DIY Violin Repair
- Re-gluing Open Seams. Remove the old glue, dirt, and residue without opening the seam further. You can use a small putty knife or similar tool.
- Loose or Detached Fingerboard. Use the same process as for gluing seams, but you may need two or more clamps to hold the fingerboard in place while the glue cures.
- Bridge and Nut Replacements. Both the bridge and the nut can be a DIY project, but unless you’re prepared to perform a soundpost adjustment, you might want to leave these ...
Full Answer
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. ...
How to remove glue from a seam?
Remove the old glue, dirt, and residue without opening the seam further. You can use a small putty knife or similar tool. And , alternately moisten the glue with water and a small paintbrush between scrapings until it is completely removed.
Can you drill holes in a tuning pegbox?
Don’t try to ream the holes on your pegbox yourself, allow a professional to do it. But, you can drill new holes in a tuning peg so that it can accommodate a certain string gauge.
Violin Repair Tools
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What is hide glue on violin?
The glue used (hide glue) is designed to allow “crackling,” which pretty much means that it cracks easily with sufficient pressure. This is intentional, allowing a luthier to make instrument repairs. The fingerboard, bridge, chin rest, pegs and other pieces can be replaced if the violin is worth it. Separated seams—same as missing pieces, regluing ...
What does a paper label on a violin mean?
A Paper Label inside the Violin—this usually indicates that a craftsman created the instrument. Many fine violins were made by individuals who never received fame of fortune, and perhaps only crafted a handful of instruments in their lifetime.
Do violins get better with age?
Just like fine wine, great violins only get better with age; whereas an inexpensive, poorly crafted violin will only get worse. But, you can learn some basic clues about what makes a fine violin that will help your decision. And while the only real rule of thumb is to have a professional luthier (or dealer) personally inspect the violin, ...
Can you repair a violin that belonged to your grandfather?
However, sometimes the repairs will exceed the worth of the instrument. If your violin has sentimental value and you want to play it because it belonged to your grandfather or great-grandfather then don’t hesitate. Take it to a professional luthier for complete repairs.
Can you restore a violin?
Always refer to a professional for an appraisal of the instrument. And, get the opinions of your teacher, as well as a few trusted dealers because they are great resources when purchasing a violin. With a general consensus , you’ll know whether or not to proceed with a repair.
