good. Plus there was an hugely excessive layer of pad laq applied to the instrument which I pulled of (35gr) the old neck was pretty much useless, it had been shaved to 21mm wide at the nut, had 4 grafts, and 2 bushing jobs in differnt locations, a heel graft, a button graft, and a 4mm dowel from the finger board surface into the heel to shore up a fracture in the heel. back=355mm stop=198mm ub=161mm mb=104.5mm lb=200mm upper rib=28mm lower rib=29mm arch=14mm table graduation=2.8mm center to edge back graduation=2.5mm center to edge rib thickness=0.8mm there are tool marks in the back, and plane marks on ribs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_W Posted September 28, 2001 Report Share Posted September 28, 2001 The measurements bode well. So often these copies are oversize. The rib tapering up toward the lower bout seems good too. I've measured some of the lesser Maggini-like animals out there and a lot of them would make better violas than violins. They're often built like trucks, too. Padding lacquer = **** for violins. Looks like a nice project. Let us know how it turns out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andres Sender Posted September 29, 2001 Report Share Posted September 29, 2001 Steve I am always amazed at what is going on up there in Tahoe--all these ancient instruments! The instruments have a sort of family resemblance though somehow--are they all coming from the same place? [This message has been edited by Andres Sender (edited 09-28-2001).] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveg Posted September 29, 2001 Report Share Posted September 29, 2001 It's not mine, I only did the neck change, edge doubling, and removed the crappy pad laquire. It belongs to Mike Chuang, he told me found it in a BlueGrass music shop. Nice find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayer521 Posted September 29, 2001 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2001 Andres, You are right in pointing out that there are similarities among instruments that passed through Steve's hands. However, the instrument I pointed out to in this post does belong to me. I purchased it at a local Bluegrass store, here in Baltimore. I've asked Steve to work on it, that's all. So don't worry, there's no scam going on! Mike Chuang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richf Posted October 1, 2001 Report Share Posted October 1, 2001 Steve, What's pad laquer, and how did you remove it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveg Posted October 1, 2001 Report Share Posted October 1, 2001 Pad laq is a bleached shellac with a high percentage of isobutanol which slows the drying time to allow you more time to work the polish and oil. It should be used very sparingly when french polishing finished items. It should never be used on fine stringed instruments. It is frequently used on guitars and mandolins. I removed it with a little 150 proof everclear and a lot of elbow grease. As soon as the patina and crackle of the original finish showed up I stopped rubbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richf Posted October 1, 2001 Report Share Posted October 1, 2001 Thanks, Steve. So it IS possible to take off an overcoat with out destroying the original finish. I have nothing to contribute on the origins, but it is a pretty violin. Nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobH Posted October 1, 2001 Report Share Posted October 1, 2001 I am intrigued by the grain configuration in the bass bar ...as shown in the photos No 1,the grain seems to be at a significant angle to the customary vertical plane, with possibly only one winter growth ring making contact with the top. I'd appreciate some comments on this, if anyone has a theory as to the merits/detriments,or any history of this grain alignment practice. My 'seat of the pants' feel is this arrangement would inhibit the vibration transfer, and effectively equal a vertical grain bar having one winter and two summer growth rings,insofar as vibration transfer is concerned. BTW, does this violin project well? BobH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayer521 Posted October 2, 2001 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2001 I can't tell you what the violin sound/project like right now. I am anticipating the violin to arrive back in my hands on thursday the latest, then I will take it into the concert hall at my school. Before the works, my violin already has a lot of power. But since the tone is very warm and unfocussed the projection was not really there. I when I get the violin back in couple of days, I will let everyone know how things turned out. In the mean time, Steve G. may be able to answer your quesiton on the bass bar. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayer521 Posted October 7, 2001 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2001 Hello everyone, My violin just got back to me couple days ago. I still fine tuning it with various string and sound post positions. I think it was a success. The tone is now more focussed with out losing the characteristics and smoothness of the original sound. The body looks absolutley fantastic. The neck was nicely done, especially at where the button is. The scroll was well done as well... This violin now as a very "tight" sound but that's probaly because of the edge doubling. However, this is now a great sound that I see a great potential for. I am very happy that Steve G. did the neck, scroll graft, edge doubling, and most importantly, cleaned up the body for me. Plus, with the new (larger diameter) sound post, I have brought forth a powerful upper register that will match with the already well endowed lower register. I am not a pro, but I now can enjoy playing a great violin like a pro. Thanks Steve. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_W Posted October 8, 2001 Report Share Posted October 8, 2001 Question for steveg about the larger-diameter soundpost. What's your theory on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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