Fiddle Rescue Results

Some of you may remember that last October I posted about my then recent acquisition - a very old fiddle in need of some serious help. Paul Strelau from the Student String Shop in Fairport, New York took on the challenge (giving me plenty of time to change my mind if I came to my senses) and here are the surprising results. (Interior photos courtesy of Paul Strelau.)

Isn't she pretty? I have to say that it cleaned up really well. Cosmetically speaking, there was a lot of built up rosin on there and I'm certain it took Paul a good bit of cleaning to get it all off. The edges have a darker finish that accents its hourglass shape and at first, I wasn't sure I was too crazy about that, but it's kind of grown on me!

This violin definitely has character (ie, age-related damage) and had no shortage of cracks that needed cleaning and cleats. However, popping the top revealed a few more surprises than just several nasty cracks.

My violin has a dorsal fin! Well, not really, but it does have a bass bar that was "carved from" rather than "applied to" the top. Check it out. According to Paul, this was a somewhat common Bohemian practice of the time (prior to 1900), although he notes that this particular bass bar is quite small. It's a new one on me, but I'm first to admit that I haven't been prying into many violins.

Then there is the matter of the lower corner blocks that weren't...They looked like corner blocks, until the top came off! Paul also told me that although the top and bottom plates were graduated to the correct tolerances, the ribs were incredibly thick with some of the original rough saw cuts still visible.

So, with all these issues, one has to wonder what a violin like this is going to sound like? To quote Paul Strelau, "It sounds better than it should." - and I wholeheartedly agree.

When Paul called to tell me what he found inside, I admit that I was a bit queasy. After all, it was at the point of "fish or cut bait" and the pond wasn't looking particularly well stocked. I am happy to report (obviously!) that we decided to "fish" anyway and were pleasantly surprised by the result.

I couldn't believe it, but this violin actually has more volume than my Lowendall fiddle and has been holding its own at our weekly jam sessions. Tone is pretty good too, especially the low end (it's got a great rumble to it!), while the mid-range and high end are quite decent as well without being tinny or thin. My teacher played it for some time the other night without relinquishing it voluntarily (had to ask for it back!) which says a lot as he doesn't impress easily when it comes to fiddles. The sponged hourglass finish wasn't to his liking though...guess that is a love/hate thing. lol.

In the end, I'm very happy that I decided to have the fiddle repaired. It was a gamble though, and I wouldn't recommend investing your nest egg in any old fiddle. Listen to the advice of an expert (thank you, Paul!) and proceed with caution - mixed with gut instinct, because like in life, you never know what you're gonna get!