J.J. Honore Derazey (after Maggini), Mirecourt ca.1851

One common repair on old instruments is a neck/scroll graft. This is the process of sawing off the neck at the scroll fitting a new neck to the scroll and then re-setting the new neck into the body. This is done in such a way as to preserve the originality of the scroll while adding a new functional neck. Nearly all classic instruments have neck grafts, because the necks were set into the body differently when they were made, and because the demands of modern players are different. It is also necessary if the neck has been carved too thin or has suffered damage in some way. This instrument had also suffered a bad button break, requiring a complete replacement button, purfling restoration and a hidden button graft.

Bartolomae Obici (Obizi), Verona ca.1680

Sometimes really tragic things happen to great violins,  This old Italian instrument, having survived over 300 years was one of the last items out of the house before everything else was lost to a fire.  Since it had been in it's case, it survived, but the the heat and water from the fire destroyed the case around the instrument.  The restoration involved completely disassembling the violin, doubling collapsed areas of the top by the neck and end block, a button graft, replacing the heal-cap, re-arching collapsed areas under the bridge and of course extensive varnish restoration.  All in all, a challenging but extremely rewarding restoration; the type a restorer lives for....to help resurrect and  become a part of a fine old instruments life history!

Before Beginning Restoration

The Process

Finished