Broken 1840s Violin Restoration

[@MastersOfCraftOfficial]

Hope you enjoy this one. Please watch in 4K for best quality!

[@gregsmith7828]

i have one that needs something similar.

[@gianfrancocartella5488]

Si vedono solamente le mani di chi lavora.

[@gianfrancocartella5488]

Bisogna inquadrare il lavoro che si esegue

[@UKSkateboarding]

that was great until that person started playing it so badly lol

[@papanino4415]

Please cut the narration out.

[@greenjoseph4]

I apprenticed at a violin repair shop during the 90s, and this video brought back so many memories. The smells, the textures, when he started filing the fingerboard, I could taste the ebony dust again. Thanks you for providing me a small excusrion down memory lane…

[@feynthefallen]

My grandfather used to repair and restore violins as a hobby. In retrospect, I'm very sad I wasn't more insistent when he was reluctant to teach me. He would have loved this video.

[@SenileOtaku]

My father used to redtore violins as well (I had already moved away by then) I have some of his tools, but not a place to work with them. He also built new ones.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Nicely done Masters of the Craft! Great to see that you had a professional violin restorer doing the restoration the way it should be done.

[@vance7274]

Excellent! Thank you for letting the viewers hear the wonderful sounds of chisels, planes, rasps, scrapers, and files on maple, spruce, and ebony. A very fine video in every respect.

[@patriciajrs46]

Yes, we love the sounds of the craft.

[@k9six185]

My great Grandfather made violins here in Michigan. i never met him as he was passed before I was born. This was enjoyable in that it showed me some of what he did. He also made gunstocks and was a barber

[@viktorreznov2386]

**looks at hand** eh, what part of michigan?

[@k9six185]

@@viktorreznov2386 mt.clemens….home of the mineral baths….about an hour north of Detroit

[@patriciajrs46]

Very interesting ancestry.

[@patriciajrs46]

Very interesting ancestry.

[@steby123]

Beautiful workmanship and beautiful results !!!

[@SantaWithaViolin]

The shot is done well and the narration is fine. I don’t know why people criticize so much. Keep up the good work. I enjoy the video.

[@cricketlovely8541]

Strangely enough, I had a visceral reaction seeing you cut the lines for the strings. It took me back many years ago when I played my cello. I loved seeing your work table and how even the grooves in its edge fit your fingers. Lovely work 😊

[@RichardGraham-l6f]

This is a classic video - and as a fiddle player, it had a great effect on my state of mind!

[@Starliner428]

Excellent repair/restoration work and very good video. Thanks!

[@hokepoke3540]

Thank you for sharing this, I enjoy watching a master of any craft especially one I will never have a chance to even try much less master like you have. Most music is just noise to me but a violin to me is most special. I am tone deaf for the most part but something about violin music I can hear and enjoy.

[@velchuck]

Absolutely beautiful. Amazing talent by the restorer.

[@roybrewer7865]

Unfortunately, not all OLD instruments are GREAT instruments. . .but, I loved the video. Thanks

[@samanthaschurter747]

I was just reading in an unrelated book (Color by Victoria Findlay) that violins that have been repaired or restored take months or even years to recover their former sound. I found it really interesting that it takes so long to know if the repair or restoration would affect the sound.

[@panzerlieb]

@@samanthaschurter747well considering that this violin was in pieces and had no sound….now it does. I would think the results are more instantaneous than you have been led to believe.

[@adorovivere1488]

Woooow, Worldclass!!! Really, very good job!!! 12 point's from Germany 👏👏👏👏👏💪💪💪💪💪👍👍

[@Emmanuele_Valente]

Che arte meravigliosa.. sei un vero artista, al pari di chi suonerà questa meraviglia ❤

[@joshuahenley8246]

The cat was my favorite part 🐈🤩

[@alvaroernesto49]

¡¡¡¡ Felicitaciones !!!! Hermoso trabajo.

[@theverseshed]

Fascinating. Why was such a large block carefully glued in place, just for almost all of it to be planed away? Why did it need to be so big to start with - why not at least half as deep? Excellent and very well-judged, minimal narration plus excellent recordings of the tools being used. 10/10

[@patriciajrs46]

I was asking the same thing.

[@Ezziestrings]

Because a) a thicker block is easier to handle during the shaping process and b) a thicker block is less likely to distort during the hot gluing/clamping process. It only takes a matter of minutes to get rid of most of the excess thickness once the glue is dry.

[@patriciajrs46]

​@EzziestringsGreat answer. Thanks.

[@Jevans3141]

Excellent woodworking skills and beautiful old instrument!

[@fatroberto3012]

Excellent work by both the craftsman repairing/restoring the instrument and the other craftsman who videoed him doing it. It is good that these skills are recorded for posterity. The repair of the soundboard was fascinating, something I never would have thought of.

[@ramiruhig5558]

Fantastic restoration, well done

[@larrykelly2838]

Beautiful restoration

[@TXCrafts1]

Wow, this restoration was a lot better then the other one. Great work!!!

[@mr-x7689]

correction at 3:10. it's not wood based glue. it's hide glue. Hide glue is made from boiling raw hide for a long time at a low temperature, making the hide dissolve in to the water. once it starts to drie it becomes sticky, and onche drie, it becomes hard. People wo build instruments, often swere by that hide glue is the best glue for atleast two reasons. First it's easy to remove if you need to repair the instrument. All you need is a bit of moisture and heat, and it will come apart, compared to other glues where you often deed to quite literarly break apart the item by force. The other reason, is that they claim hide based glues give the instrument a better and ritcher/fuller sound when you play them, compared to most other kinds of glue.

[@k4rec4]

So you mean violinists aren't vegan, huh?... 🤭

[@jonka1]

A very useful comment. Perhaps you might read it back to yourself with a view to correcting the many mistakes that devalue your message.

[@vance7274]

@@jonka1 I have used hide glue for years building and repairing stringed instruments and furniture. I understood and agree with all that was said in the comment. Perhaps English is a second language for the author, so he/she struggled a bit? Western Europeans often default to phonetics when learning to write in English. In my humble opinion, the mistakes did not devalue the comment in any way. Let's encourage others whenever we can.

[@matthewblanchard9301]

Indeed 37 minutes worth watching, this luthier was a joy to watch his craft and to see and hear the final act of restoration. 🎻👍(Would love to watch him make a violin from scratch)👀

[@robertschmidt6383]

This person has some wicked great restoration skills. Not to mention musical talent. 👍👍

[@DisgruntledGrunt]

Love the projects done, can’t stand the narration.

[@durangodave]

curious why he makes his patches so big and then has to trim so much after. Why not cut them thinner on the ban saw to begin with?

[@LucyShuttleworth]

I had that exact same question!

[@panzerlieb]

Error on the side of caution I’d guess. You can always carve excess wood away, but you can’t easily put it back. “I measured and cut it three times and it’s still too short!” Is a thing any woodworker doesn’t want to repeat very often

[@durangodave]

@@panzerlieb i totally agree.

[@brucejoseph8367]

@@panzerlieb Such a waste of good quality tonewood.

[@thomasevans3097]

may help even out clamping pressure? It's not a large amout to carve away compared to making a whole new top!

[@tacfoley4443]

Beautiful work in the traditional manner that so appeals to me. I've often brought and old wooden item back to life, but to do so, with a real instrument like this, with an untold history behind it, must be a maginal thing.

[@patriciajrs46]

Magical of course.

[@spottymaldoon]

Thank you - this was very fascinating. I would like to ask how the instrument was disassembled after it was received - I would have imagined the old glue would have been pretty tenacious - for example between the fingerboard and the neck?

[@patrickseron9769]

Bel ouvrage! Chapeau, l'artiste!

[@Klaus-PeterMoch]

Chapeau! Brilliant!!👍👍👍

[@RenzoColameoIrlanda]

Nice restoration, player & Irish gig... 🎻☘💚😘🥰

[@Dansback21]

Major work, just with sound post patch. But the cleats, varnish touch up, adding new wood, shaping new. All very expensive on the final bill. Add true boxwood pegs, also very expensive as of 2024 (if not the cheap Chinese pearwood which looks similar and is often sold as "boxwood"). Beautiful restoration work!

[@acemannw]

Any idea who the manufacturer was or any other details of where it's been for the last 180 years?

[@suzykearney1133]

Yes I do … it belonged to our Great Great Grandfather. He acquired it in the 1860s and it has been passed down through the generations. The last 20 years it has been under the bed until we decided to have it fully restored with the help of this very talented man. Thanks for asking …

[@nickcarroll8565]

@@suzykearney1133were you the one playing? If so you might prefer a chin rest centered over the tailpiece, based on how it was being held by the chin.

[@Last_one_before_I_go]

@@suzykearney1133 - You see where things are worth preserving and also tell a interesting story. Play on with pride, it came out well.

[@patriciajrs46]

​@@suzykearney1133 Awesome.

[@sampaththallaramba6400]

What is that finaly using wax pleace ?it can be applied to old any violin ?

[@joseorregomir]

Qué bello trabajo se nota que le pone mucho amor a la reparación.

[@pragmaticplatypus]

at 7:30, what's the purpose of sliding the metal tool between the two pieces being joined? It seems like this would push glue away from where it's needed. Amazing work, super cathartic to watch.

[@ronwade2206]

Had a Violin student in Sun Valley that had inherited a 1793 English fiddle. It was old, set up for fiddling and I re-bridged it and planed the well worn fingerboard, it played like a Strad! She was in 2nd or 3rd grade and it of course was too big but I told her she was just the right person and last I heard she went to Boise State on Full Scholarship and plays that fiddle from Olde London Towne I bet she is awesome

[@MANSOUR77ful]

Very nice work 👌

My moms side of the family immigrated from Germany in 1788. Grandpa used to play the violin they brought over with them until it was lost in a house fire in 1966. As a child of nine i couldn't figure out how "such an old thing made such great music"

[@nuiwai5402]

❤ì really enjoyed this artisan at work. Is there a reason the little bridge was left a light natural colour? I to would love to know the instruments history. It looked so beautiful at the end and sounded good.

[@zebracado9401]

The bridges on Violins, and in fact all classical stringed instruments, are always left unvarnished. The bridges primary job other than raising the strings to a playable height, is to transfer the vibrations of the strings to the actual "Body" of the violin. Varnish/stain can actually interfere with this process, and so it is left off. Hope this helps, Cheers :)

[@mbee4103]

Hi,nice video.I just hope you don't get hurt with having a sharp blade moving towards your fingers.As a violinist,myself ,I was taught by a cabinetmaker always to keep my hands "Behind the blade". (Just something I noticed) ...nice work,though!

[@k_b7341]

It is an old violin, well restored. But is it a good instrument? Was it worth the effort?

[@Last_one_before_I_go]

Possibly a family heirloom. The demo gave us a hint maybe of the owner and application. If the owner willingly paid and is satisfied, then I guess it was worth the restoration and effort.

[@brucejoseph8367]

Lovely to see this old instrument so carefully restored. The playing of it afterwards did leave a little to be desired and it also deserved better strings than fairly cheap Pirastro Tonica's. But a great video which in itself is a heck of a lot of work so many thanks.

[@norberthartmann5075]

great job!

[@Fozzzz]

Nicely done, enjoyed your work...

[@jaimemartin9941]

Treball de inmensa capacitat i delicada sensibilitat, els bons lutiers retornen a la vida aquests instrumens dels angels.

[@katlover4442]

I love the kitty!!!

[@freednighthawk]

What was that white powder you rubbed into the bridge? What does it do? Excuse my ignorance, my focus lies with fretted instruments.

[@bluebalute]

I think it was to transfer marks so he knew where the high spots were and what to remove to have a good fit. It looked like plain old chalk.

[@tobymarol7329]

on the flat side? probably just pumice to fill the grain before applying a top coat. To fit the feet of the bridge to the violin (to find high spots) you simply use crayon, chalk would scratch the instrument

[@bluebalute]

@@tobymarol7329 I completely misread his question. He said white powder and my mind went straight to the patch the luthier did on the inside.

[@mannyduran855]

Amazing restoration work!!!😮 I'm so impressed. What is the song that play the girl in the final moment of the video?🎉🎉

[@maryannecross4220]

Absolutely amazing 👏👏👏👏👏🇬🇧

[@КузницаЛевша]

Браво мастер, с удовольствием посмотрел как кропотливо мастер возвращает побитую жизнью скрипку в мир музыки. После реставрации она издаёт чудесные звуки.

[@michaeltreser1435]

Thank you. Wonderfull.

[@davidlacroix6769]

Great work. Did anyone count how many times he blows away the shavings?

[@nrao8977]

@1:15, what is that instrument, that measures thickness, called? Thanks

[@GreatCaptainA]

thickness gauge. they come on various forms

[@patriciajrs46]

Did you put a brand new neck on it?

[@patriciajrs46]

Who was the original luthier of this 1840 violin? Please.

[@elielbarbeta7276]

Nice job! I like it

[@ingolfschmacke]

I would like to know why? this restoration. A lot of time spend - was this a special violin ? or just because it can be done? Thank you -I loved it-Greetings from Australia

[@patriciajrs46]

A young lady, Suzy, said it was her grandfather's. Family heirloom.

[@MASI_forging]

Such talent and skill. Nice work dude 😄😄

[@yevhennovykov5007]

Masters Of Craft, could you explain to me why you clean and polish your violin after installing strings? Is this more comfortable?

[@yevhennovykov5007]

Your work is very nice, I have looked with a huge interest!

[@eileenbass952]

Beautiful job done.

[@patriciajrs46]

How does carving more shaved of wood off of the original body restore it? I am confused. I'm sure there will be a great restoration when you're done. I hope you play it and let us hear its sound.

[@ferencgyulafia9951]

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH

[@mollysheridan7134]

That was magical. Thsnks

[@charlesbartlett4457]

I just realized to restore a violin you would have to be able to make one. A true master. But the clock would have to go

[@zeneszpeter]

What is that "wooden based" glue?

[@GreatCaptainA]

it's probably animal-based glue. hide glue or bone glue.

[@shiraga0516]

03:10 What is 'wood-based glue'? I have never heard of it. Usually, animal-based glues are used in this kind of woodcraft.

[@anthonyoresteen4767]

i would like to know how many man hours it took to restore the violin. My guess is around 35 to 40 man hours. At $100 an hour that is $3,500 to $4,000 labor. Was it worth it? Only the tone knows.

[@sutringawnglabya8476]

what kind of glue did you used pls?

[@GreatCaptainA]

it's probably animal-based glue. hide glue or bone glue.

[@juliodiaz4404]

Was the neck grafted on to the head?

[@mariofrancisco2286]

sera que los tres oles de Cavani fueron una excepción?

[@frankiearmstrong2777]

well done!!!!

[@gitarzan99]

I still don't understand how you know what length the sound post should be and I didn't know you were supposed to make a base for it.

[@liamnevilleviolist1809]

11:46 - the planing of the bottom of the new foot of the neck looks *so* haphazard.... it scares me. I know that *that* is the correct way to perform that repair though. I repair student violins ONLY, on a pretty regular basis, and I have some different methods to those seen in this video... and occasionally I'll help with repairing a very nice violin, but only if I feel comfortable. I've made 5 instruments only (over the last 12 years) in my life and ever since my teacher has passed away - I don't have the heart to continue making or at least start a new one. Well, I have ONE viola that's about 75% of the way to being finished, and I know I can complete it :)

[@scratchcrafter]

looks good, I would have re-bushed the peg holes however, nothing really left of them.

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Dear AceMannow, Im going to guess that it was a German violin. I may be entirely wrong. Many German violins were manufactured in 1850. I know it was dated 1840. Black forest or Marneukichen or some other bavarian region I would guess. Of course im only speculating it might have been French or Italian or even Irish. Mine was a Sears copy of a Stradivarius of Cremona 1720. Its actual manufacture date was approx 1850 in west germany. Those old violins are wonderful but the glue dries out and they crack at the bouts. They also split at the f holes. That is why you must humidify a violin lest it crack.

[@wyorose5965]

My Gandads 1840s violin was broken by some not nice people at an old square dance get together. To know that it might be able to restore if not to play but to preserve. ❤

[@jonathancharnes7984]

How many hours of work goes into this restoration?

[@MichaelSuperbacker]

Hello

[@kalinradoulov3760]

Nice work and patience, got one 1864 from Germany in much better shape need touch. Good lesson

[@ChuckIePIays1-ex9be]

Hey uhm, are you in for requests? Im in ontario I got a 1774 - 6 family heirloom violin.

[@rjlchristie]

How many "phew"s from the lungs does it take per instrument?

[@nertocs]

I see the shop supervisor strolled in to examine your work.

[@moisescastilhogarcia6388]

Muito legal parabéns

[@mikethespike7579]

I suppose it's a case of knowing what to restore and what is better to leave with such a restoration. I'm good at working with wood, I've done a few furniture and E-guitar restorations, but I doubt I'd have the courage to restore a violin, at least not one of this age. It'd probably end up spoilt, looking fantastic but sounding like a frog. Nice to see this really old instrument given a new life for another 184 years.

[@artartful854]

Anybody have any idea at all who made it ?

[@garyjones2582]

Where are you guys located? My grandfather had a violin that is in need of restoration and hasn't been played in over 70 years... It was made in Germany and is a copy of a Stradvarius....my grandfather had some work done to it many years ago and the man gave my grandfather his business card.. It was long ago and his phone number only had 3 digits.. i was thinking the business card might be worth almost as much as the violin...Very nice video... thx for sharing...

[@douglasgault5458]

I have a old Stradivarius that's been in the family for the last 7 or 8 generations. I need to have this referbished. So far I've had this instrument evaluated and it is the real real McCoy, and not a counterfeit Stradivarius violin as many are. Been looking for years for a qualified violin Luther to do the corrective work that needs to be preformed. Once completed it might be a decent player reborn, with value. Drop me a note if this shops interested in the work. Im impressed with the attention to detail. I've built and repaired few guitars. But I haven't the nerve to touch this project.

[@LiebeStrauss]

That bridge isn't too thick?

[@dan725]

Ahhh I finally find this channel again! I was looking for the restoration channel that did firearms and even some animals “restorations” (lol). Did the style and name of the channel change?

[@laurentdevaux5617]

Great job, but what makes you say this violin is from the 1840s, and not from the 1900s or 1940s ? I'd like to know...

[@patriciajrs46]

Suzy said it was her grandfather's. She is the one playing it at the end.

[@laurentdevaux5617]

@@patriciajrs46 If she can play it, then restore this mandolin, no matter its low quality, it was worth the job !

[@yvonmartin4447]

merci

[@mikatile]

Great work. The contrast is too low on the video though.

[@danaowen9014]

What a wounderful restoration. Please remove the title from the left side if screen, too distractiing.

[@MichaelSuperbacker]

3:55 Cat

[@CarolKukita]

23:45 also. He even waits to make his entrance 🐈

[@ОксанаТочкова]

Хорошо скрипка звучит😊

[@chrismichaelyoung]

Narrator hadn't a clue what he was talking about. Either do 15 minutes research or don't talk at all. Or better yet, allow the luthier himself to talk about what he's doing.

[@TimBradley-uc8um]

16:05 16:06

[@L-Music_]

Savage, yet brutally true

[@mi85art]

Wood based glue 😂

[@DouglasBellis]

That certainly can't surprise you with 75% of the world's population with their heads up their ass.😅

[@hamidr.9712]

je parle pas anglais et pourtant j'ai bien apprécié cette vidéo en fait les gestes de l'artisan sont les meilleurs narration.