Question on Soundpost Patch

[Kallie]

Hi there,

 

I have a fixer-upper violin that I bought a while back. In the soundpost area, there seems to be a very small hairline crack developing. The crack doesnt go all the way through the top (from inside to outside). If you were to place the soundpost, it wouldnt be directly on the post, but a tiny bit to the side. Next to where the soundpost would be standing.

 

My question is, do I need a full soundpost patch? I know it is hard without seeing the violin first hand, and posting pictures wouldnt help since you cant see the crack with the bare eye unless you were to bend the wood. Can you ever use a smaller soundpost patch, to make it more time/cost efficient? Fitting a smaller patch would be much easier than fitting a large patch.

 

Thank you.

 

 

[Violadamore]

Since this has been viewed 84 times over 4 hours and I'm the first one to answer, I feel you know what the answer is.  You know what needs to be done.  Do it right and forget it for 100 years or more     For you, it shouldn't be a problem

[Bruce Carlson]

Hi there,

 

I have a fixer-upper violin that I bought a while back. In the soundpost area, there seems to be a very small hairline crack developing. The crack doesnt go all the way through the top (from inside to outside). If you were to place the soundpost, it wouldnt be directly on the post, but a tiny bit to the side. Next to where the soundpost would be standing.

 

My question is, do I need a full soundpost patch? I know it is hard without seeing the violin first hand, and posting pictures wouldnt help since you cant see the crack with the bare eye unless you were to bend the wood. Can you ever use a smaller soundpost patch, to make it more time/cost efficient? Fitting a smaller patch would be much easier than fitting a large patch.

 

Thank you.

Hi Kallie,

 

How thick is the post area? You might be able to glue it and with a well fitted soundpost the original cause of the crack may possibly be eliminated. I have done this on inexpensive instruments where the thickness is at least near 3 mm.

 

Obviously if you're looking to practice a soundpost patch on a fixer upper then you should do just that.

 

Bruce

[Kallie]

Since this has been viewed 84 times over 4 hours and I'm the first one to answer, I feel you know what the answer is.  You know what needs to be done.  Do it right and forget it for 100 years or more     For you, it shouldn't be a problem

I was hoping someone might change the answer I already had. I suppose that would be the best. Thank you for the advice, and reply.

 

 

Hi Kallie,

 

How thick is the post area? You might be able to glue it and with a well fitted soundpost the original cause of the crack may possibly be eliminated. I have done this on inexpensive instruments where the thickness is at least near 3 mm.

 

Obviously if you're looking to practice a soundpost patch on a fixer upper then you should do just that.

 

Bruce

 

Thank you for the reply. The thickness is about 3.3 around the soundpost area.