Violin Forum/Message Board

Geemac · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:12 am Post subject: a tip

Being a neophite violin maker with no training, I tend to experiment and have found many methods and ideas that help me. The other day I was beating on my latest attempt while using an evil sanding block and [oops] I sanded right through the previous layer of finish and stain. There it was, a bare patch right in the middle of the best piece of tiger maple(AKA fiddleback) I have ever worked upon. In the workshop snooping through my assortment of stains I came up empty trying for a color match. It turned out I was in the wrong room. I should have been in the kitchen. There, I discovered a liquid product known as 'Kitchen bouquet'. It's job seems to be darkening the color of gravy. With nothing to lose I dabbed a bit on the back of my creation and the color matched. Hot diggity! If you try this remember to try it first on a piece of scrap and you need to know that it sets up fairly quickly, so move quickly to spread it out when you apply it. When it sets it becomes sticky. If you take it out into the sun for about two minutes it will dry, then you can apply your varnish over it.
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GeeMac

Oded Kishony · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:59 am Post subject:

And....ifit doesn't work out you can have it for a snack Very Happy

FiddleDoug · Member Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 227 Location: Hilton, NY

You might want to keep your fiddle away from any dogs!
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Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

byacey · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:19 pm Post subject:

Just a word from past experience - what looks good / ideal now may stick out like a sore thumb later on as the violin ages. Many colorants tend to fade or change hue with time. I'm not saying this is going to happen, but you may have a bright green or purple patch in the middle of the back someday. When it's unknown what the pigment is or from where the color was derived, it's impossible to determine the long term stability of the color.

Mat Roop · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:07 pm Post subject:

byacey is right... and how would you know that the hot diggety and the varnish are compatible?... over time? you may end up with cold diggety doggey doo!

Geemac · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:15 am Post subject:

Well, the stuff I'm making, I wouldn't sell or give to anyone. So, it doesn't matter at this point.

I particularly enjoyed the 'cold diggety doggey doo' remark. Very creative and it made me laugh out loud. Thanks for the chuckles. Anyway, it should be tested on scrap wood first. If the back turns green before I die, I'll let you know. Smile

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GeeMac