Violin repairs : when should the top be removed ?

November 24, 2020, 7:54 PM · its a basic repair just work hide glue into the seam, clamp for 3 hrs then clean up the excess glue with hot water

November 24, 2020, 8:52 PM · That is what I thought too but I did wonder why the owner did not attempt any repairs before selling it. I guess closer inspection will reveal more when it arrives.

November 24, 2020, 10:38 PM · Be sure to use hot hide glue, not the pre-mixed “liquid hide glue” available at many hardware stores.

November 24, 2020, 11:24 PM · It's best to use the hide glue crystals that you can dissolve in hot water. This allows you to control the thickness.

Also have sufficient "clamps" to hold the repair in place. You can make adequate clamps with thread spools, a long bolt and a wing nut. Be sure to cushion the side of the spools that will contact the violin surfaces.

November 25, 2020, 12:28 AM · I was going to buy a double boiler for melting the hide glue but I will reconsider that purchase in view of the above information.

November 25, 2020, 12:51 AM · Just place a baby food jar with hide glue in a pot of simmering, not boiling water, no need to buy some expensive double boiler. Never heard of anyone using rabbitskin glue on violins.

November 25, 2020, 8:59 AM · That's kinda funny: nobody answered the question of whether he should remove the top to do the fix.... 4cm seems an awfully large gap to fix by clamps - isn't there a danger he will crack the top (but I am no luthier)?

Edited: November 25, 2020, 9:11 AM · Any little waterproof container will do.

I've used old plastic prescription (pill) containers, put in some boiled water and added some glue crystals, stirred and applied to the surface to be glued a bit later, clamped and let it stand for a couple of hours. I refrigerate the glue container - and if the glue hasn't spoiled before I need it again, I just reheat it. It the glue has spoiled you can smell it!

When Ifshin did a "New York neck reset on a cello I was buying from them they just sent me to lunch while it dried and before I took it home so it doesn't take too long to set. But I would leave any glue repair a day before removing clamps and tuning it up to play - anyway.

I have not been without some "violin-maker's glue crystals" since 1954.

November 25, 2020, 9:42 AM · Don't forget tops are generally glued on with a weaker strength mixture of glue/water as compared to the backs. Consistency of the glue is important. Maybe someone here can give you a practical suggestion for consistency. I'm thinking something akin to cooking, just enough to coat the back of a spoon kinda thing.

November 25, 2020, 9:43 AM · glue, glue, glue... :D

November 25, 2020, 10:06 AM · The gap is about 4 cm long. I am not quite sure about the width of the gap yet. It should be here by Monday so I can then inspect it thoroughly.

November 25, 2020, 11:35 AM · '4cm between' is for sure ambiguous - but it does sound more like the width and not the length. Maybe that's what all the cognicenti thought at the outset.

November 25, 2020, 12:50 PM · If it’s an open seam, it can be reglued easily, provided there isn’t an adhesive other than hide glue that will complicate things. The top only needs to come off when there is a structural problem that can’t be rectified without taking it off (e.g. cracks to the body, pieces broken out of the ribs or inner areas of the top or back, bass bar issues, split blocks, etc.).

However, the cause of the opening is important to ascertain. If it’s merely a failed glue joint, fresh glue and clamps will address it, but if the seam has opened because the ribs are bulging out and popping the seam open, forcing it closed could cause serious rib damage.

November 26, 2020, 6:26 PM · The violin arrived today but it is complete rubbish : the neck/fingerboard have been set only about 5mm from the top and half the top has come loose. I will remove the Wittner geared pegs (if I can) and the Tonica strings will do for spares so I got my money's worth there anyway. The violin should make good kindling !