Repair and Restoration
Bass Violin, Guitar and Instrument Repair
One of the consistencies in the instruments I repair and service, is that they are always cherished by their player. Often many are also historical pieces to be preserved, which adds another layer of complexity. I approach modifying and repairing instruments in the most delicate way, preserving as much originality as possible while optimizing them for the needs of modern players. As the world has progressed musically so has the repertoire. To meet this increased level of playing our instruments need advanced setups to meet the demand.
All repairs, restoration and setups begin with an in person evaluation of the instrument to determine its overall health and playability. Based on the needs of the instrument an estimate is created which outlines a customized budget to complete various recommended procedures.
Setup
Optimizing an instrument’s setup is one of the most critical procedures to improve our enjoyment playing. Instruments need to not only sound great but play great also. Strings Heights, Neck Relief and Intonation are fundamentals to a good setup. When I evaluate an instrument I measure all of these elements and listen to the player to decide what works best for each instrument and individual.
Bass Violin Repairs and Restoration
I focus my efforts on acoustic instruments
Services include:
- Adjuster installation
- Bass Bar installation and repair
- Bridge installation and repair
- Carbon Rod Installation
- Cast re-arch
- Cleating
- Crack Repair
- Crack Repairs
- Custom Modifications
- End Pin Installation and Repair
- Evaluations
- Fingerboard Installation and Dressing
- Finish Touch-ups and Repair
- Finish Work
- Fret Dressing
- Glueing
- Inlays
- Low C-extensions
- Neck Carving
- Neck Grafting
- Neck Repairs and Resets
- Neck/Fingerboard Replacements
- Pickup Installation
- Re-stringing
- Regraduations
- Restorations
- Saddle Installation and Repair
- Scroll Repair
- Setups
- Sound Post Installation and Adjustments
- Tonal Adjustments
- Tuner Repair
- Any and All Repairs
Neck Reset
Neck Reset – Bass Violins may require a neck reset for a variety of reasons such as repair or modernization. Many wonderful sounding older instruments are not very playable due to out-dated or incorrect geometry. A neck reset can greatly improve an instrument’s playability by increasing bridge projection and overstand height (distance between the fingerboard and top plate). This allows for better left hand access in thumb position and greater bowing clearance against the c-bouts while executing demanding repertoire. The neck is removed from the mortise then shimmed and refitted to achieve a centered location with optimal projections.
Crack Repair
The most common damage an instrument sustains is cracking. Often a result of climate extremes or mishandling, these daunting injuries often are frightening to the owner of an instrument. However, there are a few ways to repair a crack that will return an instrument to its former self. The above images catalog the process of accessing the damaged plates, reunifying the wood, reinforcing the areas and reassembly.
Blind Neck Graft
In the instance a neck cannot or should not be repaired or modified Neck Grafting is utilized. Grafting allows you to keep an original scroll and pair with a new neck therefore keeping the instrument as original as possible while upgrading its playbility. This bass was over 150 years old and had the original scroll but a terrible neck riddled with insect damage and out-dated geometry. Having never been grafted before I choose to execute a blind graft where the joint is hidden within the pegbox.
Pegbox Repair
Pegboxes are often damaged as a result of a low doorway or a small fall. If the scroll doesn’t break all the way off it can often be repaired by inlaying a crossgrain insert to reinforce the weakened area. Bass violins have over 200 lbs of string tension exerting tremendous force on the pegbox making this repair one of the most critical to prevent further damage to an instrument.
Top Re-arching
When the domed shape of a top collapses it often takes the sound and stability of an instrument with it. Many great instruments are slightly deformed due to a lifetime of string pressure and slight deformations are acceptable however when they become unstable re-arching most correct this. Using plaster casting, heat and moisture it is possible to press out a top and stabilize the arch.
Guitar Repairs
I focus my efforts on acoustic instruments
Services include:
- Setup
- Restringing
- Evaluations
- Fret Dressing
- Refretting
- Glueing
- Neck Reset
- Bridge Replacement
- Crack Repair
- Tuning Machine Replacement
- Nut/Saddle Replacement
- Finish Work
- Headstock Repairs
- Intonating
- Any and All Repairs
