4 days in Olafs violin workshop

[@dionmorales]

Thank you so much for the deep dive into the workshop. As a middle school orchestra teacher I love being able to share clips, and insights from your videos with my students.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Thank you for the feedback... Great to hear that you are sharing parts of my world with your students.

[@IgarashiDai]

Unexpected single-handed egg crack flex haha! It’s really therapeutic to watch you touch up instruments while narrating the steps :) More of this please!

[@wadehampton1534]

Wow, lots of humidity problems in Brisbane! I live in the desert, near Phoenix Arizona USA. We have the exact opposite conditions here. Our average RH is around 34%, but goes as low as 18% during the summer. We usually get monsoon rain in August and September, so we can have some issues with the swing in humidity. I don't humidify my solid body electric guitars, but I do humidify my acoustic instruments. I keep Oasis Case Humidifiers in the acoustic guitars, violin, mandolin, banjo, and ukulele cases. They are humidity regulators, they both give off moisture and take it back in as needed, to keep the instruments at a constant humidity level. I really enjoyed the four days in your workshop, Olaf, I always look forward to seeing you post a new video. I've commented before, that I am sixty-one years old, and I didn't start playing the violin until I was forty-one. I took three years of lessons, and then my teacher moved out of state. I took it from there, and I've been happily sawing away for the past twenty years! I know that I'll never be able to master the violin at my age, but that's not necessary. I enjoy playing my violin for the sake of music.

[@mullawa]

Ran across your channel by accident. Not a player but very enthusiastic listener. Really enjoy your work. Watch you a lot.

[@bohopper2314]

Good morning from Texas! I am really ezcited

[@johncook1080]

Olaf, we both have Starry Night coffee mugs! Viva Van Gough! My coffee ritual isn't nearly so interesting. Although it's very important to me also. You have a wonderful life! Best regards to your family.

[@coskuntezerdi]

We wisch you a good Violin and have a good day ..!!

[@erent.1453]

dear olaf your videos are like therapy for us please keep it up your long videos love from turkey

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Thank you 🥰

[@lemoneyesalt5513]

That was the most seamless hand table swipe clean i've ever seen XD

[@nickstoic2944]

Thank you for posting, your videos are great, I enjoy them and the way you present your knowledge.

[@GaryGP40]

Thanks you again for sharing your day/work with us. You truly have that master craftsman's touch. I admire the care, attention and love you give each instrument and that it deserves, because they are all unique, like fingerprints. You do such amazing work. Thank you for sharing this part of your busy life with us and showing us what detail goes into these repairs and setups, something I think many players may not know. The engineering behind the instruments is amazing enough, but your final touches makes each instrument extra special! Thank you again, Olaf! I hope you and your family have an amazing day ahead!

[@WEdHarris]

I thoroughly enjoy your wonderful videos! Thank You so much for inviting us into your life and sharing your artistic gifts with us!

[@peterlundin7953]

From the internet: "PVA was discovered in 1912 by Dr. Fritz Klatte in Germany. It is one of the most widely used water-dispersed adhesives. PVA is made up of a water-based emulsion of a widely used type of glue, referred to variously as wood glue, white glue, carpenter's glue, school glue, or PVA glue."

[@Guillermo.R.S.]

I enjoy a lot these kind of in-depth videos of yours. I also end up helping myself with a couple of mugs of nice cofee from south Mexico. Keep the good work!

[@bohopper2314]

Good way to start off a morning!

[@DDumaurier2]

Love your channel Olaf. I am saving for one of your violins. Love the Piere Lomont violin. Very impressed with the richness and beautiful sound. Thanks for making these videos and taking us along in workshop! Watching the repair process on the instruments is so interesting. Thanks again.

[@bohopper2314]

So cool! Workshop day videos are my favorite! Thanks again Olaf!

[@notmyworld44]

This is a pleasantly personable chap, and I enjoy him sharing his knowlege and skills. Very nice! Glad I subscribed!

[@elissahunt]

Seeing the dent in the viola brought back a memory of when my best friend dropped her sousaphone bell on my brand new tenor sax. It definitely made a much bigger dent, but it wasn't the disaster it would have been if the sax had been a viola! My friend got the dent repaired right away (though you can still see where it was). Love these videos about life in the workshop.

[@davidcurry8387]

Nice to see Ed Ayres is a client of yours Olaf 🌟🎻

[@snookdock]

Please do more repairs like this it is very interesting

[@yakuviolin]

Master! greeting from Colombia!!! I´d suggest you try some coffe from the Nariño region... its really outstanding.

[@lotsabirds]

It's always great to watch a master at work! Thank you!

[@rob_odd]

Your channel deserves many more subscribers and your videos many more views and likes!

[@ronaldmcronald8611]

Excellent work, you're a craftsman through and through!

[@7ChordsLater]

Loving your videos mate!

[@zoeolsson5683]

Brisbane mouldy weather was full on. Had a light dusting of mildew on my RX3 and my old Beale upright! No dehumidifiers in stock anywhere.

[@susieforeman5148]

Olaf could you do a video on cleaning rosin off and giving a polish to a violin. Just normal upkeep cleaning, which rosin remover or not or what to give a nice shine.love your channel.

[@mccypr]

I love these day in my work shop videos. Thanks! Question: What does one do if the notes on the “D” string from the “A” on up sound a little dull? ✌️🌞😎🎻

[@Offending_Everybody]

Cant wait

[@wakingtheworld]

Fascinating vid as always, Olaf. Just wondering about the Double Bass player... Can he/she be without his/her instrument for such a long time?

[@robswank5209]

So while investigating violin making and repairs, I read where you want a hide glue rating form around 100 to around 250? What version of the glue do you buy and what amount of the glue to water do you use? Thanks for helping us understand your wonderful processes.

[@rossthefiddler5890]

Olaf, sorry I keep thinking of things to ask as I watch, but at 31:50 minutes in as you are testing that violin I noticed it had a Roth style wire mute on. In my experience they tend to mute the strings & bridge a little when in the 'park' position, besides destroying the strings when used a lot. I know, we all used them several decades ago (& P. Eudoxa strings) but I stick with the rubber ones now (round or violin shape) because of that muting (& damaging) effect.

[@TheStig1961]

You make great repair- and restoring job. Did you say that you send one violin to Europe? I live in Dalsbruk in Finland. Would you like to take a challenge? Please play a finnish classical tune on violin. The tune is "Säkkijärven Polkka". Regards Stig Österberg.

[@aenea22980]

Thank you for sharing your days! I love these videos, it's so interesting to see all the different things you do. Can you talk about why the one violin that had been revarnished devalues the instrument? Does it change the sound in any way? If the new varnish is applied well would it matter?

[@Vykk_Draygo]

My guitar headstocks have a few dings. There was a ceiling fan above where I played guitar in a previous apartment. I learned eventually. 😂

[@robertpeters9438]

I'm curious how you control moisture in shipment and storage... for that matter, in your office.

[@WhiteDragon689]

Living in south florida USA currently 88 F, humidity 67%. You would clean house with instruments that fall appart... LOL

[@lio1234234]

Can we get your opinion on the 3d printed modular fiddle project (openfabpdx by David Perry)? I'd love to hear what improvements you might make to make it better. The 4 string is open source, and although plastic I believe it really opens up violins to a wider audience

[@randolphfriend8260]

❤️

[@robswank5209]

What types of strings do you usually string on the violins do you use? I need new strings and Ann looking to understand what you would use for a beginner to light user?

[@kropjesla01]

do you also make the cases for your own violins? or do you order them elsewhere? I would be courious how that is build....

[@maxheadroom1506]

wax finish vs varnish for violin thoughts???

[@MDR0]

Hi Olaf! Awesome video. It's nice to see what lutheirs do throughout the day. I've always been curious. Here's an unrelated question; I bought new strings for my violin and for some reason, there's a small piece of plastic tube on the E-string. What is it for? I've seen some violins with the plastic over the bridge and some behind the bridge.

[@fierywomanpacnw7004]

Put the plastic piece on the part of the string that touches the bridge -- it's to keep the string from cutting into the (soft wood) bridge like a cheese slicer!

[@MDR0]

@@fierywomanpacnw7004 i see. Thank you

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

It's to protect the bridge

[@macwinter7101]

Do the cleats and glue involved in crack repairs change the sound of the instrument?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Hardly at all... Sometimes players comment that the instrument actually sounds better after a repair!

[@jannickharambe8550]

I see you have a nice cast iron pan. Where did you get it? Looks so beautiful!

[@rossthefiddler5890]

Probably had it for many years like ours. 😊

[@davidkim3477]

You’re quite remarkable

[@rezamowlavi2163]

Olaf UUUUU DA BST

[@theblondeone8426]

Does Anyone recommend using modern glues?

[@briandeeley1599]

Are these questions about modern glues coming from other luthiers?

[@JosesGarage101]

I wonder how you sharpen your chisel tools?

[@rossthefiddler5890]

Olaf, can you please tell me why you put the strings on a violin before fitting the sound post?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Hmm... Enthusiasm? I think it gives me a feeling of nearly finishing the violin. Also I adjust the soundpost in relation to the bridge. I don't bring them up to tension. I think either way is fine.

[@rossthefiddler5890]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Thanks Olaf. I'm just used to peeking up the end in pin hole & dental style mirror in the sound hole. I know any following adjustments are done with strings on though.

[@rossthefiddler5890]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Talking about enthusiasm, I remember playing my first violin I made unvarnished for a little while (a few decades ago). It did eventually get varnished though. 😊 Anyhow, coffee is my first thing of the day & with the air con on as I browse emails etc. It's a chilly day outside so I might wait a while before taking our dogs for their walk (lower Blue Mountains, NSW).

[@DanielVodenitcharov]

Hello Olaf, I recently called a violin shop and asked them how much it would cost to replace the sound post in my violin and they said £150! I thought it was rather pricey. What is a normal price for a sound post replacement ?

[@ethangrieshop9405]

Hey Olaf, I have a beautiful violin, but I accidentally scraped a small piece of the varnish, about 2 cm across. Is that reversible at all?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Absolutely. It needs to be retouched by a skilled violin maker and restorer

[@sgnt9337]

Falling apart under high humidity conditions.... hide glue is the culprit

[@rossthefiddler5890]

At least it can be taken apart again when needed though & why using anything else on good instruments would be sacrilege.

[@fannybuster]

Have you ever tried to design a new bridge and why do all bridges have the same shape...?

[@kevincorkery6292]

Thank you for doing right by the kids. Nothing worse than a cheap 1/4 sized violin to dishearten a budding violinist. I would never buy an Amazon violin for my child. I’ve been playing over 30 years.

[@lucasvignolireis8181]

for the international possible clients for the instruments for kids: maybe you could make another model and charge properly

[@rossthefiddler5890]

There's another luthier that calls himself Maestro that says he uses 'white glue' (Titebond) for "permanent" repairs, such as cracks etc. I shudder each time I see him using it. I don't think any glue join can be considered "permanent" & the next luthier to redo a crack because of a later incident will not thank him, I'm sure. Thankfully he still uses hide glue to putting the plates back. I believe he trained in Cremona too. I'd like to see a comment from you on that Olaf. 🙂

[@zapa1pnt]

It may crack Next to the one glued with Titebond, but that crack will Not open again. Any new crack, next to it, can be glued with whatever you like. Titebond joints will also Not succumb to humidity.

[@オールマイト-y1f]

For repairs for things like cracks that's total fine. I wouldn't recommend it on joint's and seals as this make things really hard in the future for servicing etc. That said if you live in a hot humid place and your instrument isn't a hugely expensive fine instrument and heat humidity seal brakes are a recurring problem. White glue it. Save yourself the hassle. Would not recommend it for expensive fine instruments that will be serviced regularly though. Like anything else its not as simple as one thing does all.

[@zapa1pnt]

@@オールマイト-y1f: Not true. Titebond joints will come apart, with heat and humidity. It just takes more than nature can supply. You have to, actually, Want it to come apart. Just what are you referring to, when you say "serviced regularly"? What kind of "regular service" requires the instrument to be dismantled?

[@オールマイト-y1f]

@@zapa1pnt OK firstly "Not true. Titebond joints will come apart, with heat and humidity. It just takes more than nature can supply." That's the point of what I was saying.... Not even sure why you brought this up. You also don't really want to use titebond on the seems and joints as this make repairs and servicing really difficult even with heat because of what that type of glue actually does to the wood. "Just what are you referring to, when you say "serviced regularly"?" There are many reasons the top will come off or joints or fingerboards might need to come off fully. If you're professional it's not unlikely one of your instruments will be coming in for some kind of service at least once a year. A service isn't always a case of we will varnish this clean that. So unless you're a very aggressive bluegrass player that's banging the crap out of that thing or are not a professional then chances are you don't want white glues on your joints and seals at all.

[@rossthefiddler5890]

@@オールマイト-y1f I know what you mean. I offered to resurrect a violin that had been 'butchered' by a would be repairer where he had used white glue, fitted a rubbish bass bar & closed with it. I had to do some edge doubling of the belly because of the damage (previous opening & trying to open with that white glue). Thankfully it finished up being a clear, rich & powerful violin instead of being muted & nasally. I must say she was shocked (pleasantly, I hope) with the result.

[@MR-ub6sq]

When you mention that you are doing a loss making business with children's violins, it occurs to me that why not serve the children of your desired area by renting these sizes to their parents? When the little violinist grows up, he could be changed to a bigger violin and rented again. I think that by doing this, you would reduce the pressure on both parties - you have control over your violins and make a reasonable income for decades from each violin - and your customer does not have to think about how to get rid of their purchase if the child loses interest or when it is time to change to a bigger one. In addition, the end situation for you may be that in the long term you will make a profit on each violin you rent, by not selling the instrument, but selling its right to use and maintenance - which of course you price included in the rental price. There is also the point here, that the family in question is more likely to remain your customer for a long time when you make it even easier for them to get started, than by selling them an instrument as a one-time purchase in a situation that is extremely uncertain. So could this bring relief to both parties?

[@catherined.398]

There are two types of tradespeople: those who actually do work, and the untrustworthy psychopaths whose desks are always fastidiously clean even while working... somehow. Messes happen, haha.

[@cindy5298]

🎻 poor violin 🎻

[@kennielsen8554]

Titebond make hide glue,look it up