Thank you! I have tasked myself with refacing my student violin that was badly damaged when I was 14. This is almost everything I needed to know. I think I could replace the fingerboard without instructions but I will probably watch videos like that and more of these. The passion of violin makers and repairers delights me!

I'm a guitar maker and know nothing of violins. I often watch videos of other instruments being made, repaired, restored. Fascinating to watch this. First thing I noticed was the grain pattern on the top plate and relating that to guitar soundboards. I found myself wanting to hear what it sounded like. Many thanks. :)

Gotta love these old German violins! :)

It looks quite a bit like a Sears and Roebuck mail-order violin. My Mother had one as a child back in the late 30s. When I started playing violin in the late 70s, she had hers restored, and I played it throughout high school. I managed to break one of the pegs and my Father went to the library, did some research, and recreated a peg out of a birch branch. I had three black pegs and one white one. I still have it, and the original case it was shipped in, almost 70 years ago.

@Nepeta-Leijon

4 жыл бұрын

wow! this is such a cool story!

@jdsimons3222

4 жыл бұрын

Amazing thing! Keep it always!

@terryvaughn3179

4 жыл бұрын

Looks exactly like my violin which is a 1910 Ludwig Koschat...very nicely built with a brilliant tone.

@neilrowe119

3 жыл бұрын

Thats cool

@starkeymorgan7481

3 жыл бұрын

Nice. My grandparents had old S&R catalogs I was fascinated with, and I remember these instruments being advertised. @$2 as I remember. Thing is, pretty much assured they were at least handmade at that time. We have an old violin that has a HOPF stamp in it.suspect it was purchased the same way yours was.

Delightful & skilful tour!!

Would have loved to hear it after the wonderful repair.

@djw6430

5 жыл бұрын

Agreed. The Sibelius please.

@wolfgangh.7027

4 жыл бұрын

Me too

@galland3496

4 жыл бұрын

Yes it would have been the justification for such drastic repair, although very necessary .

@rameshchawaria7400

4 жыл бұрын

Yes

That's the way to do a restoration. It doesn't look like it's been made to look any newer than when it came in. Well done

Maestro con mucho tacto! Gracias.

Wow, such skills, I was on the edge of my seat just watching that strip down, fix and rebuild. My Cello was crushed in a soft bag when I was a kid on an underground train, by a football mob. The cello was made in 1845 (we had no idea back then of its age!) the accident in 1972. I had a local London repairer, who was in his 70's rebuild it, the sound was better, the cost was borne by the London Underground and at the time was more than £500 when the cello only cost my parents £120. I sold that cello in 1985 for £650, and tried to buy it back in 2015 when it sold for £11,500! Never mind, I no longer play but wish I did. Thank you, David, for sharing that fascinating video.

A wonerful video. Very interesting to see what is inside a violin. Thank you.

Lieber David, dieses Video ist so wunderbar, begleitet von wunderschöner Geigenmusik, es ist so schön zu sehen, wie liebevoll Du die Geige berührst, wie ein krankes Kind, das wieder gesund werden muss! Und sie klingt wieder und erfüllt mit dem schönsten Klang ihrer Musik die Herzen aller, die sie hören. Ich spiele selbst Geige und liebe meine beste Freundin von ganzem Herzen. Danke vielmals- auch ich hätte die Geige gerne gehört, reparieren und durch ihren Klang zum Leben erwecken, meine Freudentränen hätten all meine Gefühle zum Ausdruck gebracht, die ich während des Anschauens für diese Geige empfunden habe💕 Viel Freude dem neuen Besitzer, die Geige wird es mit ihrem Klang danken! Alles Schöne, lieber David🌹

That was a very nice video, and your knowledge and attention to detail is impressive. I was all ready to take my violin to your shop, but then I saw the label, "Repaired in SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA"! Unfortunately that's not the continent where I live!

Beautiful work.

Great video! Thanks for sharing 👍

Great job.Im glad you left the original finish.

Excellent video but I agree with some of the other comments regarding the colour of the font used in the subtitles. Great to see a master craftsman at work. As you may be aware, there are some horrific violin repair videos on KZread; people that just don't care about the instruments. You obviously do. Thank you!

@direland72

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Lawrie....I agree the subtitles are bad....trying to use a different video software....

@MarkInLA

5 жыл бұрын

the power drill was kinda scary ....

Very interesting to see the complex repairing process ! Thanks !

I really enjoyed this and try to learn how to do this. My wife's great-grandfathers old German violin was given to me to play with. It is a mess. I do have quite a bit of experience in restoring antique furniture so I think I can make a go of it using what I've learned watching videos like this. It's not a real valuable instrument so if I goof it up it's not the end of the world. And because I can't play very well nobody will know if I succeeded or failed. KZread can get me started but I gotta justdo it and learn from the experience. Heck, if I end up turning it into a fiddle I'll be happy.

@richardwebb2348

4 жыл бұрын

Expertise in furniture restoration is not necessarily helpful, many of the repair techniques are quite different.

Love the flame on the inside of the base panel, nature's art.

Great job !

You're an artist who repairs Artists instruments! Loved watching . Ty for posting

Lovely work I have a lovely old "Wolf Bros" that i play sometimes, A bueatiful violin

Amazing video, very interesting and informative.

Beautiful :)

Superb watch, I wished you should upload more restorations

Beautiful

Incredible work for a cheap fiddle. Love the way you matched the grain of the patch to the grain of the wood, although I've heard that the patch would be stronger if the wood is cross-grained to the belly.

@liberioescriba6158

5 жыл бұрын

Cheap fiddle... no wonder there is always a pretentious asshole, fuck you.

@direland72

5 жыл бұрын

Sound post patches are done with the grain the same way. However for cleats the grain is crossed.

Great Post!!

The yellow subtitles are hard to read David however a great video and work 👍❤️🇬🇧

@Billhumphreys3370

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, a very informative, step-by-step repair. But, YELLOW text on a YELLOW background? Put the text in a box with a black background.

I have an old cello that I would like to fix but I don't know as possible so when I saw this video I kind of was in intrigued thanks for sharing this

@christdiedforoursins5756

5 жыл бұрын

@Dominic thank you very much for your suggestions that's very helpful

@richardwebb2348

4 жыл бұрын

Difficult to repair anything if you have no expertise! Maybe ask Jesus for help.

Wonderful.

I'm crying knowing that this is the closest I will ever get to something like that relic of musical history. Like the holy grail

@mazolomusic982

4 жыл бұрын

Omg after watching a while it was like a horror movie watching him systematically dismantling her. Almost fainted when he pulled out the drill. Such dramatic music. Like a Hitchcock movie for twisted musicians.

@jdsimons3222

4 жыл бұрын

You can get a hundred year old fiddle in this condition or better for about a hundred bucks...or less. Heck I have several century-old-violins in good playing condition and none of them cost very much. The older Czech fiddles have a wonderful old dark sound, are usually well-made, and can be had for very little. Often, they don't even need much work like this one in the video. Granted, doing the work and hearing the old instrument sing again after so long is immensely rewarding, but actually PLAYING old instruments that never got in such bad condition while you learn the craft is also wonderful.

@Chiaroscuro1991

3 жыл бұрын

This is a cheap violin, the type sold by mail order companies. Old doesn’t always mean good. There were and still are a lot of these made for students. Go out and buy a 100 year old violin at your local antique store or on eBay.

Beautiful music & Good job.

I have a couple old electrics I fiddle on, sorry, and my DNA forces a moral imperative to make the odd repair. My Gramps was a master cabinet maker and his Brother built pipe organs. I just enjoy process in the arts, any form. This was lovely to watch and listen.

It would be nice if darker lettering was used for the subtitles. As is, they are difficult to see. Not everyone has perfect color vision.

@cluelessbeekeeping1322

5 жыл бұрын

Hey, I assure you, I have perfect color vision, the color choice was terrible.

@drdarrow

5 жыл бұрын

But the yellow lettering goes almost perfectly with the yellow mat background...

@pschroeter1

4 жыл бұрын

There's a few misspellings also, but it was pretty interesting.

@salnichols94805

4 жыл бұрын

I do, that's ridiculous.

@knt3424

4 жыл бұрын

Darker or a contrasting color. It really distracts from the video because the viewer can't tell what is going on

Lovely demonstration. Would have liked to hear the instrument after repair.

As a player you get petrified of even touching the pegs... this is like watching open brain surgery

@rossthefiddler5890

5 жыл бұрын

@pagansforbreakfast It would be even better to learn how to (& do) make a violin to better understand the whole function of the design & material used before doing repairs, then all repairs can be done with the same respect as a violin maker.

@rossthefiddler5890

5 жыл бұрын

@pagansforbreakfast It's true about the cost of tools, but tools can also be made too to save on cost. I made several gouges from old files quite successfully & they (some) get used in repairs too, as well as other things such as cradles for plates, instruments & bows etc. Money saved is money gained (except for the time). The thumb planes I bought though (as well as a finishing plane). A band saw (& bench disc/belt sander) gets used all the time for set ups.

@collectorofcats294

4 жыл бұрын

pagansforbreakfast I love the miniature house panther in your profile picture!!!

@kanatsizkanatli

2 жыл бұрын

No offense but players who are scared of their instruments is and sounds ridiculous. Man up. Go learn how to look after it. Where I'm from we can make a bridge, repair cracks and basically deal with any setup issue or minor repair.

@violaisreallycool

Жыл бұрын

@@kanatsizkanatli that’s quite the tall order for simply a player! Perhaps at an amateur level, but for professional quality instruments, I couldn’t imagine just trusting myself over a highly trained and experienced luthier. How would one come about knowing this as well, those are very vague repairs that can range in difficulty. Just a small crack to the the whole thing split down the middle.

Great work. Just a quick question: can you strip and re-varnish (or shellac) an old violin?

I get this feeling it would take several years to get back your violin at this pace.

Great job. I have also german-type violin over hundred years old. My luthier also done great job to restore. It is great violin and I love that these older instruments can be so good.

As a violinist this whole video makes me a little queasy lol. It's like watching a truly scary horror movie with a happy ending. You luthiers do God's work

@direland72

6 жыл бұрын

Thank carrot!! Although I think the way violinists bring, what is otherwise a few pieces of wood, to life is God's work. You guys give it life and make it sing...!!!

I watched Bob Westbrook repair and build such intricate instruments and also Bob Westbrook set world speed records at Bonneville Salt Flats .. I found out that my friends let him go at Mile 5 at 200mph now just Dust in the Wind...or Playing with the Angels! Forever Racer with Don Vesco Turbinator ! But both Dancing Upon The Streets of GLORY! With the Creator of this instrument and the CREATOR of ALL!

Отлично! Мало, что показано, но ладно, плакать не будем.

I know absolutely nothing about violins, but I can always appreciate masterful woodwork and the care taken to repair it. Though another part of me likes to imagine a very anxious violinist pacing back and forth or watching wide eyed at the process being performed in front of them, never moving from their spot, afraid that even them breathing would disturb the work being done.

Very nice :-)

Beautiful work!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Could you pick a different font color than yellow, which is impossible to read against your bench background?

Fascinating. I hope the owner was pleased!

Good job thank you for making this video here in New York City 17th Street Friday November 29th 9:25 p.m. trying to learn how to repair my violin.

As a fellow woodworker and student of the instrument I find this very interesting. This doesn't appear to be a particularly high end instrument so I would guess that it was more a labor of love.

@direland72

7 жыл бұрын

It was a bit of a labour of love, however the instrument had some significant sentimental value to the owner. It was an instrument that had been in the family for at least 3 generations....

@laurencelance586

7 жыл бұрын

I completely understand. As a jeweler, I've long held that the most worthless form of value is of monetary . Or as better expressed than I " There are those who know the price of everything ...and the value of nothing!"

@markfisher7962

4 жыл бұрын

That also relates to the preservation of the old varnish. It still LOOKS old.

This was very informative, as I have a violin, just like this one. I have a problem with it now, and need to open it up, and fix it. It was sounding great, until I left it in a very hot room, for a few days. The glue loosened, and then when I tightened the strings, it dislodged the sides, from the bottom. And there's no label, and I didn't know what to think of it. So since it sounds great, it must be old, as I have other similar ones, that don't sound so good.

Very good !!!! What name of the strings on this video?

thank you

I feel for a beautiful instrument to be filled with grim. .. filled with happiness would be much better.

BRAVI!!!)))

Wow! & Yes! ^..^~~

You musicians must experience the world very differently from me. That you can tell the bridge or nut needs reshaping because of its tone or sound is simply amazing. I am completely devoid of musical talent and a car alarm is torture to me, they must be hell for you musicians.

Loved this video, but would have liked to hear the violin when all done!

Sure I' m late but , thanks for sharing your work with us, beautyfull violin and great repair job!!

햐ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ 예술에 극치

Sound posts are not normally glued into a violin, but are held in place by the pressure between the top and back. They can be moved around to find the best setting.

@michaelwhisman7623

4 жыл бұрын

Right! This guy is not a trained repairman. NO teacher ever told him to glue a soundpost.

@richardwebb2348

4 жыл бұрын

a soundpost should never be glued into a violin

@markfisher7962

4 жыл бұрын

HE didn't glue the replacement. The pre-repair post was glued.

Looks the spitting image of mine - 1890s Glaizer & Mossnel

Interesting he used water to clean and it didn’t need refinishing.. probably would have deprecated the peice I suppose, similar to furniture.. nice stuff and enjoyed the music!!

If you debonded the residual glue, could that have damaged the instrument?

What is the soundpost made of? Spruce?

Something new for me to learn. As a complete novice, It appears that the sound post is held in place by the pressure on the bridge and the bottom of the case, it that correct? A darker color on the accompanying text my be in order. Narragansett Bay

Dear David , despite this violin was unlabelled i thought that it is *Höfner* Violin.I thought so because this violin has some common things with Höfner Violins.Also Höfner is 132 years old company and technically from 1945 became German (It was moved in Möhrendorf).

is there a way to get hold of u i got old volen with a crack in that my mom got as a kid from her techer

What was the background music, David? I particularly liked the piece that closed the video.

great job! But..how does it sound?

@xSebaHD.

5 жыл бұрын

probably bad

@direland72

5 жыл бұрын

Better than it did when it was in the case!!

@sealand000

5 жыл бұрын

@@miltoncadman7033 It would sound horrible if I was the only playing it :)

How does he keep his fingers so clean and tender??????????

bagus sekali ! Matur suksma

I remember the first time I replaced a nut on a guitar. Lots of fun! :D

Hi David, can you help a friend has a violin which has an identifing mark inside on the back viewed through the fret holes as capitalletter A with a capital s superimposed. Can you shed any light on the maker? There is also a number 1074 printed in black indian ink as well. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

In regards to the cleats and patch, is there a concern that they might impact how well it will resonate (since the brilliance of a Strad is generally attributed to its wood)?

@kishintuchis4133

5 жыл бұрын

I HIGHLY DOUBT THAT ANYONE WOULD CLAIM THAT THIS IS A STRAD. BUT THAT IT IS A STRAD COPY MADE IN GERMANY

That was a very interesting video!!! I honestly cannot figure out how violin makers are able to set the sound post, it looks difficult!!! Suggestion... use a different font and/or font color in future videos. There were a few sentences that I couldn’t read because the color blended in with the background...

@jdsimons3222

4 жыл бұрын

Setting the sound post is RIDICULOUSLY complicated the first few times, then very suddenly (for me at least) it became intuitive, something you do so expertly for yourself that you can't explain it. Perhaps like the way (ladies) you can bump a car door closed with your hip, or (gentlemen) snatch up a child who is falling before they hit the ground.

@violaisreallycool

Жыл бұрын

It is indeed quite difficult! I’ve spent a good 5-10 hours simply learning the qualities of soundpost setting and such. Having a well fitted soundpost and the proper tools makes it infinitely easier, and better for the instrument too!

Is it a model of a Strad? How do you discern the origination?

yellow subtitels over a yellow background. Genial!

@direland72

6 жыл бұрын

I know....!! it is frustrating..! if you know a better video editor let me know....

Because the original label is missing, would it have been appropriate to replace the top or to refinish the top? Your repairs are brilliant. I'm looking for more repair videos from you. Thumbs up.

@ericvi3921

4 жыл бұрын

it shouldn't really matter, its a cheap factory violin, the repair was more than the value of the instrument.

What did this repair cost the owner? Thanks

Maybe I am strange but I like volins with very, very close growth rings. Everyone says that it does not make a difference but I don't see how it would not. The growth rings are denser than the surrounding wood. I also find that the close ring violins are better looking.

I believe I have the same German Strad model violin (1872?) that we also had restored.

Hi, may I know if the type of pegs you used is the same with those ebony ones that are sold online and doesn't need to be shaped by peg shaper? I am curious because I am planning to replace my hardwood pegs with ebony. The hardwood pegs really sunk, so I thought I can do it myself if the only thing I will do is to insert the pegs and mark them for the right drilling location for the string winding and cut the excess side of the pegs. My peg box holes are the same as when I first buy it. So, do you think buying DIY ebony pegs or fittings is okay? I really don't have peg shaper or can't afford one.

@direland72

7 жыл бұрын

Jovel Salazar yes you can fit your own, however peg holes can change shape. It is best to have them fitted but the process you described will be ok.

@ClassicalRomance

7 жыл бұрын

Hi Master David, It's been a month since your reply and I just read it now. Thanks for replying. My peg box has; 4 small holes with 6.5mm - 6.8mm 4 big holes with 7.3mm to 7.5mm I ordered ebony fittings online as it is so impossible to buy them in my country (Philippines). I wonder if it would fit? I tried to also measure the peg's milimeter (the one I ordered online through its picture) on both areas and I find that from small and big areas where peg box's holes meet with the peg it has 7.5mm and 8.3mm. So its difference has 0.8mm almost the same as my peg box holes' milimeters. By the way, I have a woodcrafmanship background skills.

@direland72

7 жыл бұрын

Jovel...just keep in mind that peg holes can be at different reamer ratios. Most are a 1:30 ratio but they can vary. Also the peg holes can wear causing a different ratio. When I fit new pegs I will usually take a very small shaving with a reamer in the peg hole to set the ratio. Then fit the pegs accordingly. The method you described above should generally work. If you find the pegs slipping or even gripping too much then take it to a repairer.....

@richardwebb2348

4 жыл бұрын

ebony is a 'hardwood'

Never knew people glued soundposts!

I'm not sure why you have the bridge as close to the fingerboard as you have there & not centred on the notches of the sound holes. The sound post would need to be positioned accordingly though. It's still nice to see the basic steps of repair being shared though.

Very good video, but the yellow subs are almost unreadable at times, use a black border next time

Which strings you are put it to this violin?

How much would a repair like this ost? Thanks for sharing your work. Its graet to see.

@direland72

5 жыл бұрын

I think it was close to $300 for the repair....

@markfisher7962

4 жыл бұрын

That's about a quarter of my very uninformed guess. Beautiful work.

Wondering what it would cost to do those type of repairs. I have an old violin that needs repairs and thinking of getting it refurbished.

@violaisreallycool

Жыл бұрын

Probably quite a bit!! Luthiers are not cheap, but with proper tools, training, and materials, it shouldn’t be exceptionally expensive compared to a fine instrument. But, for anything below 1-1.5 thousand it is really required to have a world class luthier.

What is the musical piece in background? :)

@michaelnielsen7782

5 жыл бұрын

Tchaikovsky string sextet

how does he know where to place the post without first placing the bridge ?

Hint: use a black stroke with titles, it will make them visible on any background.

@EJP286CRSKW

5 жыл бұрын

veden310 Not on a black background it won't. The correct technique, if you can do it, is to XOR the lettering over the image. Then it will be legible over any background.

Hello from Australia. I am retired & have gone back to studying & practicing the violin & have an older violin & the wood grain is very fine & besutiful but i cant see any name inside the instrument. I live in a rural area wherr no violin teacher exists to help me & i wsnted to reach out & see if anyone would give me info with setting brdge un place. Could you help me by explaining about replacing a broken bridge. The standard bridges that are for sale, do you open the carved holes a bit more? Or do you carve the tops a bit thinner also? I havent been sure whether to stand my bridge in an upright position im middle of the area it belomgs. Generally i try to put it where old feet marks are on violin but my main query is should the bridge lean slightly toward the tailpiece end of the violin, as in the fimished work you did on this instrument? Is this what i should be aiming for, the bridge ever so slightly on a tilt backwards? Do you have any books on the market of your own or any you could recommend please? Thankyou for any advice you can help me with, it would be most appreciated. 🙋👏

@jimmy5F

3 жыл бұрын

Sept 2020: Probably you have set your bridge by now; but, yes, the bridge should tilt slightly toward you as you play. The feet are usually positioned between the nicks in the F-holes. I say usually, because it depends how the soundpost is set: it should be near the treble foot of the bridge. The feet of the bridge should closely contact the top of the violin, and you can fit the feet by carving with a knife (very sharp) or placing a small piece of sandpaper on the violin, then sliding the bridge back and forth on the sandpaper. The crest of the bridge should be higher under the G, lower under the E; it's curve tilts toward your bowing hand. You can round over the top edge and make it smooth so string contact is narrow. This will prevent buzzing noises. One other thing: a good bow is important, since it also must vibrate as the strings vibrate. I am not a professional, but I do play. Try these things out. You will get it so it sounds good, and you will surely find a book to help you.

Lovely, careful work on this wide-grained old fiddle.

How much would you charge a customer for this repair job ?

Usually I despise background music in workmanship videos but this was quite bearable. :) Refinishing the outside surface is not usually part of a repair?

@Jesse-B

5 жыл бұрын

I think he seeks to retain the historical "patina"... every scratch tells a story, and likely adds to the tonal uniqueness of the instrument.

@direland72

5 жыл бұрын

Touch ups are ok, but most avoid refinishing older violins. In this case the repair was done as per the customers requests. They prefered not to touch the finish.

I have an old fiddle that needs work.. can you repar those too? 👀

@richardwebb2348

4 жыл бұрын

A 'fiddle' is another name for a violin

wonderful video! unfortunately, the yellow font color is often difficult to read...

What piece is it in the background

@thomasjongepier6017

4 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/qKmgrad8oZfYZpM.html

What's the piece? Sounds like Schubert or Mendelssohn but I don't know it.