Repairing a 1930s Viola Made By John Note

Erick1210

This repair was done a viola belonging to Southwest Symphony player Dinah Hamilton which was made by John Note in the 1930s. It had several cracks in the top plate including a bass bar crack which needed to be repaired, and a couple open seams that needed to be closed. Along with fixing damage done by previous improper repair work. It needed a new fingerboard, bass bar, full setup, and tonal adjustment.

Before:

  • The original bass bar before being replaced
  • Close up of bass bar crack
  • Cleats from previous repair
  • Cleats from previous repair
  • Cracks and fine tuner mark in top plate
  • Fingerboard seam
  • Open Seam
  • previously repaired fingerboard
  • Crack
  • Dirty open center seam

In Progress:

  • Cracks are glued, cleats are chalk fitted, and glued. Prior to shaping

Interior Repairs Finished:

  • New bass bar and shaped cleats
  • Bass bar fitted over cleats

Closing the Box, Final Polish and Setup

Different angles to show that the cracks/seams are completely closed and smooth

End Result:

We were too excited to try the instrument out upon completion so forgot to take pictures of the end result, so a big thank you to Dinah for sending these to us and for trusting us with your amazing instrument!