Saturday, March 17, 2012

Violin Restoration Is Not A Task For An Amateur

By Dianna Barnett


Only a trained expert in violin restoration is qualified to work on a valuable instrument. First the structure and second the finish must both be repaired. It is a task well worth doing since the aged wood of an older instrument resonates better, giving excellent tone quality.

It has to be taken apart completely, repaired, and then glued back together. A specific kind of glue is used on the older violins. This is animal glue. For example, if the pegbox is damaged, new wood may be required to make the repair. After the reconstruction, that added piece of wood must be finished to exactly match the rest of the wood the instrument is made of.

Basic maintenance will keep a fine instrument in top condition. Often strings need replacing. Tuning pegs have to be lubricated. The soundpost must be put in the right position. Resurfacing must be done on the fingerboard. The finish must be restored to the original grain and color.

If the musician does not regularly wipe the rosin dust that collects from the bow, it eventually fuses with the varnished finish. Removing it after that damages the instrument. One method of removal is to scrub the rosin crust with a common cork from a wine bottle. Cleaning the rosin that collects on the strings is sometimes done with a microfiber cloth.

The instrument has tuning pegs that sometimes require replacement. Chalk can be used to prevent a peg from slipping during tuning. But, this is only a temporary measure. When the pegs slip it is likely their shafts are no longer conical in shape as they should be. In that case, they have to be either refitted or replaced.

The professional violinist will carry a replacement set of strings in case one breaks. Worn strings produce a tired and unreliable pitch. The strings must be replaced intermittently depending on how much the instrument is played. Violin restoration is a job only an expert can perform. However, the musician can do much to maintain the instrument. violin restoration




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment