Over the xmas period, I learned how to open up violins, glue cracks, and close them again. I practiced that on the not very special violin number 13 before addressing the quite lovely Guarneri copy number 30, the one which won the prize for the most beautiful case.
After the operation number 30 looks like this (still with the historic strings and tailpiece, which I'll upgrade before returning it to its owners):
In addition to the two cracks I repaired now, I discovered another two that had been repaired previously:
Note the label which says it is a copy of a Guarnerius from 1725 (as opposed to my favourite violin from my collection which is a Guarnerius from 1731). I really like the look of the inside of these instruments (see also the cello I opened up), with all the rough bits contrasting the smooth outside. Here's the inside again with my patches added:
... and the detached and repaired top from the outside:
... and the whole thing after closing up again:
After this glut of photos I'm sure you'll be glad to see the back of it:
It does have a beautiful back, doesn't it.
Number 13 (of which I used a photo in my year review) is also closed again, but it has some damage on the fingerboard which I'll have to sand down before I set it up, so I'll report on that next month.
I've now moved the list of instruments that pass through my pirate luthier workshop to a permanent page which I will update whenever necessary, independent of the blog entries.
PS While shopping for accessories for this violin, I discovered that CJ Stephens, where I buy some of my supplies, sells DIY violin making kits ...
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