Violin Forum/Message Board

[actonern]

Many old instruments have a pattern of deep scratches on the top plant, immediately on either side of the fingerboard. I'm trying to understand how they got there. The more central area of the top on either side of these scratch "zones" will show heavy varnish wear, but much less actual scratching. I'm not aware of any playing technique that would have the hand or fingernails contact this area of the top.

[Jack Rushing]

Hi actonern, Would it be possible for you to post a picture for us?
aomeone could possibly tell.

[actonern]

Thanks, Jack.

The latest Bergoni Strad poster illustrates the pattern wear well... I don't know how to post pictures, alas...

[/img]

[Jack H.]

I have seen quite a few violins witht ewear pattern you describe.
It is from wear form the nails mostly when people move up in position, at least that is what I feel.
Also could come from playing pizzicato ( on the bass side).

J

[Jack London]

I used to think that it was caused by a player's nails, and some of it may be, but then one day I closed an old case on an old trade fiddle. I heard the bow rattle down on the top of the fiddle. I carefully opened the case and there was the bow lying exactly in the wear pattern you describe. If you look in an old case, sometimes the bow holders either were not adequate or else loose or broken. These scratch patterns come from a bow falling on and rubbing that part of the fiddle while it is in its case with the lid closed, all the while being carried around by the unsuspecting owner.

[Jack Rushing]

I believe most of it was caused by a loose bow, as said by Jack L.
Or maybe by a player with extra long nails too, Jack H.
Then again, it might have been some amateur like me, attempting to
remove some deep rosin or paint buildup, using the wrong tools.
Several things are possible. We might not ever know for sure.

[actonern]

Interesting... I had read some years ago that there was a coffin type case popular in the 18 century where the violin was inserted from the end, as well as the bow. If the bow was always rubbing the varnish when inserted and extracted that could explain a lot, but the scratch wear seems to stop at the fingerboard; I would expect bow related wear to extend down towards the bridge area as well.

[mapleleaf_gal]

it is usually caused by the bow and storage of the instrument. i dont think that a players nails will cause it too much because almost every musician keeps their nails trimmed nice and short. otherwise it is too difficult to play.
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[John Cadd]

There is a film of Nathan Milstein taking his violin out of the case by lifting it with the edges of the fingerboard. The nail of the thumb would mark higher up the bass side. The finger nails down nearer the bridge. Pizzicato would mark the treble side.Not everybody would be so careful about their nails as Milstein. It`s there on the film.