Finish on instrument is cracking

June 9, 2015 at 10:05 PM · I can't say I am an expert at this whatsoever but I did have my old violin crack due to neglect. It was due to low humidity and the fact that the bow holder in my old case was making contact with the violin. It wasn't quite gradual, the finish never really cracked.

I'm sure others would ask what the average humidity in the case is and if you have humidifier.

June 9, 2015 at 11:20 PM · Cracking, craquelè, or crazying can be seen in many instruments, including by some top makers.

Some makers specialized in replicas even have a technique to get it in their varnishes.

Some will not consider it a problem.

If you like the violin, keep it.

June 10, 2015 at 12:12 AM · Hello, my 2 cents worth.

If you are content with how your violin looks, pretty wood, and you say that you are happy with the sound and it is starting to open up, then I would not worry about the crackle in the varnish. I wonder if this could be a lacquer finish? I am also wondering that if you live in Alaska, how cold is the lowest temperature your violin is exposed to? My inside temperature goes no lower than 50 degrees F in the winter. I also think it is a good idea to have a luthier look at our instruments once a year to check for nascent problems before they become a big problem.

June 10, 2015 at 01:49 PM · The varnish on one of my violins chips or powders off. It's from maybe the 1950s. I ask my luthier to polish it up a little from time to time. Some violins with a thick application of finish get that crazing more easily and quickly than others, too, I think.

June 10, 2015 at 02:19 PM · I'm in the panhandle so it doesn't get terribly cold where I live, and we humidify the house when the woodstove is running. I don't really monitor the humidity, per say, but I doubt it's been exposed to extreme changes.

That being said, I confirmed with Kennedy that they'll replace the instrument if needed, even years from now, so that gives me at least a modicum of reassurance in not electing to switch it out now. Still not super happy about it, but oh well.

June 10, 2015 at 07:17 PM · Rachel,

Parallel cracks in varnish may be a sign of something else.In other words, yes, it may be varnish only, but the top is made of spruce, and the grain is also parallel.

The role of varnish is to preserve the wood, so the damage is not only a matter of visual appeal, but also means less protection from the elements.

A good hygrometer, humidifier and de-humidifier is worth having, especially where you live close to the ocean (lots of humidity) and, most likely in a heated environment (potentially very dry) all year round.

For example, today humidity for Juneay will go between 86% and 91%, while in your room (with good windows and heating on) it may drop as low as 20%.

If you do not have a good case plus a very good winter cover, and do not keep humidity within normal range, the damage is inevitable.

June 11, 2015 at 12:12 AM · I think having varnish that is not cracking trumps any amount of "playing in" that you have experienced with your violin. The way to compensate would be for Kennedy to exchange it forone that is a level or two up.

June 11, 2015 at 12:24 AM · I don't think you said whether the cracks are running with the grain of the wood or perpendicular to the grain. I have a Mirecourt "atelier" violin that probably has rather hard varnish. I've had it for a year, and it's about 20 years old and there is some fine "checking" (small cracks) in the varnish perpendicular to the grain. You have to look closely to notice it, but I rather like it. Perhaps it was caused by exposing the violin to some rapid temperature shifts. In guitars, some players like checked varnish enough to deliberately encourage it in their guitars.

June 11, 2015 at 01:16 AM · The cracks are running perpendicular to the grain. They are not very noticeable at this point except under certain lighting, so I think I'm going to continue to play the instrument and if it gets any worse Kennedy should uphold their warranty to replace.

Paul, exchanging it for a model that is a level or two up is kind of what I was hoping for-- I expressed my concern that a replacement violin would suffer the same issues, but it doesn't seem they are willing to offer that. And I'm definitely not the type of person to request something like that outright.

June 11, 2015 at 06:59 AM · I have an old German violin dated 1841 which I don't use much, and this has a similar thing. It actually adds to the look and gives off the notion that it is a very old fiddle.

I think some varnishes can get like that over time, especially if they are a very hard varnish. (Spirit varnish?)

I'm sure there are lots of real experts out there and on this forum with extensive experience, who can give more information about this.

June 12, 2015 at 03:10 AM · On a couple of guitar forums it is described that rapid or repeated changes in temperature will cause finish to check, and that one can do this deliberately using a can of pressurized air. Guitars and violins are not necessarily varnished with the same kind of stuff, but has your violin suffered exposure to significant temperature swings? I believe you did say "Alaska" in your post ...

June 14, 2015 at 01:56 AM · Either exchange it , or sand it off.

Now's your chance to get rid of it- it will sound better without it- you'll probably hear more resonance from the sound waves having less mass to move, and maybe even some sound bleeding through the wood, although maple is pretty hard and closed pores.

Sand it down- you can always refinish it, but bet it will sound better....

June 14, 2015 at 02:28 AM · Be happy that Kennedy has a great warranty program and is willing to replace an instrument this long after the sale. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects is not normal at violin shops. I've heard of 6 months and 1 year warranties, but never lifetime. I think if you bought this instrument elsewhere you'd be up the proverbial creek.

Look at it this way: You get a new violin every two years if the varnish problem doesn't go away. Heckuva deal for a <$1000 outfit.

Note that any sanding or modification of the varnish will no doubt void said warranty.

June 15, 2015 at 04:04 PM · If it sounds good, it's probably just craqueler (craquele, I've seen both spellings). It may be annoying to look at at first, but your eye will get used to it.

Eventually, you even begin to favor it. The more you play, the more likely you are to start enjoying the subtle patina on the varnish, old instruments, old furniture, old tattered sheet music, and then old wine, old scotch, cigars, and even record players. It's all part of the music life... let it happen.

On a more serious note, if it bothers you to the point that it hinders your playing, exchange it.

But remember, varnish is not simply like paint on a car; it is the car itself; it helps it drive. Messing with it is probably bad.