By Ryan Hayes A hole in a rib can be two large pieces connected to the rib, or forty pieces in a plastic bag. Each situation is different, but this article is going to focus on the more complicated situations rather than the simple. Whenever a customer brings a plastic bag containing pieces of their […]
A neck graft is often necessary after a break in the neck, or as frequently occurs in cellos, a break at the neck heel. A neck graft may also be necessary to correct neck measurements, a poorly executed graft, or to modernize a baroque setup. This procedure involves removing any remaining neck pieces from the […]
Rib Cracks are a common problem on violin family instruments, and cracks running perpendicular to the grain present different challenges than cracks running parallel to the grain. Without the support of parallel grain lines, cracks perpendicular to the grain need more substantial reinforcement. In this article I will go over how to double a rib to […]
Efficiently making and installing cleats to reinforce cracks is a necessary skill for luthiers. This article will discuss the concept of cleating cracks, provide a simple method for making cleat stock, and fitting cleats. This is the first article in a series I will be writing on the subject of cleats and crack reinforcement methods. […]