How to Repair an Open Violin Seam

[@emilytownsend5522]

Thank you for the informative videos! I’m a violist residing in DFW and we get so many drastic fluctuations in humidity my viola goes through 6-8 open seams a year. I came to your page because I have another open seam but no time to get to the luthier before next gig. I would like to add that instead of running and and trying to find C clamps and cork, (or leather as another suggested) simply use your CHIN REST as a clamp! Cheers and happy practicing!

[@RedDesertFiddle]

O.M.G. What a SIMPLE solution!!! Lol! Hey Emily, in my open seam woes, a violin shop finally it right, cleaned out the joint, and glued it properly and it has been fine for 1 year now. So maybe you can find a permanent solution for your viola. Meanwhile, try to keep the humidity stable and use the emergency method when needed. Thanks for the awesome tip!

[@joanwilsonrueter]

Wow, thank you so much! I tried this and it worked great! You are a total lifesaver.

[@RedDesertViolin]

I'm glad it worked for you! It's saved my bacon several times!

[@banjiddle]

Good emergency open seam advice! I just watched a you tube video by a luthier talk about this. However, he had this hot hide glue 1/2 hide, 1/2 water that is meant to come undone. The glue has to heated in a special pot, then apply to the open seam hot on a special knife that looks like a thin butter knife. He used 2 spool violin clamps to stay on 24 hrs. I live too far away for a luthier, and used another violin that worked. However, you gotta do what you can do at that time! I’m glad your violin worked out for you.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Yes, hyde? hide? glue is the best and only way to really repair a violin seam. But gosh, if you don't know what you are doing you can make a mess. (as in, dripping glue all the way into the interior of the violin).....so I just use my emergency technique until I make a trip to the big city! LOL

[@banjiddle]

Red Desert Violin You used good judgment. My Gagliano was so old, and very dry, so I took it to Les Smithsrt in Ky, and he kept her for a year. He called her “ Madonna” She is very delicate, and has a sweet tone! I would love to be able to play “The Swan” or Masenet? on her.

[@benedicttambiga7725]

I got depressed so bad knowing I might not get my violin fixed because violin luthier are rear in the Philippines... thank you so much, every violinist should learn this trick...thank you!

[@weslee4423]

Benjamin Tambiga You mean "rare" right? Not "rear"???

[@philhugill8458]

Great Vid. ....Like the fact you open from the start with great info and don't spend 7 minutes goofing around.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@randywade8159]

I always enjoy your videos. Thanks for making them.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thank you Randy!

[@NJRangerGeorge]

I'm new to violins. My friend gave me one it has been in the garage for many years. He gave it to me I took a look at it and it opened at the seem where you pointed it out in the beginning. I freaked out thought it was broken. I guess moisture has an effect on the wood. Also the glue came apart on the neck and the violin was in two pieces . hope my local music shop can fix it also hope they don't charge an arm and a leg for restring fix the seperations re peg and put a new bridge.

[@RedDesertViolin]

George, did you go to a violin shop? Repairing a violin can be expensive, but it can be WORTH IT. You just need to find a shop you trust, who will tell you if the violin is worth repairing or not. (or you can post pictures in a violin chat, and most violinists can tell you alot just from a picture) Good luck! YOu might have a diamond in the rough!

[@ziryab3139]

Good idea - I'll give it a try.

[@CMARIEViolin]

Thank you for this!!!!! I have an open seam and we do not have any luthier here :((

[@RedDesertViolin]

It sure has saved my neck several times! Glad to help!

[@donalddumas6987]

Any repairs to violins or other similar instruments should only use a good horse glue. Make sure to follow the instructions.

[@banjiddle]

When Lora starts talking, the bird tweets! LOL. I have a very old J. Gagliano that the seams came apart, and I bought a humidity controlled case that kept this from happening again after a luthier repaired the open seams. He said it was too dry.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Take care of that Gagliano! Those are wonderful violins! Does yours have "petite" upper bouts?

[@auntweasie]

I wish i would have seen this before ordering hide glue. Thanks for the tips.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Ahhh, hide glue can still come in handy.....this little trick is just a way to buy yourself some time until you can get it truly fixed. My seam did pop open again after about 3 months......but it got me through a series of concerts I had to do.

[@banjiddle]

Red Desert Violin My supposed J Gagliano seams, and repaired soundpost crack kept opening back up. So frustrating!

[@donalddumas6987]

I have a Jacobus HornSteiner violin. Whoever had it before me had no idea what it was worth. The violin was stripped of the original varnish then it appears to have been verathaned plus it has cracks from having been allowed to dry out. I'm afraid it is ruined. Even if I do repair, it will never the same. But I will try to resurrect it. I brought it to luthiers who just handed back to me and said I was on my own for this one. So now I'm on KZbin getting ideas on how to get repair it.

[@RedDesertViolin]

UGH. so sorry to hear that, Donald. Did you find a luthier who will tackle it? I know a luthier who would tackle it in California.

[@donalddumas6987]

Thanks for the information! I live way up in Canada and was told that if I went to Toronto I could get it repaired there. I also have an old book which explains how to make a violin from start to finish, I may take the time to read it and get ideas from it.

[@donnavandillon1066]

That must have been so scary, it happened to me a few years ago on my very expensive violin. good thing you properly fixed it

[@RedDesertViolin]

7 months later, it's still holding!

[@althesmith]

Leather should work for padding too.

[@coffeebotography]

I bought 3 damaged violins, appx 120 years old each, gonna use your trick. Bought for avg $50 each. Hope to sell for $400. Oh yeah, also have to learn how to rehair.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Wow. Good luck with that. They might need more than just my little q-tip trick! LOL

[@althesmith]

My fiddle opens at the same spot about every 3 or 4 years. The air in my house is dryer than the sahara.

[@RedDesertViolin]

I finally got mine in to a good luthier, and they said there were some dried glue crystals in the seam that were preventing a good "seal". Since they cleaned it out, knock on wood....mine has not opened up again! (been 18 months...)

[@ciri151]

This wont work on cheaper violins though. They most likely use regular wood glue on those.

[@loralynstaples5483]

Ahhh....excellent point. I bet you are right!

[@ohger1]

I wonder how many fools think they're doing the instrument a favor and using modern synthetic adhesives. The beauty of animal hide glue is that it allows complete disassembly and repair, and complete and easy removal of the old adhesive if need be with just heat and moisture. It smells pretty foul but never use anything except hide glue on a musical instrument.

[@garyritterstrings]

ha , what type of hide glue. This is how instruments get messed up. Bad info . sorry

[@RedDesertFiddle]

Did you even listen to the video? Obviously not. I did not advocate applying hide glue.

[@garyritterstrings]

@@RedDesertFiddle ok , great. I repair and have seen a lot of damage done

[@davenatale850]

She said she moistened the seam to reactivate the original glue. Although it's probably not a long term fix, she seemed to be successful with this emergency repair.

[@gregrandol2801]

A great variety of designs is on the woodglut instructions website.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thanks for the info!