Full size violins fiddles ask about smaller sizes or call 6184753678. I recently moved to namibia, where the relative humidity over the last 4 months was hovering around %. But, you can learn some basic clues about what makes a fine violin that will help your decision. I have no idea what to do and i dont know if its worth repairing and if it would affect the sound. Oct 03, 2017 dd violin soundholes eaten by rats repair. I think as important as the f holes are, so are the features of the f holes and the surrounding excavation of material surrounding the boundary of the f holes, esp. They carry a large selection of quality violins, violin parts, bows, construction woods, finishes, accessories, technical books, strings, and much more. Hello, how long should one wait to allow a repaired crack to set. Herdim fjoining clamp for violin and viola, 155mm new design.
It is the smallest and highestpitched instrument in the family in regular use. Jul 07, 2016 a stradivarius is shown at the royal palace in madrid. The ideal hand tool for cutting perfectly cylindrical fholes. When it is and is not a problem to buy a repaired used instrument. Otherwise, shrinkage cracks, fhole cracks, and other cracks are common on old instruments. F hole cracks are very common for violin family instruments most of the time they can be glued from the outside if the instrument is taken apart a well fitted cleat. It may have had too much moisture content when assembled, or coated with glue on the inside, or both. One is a 14 hairline wing crack extending upwards from the bass fhole. Today violin maker derek roberts starts work on the f holes or sound holes. The evolutionary path of this elegant innovationclive thompson at boing boing demonstrates with a colorcoded charttakes us from those original round holes, to a halfmoon, then to variouslyelaborated cshapes, and finally to the f hole. Is a violins shape particularly the fholes necessary.
With one thin pad, the clamp is applied between the edge and the fhole. This cleat will be glued to the underside of the crack through the f hole. The violin typically has four strings, usually tuned in perfect. While your instrument may have been well setup when it was first sold to you, the ravages of time and use can easily nudge the bridge out of place, and. Whether or not those master craftsmen understood the mathematical principles of the f hole, we cannot say. A stradivarius is shown at the royal palace in madrid. First and most usual is impact to a wing of the f hole, this area is especially vulnerable if overly thin. Be aware that damage may occur at the f hole, and a crack may occur at the top or back if a soundpost is installed improperly. A sound hole is an opening in the body of a stringed musical instrument, usually the upper sound board. Mar 09, 2015 why violin makers adopted the f shaped hole.
It didnt do much damage at all, just a hairline crack that went from the bass fhole back a couple of inches, but considering what i value it at priceless and what it is appraised for, it made me a little queasy. Shorter, steeper wedges are prepared en masse rather than fitted to the individual pair of studs, the principle being that the swelling of the wood changes the balance too much to make it worthwhile fitting them in advance. The bout shapes move outward and part of the structure between the fholes downward. Apr 20, 2019 the violin dealer in nj said thats she repaired the f hole cracks so im not sure. What repairs should i watch for when purchasing a used violin. They occur at the top of the bottom hole of the fs, usually due to too much pressure on the top while cleaning. Fixing a violin belly crack doesnt have to be the most difficult thing you try to do all day. One very common problem with violin family instruments are wing cracks. That slow historical development casts doubt on the theory in the above video, which argues that the 16thcentury amati family of violin makers arrived. The design and features are the same as above, except this clamp is specially used for repairing cracks near the fhole.
If you are talking about a wing crack, a crack at the lower lobe of the f hole, then perhaps. Study gives scientific explanation for fholes in violins. You are bidding on one frederick a strobel ml105 34 violin with bow and case. New research into the development of violin fholes is simplistic at best. The fall of the soundpost jim clinton violins greenville, sc. Hold on tight andreas hudelmayer compares notes with london restorers on using small clamps for.
The proper way would be to remove the entire top by separating it from its ribs, apply animal glue to the crack joint, and secure the crack further from opening in the future by means of studs or cleats beneath the crack. Violin top crack repair fixing a short crack on a violin. The super glue will pull away from the clamp, leaving the. Therefore, the soundboard is likely to crack first. Using a clamp or some other method not holding it with you hand to stabilize the peg, drill a new hole for threading your string with a 116. Alfred acoulon violin, mirecourt circa 1910 martin swan violins. Cracks in violin plates should normally not need much pressure to glue, and it seems to me. Its the fshape in the 18th century, violin craftsmanship reached its peak in what came to be known as the cremonese period he golden age of. The violin is a wonderful instrument that has many facets that affect its worth. If that happens though, peg replacements are fairly inexpensive. Repairing cracks without opening a violin the pegbox.
This is a terrific sounding instrument these violins were designed for soloists, and they deliver. Peg box repair becomes necessary when there is peg box cracking or if not enough friction keeps a peg tight in the peg hole. Most of the time they can be glued from the outside. Ive always thought the cause was the one clearsky has suggested.
On all stringed instruments violins, violas and cellos the container that houses the pegs is called the peg box. The other is a repaired 2 crack extending downward from the same fhole but on the opposite side near the bridge. I want the f hole to sit level in the arching when viewed from the side. Then the flexible caul and some light clamping pressure to hold the crack level as the glue dried. There are many other sound hole patterns that would probably work as well. They occur at the top of the bottom hole of the f s, usually due to too much pressure on the top while cleaning. Sound post tools can also gouge up the instrument and lead to a loss of value. An eversnugger soundpost will push that area around the f hole upward. In some circumstances we just glue the crack and hope it holds, as would be the procedure on an inexpensive instrument. This cleat will be glued to the underside of the crack through the fhole.
To clamp the crack closed, i chose a small pine wedge, which i inserted into the f hole where it was a bit wider, and slid downward to the point. Violins are carefully crafted and each one has its own unique voice. That type of s was used in the beginning and middle of words in print and in cursive in latin, italian and other formal scripts. Once violin makers like the famed amati, stradivari, and guarneri families arrived at the f hole, however, they found they had a superior shape, and they definitely knew what was a better instrument to replicate, says makris. She said cracks happens to violins when they get old. Left pic 2 cracks in the top, on the lower right side right pic small cleat superglued to clamp. New study identifies key design features that boost violins acoustic power. Peg bushing repair of stringed instruments as any string player with an older instrument knows, when the peg holes slip or crack, its time to visit the local violin shop. Please dont put super glue anywhere near a violin,violins are constructed using hide glue,this has the massive advantage of being reversible,makes repair possible.
Because it makes them more acoustically powerful than their ancestors. Crack above lower circular part of the right f hole stopping at the purfling. The answer to this is complex enough for its own article, but in essence, guitars didnt have the evolutionary pressure to be powerful that violins did. Peg bushing repair of stringed instruments benning violins. For me the fhole is a slit that makes it possible to produce specific dynamic quality. A new study conducted by mit researchers examines the. Flip setter to the other end, insert into f hole and push, pull, or lightly tap post to obtain the desired position. Would a crack through the fhole of a violin affect its. Im sure the old luthiers were not only experimenting with tone quality, but also with repair issues. Im new to this forum and my cello arrived through shipping today and there was a huge crack at the bottom of the f hole. Soundboards are also vulnerable to cracking when internal bracing fails.
The belly of the violin is the instrument,any flaws in it will get worse,it is the part that flexes in sympathy with the strings. Two piece back of narrow flame, the top of narrow grain spruce, widening slightly to the flanks. Pull setter out of the post and out of the f hole, being careful not to damage f hole edge. Many fine violins were made by individuals who never received fame of fortune, and perhaps only crafted a handful of instruments in their lifetime. Click on the product for full description and larger photo. Jun 28, 2011 as shown in the photos above, we have an example of a crack that runs about 2 inches above the left f hole of a viola. As shown in the photos above, we have an example of a crack that runs about 2 inches above the left f hole of a viola. Using a clamp or some other method not holding it with you hand to stabilize the peg, drill a new hole for threading your string with a 116 wood bit. There is a fillet between the edge and the f hole that effects the natural frequency and behavior of the material outlining the f hole. That little wing area moves quite a bit when the instrument vibrates, so there can be a buzzing sound that you might hear when playing. Round in flattop guitars and traditional bowlback mandolins.
If the instrument is taken apart a well fitted cleat can be added to help strengthen that area. The top wants to sink down a bit, but the soundpost keeps the sinking. For our other selected premium violins, violas and bows as well as for more information about and around old. If you can glimpse a paper label, even one that is yellowed and curled, the violin may indeed be an exceptional instrument, worthy or repair. Practically all repairs are possible but unfortunately usually.
Advanced bridge placement proper placement of the bridge is extremely important in the playability, tone, and structural integrity of your violin, viola, or cello. Sep 07, 2018 why stradivarius violins sound so good. Why did violins slowly develop f shaped soundholes. My eastman 305 has recently developed a crack, about 1 long, running down from the fhole on the gstrings side. Introduced into the instrument through an fhole, it stands just behind. Oct 29, 2012 repairing 3 cracks in one of our rental violins. Jul 31, 2015 the kind of distortion you have is pretty common in older violins. I started a new job, and with the move and job etc. Converted old 19th century hopf 5 string violin peg hole bushing 006 duration. Please help the crack is on the bottom of the right f hole and is about 25cm long. As any string player with an older instrument knows, when the peg holes slip or crack, its time to visit the local violin shop. With one thin pad, the clamp is applied between the edge and the f hole. Because your crack came out very nicely, i think you have very close woodtowood contact along the crack which gives a very strong glue joint. The question of how the fhole design found in violins, violas an cellos came to predominate is one which has divided historians and.
They will be marked out on the front plate of the violin which was thicknessed in the previous stage. Would a crack through the fhole of a violin affect its sound. Violinfiddling boffins learn that fholes are secret to stradivarius superior sound. Just like fine wine, great violins only get better with age. If fholes are so perfect, why have guitars mostly kept the single round hole. F hole cracks are very common for violin family instruments.
It didnt do much damage at all, just a hairline crack that went from the bass fhole back a couple of inches, but. Herdim f joining clamp for violin and viola, 155mm new design. Fhole distortion repair the pegbox maestronet forums. Mar 06, 2009 please dont put super glue anywhere near a violin, violins are constructed using hide glue,this has the massive advantage of being reversible,makes repair possible. In some circumstances we just glue the crack and hope it holds, as would. They occur at the top of the bottom hole of the fs, usually due to too much pressure on. Fix a violin belly crack with help from an experienced. Atlantic violin supplies, located in new brunswick, canada, is a violin supply business providing value and service since 1993. Padded wood spools used for gluing the top and back of the instrument. Some ovation stringed instruments feature a particularly unique soundhole architecture with multiple smaller soundholes that, being combined with a composite composite bowl back body, are said to produce a clear and bright sound. Bluegrass shack productions has one of the finest selections of fractional and full size violins and fiddles over the internet. Why violin makers adopted the fshaped hole boing boing.
The violin, sometimes known as a fiddle, is a wooden string instrument in the violin family. To clamp the crack closed, i chose a small pine wedge, which i inserted into the fhole where it was a bit wider, and slid downward to the point. If your violin is beginning to crack, dont polish it until the cracks are repaired. Others have suggested that its the other way around. Making light crack clamps salve hakedal, fiolinmaker. In addition, the corners at the top and bottom of the c are stress risers, encouraging the propagation of cracks from those points. Is a violins shape particularly the f holes necessary or is it just for aesthetics.
This template belongs to the particular stradivarius model which derek is making. When violin family instruments were evolving, the letter that we know today as a small italic f was actually a long, descending or medial s. Comes with 10 interchangeable, doublebeveled drill bits. Sometimes a ninja soundpost crack may occur, even months later when low humidity changes occur, for example during dry winter weather conditions. Posted on january 3, 2014 december, 2016 by john lawless. That generated plenty of sideways pressure without distorting the top as it might have if i had simply shoved the wedge straight down.
New research into the development of violin fholes is. Simple spruce cubes are glued on either side of the cleaned crack without prior chalkfitting. Violin top crack repair fixing a short crack on a violin top. When i do this, i always open the toprib seam to allow the crack to close. I was trying out violins i felt like this was the best sounding one. This is a used violin that is in great condition with one small exception there is a small crack from the bottom of the fhole on the right side top that is about 1 12 long. All of our instruments come set up and ready to play, and there are sound clips of each one for you to listen to. During this past steamy weekend, the bass got warm, and theres now a rattling open crack or loose cleat near the trebleside fhole. As shown in the photos above, we have an example of a crack that runs about 2 inches above the left fhole of a viola. When i cut the f hole fluting i force the wing up first, so that it will be beneath the level of the belly when its done. Often they are neglected for years, and by the time the decision is made to fix them properly it becomes a monumental task to clean out the. The question of how the f hole design found in violins, violas an cellos came to predominate is one which has divided historians and musicians for some time. There are quite a few other lines and scratches in the varnish that resemble. A template of thin plywood is used to give the shape of the f hole.
Fholes in instruments from the violin family, archtop mandolins and in archtop guitars. Cracks usually occur in the wood grain at stress concentrators. The sound variance of violins is surely greater than the difference in their optical appearance, so i assume different shapes are possible. Hold on tight the strad nov 2001 article on crack repair. Help crack on cello f hole internet cello society forums. The evolutionary path of this elegant innovationclive thompson at boing boing demonstrates with a colorcoded charttakes us from those original round holes, to a halfmoon, then to variouslyelaborated cshapes, and finally to the fhole. My eastman 305 has recently developed a crack, about 1 long, running down from the f hole on the gstrings side. Violinfiddling boffins learn that fholes are secret to.
Smaller violintype instruments exist, including the violino piccolo and the pochette, but these are virtually unused. The violin dealer in nj said thats she repaired the f hole cracks so im not sure. The design and features are the same as above, except this clamp is specially used for repairing cracks near the f hole. My upright bass has had many glueandcleat repairs to the top. I kind of forgot about humidifying my mandolin, i hadnt been playing it since i got here.
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