Reconstruction of a modern violin to a baroque version

We would like to display a few interesting repair tasks for you on the following pages. The first will be the reconstruction of a modern violin to a baroque version at our workshop.
The next task will be to introduce you to how a neckgraft is replaced, which means nothing more than replacing the instruments neck.

Belly area under the fingerboard: Before the bassbar ruptured the much too thin belly (0,6mm stark!!).

 

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Inside belly under the sound post.

 

If it comes to a sound post crack (a crack along the belly or back directly above or below the sound post), the only long-term repair possible is the installation of sound post patch. After making a surface curvature cast, the interior area near the sound post is carefully hollowed out to a thickness of 0,8mm (See immage).

Sound post patch made of wood grown like and having the most similar qualities of the instruments wood is fit into the cavity with precise care.

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Gluing in the sound post patch

Afterwards the sound post crack is secured with vellum strips. On the photo there are still underlaid edges with a doubling visible around the lower block and lower bout areas.

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The general view makes visible the upper patch, underlaid edge with a doubling, remaining sound post patch, crack protection as well as the bassbar.

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On the following photos you can see belly rupture (above) on the repaired violin.

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After the varnish touch-up nothing more can be seen of the instrument's old damage.

The ebony veneered fingerboard is also very beautiful. Fingerboards like these were used in the past for various reasons: To save weight, for instance. This weight was considerable due to the pronounced wedged profile the old fingerboards had. More information here.