linuxviolin Posted December 15, 2002 Report Share Posted December 15, 2002 How dangerous is it to play on a violin with a fairly open seam? My mother needs hers, so it's back to mine. The seam is located between the back and the ribs, directly underneath the button, and spreads for about an inch on each side. I can get it to a luthier tomorrow evening, but I have a lesson tomorrow afternoon that's my last until January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Tucker Posted December 16, 2002 Report Share Posted December 16, 2002 Sorry I missed this Linux, If the open seam is directly beneath the button and on either side of the bottom block, I think I'd take the tension off of the strings just to be safe. In other words, if there's any chance that the bottom block is loose in there it would probably be prudent to remove the pressure from the strings right now. If there wasn't a question about the bottom block being involved I'd say go for it and use the violin until you got to the luthiers, but if you think the block is involved, Don't mess with it. De tune it and get it to the doctor before you tune it back up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linuxviolin Posted December 16, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2002 Uh-oh... I can see clearly between the block and the back of the violin. I also see the unvarnished wood where the button has pulled out, and the seam where the ribs connect is also out of order. Strings detuned as of ... now. It also appears that the chinrest has warded off some damage on the left side. Now I see more like a two inch separation on the right side. I'll be making a phone call in the morning. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Tucker Posted December 16, 2002 Report Share Posted December 16, 2002 Oops, I was thinking end pin Linux, (duh!) which would make my post make sense. If it is the button then the top block is in question, and the same advice goes. Get the tension off of it right now. You ARE saying that the neck heel is seperating from the button, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linuxviolin Posted December 16, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2002 What? I don't think I mentioned the neck.. this is the end button at the bottom of the violin... as opposed to the end pin that sits on the bottom of celli and bassi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Tucker Posted December 16, 2002 Report Share Posted December 16, 2002 Well, either way you did the right thing taking the pressure off. Top or bottom block - either one can lead to major damage if you leave pressure on when it becomes loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Tucker Posted December 16, 2002 Report Share Posted December 16, 2002 On the violin the little piece of wood that goes beneath the heel of the neck, but is actually part of the back plate, is often called the button. And what you are calling the button is often called the end pin, whether it's on a bass, cello, or violin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linuxviolin Posted December 16, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2002 How much damage might I have done, because I was practicing on it for who knows how long with it undone- I noticed it when I was messing around with the idea of shoulder rest/ no shoulder rest, and the strings have been tight since I put them on a week and a half ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Tucker Posted December 16, 2002 Report Share Posted December 16, 2002 If everything else looks hunky dory, problably not much. On the other hand, if you see cracked or warped out of shape ribs, or a split starting down the center of one of the plates, that's another thing. Probably all that needs to happen is that the luthier needs to reglue the block and part of the ribs back into place. A routine job and no big deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linuxviolin Posted December 16, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2002 I don't see anything cracked, though the ribs are pushed out a little bit. I think easing string tension helps that. thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Tucker Posted December 16, 2002 Report Share Posted December 16, 2002 My pleasure. Good luck with that fiddle, Linux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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