Repair
of student instruments, and restoration of fine professional and antique instruments
is a major part of the work of our violin shop. Literally Hundreds of instruments
pass through our hands every year, and our loyal customers bring or send us
their precious instruments from all over the United States, from California
to Florida.
We keep a photo log of most of our difficult and/or challenging repairs. If
you have a damaged or neglected instrument, we have the expertise and equipment
to put it back into fine condition for you.
(All
Photos may be enlarged by clicking on them)
The
ribs of this instrument were badly damaged at the lower block.
This
is an inside shot of the ribs and block after it was restored. Note the grafted
section of new wood that strengthens the restored area.
It
is done! Retouched, and Beautiful! After proper restoration, much of a fine
restorer’s work in nearly impossible to detect.
A
repair shop had “fixed” the instrument and put plastic wood in the hole.
Note
the f-hole damage, the sunken areas around the bridge feet, and other damage.
After
making a supporting casting, I removed the old repairs and the plastic wood.
Then I grafted a piece of matching wood into the hole and put a soundpost patch
in the top. Other damage was appropriately restored (mouse chewed f-hole and
all.)
This
is the completed restoration. The damage is almost indiscernible.
This
is a seriously damaged and poorly repaired violin by the French maker Remy.
It was sent to us from a client in Florida, and had a hole in the soundpost
area that went completely through the top. The f-hole on the treble side had
been badly chewed by a mouse, there was damage near the eye of the bass side
f-hole, as well as other damage.
"Rodger
Stearns beautifully brought back to life my beautiful Remy violin that had been
maliciously defaced and broken. Most thought the violin could never look good
though repaired, however, that was not the case. the restoration brought the
violin back to its original beauty and tone quality. I have been grateful to
know such a fine craftsman as Rodger Stearns."
Sincerely,
Dr. John Enyart
Here
is the restoration journey of a lovely little Kloz violin that is owned by Daryl
Siberman, a professional violinist from California:
When
we got the violin, it was a very sad little instrument. The top was very badly
sunken in the bridge area (Sorry we couldn’t get a picture to show how bad it
was.) There was considerable worm damage. The back button had been broken off
and replaced with poorly matching wood. The ribs had numerous problems due to
impact damage and worms. (This instrument has been around for nearly 300 years!)
The
worms did a number on this rib
The
back button has been removed in preparation for repairs
Note
the worm holes in the top. This is near the neck. (some of our repairs have
already been completed in the neck and edge areas
Here
we are pressing out the distortion in the center of the top
The
top is ready to receive a patch in the neck area. This part had been severely
damaged and poorly repaired, perhaps many times
The
new back button, and rib repair (inside)
And
outside!
Worm
damaged area ready to retouch
Retouched,
but not yet rubbed out
The
little Kloz is happy again!
(Notice
there is no distortion in the top arching.)
I'm very impressed
with the restoration work Rodger Stearns did for me on a Klotz violin I picked
up during my travels. His attention to detail is amazing. Rodger is such a
great source of information, I really have learned a lot about the construction
and upkeep of the instrument and bow from him. You couldn't ask for a better
craftsman or a nicer person.
Whatever
the problem may be with your violin family instrument, we can restore it! Contact
us to discuss your repair or restoration concerns.
Daryl
Silberman
s
