She plays her Great Grandmothers violin

Master Violin maker and restorer Olaf Grawert repairs a buzz on a clients Great Grandmothers violin.
The Violin brought so much joy to the family 4 generations!
Be fully informed when you buy your next instrument. Get Olaf's free 7 essentials when buying an instrument report here: olafgrawertviolinstudio.com/7...
00:00 Introduction
03:17 Re-gluing edges
06:43 Cleaning the violin
11:06 Polishing the instrument
12:01 Retouching the edges
12:20 Fitting the soundpost
13:22 Putting on the strings
14:07 Testing the instrument
15:01 Conclusion
#myviolinmaker, #olafgrawertviolin
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[@l-y-vv-y]

thats me in the video!!!

[@l-y-vv-y]

No way that’s so cool ❤❤❤

[@wakingtheworld]

Wow! And you're still so young to be playing at this level. I loved Olaf's story about the history of your violin and I'm sure it's 'happy' being played again by an enthusiastic violinist. Instruments love to be played, not stuck in boxes/cases. Reminds me, I need to go practice!!!

[@wakingtheworld]

People in the comments are wondering if you know of TwoSet Violin? Brett & Eddy start their world tour next month though tickets in many venues have sold out already.

[@l-y-vv-y]

@@wakingtheworld yes! They actually came to my school!

[@l-y-vv-y]

@@wakingtheworld the video name is “Kids decide who’s a better violinist” I’m near the middle I think right next to it on the left :D

[@TheCoffree]

would love to watch an episode with Grawert Senior and Junior discussing music and violin stuff! :) Bring your dad on Olaf! I'm sure the both of you will have a lot of wisedom to share with us

[@sirspongadoodle]

I was just about to comment this

[@Alistair.Althea]

The fact the back of that one Violin was in that condition Unknowingly made me gasp. I can't imagine their surprise when they get it back and it sounds so much better! As for the young boy's violin... that's a horrible shop keeper! You *never* should just take someone's instrument and randomly adjust it without consent. If I hear right, I'm glad the sound post was repaired! You make players in AUS happier every day Olaf!

[@cafiend]

I love your relationship with coffee.

[@oralabihai459]

Aloha from the Big Island of Hawaii,,,,,, i have met a few Violin Luithers,, in Oregon when i was there ,,, but always inspired by the Work Involved,,, i started building Ukuleles in Lahaina , Maui back in 2005 , and felt i did start alittle late in Life , ,, but the Journey still continues,,,, from doing Repairs myself , if i had a shop , but do play Traditional and Contempory Hawaiian Music,,,, , keep the Energy flowing ,, Olaf,,,, from a friend in Hilo , Hawaii Oral.....

[@zapa1pnt]

I love the way you described your father's cello. While clearing a family member's estate, I encountered a large, plain, bowl (looked like a salad bowl). I flicked it with my finger and it rang like a silver bell. On the bottom, I found "Tiffany & Company". Well, that explains that. 😁✌🖖

[@Fidi987]

Your second story is a great example of the German term "verschlimmbessern" (for non-German speakers: trying to fix something & thereby making it worse)! The first violin, though! 😖 🧐

[@jamesrogers5277]

I have a friend who’s a bee-keeper. He does videos about buzzes, too.

[@christopherw4527]

I think Great Grandma's violin is beautiful. I love that darker color in the older violins. Really like the stories that go along with the work.

[@AnnapurnaMoffatt]

Wow! Amazing that this violin has been in the same family for so long: four generations!

[@anjababs7240]

I have a family violin that belonged to my great granduncle. He passed it on to my grandfather and when he passed I inherited it. I’ve wanted to learn how to play the violin since childhood. Now about 12 years after my grandfather passed I am starting lessons! l’ve taken it it to a local luthier to start getting it fixed up a little at a time and I’m hoping they take as much care and provide as much quality as you do. I am so proud to be learning on a violin that has been a cherished part of our family history.

[@wakingtheworld]

How touching is it that a violin can connect 4 generations of a family. It's even possible this young girl is the incarnation of her great grandmother! So your Dad's been making violins for almost 70 years, Olaf! Doing the maths.... He must be well in his 90's? That's awesome... and unlike the demands of some professions, this is one you can carry on into retirement... I mean if the passion's there, you really wouldn't want to stop, would you?

[@BensWorkshop]

If you were doing what you love, why would you stop?

[@wakingtheworld]

@@BensWorkshop Depends on your profession... Some physical ones could mean limitations as one got older... An 80 y.o. can't work at the level he/she worked when they were 50 years younger!

[@BensWorkshop]

@@wakingtheworld Yes, but if you enjoy doing it, you will all the same.

[@rossthefiddler5890]

Lovely to see the girl play Monti's Czardas. It was a piece an old teacher (that taught my Mum) taught me too that I still like to use as a demo piece after a repair (the slow part 😉). My grandmother was my inspiration having achieved AMusA at an early age (& gave me a violin to learn on).

[@edmiller4149]

Another great piece on repairing instruments the Right Way and taking good care of your customers! Olaf, you are an inspiration to us. God Bless !

[@Treasacello]

I know some people will think I'm some random crackpot, but that violin remembers that song that her great grandmother loved so much. It brightens and becomes more responsive when she plays it.

[@rezamowlavi2163]

Ulaf the BEST

[@greggerstner5599]

We are privileged to have an awesome, 3rd generation luthier in our area. He builds and sets up instruments. Co-concertmaster in the local crap philharmonic. A client brought in one of his instruments. Horrible sound. The client had taken the instrument to another "luthier" for something. He took a look. The sound post was set in a horrific manner, just deadening the tone. He believes on purpose. Out of pure spite. I have met both and this is believable. A little adjustment and the instrument sang like it was meant to. Love these videos. Recently subscribed. Thank you for all the effort.

[@KB10GL]

My Grandmother [allegedly] played violin with the Brisbane [symphony?] orchestra in the 1920's. My father said she played as first chair, .... but, you know, families. It is badly worn where the bow wore away part of the top & side when, I presume, that the bridge collapsed & she continued to play, possibly for years, being unable to afford repairs. My 38 year old son who, can play violin, has it now & I would like to get it repaired. But of course, I know not if it has any value, apart from family historic value, but I suspect that even if it was some ancient treasure, & worth restoring, the cost would be out of our reach. My son now has a son & daughter of his own & hopefully it will be passed on to the fifth generation in our family, even in its damaged condition.

[@mellissadalby1402]

Olaf, when you drink your coffee, it makes me also want to have some. Say, Stewart McDonald offers that same sound post measuring tool on their website. Very cool.

[@larag4646]

Instruments always seem to add a new darker color to their sound when their owner passes away. That violin holds some important history for that family.

[@cumulus888]

Great video. If possible, I would like to see you and your dad on a video talking about violin making.

[@wakingtheworld]

I second that!

[@christopherw4527]

@@wakingtheworld absolutely.

[@KenIn_NH]

Olaf It's such a pleasure to watch a true master craftsman at work and sharing the details. As a hobbyist guitar repairer I always learn so much. Another beautiful instrument ready for its next generation of players!

[@ronaldmoretto4844]

I also have a 90 years old family violin that is in my possession now. I wish you could restore it for me but as I’m in Portugal I will take to a luthier in Lisbon.

[@ESKARGAMES]

I would love to see and hear your father's cello! It sounds amazing! I just got the opportunity to play a master maker cello in Gofriller style, I'd be so happy to learn more and hear about what your father just completed.

[@trackie1957]

Great story! I wish you had shown the difference between the poorly fitted post and yours, looking in the same hole. I don’t play violin, and probably will never work on one, but I’m watching to learn about craftsmanship.

[@anjinsanx44]

Enjoy seeing him restore n polish violins!

[@LC-th1hy]

The gluing in between the plates of the violin must have made the poor thing buzz in anguish. I'm happy that the player are enthusiastic for practicing and cherishing the history with their family! ^_^

[@likespinningplates9817]

Her performing is really nice!

[@BennyKleykens]

Hope my little girl will play my violin when I'm gone.

[@fnersch3367]

Love this story. I wish I had kept my great uncle's violin (it was quite old) but didn't.

[@davidbrandt6925]

Great work Olaf! She plays beautifully! I use a Dampit in my instrument and I have a humidity indicator too.

[@l-y-vv-y]

Tyyy! I’ve worked really hard on my playing and I’m so happy it’s shown in olafs videos

[@christopherw4527]

@@l-y-vv-y Well you have done absolutely lovely. The hard work shows.

[@Fireman9143]

Great story! Nice to see a good result

[@gailrivas762]

Thank you for your knowledge. You are amazing and your stories helped me through covid lockdown.

[@zapa1pnt]

Hi, Olaf, love all your videos. You really don't need to edit, so as to be, so perfectly on topic. Your aside comments, on other things, are just as interesting, as what you are doing, at the moment. They are just part of who you are. 😁✌🖖

[@wakingtheworld]

Agree, the edits are distracting and I'm sure we'd all listen through a slightly longer vid!

[@savourypotato]

Awesome story 😁

[@fnersch3367]

Thanks!

[@gailrivas762]

I know you’ve heard about my instrument before. But, I had an f hole crack repaired and they changed the sound post, the fingerboard and they changed the pegs with fill. And they polished it. The sound was like my violin had a cold. Finally had a different luthier move the sound post. Really wish you could have seen it, but, I’m in the states.

[@tagquasar8791]

so lovely to see Olaf working, i can almost smell the woods and glue of his workshop. But he references his dad, are there any vids his father working?

[@kylestevens5835]

Wow Sir I really love your enthusiasm and passion for the music Arts and I love the stories behind the instruments thank you! Gonna buy a violin soon all because of you! Oh and twoset of course!! Lol

[@annelantoine4291]

Always the St Dalfour jam pot 😅 Love this jam 😅😅😅😅

[@a.r.mackinnon2451]

Interesting , as always. I'm jealous. Currently 89 % humidity here in West NZ

[@Rotary_Phone]

You really got to do your homework, and make sure you choose the right person to repair/setup your instrument. Doesn't matter which instrument it is. There are a lot of "highly confident/Low Skilled repairmen" out there. If I had a instrument that needed fixing, I'd save my money, and take it to someone who is reputable.

[@BensWorkshop]

Interesting about the buzzing and the sound post. If the sound post was loose enough to buzz, would it not be prone to falling over? Very interesting history on the violin. One of the sad parts about buying old violins at auction is that you don't get to know its history.

[@thomascooper193]

Question, why not separate the rest of the top and re-glue? I really appreciate your videos and have learned alot. Thanks Tad USA

[@ghlscitel6714]

The violin looks very interesting.

[@David-pd8li]

Holy crap! Top needs to come off and end block (if it's still intact) needs to be re - glued. Reasemble in reverse order, eh? Sad to see an instrument in that shape. It didn't get that way overnight. The leaning bridge was the least of his problems.

[@AlipashaSadri]

Can we get some video of the cello and probably your dad? 🤩🖖

[@rohwermusicstudios]

Ugg! New sound post for the buzz? Did they even look over the rest of the instrument first? I live in a dry climate and always check if I need to glue first.

[@zapa1pnt]

Obviously, they didn't. Which is, truly pathetic. A simple buzz could be, almost, anything. 😁✌🖖

[@ksrhrieber95]

I need to know what kind of strings would you put on an antique violin? Not gut !

[@peterbaxter8151]

I’ve always wondered how do you measure the length for a sound post? It seems a very difficult place to measure. 😊

[@gratefulMOMent]

Hello! I have a beautiful old German violin too and I’m about to change all the strings on it. I think the last time it had new strings it was more than 15 years & I’ve been playing it for 32 years 😂🙃 Anyways, quickly moved to your bridge video and now this. You are wonderful!! I love the info you sprinkle into the story! Question: what do I clean my instrument with? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I had a good cleaner once upon a time. Also where do I find a reliable person to work on my violin? I moved to a different place 8 years ago.

[@stevekelley1179]

It’s very hard to find a good Luther here in the states. So many people say that they are. But they are not and they end up damaging the instrument more.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Same thing happens here in Australia 😔

[@rossthefiddler5890]

I notice that 'buzzy' violin has had a back button graft. Is that a scarfed repair? I had one old Italian violin come by me where it had a 'dove-tail' fit, but no scarfing graft & so it started to separate a little, contributing to the fingerboard dropping, together with the belly bulging at both ends (partly due to a bulbous arch to start with). I ended up doing a scarfing internal fishtail graft to the back button area (as well as repairing the belly).

[@Dansback21]

What happened to the bridge??

[@johncook1080]

Olaf, Greetings from Kenly, NC, USA. What is the clear liquid you add to your coffee? MCT? "Crave less, Do more"?

[@Rotary_Phone]

SPeaking of the humidity problems in Australia, do they make special Violin cases that can protect your violin from the Humidity? I know they make special acoustic guitar cases that prevent your acoustic from getting to dry (which is kind of the opposite of what a violin needs) Just wondering.

[@user-fn1cd6mo9z]

My best violin case is only mid-range, and it's definitely not airtight, but I use a Boveda pack inside to maintain a constant humidity. It's worked very well for me, through wet muggy summers and very dry winters. I think the biggest danger is rapid shifts in humidity, like turning on a central heater that suddenly dries out the air in your house.

[@yong5171]

Hello Olaf, I have a question about the bridge. I'm thinking about buying an electric violin for silent practice, but I heard that the bridges of these instruments are not fitted to the instrument from most sellers. Now I have the option to buy from an American seller, who fits the bridge on the violin for free, but I would have to pay a huge delivery fee and customs duty because I'm from Germany. How much would it cost me approximately to have it fitted by a luthier here in Germany, if I buy one here?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Hmmm... You know, I think it might be worth calling a couple of makers and seeing how much it costs... But yes, a good fingerboard and bridge set up are very important... The other option is a good practice mute

[@yong5171]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Thank you for your quick response and advice.🙂 I already use a practice mute but since I live in a fairly narrow row house with very thin walls and neighbours on both sides it's still too loud. Unless I go down into the cellar that is, but I'd rather not, because it's very uncomfortable down there.😅

[@joshgray9035]

What did you do to that coffee?

[@theangryluthier2244]

00:25 yisus craist!

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

I appologize about using the word "DERWOOD" I HAVENT BEEN TO THE MARKET NOR HAD ANY BREAKFAST BECAUSE IVE BEEN SNOWED IN. MY STOMACH WAS GROWLING AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS SOMETIMES I GET A SMART MOUTH. MY SINCERE APPOLOGIES TO YOU MR. GRAWERT MY COMMENT WAS NOT DIRECTED AT YOU A TOL. HOPE YOU HAVE WONDERFUL DAY.😅

[@mightymouse9657]

Can anyone tell me the name of the piece at 15:45?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Czardas by Monti

[@mightymouse9657]

Thanks……. Olaf❤. Thanks for the content also.

[@nathanmontenegro9017]

Was that MCT and butter you put into your coffee? 😄

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Sure is... 😎

[@Music--ng8cd]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Maybe you could learn to make a violin in the foam on top - that would be epic. Fascinating videos btw.

[@cristiansicilia1286]

😨😱 0:32

[@erikburman530]

What the heck is that liquid you added? I always put Vegemite in my coffee.

[@elinaq750]

ARE YOU PUTTIN BUTTER IN YOUR COFFEE???!!😮😮😮

[@wakingtheworld]

I believe he does, Elina. He gave us the recipe for his bullet proof coffee in an earlier vid. Could have been 'A day in the life of a violin maker' sort of vid...

[@elinaq750]

@Cassandra Scott hahahah thank you! My mind was blown for a second hahah 🤯

[@fannybuster]

Why aren't more violins made with a solid back instead of two pieces..?

[@user-fn1cd6mo9z]

I think it just comes down to the economics of needing larger trees to make single piece backs. A two piece violin back can be cut from a 12in or 31cm tree, but a solid back (that isn't slab cut) requires a tree at least 51cm in diameter. Trees of larger size like that are needed by cellos, for example, which require something at least that size to make their two piece back.

[@baldwinangel1218]

Had to slow it down to see what he puts in it.😮

[@Rkolb2798]

Wouldn’t it have been better to re glue the whole top ?

[@tonimcguire8588]

Hi Olaf, I have a question. I’d heard that rosin has a shelf life and it should be replaced every 2 years. What is truth here? I have rosin that I’ve had since before the beginning of the pandemic. Lately I’ve noticed squeaking that I haven’t had before. Is that rosin or should I look at something else?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Rosin can last for a very long time... I wonder where that idea came from, but I don't think it's true. I've used over 10 year old rosin and it sounds totally fine.

[@10fingersmusic23]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker thank you so much! I wasn't looking forward to buying more when I still had a lot of what I currently have! Thanks Olaf ☺️

[@randolphfriend8260]

💙 🥲

[@liamnevilleviolist1809]

0:57 "Oh, we'll put in a new soundpost". One that doesn't fit. I know you might not be comfortable with saying who it is, but as professional violinist/violist I'd like to request that you say the name of the place so I know where to avoid....

[@liamnevilleviolist1809]

P.S. I think it's perfectly reasonable for anyone to ask this question. I know this analogy is NOT as strong, but please imagine if asked: "Hello, I like to eat out at restaurants often - I'd like to avoid food poisoning, so can you please tell me which places generally serve food that causes food poisoning?". I hope you see my point. You DID say at 1:14 that "this place has done that before".... so I *do* strongly believe it would be a good deed to let others know which shop this is. Cheers, LN.

[@moodyga40]

its a problem in all industry cow boy repairs

[@liamnevilleviolist1809]

Okay... so: I'm watching this in real time and commenting on this in real time (as I do). The next story at 1:36 ("whisked it away and adjusted the soundpost").... Sorry, but this is JUST NOT PROFESSIONAL. Good musicians (or anyone starting their musical journey) need to stay away from this place. Terrible stuff from them, and not just a 'one-off'!!!

[@David-pd8li]

Just made a comment but then you made coffee. What in the world is bulletproof coffee and whats in it? I've been meaning to ask you this. Can you pass the recipe on to us, tell us where you got it and so on? Very curious! You could probably even make a short video just adout that! Thanks, Olof!