Violin Forum/Message Board

Scott S · Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 12:55 pm Post subject:

As a new member to this forum with very few posts at this point, I don't think that I should post my true thoughts and feelings at this time. I don't feel very well.

Scott
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Spudchucker · Member Joined: 06 Feb 2014 Posts: 39

DonLeister · Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 1:53 pm Post subject:

Scott, you are not the only one that is bothered. It is disturbing to see thins happen to an instrument that may be of value.
When I say value I don't mean dollar value but the violin's intrinsic value, similar to an art object but also having good playing qualities that are valuable to a real, working musician. I think most violin makers and players mean this when they refer to a violin as having value.

Spudchucker, I just read that you took the violin to some luthiers which is good to know. Would they happen to have been violin shops? Guitar guys don't count.
From your pictures of the front I'm not convinced that the original varnish is gone, maybe over coated? I hope you do take it to a respected violin shop for consultation on the varnish and valuation.
I don't think anyone will do an even half decent varnish job on the front for the amount you mentioned by the way. Violins are not like cabinets, keep it away from the cabinet shop. Sorry, I had to say that even though I realize you are going to do what you want anyway.

Spudchucker · Member Joined: 06 Feb 2014 Posts: 39

FiddleDoug · Member Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 227 Location: Hilton, NY

Two chin rests? Varnishing the fingerboard? It's obvious that you don't have a clue on what you are doing. The light yellow color under the varnish is the ground color, not the original varnish. This is a cheap German dutzenabiet(sp?), and may be roughly carved on the inside, with a carved in bassbar. The fingerboard is probably dyed hardwood, not ebony. Go ahead and put polyurethane on it and turn what, with decent restoration, could have been a decent fiddle, into a real pile of crap.
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ollieken · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 10:14 am Post subject: bridge

If this fiddle was played with the bridge upside down It must be
one of a kind or dose it just look like that it is upside down ? Just wondering Ken

Spudchucker · Member Joined: 06 Feb 2014 Posts: 39

Cliff Green · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 12:08 pm Post subject:

If you started in with the paint remover before you posted here then you like many thought you could improve something. Without a lot of help I don't think you'll be able to end up with anything better than you started and more likely something worse. If you waded in after first posting here then it's all on you.
You're not alone. Not to far from my home there is one of those antique malls with about 20 vendors. One vendor has a half dozen fiddles like yours that have been "restored" and he has the gall to hang a $1000 tag on them. You only need to look at the hack bridge and the new varnish.

ollieken · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 3:26 pm Post subject: Re: bridge

[quote="ollieken"]If this fiddle was played with the bridge upside down It must be
one of a kind or dose it just look like that it is upside down ? Just wondering Ken[/quote]

Just had another look at the pic this after noon & the bridge is not upside down you think Maybe I need a drink of moon shine to light up my eyes, anyhow sorry about that post.
I can say one thing for sure I have never got bad advice from anyone on this forum so if you don't want the advice they give you all I can say is have fun with your project Ken

Spudchucker · Member Joined: 06 Feb 2014 Posts: 39

Spudchucker · Member Joined: 06 Feb 2014 Posts: 39

kjb · Super Member Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 385

"Be happy with me, please.. someone.. You have no idea how much joy this instrument has been bringing into my life since I brought it home"

yes enjoy your instrument, I don't think they are specifically trying to pick you apart ,
its the idea of taking any instrument and changing it without having the experience, and possibly ruining an instruments history/identity.

lots of people read these threads and they don't want anyone to get the idea you can take the finish of a violin or reconstruct it by misunderstanding what they are doing.

so think of it as a cautionary tale.

Scott S · Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 2:55 pm Post subject:

As I said before, none of your pictures showed any signs of revarnish. Reread the posts, no one else agreed with your reasons for destruction either. These types of Hopfs have a thin lacquer type of varnish. This thin outer layer of dry, chalky varnish is what I expect to find on them. This varnish and other characteristics is why I call them "frankenstein". One of these specific Hopfs with bright and shiny varnish would be a real freak and not have "frankenstein" qualities.

Scott

Dead dog, beat dead dog, I feel better, let dog lie
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As always, send lawyers, guns, and money

Spudchucker · Member Joined: 06 Feb 2014 Posts: 39

The back of the violin is worn-through to the wood over a rather large area, but it had a fresh layer of brown varnish over it. That is how I know for sure it was a cover job. On the front, there is gold/amber varnish on the inside edge of the f holes, as well as overbrushed onto the side of the fingerboard (whoever said they were made like that nailed it) which I could tell because I'm using white rags and the two varnishes are distinctly different looking. Once I saw that the fingerboard messiness was original, I left it as-is just like the sides and back.

Now that you mention how these usually look, maybe the gold/amber varnish is a refinish as well? The one thing I haven't really figured out yet is how the HOPF stamp was almost entirely worn away while retaining a solid finish. Regardless, it looks nice this way

and thanks, KJB, I see the reasoning, guess this just isn't the place for my type..