|
You will need :-
Some courage,
The right tools, and time.
If your working on plates of a new fiddle your making, or you have one completely in pieces you’re lucky! The weights and tap tones will be there ready for the asking.
I takes me about 10 hrs. per violin to take off the front and fingerboard, modify ** the front and back to appropriate tap-tones and put the fiddle back together for a ‘factory fiddle’. On top of this is any time for any repairs like a sound-post patch and varnish touch-up: but be warned. This is without having to take the back off the bouts (sides) and glue them back on. Removing the back can cause a great deal of damage ........., but I have found ways of measuring (deriving) the weight of the back, and also the Modes 2 and 5 frequencies of the free plate while it is still in the bouts with the neck in place. Get in touch with me if you want to know more.
Use a shortened table knife to remove the front and fingerboard, but do be careful: I’ve managed to cut myself (my left hand) quite badly doing this. Always cut away from your other hand, as the knife can suddenly move as the joint gives way.
** This is by using the thumb plane(s) on the inside of back and front plates, leaving the varnish intact. Obviously you cannot alter the arching at all with this method.
|
