Baroque Gal Posted January 30, 2022 Report Share Posted January 30, 2022 Hi there I have recently purchased a refurbished cello from a reputable maker/luthier. The purchase was long distance, so I didn’t have the opportunity to see and try before purchase. The price of the instrument included a rather expensive total strip and re varnish,polish of the entire instrument charged at an hourly professional rate. ( total of 28 hours) The cello arrived packed with the bridge down and I could see the dark old bridge marks on the cello top. The varnish also smelled more like the old furniture that has been in a house for some time. I have no idea what new varnish should smell like. Is it likely that in fact this work was not done? I have no objection for paying for work like this that has been done, as it is probably very labour intensive. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeH Posted January 30, 2022 Report Share Posted January 30, 2022 Do you have before and after pictures? Do you like the look? The re-varnish may have been done in such a way to give the instrument an antique look, which is why it may look like it hasn't been re-varnished. Furthermore, there may be places where the stain from the old varnish remains because it soaked into the wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strad O Various Jr. Posted January 30, 2022 Report Share Posted January 30, 2022 No reputable maker/luthier would revarnish an old cello. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baroquecello Posted January 30, 2022 Report Share Posted January 30, 2022 Revarnishing greatly diminishes the Value of an instrument! The only valid reasons to completely revarnish an Instrument is if someone before you did it already and did it badly, or if you are the maker of the Instrument and wish to do a better job. Was the cello badly revarnished previously? Do you have before and after photos? If the person who sold this to you offers revarnishing regularly, then it is unlikely they are a well trained lutier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baroque Gal Posted February 1, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2022 Thank you for all the replies, they have certainly added to my knowledge and what to look for, ask for, when purchasing. The luthier came highly recommended so I went with the reference. The instrument isn't old. I don't have before pics unfortunately. It's not an old instrument, and the varnish hasn't been antiqued. I was just wondering if I have paid for work that hasn't been done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted February 1, 2022 Report Share Posted February 1, 2022 Sorry, wrong thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joerobson Posted February 1, 2022 Report Share Posted February 1, 2022 What does it smell like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathan slobodkin Posted February 1, 2022 Report Share Posted February 1, 2022 Smells like fish to me. As Mr. Various said revarnishing an instrument is a rare and peculiar thing to do. Charging by the hour to varnish an instrument one is selling is odd as well. If I was selling an instrument I would do whatever was needed to make the instrument salable and the price would reflect the time and effort I put in to it. If the instrument was by some one else I would certainly tell the buyer if it had been revarnished but how long it took would be irrelevant except to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Butcher Posted February 1, 2022 Report Share Posted February 1, 2022 At the risk of repeating myself from other threads, it would seem quite obvious to me that the person selling this instrument is unlikely to have had formal training, and may hold no recognised qualifications. The way this instrument is being presented, is utterly bizarre, which in itself should raise red flags all the way. It's always better to ask any questions before purchase. Asking them now, I'm not really sure what we could do to help, since the cello is yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bungling_amateur Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 I suppose there is the possibility of asking to send it back for a refund. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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