Please read my new published book: Father, Son & Violin. can read the first a few chapters free. Please do it. www.amazon.co.uk/Father-Son-Violin-PERSONAL-HISTORY-ebook/dp/B074CGL7KW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1501377253&sr=8-3&keywords=chen+daniel
Very interesting! I never knew you could do that. I play violin! I have no idea how or why anyone would dislike this great video! It's a shame they do that. I liked it!
Ok I came back to say thank you, your videos has helped me so much! My mom's birthday is coming up and she loves her (Sorry if I get the name wrong) Stradivarius Or Stradivuari violin. Idk, It's ancient looking as hell and cost her and my dad like seven figures If I can remember correctly. They got it at some auction about 17 years ago. But no matter how many violins I get her, she alway's looks at it and says thank you, and yet, she'll continue to use that old Violin at every concert. So like a couple months ago I got a great Idea! And it all makes sense now. She won't use any other violin because she grew too attached to her old one. Afterall, it did cost her alot. So this year, instead of buying her a new one, I figured i'll just fix and update her old one! All by myself :) So I searched the names of the parts for the violin and happened to find some really cheap parts on ebay only downfall is, they shipped from china so I had to wait :/ But when the pieces came I immediately got to work. I knew she was on Vacation at the lodge writing her novel. She'll be there for another week or so, then she comes back to perform at the Walt Disney concert hall. I believe she's playing Ave Maria. But I could be wrong. No wait, I'm right. Anyway, I figured nothing would make her happier if I modernized her Violin. So far, I've already changed the neck and replaced the strings. I replaced the sound-post and I JUST put the glue on for the body. I got her a new bow because the old one was soft and gucky when I left it sitting in water for too long trying to clean it :/ Now It'll be dry and ready to go. I normally deliver her violin and stuff in the City/Country or wherever she needs to be for her tour. So when she get's back and we meet up at Walt Disney's Concert Hall, I'll record her expression when she see's the awesome work I've done. I'll be sure to arrive late so her smile will still be fresh as she's performing that night. She sounds amazing when using her old violin but wait until everyone hears her play the updated one.......this is going to be great. :)
The fact that so many people are sending really positive comments to block out all of the negativity restores my faith in humanity. I found the video entertaining as well, actually. :)
Best glue for cleats and to put top back on titebond or plain hide? Yea I made an extra crack, I should have watched this video before I started the projects. Again we learn from our mistakes, but move on to perfection. Thank you Daniel blessings 🌹
1/18/2019 USA Sir, this is probably the most interesting video I have seen in hundreds of them on UA-cam. All I know about a violin is that the big end goes under the chin, the small end goes in the hand, and the other hand wields a stick with horsehair on it which is dragged across the strings to make horrible screeches or beautiful orchestral music. I am 70 years old and a retired wood worker (but we never really retire). I can build a house, furniture, small buildings, bird houses, and jigs. This video of yours shows me a kind man with great care and improvising with his tools to disassemble an example of one of the finest musical instruments ever invented/discovered. Thank you for making this video, and explaining how you modified your tools to accomplish the tasks. I appreciate your effort here, and even though I will probably never disassemble a violin I am richer mentally for having seen you do it. Thank you.
This is awesome. A guy with his experience showing us all how he opens a violin in order to properly repair it. For who don't like it, thing of him as a surgeon cutting skin, fat, flesh and even bone to fix you. You wouldn't like the sounds on an operating room either.
As a 9th year student of the violin (not striving to ever be in an orchestra, started after I retired) I found this video to be extremely interesting. I’m on my third violin upgrade and have spent many hours in my luthier’s shop talking with him about how much he loves building all of the orchestral strings. Mr. Olsen, your video is great. The people who give 👎🏼 are just doing it to be disrespectful of the art that you create. Yes, every string instrument is a work of art and be proud of what you accomplish.
You see how much he care, when he looks so sad, deceived once he saw a small chip of wood got detached (09:02). That heavy breathing... It looks like he was heartbroken, that's how you recognize a real luthier. The passion, the patience and the respect of real craftmanship. Great video, and thanks for sharing. I'm sure you will give this instrument another life :-)
It is a technique many luthiers did not want show the viewers. Thanks for your generosity. I opened my cheap violin $20 using water & a heat gun before your video was produce. “ Knowledge should be shared” where it is required. Thanks once again for the post.
The comments that show up on videos like this have really, REALLY taught me one thing. Offering an angry, ill-informed opinion on a subject about which you know nothing just makes you look bad. Whenever I see a tradesman, craftsman, etc doing something that looks weird to me, I just sit back and watch...try to learn something. Guys...why.....why would a dude (an obviously reputable repair tech) with several dozen instruments hanging behind him do something to harm an instrument? It makes no sense....learn about hide glue, learn about joints, watch a video or two on instrument making. Then maybe you’ll do better next time you leave a comment...
You are a very good teacher. I have my father's violin. It is very old. Friends that have played it comment on the tone and the volume. I want to try this again but do not have very much confidence. To hear father play is always a beautiful experience. Thank you for showing me the construction and the approach to fixing that large crack.
Thanks for such a good instruction. As a Luthier (classical guitars) this contributes, plus your other video's to my education in violin construction. Maybe one day I will try. Interesting how many seemed to criticize your demonstration regarding the "cracking" as you moved around not understanding that the sound was the hide glue breaking not the wood cracking. I encourage them to temper their comments until they have learned a bit more to be qualified to comment. What is 'hide glue' they might ask... Thank you.
Most people have no manual skills what so ever. They are paper shufflers and people pleasers of no practical value. They think food is grown in grocery stores. When reality comes they will be useless.
Thank you Daniel for this video of how to open a violin. This video was from 2016... so i am glad this is still available to view. The process is easy to follow and duplicate. Thank you... you are a good teacher.
I will try that next, and make the long knife he lost, I crack the last one, s&r they used wrong glue it did not like coming apart, but I'll use hide, it is ready to go back together
Nice vid. Have a thrift store violin with a bad crack gonna binge on your channel and see about fixing it right for my wife. The tools i dont have i can make. Worked with my hands all my life but never on something so delicate as a violin. If all goes well maybe i can get good results and have another skill under my belt. The day i learn nothing new is the day after i die.
I don’t know what all the hubbub was about years ago, here. He showed how to open a Violin. Big deal. That’s how it’s done. Someone has to do the dirty work on these instruments. I think he did a nice job. Hope he got all his tools back! I think he’s a good person, who really Loves what he does. Thank you, sir... for the very helpful lesson! ✨❤️✨
For those who wants to use water or heat or whatever you think is better, try your way to open a violin in reality, if it really works for you, please make a video share with us, or anyone can find one video, one is enough from the whole world and history that shows a different way of doing it, please post a link and share with us. .Otherwise do no good. thanks
Thanks for the lessons! I'm a young blacksmith who plays violin. And was thinking of making a kit violin. This information was a very good start. I hope to learn more from your lessons. Thank you very much sir.
Excellent craftsman ship...........Daniel................I love it...............keep doing this Job always in place like Tokyo...................God Bless you....Amin
Thank you for this video. I watched it with interest. I will be honest: I found it a little bit horrifying in places - but I could see that you knew what you were doing, and that you were treating the instrument with care and respect and patience. It was obviously safe in your hands. Some people have been quite rude and unpleasant on here...please take no notice of them.
101,431 views of a video on how to open a violin. That is impressive. Maybe 10 people who watched this will ever work on a violin, but lots of people are curious about how something so precious can be taken apart.
Well i'm one of the few then, wife has an old thrift store violin with a bad crack on its back. She plays im mechanically inclined, with wood tools. Gonna fix me a fiddle
To a violinist, it's like watching open heart surgery. That cracking noise is like nails down the blackboard of the soul, but I just can't look away... Good job there, Daniel! Patient saved ;-)
Thank you for walking us through this. I especially appreciated the emphasis on keeping everything together. years ago I took a very nice violin to a recommended shop for repair and they returned it minus the very nice rosewood chin rest, which they said that they could not find. I was young and accepted their answer...I would not do that now...
Daniel, I am so thankful for your videos! I have two badly cracked old violins, one was my fathers, that I will now try to restore. I cannot afford the price of a luthier to fix them. Guess I have nothing to lose if I fail since they are useless as is. I can make some of the clamps and tools since I made a dulcimer a couple of years ago. Wish I had found you sooner!
I enjoyed watching this video. It was recommended to me and even if I have a lab due today and don’t even own a violin, I found it an interesting video to watch (I’m more of a piano guy btw)
I know how it feels to have that inspiration when writing a comment on UA-cam (or anywhere on the internet), and then for some weird reason, my comment gets deleted before it was ready to send it, and then I need to rewrite it, and it's not as good as before. My rewritten comment isn't nearly as good as before. I was inspired to write this comment, one minute into this video, which I think, will be a fantastic lesson. Thank you, Daniel.
Wonderful video of carefully taking the violin to 'open'. Thank you for posting it! I have 2 that I could repair in this manner, but have been a bit hesitant to ever remove a back or a top. Love your videos, and SO appreciated!! Was actually looking for violin bridges today- then saw this one. Thanks again!
Nice video. I was curious thou, but never did I ever imagined that we can open it up just like this. This provides many options and solutions to issues that many would think as untreatable. Awesome ! Thanks for the video. Would definitely share :)
Coming in late but this is really useful, thank you. I have some old violins that I am converting into different instruments and knowing how to open the top makes my life so much easier. Many thanks.
Oh you play so good. My father was a violinist and he used to play this and many pieces I wish you were in Sydney Australia instead of India. Thank you for your suggestions it makes perfect sence
Thank Your Sir. I just wanted to open my violin to rewrite my name with a sharpie pen and sand the insides. 😂 I made it during a basic violin assembly course. Had to rush through the procedure. Now this video makes me both worried and intrigued.😂😅
Thank you Daniel, you are a Hero. I have not find video in portuguese for how to do this. You did help me so much! A lot of regards for you! Sorry my English is of the student, I'm learning it!
Good video. Something to try.......before removing the top take the blunt side of an Exacto Knife and score the joint seam all the way around the under edge of the top....where the top meets the body. Just scrape a line against the joint all the way around. This will minimize the chance of splintering and taking off wood and finish from the body. Sometimes just by doing this a section of the top might break free and give you a clean opening to insert the pallet knife. Best regards from a retired instrument repairman in Boston.
Thanks for posting. I repair English-made concertinas and I face problems when removing the ornate fretwork ends when then need repairing or replacing. This video was useful since I face a similar set of issues when opening the ends of a concertina.
I thought the clamps and specialist tools looked stunning in themselves, it was an interesting lesson, even though I'm not a violinist. The history of violin has a story to it. Thank-you for adding to my education.
You are an amazing man. I enjoyed your video. You can buy several of those long knives you were talking about at any kitchen chef supply stores, or maybe at Walmart. Just look in the cooking utensil section. It's what they use for flipping large soft tortilla, or used as a kitchen utensil. To scrape under and across large cookie sheets. I'm not sure what it's called. But the way you utilize the simplicity of what you have accumulated throughout your years of knowledge and experience, is very inspiring. Thank you, for taking the time out to show us how to repair , utilizing tools, and patience.
I opened over ten violins by myself as a hobby. The easiest way to open it is to pour a small amount of hot water over the glued parts. The animal glue is highly water soluble.
No idea how I got to this video. But that was great . If I tried doing that, I would have wound up with a pile of toothpicks on the floor. And I'd owe somebody a new violin. That's the sign of a very skilled craftsman. Everything looks easy.
Oh how I love your inspirational videos I am trying to fix my old violin which has a crack on the top and don't know what to do! Because there are no much old violin repair left in Goa. I feel I should try after watching your videos.
thank you sir, its was very helpfull when my violin broken and i dont have money. i was saving money for 4 months for violin everything is expensive when you are collage student... so took a guts to do it my self carefully and i did nicely. because of your video... thanks SIR... could you more detailed and slowly when explaining it will easier to understand... keep going....
The title called how to open a violin but......when we look at it it is not just opening simply....WELLL GREAT JOB DANIEL YOU ARE A GOOD VIOLIN tutorial because yeah its my first time having a violin even I cannot do it this video really nice and helpful.
It never crossed my mind that a violin might need to be opened for repair one day. I found the video to be very informative. Other comments suggested using heat or water to open a violin makes no sense to me. Extreme heat will warp the timber and water will cause timber to swell and deformed the shape.
Thanks Daniel: Wow I like it very much. In the past I open to repair one, but using different method. I like the way you do it and explain nice and easy. Thanks A Merck
Very interesting. I've done a similar procedure to remove the top of a very old Ukulele that was built using hide glue. But I used warm air from a hair drier to help soften the glue joint as I ran a hot blade such as yours, around the edge. I'd love to see another video on the reassembly process.
Found the perfect stainless steel putty knife (old!) to make my "opening knife". The seam is now hide glued and clamped with home made clamps my grandfather made from wooden spools for thread (sewing supplies).
I really like your videos. I am learning a lot. I have a question. Since glue will not stick to wax residue from the knife do you clean the edges of the ribs, blocks, and top with alcohol before gluing it back together? thanks
Спасибо. Приятно смотреть на открытых и добрых людей, а ведь душа у настоящего мастера и должна быть настоящая. Я из России, тоже мастер щипковых инструментов. У нас много общего в работе.
I will never ever open my violin but such a great video, thanks for showing it! Try to be a little nicer in your comments though. I get it some people are just rude, telling you something is wrong even though you have all the experience and they are clearly wrong themselves. But still, they are your visitors and subscribers, be a little gentle with us please :D We are not your students, most just come to learn about the craft, not to actually learn the craft itself I think. For most of us it is like watching a discovery documentary about quantum mechanics, while we never will become theoretical physists. We will never become luthiers but we are very curious about how it is done :) So nice you share it all, especially since so many luthiers are scared to share their craft. I think those who are scared simply do not understand how big the experience is they have and how incredibly important that is to work with these materials. It is like an art form in itself. I once heard violin music consists of three artists: nature, the luthier and the violinist. Maybe you can make a book someday about your experiences as a luthier? Not about learning to repair, but about the people you met and their violins, their problems and the solutions. How you learned and evolved during your life as a luthier. I love the fact you found that cheese knife to be the best tool to open the violin. This shows you not only repeat what you learned, but you love your craft and improve upon it and think about it. Thanks for the great video!
Thank you! Learned what I needed to know to repair my bass. It has a simple open seam but I wasn't sure how to break the hide glue without damaging anything.
Amazing video, you’re a very talented violin maker. I love your passion for your work it makes me very happy and interested in what your doing. I don’t have a violin that I need to open up. But your video was very easy to follow. If I ever need to open my violin I probably would take it somewhere because I’m to scared to do anything to my violin but I wish I could actually follow your videos.
Please read my new published book: Father, Son & Violin. can read the first a few chapters free. Please do it.
www.amazon.co.uk/Father-Son-Violin-PERSONAL-HISTORY-ebook/dp/B074CGL7KW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1501377253&sr=8-3&keywords=chen+daniel
from the description it sounds like an incredible story! I look forward to reading it.
Thank
Very interesting! I never knew you could do that. I play violin! I have no idea how or why anyone would dislike this great video! It's a shame they do that. I liked it!
thank you for posting this video here in New York City trying to learn more about the violin
Ok I came back to say thank you, your videos has helped me so much!
My mom's birthday is coming up and she loves her (Sorry if I get the name wrong) Stradivarius Or Stradivuari violin. Idk, It's ancient looking as hell and cost her and my dad like seven figures If I can remember correctly. They got it at some auction about 17 years ago. But no matter how many violins I get her, she alway's looks at it and says thank you, and yet, she'll continue to use that old Violin at every concert.
So like a couple months ago I got a great Idea! And it all makes sense now. She won't use any other violin because she grew too attached to her old one. Afterall, it did cost her alot. So this year, instead of buying her a new one, I figured i'll just fix and update her old one! All by myself :) So I searched the names of the parts for the violin and happened to find some really cheap parts on ebay only downfall is, they shipped from china so I had to wait :/ But when the pieces came I immediately got to work. I knew she was on Vacation at the lodge writing her novel. She'll be there for another week or so, then she comes back to perform at the Walt Disney concert hall. I believe she's playing Ave Maria. But I could be wrong. No wait, I'm right.
Anyway, I figured nothing would make her happier if I modernized her Violin. So far, I've already changed the neck and replaced the strings. I replaced the sound-post and I JUST put the glue on for the body. I got her a new bow because the old one was soft and gucky when I left it sitting in water for too long trying to clean it :/
Now It'll be dry and ready to go. I normally deliver her violin and stuff in the City/Country or wherever she needs to be for her tour. So when she get's back and we meet up at Walt Disney's Concert Hall, I'll record her expression when she see's the awesome work I've done. I'll be sure to arrive late so her smile will still be fresh as she's performing that night. She sounds amazing when using her old violin but wait until everyone hears her play the updated one.......this is going to be great. :)
The fact that so many people are sending really positive comments to block out all of the negativity restores my faith in humanity. I found the video entertaining as well, actually. :)
thanks friends, I will go on making videos, please follow us, thanks again
AV Daniel Violin eu queria aprender a construir violino poderia me informar alguém que possa me ensinar por Skype?
Thank you Daniel
Best glue for cleats and to put top back on titebond or plain hide? Yea I made an extra crack, I should have watched this video before I started the projects. Again we learn from our mistakes, but move on to perfection. Thank you Daniel blessings 🌹
1/18/2019 USA Sir, this is probably the most interesting video I have seen in hundreds of them on UA-cam. All I know about a violin is that the big end goes under the chin, the small end goes in the hand, and the other hand wields a stick with horsehair on it which is dragged across the strings to make horrible screeches or beautiful orchestral music. I am 70 years old and a retired wood worker (but we never really retire). I can build a house, furniture, small buildings, bird houses, and jigs. This video of yours shows me a kind man with great care and improvising with his tools to disassemble an example of one of the finest musical instruments ever invented/discovered. Thank you for making this video, and explaining how you modified your tools to accomplish the tasks. I appreciate your effort here, and even though I will probably never disassemble a violin I am richer mentally for having seen you do it. Thank you.
This is awesome. A guy with his experience showing us all how he opens a violin in order to properly repair it. For who don't like it, thing of him as a surgeon cutting skin, fat, flesh and even bone to fix you. You wouldn't like the sounds on an operating room either.
As a 9th year student of the violin (not striving to ever be in an orchestra, started after I retired) I found this video to be extremely interesting. I’m on my third violin upgrade and have spent many hours in my luthier’s shop talking with him about how much he loves building all of the orchestral strings. Mr. Olsen, your video is great. The people who give 👎🏼 are just doing it to be disrespectful of the art that you create. Yes, every string instrument is a work of art and be proud of what you accomplish.
You see how much he care, when he looks so sad, deceived once he saw a small chip of wood got detached (09:02). That heavy breathing... It looks like he was heartbroken, that's how you recognize a real luthier. The passion, the patience and the respect of real craftmanship.
Great video, and thanks for sharing. I'm sure you will give this instrument another life :-)
It is a technique many luthiers did not want show the viewers. Thanks for your generosity. I opened my cheap violin $20 using water & a heat gun before your video was produce. “ Knowledge should be shared” where it is required. Thanks once again for the post.
Great unboxing video
underated comment 🤣
The comments that show up on videos like this have really, REALLY taught me one thing. Offering an angry, ill-informed opinion on a subject about which you know nothing just makes you look bad. Whenever I see a tradesman, craftsman, etc doing something that looks weird to me, I just sit back and watch...try to learn something. Guys...why.....why would a dude (an obviously reputable repair tech) with several dozen instruments hanging behind him do something to harm an instrument? It makes no sense....learn about hide glue, learn about joints, watch a video or two on instrument making. Then maybe you’ll do better next time you leave a comment...
You are a very good teacher. I have my father's violin. It is very old. Friends that have played it comment on the tone and the volume.
I want to try this again but do not have very much confidence. To hear father play is always a beautiful experience. Thank you for showing me the construction and the approach to fixing that large crack.
14:48 so satisfying, that sound when top plate separated from top-block! Success! Great of you to share your beautiful skill.
Thanks for such a good instruction. As a Luthier (classical guitars) this contributes, plus your other video's to my education in violin construction. Maybe one day I will try. Interesting how many seemed to criticize your demonstration regarding the "cracking" as you moved around not understanding that the sound was the hide glue breaking not the wood cracking. I encourage them to temper their comments until they have learned a bit more to be qualified to comment. What is 'hide glue' they might ask...
Thank you.
much appreciated. thanks
NO, NO the appreciation is all mine for sharing & demonstrating your skills.
Most people have no manual skills what so ever. They are paper shufflers and people pleasers of no practical value. They think food is grown in grocery stores. When reality comes they will be useless.
I hated hearing the cracking sound as I popped her loose. But wala she is off, time to make the cleats
@@huemanatie4392 you got that right. They also have a hearing problem, you tell the until you are blue in the face, most won't listen to the 🎶
You're a good craftsman, Daniel, I enjoyed watching you...Just how I do things. And you have a pleasant personality.
this is the way most professionals do, it you could ever find a different way of doing it, show us, and share.
Thank you Daniel for this video of how to open a violin. This video was from 2016... so i am glad this
is still available to view. The process is easy to follow and duplicate. Thank you... you are a good teacher.
I use an old E string (or a thin guitar string) at the neck joint. Slide it up from the bottom and draw it back and forth like dental floss, it works.
cool, thanks for the tip
lol, ok
I will try that next, and make the long knife he lost, I crack the last one, s&r they used wrong glue it did not like coming apart, but I'll use hide, it is ready to go back together
Thanks for re-filming video. Some of us really appreciate it.
Nice vid. Have a thrift store violin with a bad crack gonna binge on your channel and see about fixing it right for my wife. The tools i dont have i can make. Worked with my hands all my life but never on something so delicate as a violin. If all goes well maybe i can get good results and have another skill under my belt. The day i learn nothing new is the day after i die.
I don’t know what all the hubbub was about years ago, here. He showed how to open a Violin. Big deal. That’s how it’s done. Someone has to do the dirty work on these instruments. I think he did a nice job. Hope he got all his tools back! I think he’s a good person, who really Loves what he does. Thank you, sir... for the very helpful lesson! ✨❤️✨
For those who wants to use water or heat or whatever you think is better, try your way to open a violin in reality, if it really works for you, please make a video share with us, or anyone can find one video, one is enough from the whole world and history that shows a different way of doing it, please post a link and share with us. .Otherwise do no good. thanks
AV Daniel Violin this seems a bit arrogant
forget about me, you don't have to love me, just get the point, anyone show us any other way of opening a violin, not in words, but video, please
AV Daniel Violin why do you have to state it in an arrogant way?
because I have been annoyed consistently by those smart good-for-nothing guys, Of course you are a nice person. thanks
Geeze Teresa, give the brother a break. It sounds more like a language issue than one of arrogance.
Thanks for the lessons! I'm a young blacksmith who plays violin. And was thinking of making a kit violin. This information was a very good start. I hope to learn more from your lessons. Thank you very much sir.
Thank you Daniel!! You are a very generous person to offer your expertise to everyone.
Excellent craftsman ship...........Daniel................I love it...............keep doing this Job always in place like Tokyo...................God Bless you....Amin
Thank you for this video. I watched it with interest. I will be honest: I found it a little bit horrifying in places - but I could see that you knew what you were doing, and that you were treating the instrument with care and respect and patience. It was obviously safe in your hands. Some people have been quite rude and unpleasant on here...please take no notice of them.
Thank you Daniel for make this video. And really glad to see people with Chinese background to make art and handwork video
Now violinists the world over are inspired and fearless! Thanks for showing us!
Thank you very much for down to earth instructional video,please keep it up. Very entertaining, Thanks again.
101,431 views of a video on how to open a violin. That is impressive. Maybe 10 people who watched this will ever work on a violin, but lots of people are curious about how something so precious can be taken apart.
Well i'm one of the few then, wife has an old thrift store violin with a bad crack on its back. She plays im mechanically inclined, with wood tools. Gonna fix me a fiddle
deezynar I just opened one ! I will attach a guitar neck to it and make fucking cool guitar.
Plus I wanna know what my violin is going through when it goes to the luthier!
And other luthiers might learn some tips from him, also.
To a violinist, it's like watching open heart surgery. That cracking noise is like nails down the blackboard of the soul, but I just can't look away...
Good job there, Daniel! Patient saved ;-)
You're a good dude, Daniel. The information you're putting out is invaluable. Thank you.
Thank you for your expertise and kind sharing patience.
Thank you for walking us through this. I especially appreciated the emphasis on keeping everything together. years ago I took a very nice violin to a recommended shop for repair and they returned it minus the very nice rosewood chin rest, which they said that they could not find. I was young and accepted their answer...I would not do that now...
I am a carpenter myself. Your work is amazing. I would be honored to learn from you to learn to repair/build violins. I am hoping to do so as a hobby.
A wonderful video with a very skilled teacher that explains the steps. I will never work on a violin, but I love watching anyway.
Daniel, I am so thankful for your videos! I have two badly cracked old violins, one was my fathers, that I will now try to restore. I cannot afford the price of a luthier to fix them. Guess I have nothing to lose if I fail since they are useless as is. I can make some of the clamps and tools since I made a dulcimer a couple of years ago. Wish I had found you sooner!
I enjoyed watching this video. It was recommended to me and even if I have a lab due today and don’t even own a violin, I found it an interesting video to watch
(I’m more of a piano guy btw)
I know how it feels to have that inspiration when writing a comment on UA-cam (or anywhere on the internet), and then for some weird reason, my comment gets deleted before it was ready to send it, and then I need to rewrite it, and it's not as good as before. My rewritten comment isn't nearly as good as before. I was inspired to write this comment, one minute into this video, which I think, will be a fantastic lesson. Thank you, Daniel.
Really enjoyed your video , your a very kind man for sharing your skills with us , much appreciated. 👍
Wonderful video of carefully taking the violin to 'open'. Thank you for posting it! I have 2 that I could repair in this manner, but have been a bit hesitant to ever remove a back or a top. Love your videos, and SO appreciated!! Was actually looking for violin bridges today- then saw this one. Thanks again!
Very gentle spirit that is necessary for his craft. One of the instruments I don't have but the knowledge is fascinating to learn.
Thanks
I am a violinist and I really enjoyed watching this, thank you!
Can't believe how detailed your Job is !
Proud of you 💮💮
You are great !!
Your humbleness roars and shows your passion and respect for the instrument .
Nice video. I was curious thou, but never did I ever imagined that we can open it up just like this. This provides many options and solutions to issues that many would think as untreatable. Awesome ! Thanks for the video. Would definitely share :)
Coming in late but this is really useful, thank you. I have some old violins that I am converting into different instruments and knowing how to open the top makes my life so much easier. Many thanks.
Oh you play so good. My father was a violinist and he used to play this and many pieces I wish you were in Sydney Australia instead of India. Thank you for your suggestions it makes perfect sence
Thank Your Sir. I just wanted to open my violin to rewrite my name with a sharpie pen and sand the insides. 😂 I made it during a basic violin assembly course. Had to rush through the procedure. Now this video makes me both worried and intrigued.😂😅
This video is strangely satisfying
thank you for posting this video here in New York City 6:03 in the morning trying to to learn more about the violin world
Thank you Daniel, you are a Hero. I have not find video in portuguese for how to do this. You did help me so much! A lot of regards for you! Sorry my English is of the student, I'm learning it!
I could watch luthiers all day, every day. Excellent.
Good video. Something to try.......before removing the top take the blunt side of an Exacto Knife and score the joint seam all the way around the under edge of the top....where the top meets the body. Just scrape a line against the joint all the way around. This will minimize the chance of splintering and taking off wood and finish from the body. Sometimes just by doing this a section of the top might break free and give you a clean opening to insert the pallet knife. Best regards from a retired instrument repairman in Boston.
Thanks for posting. I repair English-made concertinas and I face problems when removing the ornate fretwork ends when then need repairing or replacing. This video was useful since I face a similar set of issues when opening the ends of a concertina.
Thank you for sharing this. Most violin repairers are secretive about the way to do repairs. Really enjoyed seeing how to do this!
Thanks again, you taught how to take off my first top few years back🎻
I thought the clamps and specialist tools looked stunning in themselves, it was an interesting lesson, even though I'm not a violinist. The history of violin has a story to it. Thank-you for adding to my education.
Great video Daniel, thanks to you now i know how to open a violin, keep up the good work.
You are an amazing man. I enjoyed your video. You can buy several of those long knives you were talking about at any kitchen chef supply stores, or maybe at Walmart. Just look in the cooking utensil section. It's what they use for flipping large soft tortilla, or used as a kitchen utensil. To scrape under and across large cookie sheets. I'm not sure what it's called. But the way you utilize the simplicity of what you have accumulated throughout your years of knowledge and experience, is very inspiring. Thank you, for taking the time out to show us how to repair , utilizing tools, and patience.
Great video, great class, great english. Thank you very much for posting. Hugs from Brazil.
I opened over ten violins by myself as a hobby. The easiest way to open it is to pour a small amount of hot water over the glued parts. The animal glue is highly water soluble.
You are a very good teacher thank you for sharing
Very informative and helpful. Thank you for this lesson.
Thank you very much, master luthier from Japan....very nice video....many thanks, many, many !!!
Great video. I definitely gasped at 9:10 though
No idea how I got to this video.
But that was great .
If I tried doing that, I would have wound up with a pile of toothpicks on the floor.
And I'd owe somebody a new violin.
That's the sign of a very skilled craftsman. Everything looks easy.
Thank you for sharing this. Greetings from Argentina, maestro.
Oh how I love your inspirational videos I am trying to fix my old violin which has a crack on the top and don't know what to do! Because there are no much old violin repair left in Goa. I feel I should try after watching your videos.
Very pleasant person! Thank's for upload!
Amazing person.I don't think I would ever attempt it.Ray
thank you sir, its was very helpfull when my violin broken and i dont have money.
i was saving money for 4 months for violin everything is expensive when you are collage student... so took a guts to do it my self carefully and i did nicely. because of your video...
thanks SIR...
could you more detailed and slowly when explaining it will easier to understand...
keep going....
The title called how to open a violin but......when we look at it it is not just opening simply....WELLL GREAT JOB DANIEL YOU ARE A GOOD VIOLIN tutorial because yeah its my first time having a violin even I cannot do it this video really nice and helpful.
It never crossed my mind that a violin might need to be opened for repair one day. I found the video to be very informative. Other comments suggested using heat or water to open a violin makes no sense to me. Extreme heat will warp the timber and water will cause timber to swell and deformed the shape.
Super ❤️
Not that I will ever have to open a violin - but I always wanted to know how it's done.
Thanks a lot for this video!
Thanks Daniel: Wow I like it very much. In the past I open to repair one, but using different method. I like the way you do it and explain nice and easy. Thanks A Merck
Thank you for your excellent instruction.
Great words of advice at the end. 👍👍
You're a great man, Daniel. Thanks for show your experience. God Bless from Ireland:
Renzo *
The spectacle of the labor of others fascinates! Great!
Thank you for this Good, Good , vidéo, is very interest ! for open the violin ! the bst for Japan ...!!
Very interesting. I've done a similar procedure to remove the top of a very old Ukulele that was built using hide glue. But I used warm air from a hair drier to help soften the glue joint as I ran a hot blade such as yours, around the edge.
I'd love to see another video on the reassembly process.
Thank you, Mr Daniel. Always enjoy your videos.
this is great video. I am gonna try on my father's violin tomorrow. Thx
Ask him first before you break it
Thank you Daniel O
This looks like it takes a lot of practice to do carefully. It’s cool to watch.
How clearly and with respect he is saying VIOLIN.
well done . congrats on 100,000 subscribers .
Found the perfect stainless steel putty knife (old!) to make my "opening knife". The seam is now hide glued and clamped with home made clamps my grandfather made from wooden spools for thread (sewing supplies).
I really like your videos. I am learning a lot. I have a question. Since glue will not stick to wax residue from the knife do you clean the edges of the ribs, blocks, and top with alcohol before gluing it back together? thanks
Every good video, many thanks.
Yes! I knew there had to be a better way to open violins! Thanks for sharing your technique (and handmade tools)
Спасибо. Приятно смотреть на открытых и добрых людей, а ведь душа у настоящего мастера и должна быть настоящая. Я из России, тоже мастер щипковых инструментов. У нас много общего в работе.
Thank you for sharing your secrets
You are such a cheerful gentleman. Can you play a concerto before every video has completed. Sure would like to hear you play. Thank you
Thanks a lot ! really helpfull vidéo ! can you tell me what glu are you using for the Fingerboard and the neck ?
I will never ever open my violin but such a great video, thanks for showing it! Try to be a little nicer in your comments though. I get it some people are just rude, telling you something is wrong even though you have all the experience and they are clearly wrong themselves. But still, they are your visitors and subscribers, be a little gentle with us please :D We are not your students, most just come to learn about the craft, not to actually learn the craft itself I think. For most of us it is like watching a discovery documentary about quantum mechanics, while we never will become theoretical physists. We will never become luthiers but we are very curious about how it is done :) So nice you share it all, especially since so many luthiers are scared to share their craft. I think those who are scared simply do not understand how big the experience is they have and how incredibly important that is to work with these materials. It is like an art form in itself. I once heard violin music consists of three artists: nature, the luthier and the violinist. Maybe you can make a book someday about your experiences as a luthier? Not about learning to repair, but about the people you met and their violins, their problems and the solutions. How you learned and evolved during your life as a luthier. I love the fact you found that cheese knife to be the best tool to open the violin. This shows you not only repeat what you learned, but you love your craft and improve upon it and think about it. Thanks for the great video!
Sander Smit great idea, I will tell more stories about the violin world.
Thank you Daniel.. You are a fine Man..
Thank you! Learned what I needed to know to repair my bass. It has a simple open seam but I wasn't sure how to break the hide glue without damaging anything.
Amazing video, you’re a very talented violin maker. I love your passion for your work it makes me very happy and interested in what your doing. I don’t have a violin that I need to open up. But your video was very easy to follow. If I ever need to open my violin I probably would take it somewhere because I’m to scared to do anything to my violin but I wish I could actually follow your videos.
Daniel you're awesome!
Very informative. thank you for taking the time to make this video.