23 VIOLINS
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Restoration of violin labelled 'Antonius Straduarius Cremona faciebat Anno 1689 1/16'

Spring 2018
Picture
Completed violin
This violin came to us in rather poor condition! It was not set up and had multiple cracks in the front and back, as well as open seams. It was also in need of some edging work to replace damaged corners and edges on the front.

We began work by removing the front to allow us to reglue the open cracks in the front and back. This revealed some previous repair work; someone had reglued and cleated several cracks in the front. The workmanship was neat and tidy however in a couple of places the cleats were actually pushing cracks open. Here we removed the cleats in question, thus allowing us to close, reglue and re-cleat the cracks. One of the bigger cracks on the front needed more attention as it was touching at either end however daylight could be seen through the middle. Here we used the chalk fine fitting method to remove the necessary wood at the end of the crack, allowing us to pull both sides together, reglue and cleat.

Whilst the front was off we also decided to repair some of the edges and corners which were particularly worn. We planed back the damaged wood on the front to leave a flat surface which we could match new wood to. Finding spruce with a similar grain pattern to the existing wood is very important here. Once the new spruce was planed to the right thickness and glued in place we began shaping the new edges and corners to match the existing. After the corners and edges were finished we glued the front of the violin back on. Final shaping of the corners, if necessary, can be done with the front on to ensure the front and back corners are similar in shape and style.

With the top back on it was only a question of a full set up! The violin came with a fingerboard, top nut, button and saddle which we were able to glue back on. We had to fit a new set of pegs, bridge and soundpost. Once this had all been done we were able to set the violin up to see what it sounded like (arguably the best part of the restoration process!). We are very pleased with the sound of this violin - it has a warm, rich tone and projects very well across the register. Only the varnish touching to go now...  
Violin prior to work commencing
Violin with the front off, revealing previous repair work.
Workshop wildlife...
Light through the middle of one of the bigger cracks in the front
Light through the middle of one of the bigger cracks in the front
Crack in front after removal of wood at the end, ready for gluing
Gluing five out of six cracks open along the bottom of the front...!
Previous repair work on the back
Removal of cleats on the back to allow us to close, glue and re-cleat the joint in the back.
Gluing cracks on the front and back
Gluing remaining cracks on the front
Soaking off pieces of wood left behind after removing the front so they can be glued on in the right place
Cutting cleats for the crack in the front
Cutting cleats for the crack in the front
Cutting cleats for the crack in the front
Cutting and fitting cleats to recleat the back. The back was open so we removed the cleats so we could reglue.
Devising clamping solutions for the cleats and pieces of soaked off wood
Back cleats ready for gluing.
Back cleats glued in. Here we used a rub joint to glue the cleats to the back. Rub joints are effective for situations like this where clamping is difficult. They involve covering both surfaces with half strength glue and leaving them to dry, then covering one surface with full strength glue and positioning on the back. Once in place, rub the cleat forwards and backwards, applying some pressure. This removes unnecessary glue, creating a vacuum between the back and the cleat. Then cleat will hold itself in place while the glue dries.
Cleats and pieces of wood glued in place.
Completed cleats on the front
Completed cleats on the front
Completed cleats on the front
Completed cleats on the front
Whilst removing the front, one of the corners was damaged. Earlier we soaked the pieces off the ribs of the violin. Here we are preparing to reglue them in their rightful place on the front!
Diagram showing the positioning of the corner.
The glue pot is out again...
The damaged corner reassembled, preserving the original material rather than replacing with new wood.
Damaged edging (top left)
Damaged edging (top right)
Damaged edging (bottom left)
Damaged edging (bottom right)
Damaged corner (bottom right)
Damaged corner (top left)
Planing back the edges to allow us to shoot a new piece of wood on
Planing back the edges to allow us to shoot a new piece of wood on
Planing back the edges to allow us to shoot a new piece of wood on
Planing back the edges to allow us to shoot a new piece of wood on
Planing back the corner to allow us to shoot a new piece of wood on
Planing back the corner to allow us to shoot a new piece of wood on
Planing back the corner to allow us to shoot a new piece of wood on
Violin with all edges and corners planed ready for new wood
Spruce for the new edges and corners.
Splitting the spruce to retain maximum strength in the wood
Four pieces of spruce planed to the right thickness ready for cutting to size
New wood ready to be glued on
New wood ready to be glued on
New wood glued in place
New wood glued in place
New wood glued in place
New wood glued in place
Drawing the shape of the new edging and corners
Removing unnecessary wood with a modelling saw to make shaping easier
Removing unnecessary wood with a modelling saw to make shaping easier
Off cuts...!
Off cuts...!
Off cuts...!
New edging
New edging
New edging
New edging
New edging and corners
New edging
New edging
New corner
New corner
New edging
New edging
New corner
New edging
All edging and corners shaped
All edging and corners shaped
All edging and corners shaped
Repairers mark for future reference
shaped edging and corners from the back
Gluing the front back on
Gluing the front back on
Gluing the front back on
Front glued back on
The full weight of the law assisting with gluing the fingerboard back on...
The fitted pegs
The finished bridge
The top nut, saddle and button came with the violin.
Gluing the saddle into place
Gluing the top nut into place
Gluing the top nut into place
Gluing the top nut into place
The violin set up! Only the varnish matching to go...
The violin set up! Only the varnish matching to go...
The violin set up! Only the varnish matching to go...

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