fairportfiddler - Posted - 03/24/2011:  12:48:04

I just got this fiddle, which has a label inside that says, "Rebuilt by Jack Hall Walla Walla, Washington. There is no date. My question is what to do with the finish? The photos bellow show the varnish has been partially removed. Do I leave it alone or apply a new varnish? And if so what kind. Thanks

Edited by - fairportfiddler on 03/24/2011 12:48:41

Mandogryl - Posted - 03/24/2011:  14:50:55

I'd be tempted to try and match that color and even it out best you can,
and then lightly apply your varnish.

Jolie Louisianne - Posted - 03/24/2011:  18:37:48

Unless you have a fair amount of expereince in retouching violilins, I would definitly leave it as is. If you try to mess with it it will likely look as bad or worse in the end. Even for an experienced luthier, that would be a major undetaking to do it right. It has character I would say.

bj - Posted - 03/24/2011:  18:43:01

Leave it. It won't affect the way it sounds.

jamieholmes - Posted - 03/25/2011:  00:17:31

Leave it I say! it's called patina and people pay fortunes for it. :)
Have a look at my old Homolka fiddle in my photo gallery it looks like
it's been dragged through the Sahara desert behind a Jeep and I woulden't
change a thing.

Cheers
Jamie.

Edited by - jamieholmes on 03/25/2011 00:20:37

bowbag - Posted - 03/25/2011:  06:11:38

I agree with the others, unless you for certain have the chops to see it through I'd just leave it. You can be the tough guy at the jam with your Mad Max fiddle.

fairportfiddler - Posted - 03/25/2011:  06:17:42

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I will leave it alone.