- Prepare for the fix. First, you’ll need to remove the strings from your violin. ...
- Determine the severity of the crack. The first step to repairing your violin is determining the severity of the crack. There are two degrees of cracks, “hairline” and “through-and-through.”
- Remove any sawdust or debris. The first thing you should do is remove any sawdust or debris. This will help the adhesive to adhere better to the violin.
- Seal up the crack with glue. The first step to repairing a violin with a crack is to seal up the crack with glue. ...
- Let it dry and set overnight. If you have a small crack in your violin, you should leave it to dry for at least one day before fixing it.
- Use a filler to fill in extra space around the crack. The first thing you want to do is fill in any extra space around the crack with a filler. ...
- Smooth out the filler with sandpaper. Once you have the filler in and smoothed out, it’s time to sand it down. You can use rough-grit sandpaper for this step.
- Polish up your violin. The first step to repairing a crack in your violin is to polish it up with a good violin polish. ...
- Can a cracked violin be fixed FAQS. What is a violin crack? A violin crack is a hairline fracture in the wood of the instrument. ...
- Conclusion. Cracked violins are a common occurrence. They happen to all kinds of violins, both old and new, and are usually caused by an impact, by drying out or by ...
How much does it cost to repair a violin?
- Re-gluing seams
- Peg replacement
- Small cracks (very tight and less than 2-3 inches long)
- Normal refitting tasks (Soundpost and bridge adjustments, re-string, etc.)
How do you refinish a violin?
Wipe the violin with a soft cloth to remove the sanding dust after sanding off the old varnish. Apply a ground coat to the violin with a small bristle brush. Ground coat is available at violin stores and online. Violin makers and restorers use the ground coat to add color and enhance the wood.
How to revarnish an old violin?
Smooth the raised grain a little with a synthetic mesh pad. Seal with a dilute spirit varnish, golden colored, brushed on fast and shallow. Brush on a coat of pine resin - walnut oil varnish. Brush on a coat of this varnish strongly colored with a brown "extract." Oil varnish dries faster in the sun.
How should I clean my violin?
Method 1 of 2: Removing Rosin Buildup Download Article
- Clean your strings after every use so rosin doesn’t build up. ...
- Wipe down your strings with a microfiber cloth. Grab a soft, non-abrasive cloth that won’t damage your strings or fingerboards.
- Cut up an old T-shirt if you don’t have a special cloth on hand. ...
- Clean off your strings with the side of a credit card in a pinch. ...
What glue is used to repair violins?
Hide glueHide glue is the standard glue that is used by violin makers, and is prized for its organic nature and ability to be dissolved to remove a plate or other part of a violin and perform necessary repairs.
Can you use wood glue on a violin?
0:353:28Repairing Finger Board on Violin with Titebond® Liquid Hide GlueYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's very traditional to use hide glue on instruments.MoreIt's very traditional to use hide glue on instruments.
Why do violins crack?
A 30% level of relative humidity for any appreciable length of time will most likely cause cracks in violins. The ideal atmosphere for a violin is of course precisely the one in which the instrument was made, but it is a practical impossibility to keep the instrument perfectly acclimatized.
Can you fix a violin?
Things that Can Be Fixed or Restored If the violin is of fine quality, just about everything on the instrument can be restored. However, the restoration process is more difficult (costly) for certain repairs. Always refer to a professional for an appraisal of the instrument.
What is violin glue made of?
The adhesive used in most aspects of violin making is hide glue. It is made from the connective tissue (skin bones, tendons,etc) of animals. Hide glue has been in use for many thousands of years, although it is not as commonly used today.
What glue is used for musical instruments?
Hot Hide Glue (granular – Milligan & Higgons 192g) Hot hide glue or simply “hide glue” has been famous for being the luthiers choice in both guitars and violin family instruments for centuries.
Can you play a violin with a crack?
If the crack reaches the soundpost, the instrument's value will be a small fraction of its normal retail. If you're just looking for a violin that sounds good, there's a bit of risk. If the repair work is done well, it won't harm the sound, but you can't really know its potential until it's whole again.
Does a crack in violin affect sound?
They do not affect the sound if they are properly secured. *Back Cracks: A repaired back crack is almost always a problem that will significantly devalue the instrument. The maple back is supposed to be hard and non-crackable for sound production, so a crack will ruin the sound quality.
How much does it cost to fix a violin?
Violin & ViolaRestring, including tuning$7.5 per string (strings not included)Compound pegs$40Fit pegs$25 each/$80 setReplace tailgut$40Replace saddle$758 more rows
Can I repair my own violin?
Even for minor repairs, take your violin to a professional luthier. There may be certain tasks you can do on your own, but it's simply not worth the risk. However, there is a strong tradition among serious musicians that calls for caring for your instrument yourself.
How much does a violin cost?
Violin's usually cost anywhere from $50 to $500 for a children's violin and $600 to $5,000, or more, for a more advanced instrument. With that said, there are a lot of factors that play a role in how much a violin costs. And, often, you'll be paying for a bow and a protective case, along with the violin.
How do you restore a violin?
Steaming and using a counter form can be used to restore warped wood to its original shape. Abrasions, chips and worn out peg holes can be replaced locally with minimal effects to the overall structure and will often appear seamless and invisible after retouching when left to a master craftsman.
Why is hide glue used for violins?
Though synthetic glues were introduced to the market half a century ago, hide glues remain the preferred adhesive in the construction of fine cellos, violas and violins. Hide glues allow an elasticity that expands and retracts along with the wood of the instrument.
Why do luthiers use hide glue?
Hide glue is the standard for violin-family instruments, says luthier Christopher Germain, director of the Violin Makers Workshop at Oberlin College. In part that's because hide glue is reversible—it's easy to undo a bond without harming wood. That's pretty handy when you need to open an instrument.
What is hide glue?
Hide glue is made from animal hide (animal skin) and is often used in woodworking. It may be supplied as granules, flakes, or flat sheets, which have an indefinite shelf life if kept dry. It is dissolved in water, heated and applied warm, typically around 60 °C (140 °F).
How do you mix hide glue for violin?
0:231:54Using hot hide glue - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I'll show you how to do it I mix a small amount one ounce of glue and a mixing Cup into a cleanMoreSo I'll show you how to do it I mix a small amount one ounce of glue and a mixing Cup into a clean jar. And two ounces of water. That's a two to one ratio.
When replacing violin strings, is it a good idea to check the bridge?
When you replace strings, it’s a good opportunity to check the straightness of the bridge. Some people recommend loosening all of the strings, but I’ve rarely found it necessary, especially with smaller violins. I’ve gently straightened and even stood them up at correct pitch for many years without mishaps.
What does a new violin bridge do?
A new bridge has a profound effect on the tone quality of the violin and fitting one must be done by an expert, who will be happy to accommodate your preferences about the bridge’s quality, shape and height relative to the fingerboard.
What to do if fingerboard comes loose?
If the fingerboard comes loose, it must be glued back on by the violin repairer, who will use the correct adhesive – animal/hide glue. 2.
What is the groove on a violin?
It’s rather common for the grooves at the nut to be too shallow on new student violins, so that a lot of pressure is needed for the first semitone – especially B♭ and F♮ on A and E strings. This is a small delicate task with a significant benefit for the player. Leave it to the repairer and test it out in the workshop.
How old are violins?
It’s quite satisfying to know that the most sought after violins are around 300 years old! It’s hard to think of any other item in daily use that comes close to their longevity.
Do violins need strings replaced?
Replacing strings is something every violinist should be able to do themselves. Violin strings are replaced one at a time, and the new string brought up to approximately the correct pitch before changing the next one, to maintain a constant tension on the neck and sound post, and to keep the bridge in position.
Can you polish violin varnish?
Tiny scratches can be polished out by the repairer. For everyday use, just clean the varnish with a soft cloth. Violin polishes should be applied sparingly and are best avoided, especially on older instruments.
Violinum
Hello I'd like to ask if it's professional to repair cracks without opening an instrument? If it's a crack located close to a border, would it be ok to not put cleats? I used a very fresh transparent strong fish glue, but I didn't install cleats.
Evan Smith
I loosen the top from endblock to corner to relieve stress, and re glue in a week or so.
Brad Dorsey
I often glue top cracks from the outside; i.e., without removing the top. When I do this, I always open the top/rib seam to allow the crack to close. Because your crack came out very nicely, I think you have very close wood-to-wood contact along the crack which gives a very strong glue joint. I don't think that cleats are necessary.
Violinum
I loosen the top from endblock to corner to relieve stress, and re glue in a week or so.
Michael.N
I once glued (HHG) a crack in a Guitar without putting in any cleats. It was a cheap repair and the customer was poorer than me. It popped open after a day or so. I reglued again. It popped open again. I reglued (it was the final attempt!). I saw the guy a couple of years later and he said that it was still holding fine!
Oded Kishony
you can place a cleat anywhere inside the instrument without using the usual clamps
Craig Tucker
Now it looks like there was no crack at all, and it's good, but will it hold for a long time?
