Violinmaker reacts to "Ancient Violin Restoration" Video
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- Опубліковано 20 чер 2024
- Master Violin Maker and Restorer Olaf Grawert reacts to violin restoration video. Will the repairer meet Olaf's standards? Can it be classified as a restoration?
Be fully informed when you buy your next instrument. Get Olaf's free 7 essentials when buying an instrument report here: olafgrawertviolinstudio.com/7...
Also if you are a repairer or like to tinker on violins, please take the time to find out proper violin Measurements. There is a great book by Henry Strobl called "Useful Measurements for Violin Makers" It will help you make sure you do things right. String players will appreciate it and getting it wrong can destroy possibilities for up and coming players.
While I comment on the way this person did the repair, remember to be kind to content creators... They use their time to create content for you. I do my videos to help educate string players so they can be the best they can with the right information.
00:00 Introduction
00:36 The start of the video
01:49 The violin and the workshop
03:57 Cleaning with what?
04:26 "Fitting" the fingerboard
09:39 The Pegs
10:45 Bridge
11:56 Gluing Joins
13:26 Cleaning and polishing
15:18 Putting everything together
16:18 The finished violin
17:52 Conclusion
#myviolinmaker, #olafgrawertviolin #violin
Website: www.olafgrawertviolinstudio.com
Social: / olafgrawertviolinstudio
/ olafgrawertviolinstudi...
The stringed instrument repair world varies greatly. Many repairs are done by poorly trained techs and not people like Olaf who is classically trained and does repairs the correct way. Thanks, Olaf!
Sounds like phone repair stores
How many trained luthiers are there? Olaf trains his kid and no one else. Thats so he can keep competition down to nothig and charge small fortunes for his work.
@@adamhurst9491 that is so ignorant. There are lutherie schools where anyone can learn to make instruments. Three years. Five instruments. $32000 a year tuition. And then you spend years learning repair which is a whole different skill set. And when you set up shop you pay rent and fees and taxes. Snd in yhe US you pay your own health insurance.
@@edmiller4149 Only 32000 per year huh? At one place. Thanks for proving my point.
@@edmiller4149 This is why so few exist. Then trash people for doing good work. Its all to protect your monopoly.
The thing is, whenever I see the, "OMG, I restored a thing!" type video, I calmly select the "Don't Recommend Channel" option and continue to live a happy life!
That’s what I do with anyone that shows painted vintage furniture 🤣
good god, i agree. It hurts my heart and my brain to see people paint over beautiful wood. What are they THINKING? @@Azzne-
legit luthier, sassy sense of humor, reaction video, just perfect.
In the beginning when he showed the tools I giggled so much lol. And at the part when he started to scratch (?) the violin, I can feel the pain, let alone Olaf! I love reaction videos like this! Thanks for sharing the pain (?), I mean the knowledge of violin repair. Please do more when you got time!
Olaf is in serious pain. His soul is in pain.
@@piteusx8440 Haha! Yes, very wounded indeed! I actually believed that the original "Stradivarius" restoration video was absolutely legit. It was only when i saw poor Olaf so baffled and dismayed by the "restoration" that i truly understood just what was really going on. Thank you, Olaf.
Olaf I feel your pain😎
He isnt sharing anything. He is dissing a stranger.
Olaf is discussing why you should not do what the person on the video was doing. The techniques tools and material.
When I first saw that restoration video with quite a few questionable procedures (I'm just a violin-learner who has visited video workshops for a few times to take care of my violins), I immediately thought how Olaf may respond to it... Thank you!
UA-cam: You like restoration videos *and* you like musical instrument videos. You’ll really like this video! Me: Oh, dear god, no. Make it stop.
I'm so glad you reviewed this! After watching your videos for a while, when this came up in my feed I was suspicious because even though I'm not a luthier, it seemed to not fit the standards you've always talked about in your videos. It's great to see that my intuition was spot on and I have learned things from your videos after all!
I saw this "restoration" video before I saw any of Olafs videos, but I knew he did it wrong. I've watched videos on how they make violins and why they use certain things. Everything makes a difference in the sound of the violin. It's too bad he did such a terrible "reparation" job on such an old and beautiful violin. I'm sure Olaf would've done a much better job. It's also unfortunate for whoever buys this violin, someone who might not know how it was "repaired."
I would love to see you do a restoration. I love to see you work 😍 It is always interesting ☺️
ua-cam.com/users/AskOlaftheViolinmakersearch?query=restoration
NoOooo Olaf beat me to this reaction idea! 😱
Oh well, he did an excellent job of it! Great video, Olaf! 👍👍❤
That Titebond glue he used is a type of hide glue, sure. The big problem with it is that unlike the normal hot hide glue that luthiers use, the Titebond reacts very easily with moisture, and can become soft. Some folks swear by it, but really, there's no substitute for real hide glue that you cook yourself!
quick, you can still react to Olaf's reaction before someone takes that too :O
@@diethylmalonate 😁👍👍
Tite bond hide glue is not well looked upon in the Piano rebuilding industry. Although the 2 have very different concerns. Hot hide glue has actually been replaced a lot of this industry simply because there are glues that are a lot stronger and less reactive to moisture that have been adopted, but hide glue is still the preferred glue for parts that will need replacing such as hammers, felt and other common replacement parts. Lot more brute force in the piano industry given the size of many parts and the forces involved.
Ernie Ball shirt, defiantly guitar guy.
The Titebond was hide glue, not PVA (wrong but not horrible). From what I found, its the closest to real hide glue that doesn't require heating. I never used it (it expires quickly), but looked into it for convince. Its for people that want to use hide glue, but don't want to mix/heat it.
Olaf is right, just use hot hide glue. Its not hard and has way more advantages over anything else.
The Titebond hide glue was one thing, using CA glue for the nut however made me cringe.
@@forkless Yea, most guitar makers slather the glue for the nut on, at least he didn't. I have no idea why he used titebond for fingerboard and CA for nut, they are same woods. Made no sense, unless he was in real hurry.😅
And make some sous vide with the heater!
Dear Olaf, I work with microcontrollers and stuff like that but your dedication and detailed attention inspire me during handworking tasks. Those tasks are different but the attitude is common to both.
Love your videos! I played violin for a few years in the mid 50's when I was about 12. Started with a "practice" instrument when an uncle who was 2nd chair with the Hollywood Bowl sent me a violin that he had made in Nancy France when he was there in WW1. It was like getting out of an old rattletrap and into a Jaguar! It went back to him a few years later...but I still miss it and long for the feel of it - it was a work of art and a delight to play. Ah the memories!
Would you not like to take up the violin again, Mike? I'm not quite as old as you are, but (thanks to TwoSet) I'm 10 months 'in' learning this super challenging instrument. My tutor told me today that my 4th finger is very good... Didn't mention the other 3 though! Lol. But I'm loving it; the sound and beauty of this instrument never ceases to amaze and inspire me...
Cassandra, I actually have an old instrument that hasn't seen the light of day for decades! Maybe I will unearth it and see if I can find reliable luthier!
@@publicclammer Yes, do, Mike. These old violins need to be played... Feel so sorry for all those Strads locked away as 'investments'. Mine may be a rental but it's a lovely instrument. I love my BAE and already we're beginning to make beautiful music together. Can't wait to practice every day now! I can only improve as the months go by...
What always sounds funny to me is the term of "hide glue" English speaking people use to speak about the hot glue used for violins. In fact there are no hides involved but bones and nerves. (hide glue only is too soft, the mixture of bone glue & nerve glue makes the best compromise between the hard (brittle) and soft (that could damp the vibrations)). You do not mention the other option often used by old German violin makers : fish glue. This is easier to use because you do not need heat and the time to set is longer... which is also a disadvantage in some cases.
Thank you for your interesting and instructive comments particularly on this video.
In general thank you for the topics you choose, the way you skilfully cover them (and also the pinch of humour you use to season them). I am a big fan : two thumbs up ! Sorry for my perfectible English (some may have guessed that I am French), this is a matter I try to improve day by day.
I do think that there are many old violins that deserve some work to get back to life again. Unfortunately, the labour costs of a professional luthier is generally far higher than the commercial value of most of these violins and this is the reason why some are thrown away and lots of them are just not taken care of. I try to contribute (and I am certain to be one amongst many) to resurect (for free) some outcasts and try to do this better and better... Best regards, Thierry-Antoine
The major concern, for me, is the use of non-reversible glue. Titebond is a nice glue for usual woodworking… not for violin restoration.
Unless it's epoxy, pretty much most glues are reversible. That wasn't standard "Titebond" which is aliphatic resin glue....it was "Titebond Hide Glue" It dries a bit more crystaline than standard Titebond and is even easier to heat and remove than standard Titebond which also responds to heat. Hide glue is the best, to be sure...but it has its drawbacks in that it's weaker and more susceptible to humidity. Point being that he didn't irreversible damage the violin using that glue.
Olaf! Thanks for sharing your reactions to this tragic violin "restoration." You were so kind in your critique, too. I'm really, really enjoying your channel. Thanks a million for sharing!
I am a master carpenter and have been doing furniture repair and restoration for 30 years. I cringed when I saw him go after the neck with a scraper, and I noticed there was not a plane onsite. Over the years I have had several customers approach me to repair various stringed instruments.... I always refer them to reputable luthiers, with all my experience I know it takes a special craftsman to work on these instruments. Thanks for a great video.
You should ask him to send you the violin so you can restore an ancient destroyed violin
Loved this reaction vid, Olaf. So when we purchase a violin we are totally at the mercy of all the luthiers through which hands it's passed and the glue they used. Oh my!
This is why Olaf, strongly, recommends buying through a reputable shop, such as his own.
A place where they will not sell you such an instrument, or at least they will tell you about it.
Thats by design. Does Olaf ever hold actual courses on violin making? Of course not that would mean competition. Instead he is critical of others to further decrease competition
@@zapa1pnt Thats to continue his family monopoly and make money.
@@adamhurst9491 'critical of others'??? I think we can safely say this guy has little knowledge about restoration work... As Olaf says, look round his workshop. Is he a WOODworker? Maybe he went on YT to find which chisel to buy! Not a 'master craftsman' in my book.... And were a valuable instrument to fall into such hands.... 😧
You dont know anything besides what Olaf tells you@@wakingtheworld
Olaf: "There's nothing too wrong with the way they fitted the pegs . . . I think my son can do better, though."
That was the greatest roast I've heard in a long time, OMW--
~ Ana
That must have been painful for you to watch. Sadly it is one of quite a few videos along similar lines. What is worse, a lot of people, even if they recognise that the ‘restorer’ is not a luthier, still believe that the procedures and advice are correct, and genuine. Enough to make you cry.
PS Looks like a garage or basement ‘home workshop’. His t-shirt gives away his guitar repair background, but he’s just a happy hack, not a professional or an accomplished amateur, so many give-aways.
PPS Just seen the guitars hanging up, but as I said, his way of working, doesn’t impress. I wouldn’t let him fix an instrument of mine. The worst kind of channel, and will attract huge subscriber numbers. People who have a short attention span. “Hey look, someone’s going to restore a priceless violin. It’s only a 15 minute vid”. “Gee, I gotta watch that”.
Oh god! He sells violins? Don’t support his shop.
PPPS That’s the other thing, these aren’t videos titled, “I fit new tuning pegs to a violin”. No, it’s always “Bringing a 200 year old violin back to life”. “Restoring violin found in trash can”. “You won’t believe what was under the dirt”. Sensationalism, pure and simple. Cynicism or self delusion on the part of the vlogger? You decide. Apologies for rambling. UA-cam has its faults, and it’s full of rubbish, so maybe that’s why I get so emotive. I want to see the good channels get recognition, and the fakes and frauds exposed.
I wouldn’t let him breath on my violin. I’m horrified.
Yes, as horrified as you are... "Sacrilegious" TwoSet would mutter. It was heartbreaking to watch...
Precisely. You get this in guitar repair land too. Some hack chops up a guitar and receives thousands of (probably monetized) views and hundreds of positive comments from people who don't know how the job is done properly. So it goes.
The reason they get the views is they play the algorithm's game... clickbait titles & thumbnail images, 20 mins duration to maximise the number of ads played while capturing the widest viewer pool (because people either don't have time or a long enough attention span). Unfortunately UA-cam is more interested in promoting videos that garner the most views (and therefore generate ad revenue) than genuine content from genuine creators... they won't even monitor or take down channels shilling demonstrable scams & fake info. The best thing to do is leave comments explaining your concerns about the video (like many people have done on the original "restoration" video) & hope that other viewers get to read it before the channel deletes them!
@@medea27 5 months on, I sit on my hands whenever I feel the need to witter on, or I should say, I type with gusto, then delete it. What I would say is, leaving a comment on said type of videos is not advised. It seems watching for only 30 seconds is logged as a view, and bingo, they've made their money. I just stick to my subscriptions now. There is more than enough in the real world to wind me up, sadly not all avoidable. Hey ho.
I saw the video that you're reacting to several months ago and was cringing the whole time. I'm a musician and have played cello, bass, guitar, and violin for 50 years. So nice to see your reaction to this!
You are a very kind and forgiving of the video maker
I know nothing about violins, but what I do know is that for each repair that someone does on UA-cam there are plenty of people who says that "he is doing it wrong" or "he has destroyed more than he has repaired". There are good and bad repairmen, and there are people who are not satisfied before it is 'better than new' and there are people who are happy as long as it works and looks reasonably. I am not taking side here, I just say that there are different goals and different levels of satisfaction.
I saw that video a while ago, and imagined Olaf’s reaction. And i did a better job guessing his reaction than the dude did repairing the violin…
Thanks! I just watched the other video yesterday, and saw this one today! Loved the comparisons.
The only people who should do violin restorations is an experienced violin maker with years of knowledge and proper tools.
Or, people who bought the violin themselves and want to have go because they own it.
I repaired a cello for a friend. I know absolutely nothing about repairing these instruments other than what I gleaned from UA-cam and in no way skilled with woodwork either. I took the top cover off, repaired multiple cracks, part of the edge of the top cover split-off and had to be glued back on, and I used PVA glue to glue it back together. In short most people would consider that to be complete abuse but it belonged to his young son who will never be able to tell the difference and my friend did not want to pay anyone to have it repaired. And given it was a cello that was only about $1,000 new and had been badly cracked in a number of places there is no way anyone's ever going to repair it again.
How does it sound now? I really don't know as has not been reported back to me.
Ultimately these are just objects and many of them aren't really worth a lot of money so if someone repairs them like a hack who cares?
And let us not forget something also quite important. As it is now clear that experts can't tell a Stradivarius from another high quality violin, I would imagine most people could not tell a poorly repaired violin or cello etc from a professionally one. But they will swear blind can, of course
I just took my violin down to my luthier today to have it looked at before I move halfway across the country, and coincidentally the "antique violin restoration" video popped up on my feed. I'm so glad I watched your reaction first, because that even hurt to witness second hand! Always take your instruments to reputable shops for repairs and service!
Thankyou. I really enjoyed this and would love to see more.
Amazing enough I just watched this yesterday, thanks for offering your opinion. Charles
Thanks!
I watched the restoration video before, and all I could think was "I wonder what Olaf would have to say about that", cause even though I don't know much abou restoring violins, it seemed kinda sacrilegious to me
❤️ Yeaaaaaaaaa! Olaf's BACK!
Giving you a like just for that ancient violin restoration toolkit gag.
I saw that in my feed too haha! Was skeptical about it and didn’t watch it yet as a result, looks like my skepticism was grounded xD Thanks Olaf for the breakdown!
This looks like an episode of "The Repair Shop". Filmed more for infotainment than education.
Thank you Olaf!
Olaf both you and Maestro Kimon have inspired me to learn to be a luthier. I'm gathering equipment here and there to attempt making my own violins and guitars.
The dude felt like a handyman you call to do some odd jobs around the house
Very insightful.
First time to comment. I really liked this reaction video. It was a great insight into why you use the methods and tools and glue, you do. I learned a lot. Thank you
I'm not a luthier, and I saw the 'Ancient Violin Restoration' video before I saw your reaction. My first reaction to the 'Ancient Violin Restoration' was - "What is he doing?" Thank you for your review of that restoration, I thought I was crazy when I thought that the restoration seemed to proceed out of order, and in some parts just wrong. Glad to know that I wasn't the only one to think so (viewing the comments), and along with your expert review, now I know I'm not crazy. (I really didn't like the final product in that restoration video. When he first started I said to myself: No, put it down.)
Olaf! Hold the line for luthiers! Bravo!
I'm not a violin maker, but I was thinking the same thing when I was watching that video before watching this reaction. Everything seemed out of order, and improper. Your reaction confirms what I was thinking. Thanks for this.
There was more wrong with the producer of the video than with the work done. I've seen scores of old Bohemian fiddles like that one. For a general instrument repair shop (glue aside) they delivered a decent, playable workaday violin. That hoke about the instrument being 'ancient' and in need of total restoration, is of course absurd.
One of the arguments in the comment field was about whether the top should have been removed in order to complete any necessary work inside. This is a matter for the luthier to decide. If there is no damage as viewed from the endpin hole or the f holes, it's perfectly OK to flow in some hide glue and clamp up the top plate. Even Cremona-trained masters do this.
Hello Olaf!
I watched that violin restoration video a few weeks ago and was reacting to it much in the same way! Though, I was surprised to hear that super glue is really frowned upon for gluing in the nut in violin making. I work on guitars as a hobby, and I've seen it become quite a common practice to use about two drops of some kind of liquid super glue on the fingerboard side (not the neck) to secure the nut. The nut comes off pretty easily when you need it to, you just put a little block of wood up to it and give it a soft strike with a fretting hammer. The glue usually breaks first since it's brittle. I'm curious what a violin maker has to say about this method.
The genuine horror on Olaf's face is priceless.
They guy was a Jack of all trades and Master of none.
Your wig at time stamp 1:46 is your best wig yet!!!! 👍 awesome video as well!
First, let me say that I have never even maintained a violin, but I have worked in conservation of sculpture and one of the most important rules in art conservation is "reversibility" as you clearly pointed out, keeping in mind the work that future conservators might have to do. Use of water soluble solutions for adhesives for example. Another thing that bugged me was the title itself. For anything "Ancient", one does not "Restore" so much, but rather "conserves" the current state of the object to prevent further deterioration or disrepair. I'd say, in the end, your assessment of this person's "restoration" was very kind.
10:48 Perhaps you are right this guy is a guitar tech. "L. R. Baggs" is a manufacturer of pickups and preamps for (mostly steel string) guitars.
When I saw the "restoration" I immediately thought, "What would Olaf say?".
Okay, i just viewed the restoration video post and i heard the narrator say that the instrument was a Stradivarius (not a copy - he neglected to mention that little bit of info). Then i watched how the luthier haplessly bonked and banged the instrument about with rather wreckless abandon; so when i saw this reaction video, well, first of all - when the "restoration" was completed the narrator said, "Now as we leave you you'll hear the final sound of the restored Stradivarius Violin." And it sounded like tin. When i saw this review of the restoration i kind of knew what was in store. I'm a guitarist from the Pacific Northwest and that restoration video is how i handle my own instruments, haha. I already love the guy doing the review; "No! Nah! Oh ... Oh!@#$% Phffft! Agh!!!" I love this. Great job. I'm enjoying this greatly. Thank you very much.
I know nothing about violins, so I've no idea why I watched the video Olaf is reacting to, but I did...and was also a bit surprised by some of the methods, tools used, and workmanship. Which brought me here. Good to know that someone who actually knows what they're talking about agrees!
Never ever choose a violinrepairer without recommendations. I know very little about violins, but when my daughters old violin needed some care, it was the guy who did the work for our symfoniorchester that did it. The best we could choose. Her violin isn´t a really expensiv. But the best we could afford. And all instruments are worth good care. So good you learn people this. Its very easy if you don´t know enough to go for the wrong guy.
I have never restored a violin. I have restored a number of classic automobiles, and one boat. Right before I watched the above video I watched a few minutes of the exact same one Olaf featured here. As soon as he used turpentine I began to wonder, when he took the "scraper" out of the cardboard box I wondered a little more, but the razor blade and the sanding block did it for me. The guy had no idea what the heck he was doing. Then I saw Olaf's video! I was right!
I do some luthier work on guitars. One of the things that guitar luthiers do when attaching a fingerboard is to wrap surgical tubing around the neck and fingerboard when reattaching it. That provides very even pressure along the entire length. Conversely, it does make glue cleanup more difficult.
Saw a spanner too - om
Olaf, I felt your pain! What bridge do you recommend? Also, I had an instrument repaired for cracks and they changed the fingerboard and the nut. It totally changed the sound for the worse. What would you adjust to get the old sound back? Thanks.
Wow... How frustrating.
They probably also adjusted the soundpost. So that would be a good starting point...
Maybe go to a different place?
Get some recommendations from local string players
A high ‘uncle Roger’ vid, but I am glad I did not waste my time watching the original video.
Keep on doing the good work, love you!
Funny, I thought of Uncle Rog as soon as he started! It won't be his genre but the odd one like this is great. So this violin 'restorer' is the Jamie Olive Oil equivalent!
@Olaf, if you have any of those cheap violins behind. Or broken and unable to be repaired. Why not buy a bunch of modern glues and hang them somewhere to experience weathers. See how they fare?
Don't have anything against hide glue, but I think a long-term test under your eyes would be more valuable than mere saying the words. Then again, maybe you've already experienced cracking open other violins with these glues?
They don't come apart easily that's the point. Likely to get damaged when doing so. I'm NO expert... just watched a lot of Olaf and TwoSet vids.
(1) Olaf is talking about glue longevity in terms of 100+ years. I doubt he will live long enough, for that experiment.
(2) Hanging the instruments, on the wall, in a controlled environment, is no experiment, at all.
(3) I am beginning to see the benefits of hot hide glue, for violins. Violins are very delicate instruments and using a glue which requires heat and moisture, to break the bond, could be injurious, to the instrument you are trying to repair.
For guitars, mandolins, zithers, dulcimers and such, it's fine, but not violins, with any value.
Best bow rosin and best strings 4/4
Hide for repair is a must it’s easier to dismantle. Repairing a violin with
I've done quite well for myself making guitar's and occasionally mandolins. But I would seek help for a violin. Although I recently met a retired fiddle maker so soon I'll be making my first. Thanks for posting.
well - thats why there are professionals, and just others...
Hi Olaf. What do You use to clean and polish an old instrument?
I saw the video yesterday and noticed how rough the repair person was with the instrument and I reacted like "oh wow, that's rough handling".
I was in stitches when he grabbed the blue meths bottle "an alcohol mix" indeed...
I saw that vid you are spoofing and reviewing only yesterday. I, and a lot more like me, cringed in horror. Thanks for YOUR response.
It said Hide Glue on the container. The company states; "Its sensitivity to moisture allows for easy disassembly of parts, a critical benefit in antique restoration or the repair of musical instruments."
Seems like it should be okay to use, but are there any disadvantages to the ready to use stuff like this?
I recognize the tools and touch of a guitar restorer in that video. He probably fixes electric guitars and tone-wheel organs. Hence all the electric gear in the background. I'm just glad he didn't carve out a mounting hole for an electronic pickup.
There’s a closeup of the glue he’s using and it says Titebond - hide glue.
Olaf mentioned Titebond is a "type" of hide glue, but he wondered why not use the real thing.
Titebond has solvents added to it to keep it in liquid form.
@@williamstephens9945:
Yes and that makes it very different from hide glue.
I am assuming you know that already. I'm just saying.
I actually watched that "restoration" video you are reacting to. I watched it a few days ago before I ever saw any of your videos. I saw one of your restoration videos and realized right away that he hadn't restored it correctly, although I had already suspected that when I watched his video. I've seen restoration videos where they restore different musical instruments, but if you know anything about musical instruments, then you know that lots of things can affect the tone of the instrument. Restoring them wrong could ruin them. The guy in this video does restoration videos for a lot of old things, but not usually musical instruments. He has done a lot of restoration videos for things like wood stoves, and that seems to be what his work shop is actually set up for.
Hey olaf! Im getting a new violin around 3-5k usd tomorrow and im wondering what i should look for.
I made a couple of videos about that as well as writing the 7 essentals book which is in the description.
Have fun trying instruments!
I would buy it with a professional you trust. Maybe your teacher.
G'day, Mr. Grawert! Many thanks for an eye-opening and entertaining reaction video! Did you question the use of the word "ancient" in the title? When I think of ancient things, my mind goes back quite a lot further than mid-19th century. LOL
Hi Olaf, I really like you channel, you are doing amazing job!
What would you recommended for cleaning process, I can tell you for sure you not recommended to use turpentine. What is better and what is the best for instrument in general is it anything special for really old instruments. Thank you very much!
Can you mention on a video what tension to adjust a bow to.
The left shoulder of my violin where as you go up with your hand your wrist touches that area and if you're sitting down with your violin on your lap a lot of times you hold it in that area was very dirty. The violin maker cleaned it off and polished up the violin but right in that area there is no varnish the rest of the violin has thin varnish because it's about a hundred year old violin. what would you suggest?
The photos of the tools reminds me of: "What is the fastest way to tune a banjo? With wire cutters!"
i actually came across that video and couldn't get past him glueing the finger board on. i know nothing about violins and their upkeep, but (probably because i watch baumgartner restoration so much) that video seemed wrong...there just didn't seem to be the right amount of care. so when i saw your reaction video, i just had to watch it...and your reaction is exactly how i felt but wasn't sure why! 😂🤣😅
So I acquired a fairly new student instrument on eBay.
The varnish ended up looking like someone dragged it across gravel and a luthier told me the neck had been snapped/reglued improperly. I ended up purchasing a violin to play and decided to play with the other one. I’m going to try to redo the varnish but nothing else. I figure it’s already been messed up by someone else, I can’t make it worse lol
I watched this yesterday and after seeing him wipe it down with turpentine I knew it was not going to be approved by Olaf.
I am glad I am not alone in cringing at some of the things he was doing.Must admit I probably would have opened it.
The fish glue he uses will seperate with heat just like a hide glue does, turpentine is absolutely safe and a good cleaner especially for any shellac based polish, meths however would make shellac soluble again
its more useful hearing the things you are doing wrong then right.
I was going to use titebond on my Talharpa I'm in the process of designing. I'd love to use real hide glue, though, just so I could open it up if I ever needed to. I just don't know where to get any, or even where to start looking to even see if it's in my budget range.
I've actually been taking a lot of inspiration from classical instrument construction for my Talharpa, from this accessibility after construction to the ability to adjust the bow hair tension to the use of a bass bar. Though everything I do will be more of an experiment than anything else since I really can't say if any of it'll actually be beneficial until i actually build it. But it's been fun, and at least design-wise I'm really happy about it, and really, that's all that matters
Hide glue and rabbit glue which I use are pretty easy to find in most places.
Violin making and guitar making supplies have it as well as some specialised hardware shops
I studied violin making / repair with my friend Bob Portukalian at Providence Violin in Providence, RI many years ago. I agree completely with your comments. Some of what this guy did made me cringe, especially his not using proper hide glue., but also the ham fisted way he went about some of his other work. One of the things I had to purchase to do this work was my set of proper tools, and even back then they were not cheap. Seeing the tools he intended to use at the beginning would have been amusing were he not serious. As it was, it was just shocking.
Were can I get an Olaf Grawert Violin Studio T shirt?
I just picked up a 150 year old French violin that needs a new bridge and sound post setting. I could do it myself but a nice old violin deserves a luthier that knows what they're doing.
Im glad to see your opinion on this video marstro Olaf, with the few things done right many done wrong but that isn't to say there aren't different methods. While I am not a professional I look to videos like this to learn what should and should not be done and I'm happy that we have such medium like this to share opinions and learn the dos and don'ts of the trade
Olaf did make allowances, for different methods, in his critique.
Lieber, verehrter Meister Olaf Grawert! Ich musste Ihnen hier nun kurz antworten - ich entdeckte zufällig diese Ihre "Reaktion" auf dieses sonderbar anmutende Video Über Streichinstrumenten-Restaurierung. Es freut mich, daß Sie die "Ehre", somit das vielfältige Wissen um Streichinstrumenten-Restaurierung, verteidigen, und somit hoch halten! Danke!
Ich las auch Ihre Biographie, und staunte nicht schlecht, als ich diese las. Die "Geschichte" fernab von Europa um Machold werden Sie wissen - Machold Bremen, Machold Wien - Aufstieg und Niedergang ... auch wieder zufälligerweise war mein Abitur-Klassen-Kollege, später Anwalt in Wien, der Pflicht-Verteidiger im Prozess um jenen Star-Geigen-Händler ... auch eine seltsame Geschichte, nicht wahr?!?
Meine erste Begegnung mit der großen Geigenbau-Kunst war in Cremona mit Francesco Bissolotti, der mir damals um 2000 ein wenig die Augen öffnete, was Geigenbau betraf - darauf folgte Morassi, den ich öfters besuchen konnte. Davide Sora will ich hier dank seiner Meisterschaft auch nennen.
Das sollte ein kleiner österlicher Gruß aus Old-Europe an Sie gewesen sein. Bleiben Sie gesund. Vielleicht kommen wir auch mal nach Autralien - dann nehme ich so eine "1850-iger" aus Mittenwald, Schönbach, Prag oder Wien für Sie mit! Alles Liebe und Gute, und danke nochmals! Herzlich, Helmut aus Wien
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Hi, Tight bond is not kind of hide glue?
listening and watching, there is a big difference between both your work. You Sir are a Craftsman, the person in the video you watch is a tradesman.
the thing is, not everyone has access to a violin maker that can do that kinda repair for them. like i wanna restore a violin in pieces and will do it on a regular wood workshop because i cant afford/dont want a brand violin right now and the only violin luthier in town is really not reliable. most of the tools a violin maker works with are probably meant to save time or provide precision for details while yes, you can restore a violin with a tooth brush and hair pins but it wont sound and look like a million bucks especially with ittle knowledge. what i find problematic is to make a video of it that encourages other people to do so with no proper disclaimer of this situation. thank you for the honest and very educational video.
notable mentions: sniffing turpentine, sanding fingerboard, crazy glue, when auto subtitles said "dementia on this one" instead of dimension, vietnam 100//
Hi Olaf! I started building my first violin about 2 years ago, but I had to move and never got around to unpacking my workshop land tools until now! I want to finish my first violin, then apply what I have learnt and make 4 more, and go from there. I have most of the supplies and wood and "most" of the tools I will need. Is there any tips you can give me startin out? Thanks!
also interesting - I saw the titebond "hide-glue" in specialist carpentry store. I wondered if it could work as an alternative and if it would re-gel in hot water or not.. Not something I want to try out on an instrument lol
I would consider buying 'the Art of violin making ' book by Johnson and Courtnall.
Also practice carving on bits of wood... Especially the scoup and corners... Also practice doing purfling before trying it on good wood.
And double and triple check measurements. And really stick to conventional measurements.
Apart from that... Have fun
Dear Olaf, sorry for the semi-random question, but did you ever meet the Perth/English luthier Arthur Robinson in your years as a luthier?
Just curious :)
Violin demolition. Like watching Gomer Pyle working on a Bentley.
My son recently constructed his first classical guitar for himself. He researched how to do it by watching people like Olaf not the other fellow.
Epic!
Im planning on making a violin, any suggestions or possible roadblocks?
Thanks Olaf I was shocked at the beginning of the video I just watched that video .He's no restorer just a fixer. I did not agree with his decisions or procedures. I must watch your videos - cannot wait any more. Peace
Having been in the Navy I learned early that the only tools needed for anything are, a can of WD-40, a large pair of ViseGrips (the bigger the better), a roll of EB Green (the Navy's version of duct tape) and a deck screwdriver (at least 36"). With those you can lubricate, hammer, pry etc. 😅🤣😂😛
I did happen to see that video. I agree with you 100%. I will even be more blunt than you are, the guy is a butcher. I'm a retired machinist,welder and machine repairman. I'm very skilled at using the proper tools, the proper way. There is also, regardless of what you are repairing or rebuilding,
a step-by-step process. I found that the restorer was doing things in reverse. I would have cleaned everything first. This way you're finishing your restoration on a solid base that has already been repaired and cleaned. In my opinion to do the heavy cleaning after you have restored it is a dangerous procedure. I also watched the way his hands were using simple files and reamers. He was too aggressive with the reamers and somebody should tell him that files are not used with a back and forth action.
As I stated the guy is a butcher not a craftsman.
a machinist would clean the parts but here he should be careful with surfaces he has to glue later. and since he's using turpentine... You're right it's a true hack job compared to people who went to one of the big violin making schools like chicago or salt lake city, who are the only people who'd touch an instrument of mine. olaf is being very ...diplomatic might be the best word
yt is full of hack violin fixers. the violins were mostly worthless before though