The Repairing & Restoration of Violins Part 7

The glue at hand being fresh and very strong, a piece of steel wire or knitting needle of convenient length will be a desideratum, the point being stuck in slightly and only deep enough to enable the stud to be lifted thereby and held upside down while a globule of glue is laid or dropped upon it. It is then turned over and laid on the desired spot and pressed there.

If the point of the needle is nicely polished it will allow of pressing, and a turn round will release it, leaving the stud in position; if on the other hand the point is too prolonged, rough and sharp, the stud will probably be pulled off again. It will thus be perceptible that the best shape will be rather obtuse but very smooth. When the stud is in position and the glue setting or chilling, an additional pressure with a small rod of wood or hard material will drive the glue out from the edges and the work may be left to itself.

A word or two as to shape. Sometimes circular discs of sycamore are met with, at others square. Lozenge shape is frequently met with, and this I am inclined to favour most, as there being an acute angle at each end there is a corresponding increase of holding surface with the least amount of wood. These should be cut so that the grain does not run with that of the joint, nor in exact opposition to it, but diagonally.

There is a method much to be deprecated that was fashionable in some parts of Europe in the last century, of strengthening the middle joint of the back by first cutting out a lozenge or square s.p.a.ce and then fitting and filling with a stud. When dry, the parts are levelled and gla.s.s-papered over. This system, although looking very neat, the surface being quite smooth, will hold good for a time, but when this has elapsed with wear and damp attacking it, the supposed remedy is much worse than the disease, the whole joint being in danger of disarrangement and splitting, necessitating even further heroic treatment.

Should the studs when firm and dry seem to require a little finish, the chisel must be carefully handled with angular or sharpened surface downwards, the thinnest shavings being taken carefully off. A slight touching with gla.s.s paper may be allowed to take away the crudeness of the chisel marks.

When breakages of different degrees have to be treated at other parts of the back, small studs may be used, particularly when the fractures are fresh, free from dirt and fit well. In these instances, after the glueing together has been effected, studs of not more than a full eighth of an inch will be found sufficient. It is scarcely necessary to add that they may be thinner in substance also. If, however, there be sufficient substance of wood, the fractures and joints brought well together and fitting closely and neatly, then studs are better dispensed with altogether, the simplicity of the whole being less impaired.

It must be always borne in mind that the smaller the amount of fresh wood introduced into an injured violin the better. In instances where a part is lost or so broken as to be little less than pulverised, there is only one course open, that of paring down the sides of the aperture so that the fresh wood may be accurately fitted to it.

The back being repaired to the chief's satisfaction, the instrument is further closely examined in order that any other damage which may be discovered shall be seen to for a time convenient for the final closing and fitting up. Just at the moment announcement is made of the arrival of a parcel directed to the chief, "With care, fragile."

"Another patient for our hospital," he observes. "Oh, it's from that professor who was here some time since. I thought from his remarks and careless manner he was a likely man to lead his violin into danger, if not into inextricable difficulties; let us see what is the matter.

Open the box, James, take the fiddle out, there is probably a letter placed with it to save postage." James dutifully proceeds with the work while his chief retires to make a short note concerning some other matters.

"You're right, sir, there is a dirty envelope stuck between the strings and fingerboard." This is taken away and handed to the chief, who runs a small knife along the edge and releases the epistle, which runs as follows:--

SIR,--In this morning I have great trouble as I walk the stairs down my violin chest open itself, and my violin go to the ba.s.s, and when I was to pick him up he was bad break in one two place. I am sorry to come to you as good doctor to finish him soon, and please charge no large.

Truly yours, HERMANN GROSZHAAR.

"Capital English for him," says the chief, to which James answers in a careless sort of undertone, "There's a little English, but less capital about him, wanted to borrow five bob from me when he came last."

The violin, after being taken from the case, is closely examined by the chief, who turns it round about, tapping it here and there and holding it up to the light. At last, handing it to James he says:--"Not so much as I should have expected after the terrible occurrence described in the letter; the fiddle is a good one, so it deserves proper attention, no matter who owns it. Just look about the case and find if you can the small piece that has come from this place in the front table."

James looks earnestly about the interior of the violin case without success. "No sign of it here, sir, there's nothing at all but a little bit of sweetstuff," he says, taking out a small white disc from one of the side pockets.

"Well, we must proceed to work without it, so get that box out with the odd pieces of old wood; I've no doubt you will find a piece that will match the grain of the pine to a nicety; we must have the upper table off, better do it first."

This proceeding, of a kind as described before, having occupied some minutes, the upper table is held by the chief while the a.s.sistant gropes among the odds and ends of pine and in a minute or two finds a piece which is p.r.o.nounced to suit admirably. "Now, James, there appears to be only this portion seriously injured, and another, almost a splinter, running along the part adjoining. It will be compulsory to cut a well-squared opening for the fitting, you will be careful to make the walls of this part contract as the descent is made, so that the wood inserted is slightly wedge-shaped. You will at the same time be careful and bear in mind that this fresh wood will have to match so nicely, that when inserted properly the threads or grain will appear continuous and not broken to the eye of any person but the experienced critic.

To please this person, however, you will have not only to make the lines of the grain follow through evenly, but so fit your wood as to be in the direction of the growth of the plank from which the table was cut.

You see this aperture is on the slant or curve about midway between the bridge and part near the tail-piece. Many repairers, even when inserting fresh wood with exceeding neatness, neglect this precaution, and, in consequence, when the part is finished and varnished over, there is but little indication of repair when looked at from one standpoint, but from another or a removal of the light, this fault is very conspicuous. A frequent attempt to conceal this is made by covering the part with dull varnish that will not allow of much light pa.s.sing through; sometimes an entirely opaque plastering is pasted over, obscuring the grain of the old and new wood alike in the locality, and thus making what is known as a botch."

For the execution of such repairs as these there will not be any necessity to open the violin. They will really be more conveniently effected without, there being more support and leverage where required.

A long crack while fresh will take the glue readily and be as secure as required when dry. It should be placed along the line to the extreme ends or a little over, and with gentle pressure alternately each side the glue will be gradually drawn in. This should be continued for some time, until there is little disposition shown for more absorption.

The superfluous glue will now be wiped off; should there be any tendency on one side or the other to remain higher, thus causing a ridge which must be most carefully guarded against, a piece of tape or ribbon tied round the violin at the part, and a small wedge of soft wood inserted between the tape and the elevated edge, will bring it to a proper level, when it may be put aside to dry and harden.

When sufficient time has elapsed for this according to atmospheric conditions, the binding may be removed and the surface along the crack wiped with a damp rag until only the line is apparent.

If the foregoing is done neatly and cleanly, there will be very little evidence of damage remaining. In such instances as the present there may be occasionally necessary two, three or more bindings with proper wedges, according to the length of the crack, the size of the violin and the model. If the latter is rather high, or of the kind called by our French neighbours _bombe_, the disinclination for the edges to come evenly together without help will be much greater, and therefore binders and wedges should be at once made ready after a glance at the model.

CHAPTER XIV.

REPAIRING LOST PORTIONS--MARGINS OF SOUND HOLES--MATCHING THE GRAIN--FIXING AND FINISHING OFF--REPLACING WITH FRESH WOOD LARGE PORTIONS OF UPPER TABLE--LOST PARTS OF PURFLING--RESTORING IT WITH OLD STUFF.

As the repairing now under consideration is of a kind requiring not only skill, but experience in the handling of the tools and necessary appliances connected therewith, we will still suppose ourselves in the trained repairer's rooms at the rear of his premises, and that professors and amateurs frequently call at the shop in front with violins of various kinds with all sorts of injuries that they are desirous of having put right.

Just at this moment a lady of highly fashionable appearance glides in, followed by her footman carrying a violin case. She has brought a violin that has been laid aside and forgotten for a long time at a friend's house, for generations in fact, it used to be in repute as a violin by Cremona. It has been given to her daughter, who is making great progress under the guidance of one of the most eminent performers of the day, and she wishes to have it put in good playing order if it is worth the expense.

The footman obediently brings forward the case, unfastens the string that holds the lid down, the hinges being out of working condition, and places it on the counter; the lid being raised, a strong mousy odour comes forth.

Our chief takes the violin from the hands of the man and turns it over, raises his eyebrows and remarks, "Yes, madam, the violin has been sadly neglected, the case having been left open mice have been residing in the snug retreat afforded them." "Yes," is the lady's rejoinder, "I believe the case was found a little way open, my friends have not been musical at any time and took no interest in the matter. Is it a good violin, Mr. ----?"

"Good, madam? it is very fine, one of the masterpieces of Cremona. The mice have turned the sound-holes into doorways, the nibblings have gone nearly half through one of the wings."

"Wings!" says the lady. "I was not aware of there being any wings to a violin." "No, ma'am," is the answer; "wings is a technical term we use to express that slender part with the straight cut line at the lower end of the sound hole. We shall have to open the violin to repair that part properly."

"I hope that will not ruin the instrument," observes the lady. "Can you not do the repair without?" "We could, ma'am, if we wished to save time and run a risk." "Oh, please don't run any risk with it, now that I know that it is a valuable instrument I must ask you to take extra pains and do it in your best manner."

"If you would like to see the violin open, I will get my a.s.sistant to do it now, it will take but a minute or so. Here, James, open this fiddle and bring it here again."

There is not much waiting, the upper table has not been very obstinate, and James soon reappears with the loose parts, which he hands to his chief. The lady, rather eager at first to see if there is anything curious about the inside of a violin, rather shrinks away when it is brought near. "It is in a very dirty condition," the chief observes, "but we shall soon get that all right," he adds, "by giving it a wash."

"But will not wetting it spoil the tone?" the lady asks. "Not in the least, ma'am," is the reply. "In fact, it will be improved, as at present there is so much grease and filth that the vibration would be seriously interfered with. When it is quite clean there will be more freedom, and the true character of the tone declared."

The lady having departed, the chief takes the violin parts to the workroom. "This is a fine thing," he says to James.

"I thought so too, sir," he replies, "got some fine stuff on it, fiery like, nothing the matter with it but those mouse nibblings."

"That will require careful work, James, think you can do it sufficiently neat and make the new wood match well?"

"I think so, sir. Some of that old pine that we had sent us last week will match thread for thread."

"Well, give it a clean out first, James." This is at once commenced, and with the aid of some clean water, a sponge and stubby brush, followed by the application of a clean dry rag or duster, the interior presents a fairly clean appearance.

"I see you have been careful about the label, James. It was not possible to decipher it when smothered with dirt, but we can read it now. Yes, what I thought, original ticket without a doubt. Joseph filius. Bring me that bottle of benzine and the hog-hair brush." This being done, the chief takes the brush wetted with the benzine and carefully brushes about the corners and other parts where the grease has refused to come away under the ordinary treatment. Each application is followed by a wiping of the cloth held in readiness.

"There," he says at last, "it is quite fresh and wholesome. Don't suppose Mr. Mouse will go in again."

"Now, James, what do you propose doing? making a clean sweep of the ragged parts with the knife or letting in angular portions in the German manner?"

"Well, sir, on looking close at it perhaps the best way will be to act both ways, cut that part straight through and fit the splinters along there."

"Yes," says the chief, "I think that way will save as much of the old material, if not more, than any other. Take pains with it and mind the small joinings are clean and sharp."

James retires with the upper table to his bench, where the different necessary excisions are proceeded with.

The next stage is that of glueing pieces of wood at the back of and across the sound holes. The object of this is to get more strength and leverage for pressing home the fresh wood to be inserted. From the neglect of this precaution many instruments have had cracks and other damages caused, making matters worse than before and necessitating much more work in rectifying it. After the necessary time, the glue being hard and dry enough, James begins the matching of the parts with pieces of old wood from the carefully h.o.a.rded pile in a box kept for the purpose; first one piece, then another is tried, until the right one is obtained for each requirement, both in respect of colour and matching of the thread or grain. The surfaces to come in contact and be fixed are minutely fitted, the larger ones only at present, the smaller gaps are left.

All being ready, strong glue is applied to the parts which are to be united and they are pressed together, help toward adjustment being obtained from the wood glued across.