AboutAl Dzina Expertise I can answer questions about violin and guitar making and restoration. I will not answer questions about playing these instruments, because I am a maker, not a player.
Experience I was trained in violin making in Germany and have been working at this craft for sixty years.
Expert: Al Dzina Date: 4/24/2008 Subject: Accident with violin
Question Hello Al, My daughter's student violin (approx $400) suffered an unfortunate accident that seperated the tuning box from the neck with a clean break with the grain of the maple. The rest of the violin appears unharmed. Is it acceptable to use a modern glue such as Weldbond for such a repair? There will certainly be tension on the repair when the strings are reinstalled, and I am wondering if modern glues will hold better than hide glue. Thank you very much for your expert opinion. Bill.
Answer Hi Bill;
Yes Weldbond III is stronger then hide glue. If the peg box seperated
and happened to crack right through one of the peg holes you must remember that the tapered peg will put a great deal of pressure and will cause the wood to open. I always put very small dowel pins in that area to support the crack. This needs to be done with the greatest of care.
Al;
