Violin Forum/Message Board

[Mat Roop]

This Roman Teller violin came in yesterday with a neck that had let go and now has "re-stuck" itself in the dropped position.

I am reluctant to go to the usual neck removal technique of cutting down beside the neck root and giving it the "chop" as I am hoping not to cause any damage that I will have to repair later.
On the other hand because the neck is not seated, I am concerned that applying force laterally might break the neck root or damage the sides of the neck mortise.

In this circumstance, how have you been successful?

I do have some desiccant and am thinking of bagging just the neck root along with a bag of desiccant, and maybe the neck will let go?

Your advice will be most appreciated!
Cheers, Mat

[FiddleDoug]

How about making a wood counterform that will fit under the curve of the neck, and allow you to tap up and in with a small hammer? Add a few drops of alcohol the the joint, give it a minute to work, then tap. Are you sure that someone didn't put some carpenters glue in there?
_________________
Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

[Michael Darnton]

It doesn't look to me like the neck restuck itself: I see a glue mess around the bottom. In that case, I think you're going to have to take it out the usual way. It's glued ugly, but it's still glued.
_________________
new blog at my site! http://darntonviolins.com/blog
my work sites: http://darntonviolins.com and http://darntonhersh.com

[Mat Roop]

Thanks guys...
The messy glue business according to the owner is from the self repair of the ebony crown that had broken, and I did ask if the neck had been previously out and re-glued, but he was not certain.
Makes me wonder why the crown broke if not because of the neck having come loose before. So as you suggest, it may indeed be white glue.

BTW... white glue aside, what do you think of the desiccant idea as opposed to the alcohol? I'm tempted to try it for the sake of experimentation.... maybe even some ice packs to cool it all down before I tap. I'm not concerned about using alcohol, but rather curious about the effect of desiccant.
Many thanks for your advice!... Mat

[Michael Darnton]

That looks like hide glue to me, and if he fixed just the collar, he sure made a mess of it, and I wouldn't take his word for anything about the previous condition or what he did, either. I still think the best approach is the normal one.
_________________
new blog at my site! http://darntonviolins.com/blog
my work sites: http://darntonviolins.com and http://darntonhersh.com

[Mat Roop]

The neck was indeed glued in with yellow glue, as is the fingerboard.
I was successful by forcing matching 1/4 in wide wedges under the fingerboard from both sides right next to the neck root and while under pressure from the wedges, I heated the neck root with a hair dryer... took some time to get the heat thru to soften the glue, but slowly, as I kept pushing the wedges, the glue gave way and the neck pulled out with no damage.
Thanks y'all for your advice & thoughts! ... cheers, Mat

[FiddleDoug]

Glad to hear that it came out. Hope that you're charging the client for the extra time.
_________________
Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

[Mat Roop]