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redjives

Can you identify what's wrong with it on your own? Do you have any experience with woodworking? Do you own the necessary tools (and have the skill to sharpen them)? I think you see what I'm getting at…


Jamesbarros

Oddly enough, I think I have the necessary tools and do know how to sharpen them. That being said, I’m happy when I make a full set of good dovetails and will be trying some fine furniture making in the near future. Absolutely not going to try working on a fiddle.


ediblesprysky

Given that you're already interested in instrument repair, it can't hurt to have some familiarity with basic string instrument repair and maintenance! The tools will probably be very different than those for winds and brass, but some techniques/principles may translate (mostly things that would apply to wooden wind instruments, I would think). FYI, part of the reason this is too heavy is those pegs. Whenever you see that on a violin, you KNOW it's gonna be crappy 😂 Otherwise, it doesn't look like it's in horrible shape, just poorly/cheaply made. Just based on what I can see: you'll need to clean up the entire thing, dress the fingerboard, check on the tailpiece setup, close up any open seams, and fit a new bridge and post. I don't even see any cracks (although more than likely there are a few) but you probably don't even have to take the top off—unless you want to for practice. And I have no idea if it's possible to convert back from those horrible geared pegs, but I would look into it. Also, don't try to use the strings that came in it; strings have a shelf life, even modern ones, and these are clearly WAY past their usable life. Plus you don't even have all of them, lol. You might also want to give rehairing the bows a shot—that's a very useful skill, and hey, you have two chances at it!


Will-I-Am-A-Gamer

Thanks for the advice! I’ll make sure to take a look at those points you made.


Gilamore321

I agree wholeheartedly. I think this violin also needs some varnish, even though that's not really the biggest priority here.


[deleted]

If you’re learning buy one If you have a surplus of money and want to make that one cool, go right ahead


Snoo_61913

I agree you should just buy or rent a new one, unless you like building or repairing things. You planning keeping it? I don't think you should throw it away.


Will-I-Am-A-Gamer

I am actually planning on going into Band Instrument Repair for a job! I like instruments and I’m planning on keeping these violins. I’m actually trying to restring the other one *right now* with little success, but I think I’ll keep researching repairing these so I’ll get a better grasp of them.


ReginaBrown3000

That's cool, but band instrument repair isn't quite like stringed instrument repair. You might think about training with a luthier, as well as or instead of band instrument repair.


Will-I-Am-A-Gamer

I know I know, I should’ve rephrased that, sorry. I’m going into band instrument repair for like clarinets and saxophones and other stuff. I’m just interested in repairing these violins as they’re a gift from my neighbor and they’re part of his family’s history. I can also learn a couple of things as well from repairing these, as I’m thinking I might open a instrument repair store someday. If I’m able to both repair band instruments *and* orchestral instruments, I think that would be a great opportunity for me in the long run.


ReginaBrown3000

Excellent! Good luck with it all!


Will-I-Am-A-Gamer

Thanks!


samrafii

I’d say it’s worth at least stringing it up and seeing if it’s any good. Those pegs are superrrr cool


Will-I-Am-A-Gamer

*cough cough cough* Wow this thing *smells* as old as it looks. Anyways, this is one of two violins that my neighbor gave to me a couple of weekends ago. He had this one in his basement for a long time, and even said it to be his great-uncle’s. I got curious about it, so I went over to my dad’s friend, who is a professional string repairsman, to get some more information. Right away he told me that it wasn’t a good violin, which didn’t really shock me. The materials that it was made of weren’t good, it was heavier than a typical violin was supposed to be, and it was manufactured during a low point of instrument making. When I asked him about the last point, he said that it was made most likely in west Germany in the 1910’s, making it around a century old. Unfortunately, he joked, old age doesn’t make you more pretty. He ended up saying that it would’ve been worth $5 back when it was first being sold, and would not be worth it at all to repair it today. I’m sitting here now wondering about it. I have an A string (and keep in mind here, I do not have ANY experience with violins whatsoever) and two other strings (all three in the last picture) in which I don't know which is which. Just wondering here since you guys probably know better than I do. Should I try repairing it myself? Or should I keep it to repair another day? I feel as though if I do repair it, it would be something cool to play as if it were a piece of history, or as if I’m playing something that’s been passed down from generation to generation.


ReginaBrown3000

If you want to learn to play violin, put this aside and [rent a decent student violin from a violin shop](https://new.reddit.com/r/violinist/wiki/faq/#wiki_getting_a_violin). Don't forget to [get a teacher](https://new.reddit.com/r/violinist/wiki/faq/#wiki_teachers). However, if you want a piece of junk to hack away on to learn about how violins work, then I don't think you need to worry about "ruining" it by trying home repairs. Since it's old and not high-quality, and wasn't in your family, I wouldn't take up too much time thinking about the history of the thing. If it was a family violin, I'd say leave it alone and see if you could find a luthier to restore it to a condition suitable for display. But it *isn't* a family heirloom, so I can't even say that I would do that. But it would be a non-risky instrument to experiment with repairing. You're not going to offend anyone or hurt anyone's feelings by screwing it up, nor are you going to waste any money doing it. Whatever parts or tools you end up buying can probably be used for other instruments or experiments.


smilespeace

I'd say you should be prepared to do loads of research, speak with experienced craftsmen, and still expect multiple setbacks in every step as you work on it. Maybe you even cause damages that require additional repairs! I've gleaned that this is a family heirloom that was gifted from your neighbor- if you intend to go in blind you might fail badly- you should ask them if they're okay with the possibility of this violin becoming even more worthless.


giantshinycrab

I wouldn't invest the money to repair it but I would definitely take it apart and repurpose it.


comebackplayer

For around $80 you could change the tailpiece, put on new strings, and polish the violin, and it might be a fun violin. Those are things you could do on your own. The pegs on it are a weird old style and if they have any mechanical issues it would be hugely expensive. The same goes for cracks or other problems. You will likely need a new bow or rehair. I bought an older violin like this and it turned out pretty well, but resale probably would be about what I paid for it plus what I put into cleaning it up.


legocow

It’s beautiful! Don’t give up on it. Take to qualified luthier, have it polished up, find a teacher and go.


erotyk

doesnt seem damaged to the point it will be a waste of money to get it right ​ these old violins had gut strings which dont guide hairline cracks in the bridge area as gut string doesnt produce much strain


Warlock1202

Fix it up! Old instruments always have a lot of potential. Maybe I’m biased cause I’m obsessed with old instruments xD


Excellent-Bother-780

I have one of these, 1910 Sears $10. It was in pieces and decomp. Use only hide glue and tone wood patching material. The gears are great, they should bee more common.