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Posted by fiddleplayer2 on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
I was going around to music stores in town today seeking another Fiddle to purchase to add to my extensive collection of 1.
I asked to see any Fiddles the storekeep had for sale. He said he didn't have any Fiddles but he did have 3 or 4 Violins I could look at.
Upon inspection of these Violins I told him I decided not to purchase any of them and instead asked him if he had any that were in pieces or needed repairs.
He said yes he had 1 and started to dig thru a pile of instruments ranging from Guitars, Mandolins, Banjos and such and proceded to pull out an old Violin Case that had seen it's better days.
He laid it on the counter and said $100.00 as is. I opened the Case up and low and behold was a Fiddle in several pieces. The top was off the finger board was off as was the nut, tail piece and chin rest.
All the parts were there including the bridge and several sets of strings from long, long ago.
As I was inspecting the top it was split just left of the neck, No prob I said to my self 2 or 3 cleats would take care of that.
The bass bar was in good shape the back was immaculate but showed it's age. The neck and peg box are in great shape. The neck was firmly attached and in good condition for a Fiddle that seemed to be very old.
Inside was a old aged label with the words, Antonius Stradivarius Cremonenfis Faciebat Anno, 1713
The label didn't say Copy but then again I didn't think for one moment the Fiddle is a real Stradivarius.
It will make a nice Fiddle to restore and get playable again. He said he would hold it for me and I was as giddy as a child in a candy store.
I will pick it up on the 23rd when my check hits the bank. I can't wait to bring it home and get started on the repairs and putting her back together again and play her.
Nuff said for now. I will keep you'all up to date on how its coming along with before and after pictures.
TTFN
FiddlePlayer2
5 comments on “I Found Myself A New Old Fiddle Today.”
mudbug Says:
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 @3:59:10 PM
Congrats. You got more guts than I do ( and hopefully more experience) to take on a project like that. Good luck.
fiddleplayer2 Says:
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 @4:28:12 PM
Thanx Mudbug. I do a lot of Googleing to learn repair and restoration techniques and I've always repaired all my instruments myself.
I'm a fixin'(southern speak) to start a restoration job on an Old Merrill Piano I recently purchased.
I like tinkering with different musical instruments. I figure nothing ventured nothing gained.
fiddleplayer2 Says:
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 @4:33:07 PM
Forgot to mention, I'm refurbishing a Ukulele.
bj Says:
Thursday, February 10, 2011 @8:09:07 AM
This might help you get started, since it's ESSENTIAL for fiddle work:
frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/T...lue1.html
I've got four or five sitting around with the tops off in various stages of repair. Gotta focus on getting ONE done . . . ;-)
fiddleplayer2 Says:
Thursday, February 10, 2011 @1:20:39 PM
That is very true bj. 1 @ a time.
Thought I'd mention, I'm not refurbishing a Ukulele. actually, I rebuilt an old childs size Guitar. fret work, replaced Guitar Tuners with Friction pegs & spruced up the body a bit and converted it into a Ukulele.
I'm-a-fixin' to convert another Guitar it will be about 1/2 size bigger than the small one.
The Piano is going to be a long term project a wee-bit at a time.
The Fiddle will be a "START NOW" project cause I really love'em since I purchased my 1st one a year ago.
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