How to Really Clean and Polish a Fine Violin / A "Natural" French Polish / How to Remove Rosin
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 18 мар 2020
- Cleaning your Violin is important whether it's inexpensive or worth millions of dollars. Here is a rare example that allows the demonstration of almost every technique.
! CORRECTION !: I got so distracted making thIs video that I called the Chinrest a Tailpiece!!!
Thanks Kilimanjarno
NOTE: I do not have the owner's permission to publish information about this violin.
Many original masters put black ink on the chamfers = don't try to remove it!
CONNECT WITH KEVIN LEE LUTHIER!
/ kevin_lee_luthier
/ kevinlee.luthier
websites:
www.kevinleeluthier.com/
the-romantic-school-of-music.com/
List of items:
I DON'T GUARANTEE SUPPLIERS or products, especially if they've changed.
These are direct links / I don't get paid anything for suggesting them.
Startex Denatured alcohol 0 8623670041 9: Sherwin-Williams Paint Stores.
Optivisor
www.amazon.com/Donegan-OptiVi...
GoPro Hero 5 Black, try a new Hero 7 or 8 Black?
Lens
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
Microphone
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
I cut and bent it out of 1/8" aluminum plate.If someone has a better idea, I am open minded!
T-Shirt = At your local Thrift Store. Make sure they are 100% cotton.
Cutting Mat
www.amazon.com/Rotary-Cutting...
Rotary Cutter
www.amazon.com/OLFA-9551-Stra...
Joha Varnish Cleaner
www.violinpros.com/products/j...
theviolincenter.com/collectio...
Brushes:
-
Grumbacher 7702 1" brush = I couldn't find it online = use your best judgement.
-
Liquitex Basic 1/2 Stroke 693 U.S.A. (same thing), then I cut the bristles to 13mm or 1/2 inch long to stiffen it up.
-
4mm ( 0 size) stiff bristle brush = at you local craft store
Surgical scissors
???
www.amazon.com/STT-IRSTR5-Dis...
Violin Restoration:
www.amazon.com/Violin-Restora...
Two Trees
the-romantic-school-of-music.c...
Squeeze bottles:
I purchased:
hvchemical.com/product/boston...
-
or?
www.amazon.com/Plastic-Droppe...
Steel Wool
???
www.amazon.com/Briwax-Oil-Fre...
Diamond Round Toothpicks
www.amazon.com/Diamond-Round-...
HILL Peg Compound
www.amazon.com/HILL-Original-...
Minwax ebony stain & sealer
www.lowes.com/pd/Minwax-Ebony...
Lightbulb on my light
www.amazon.com/Replacement-Bu...
18 gage multistrand wire = local hardware store
scoop for wires
www.amazon.com/Shovel-Diamond...
The Plastic Case
www.amazon.com/IRIS-Portable-...
Tiny Q-Tips: ?:
www.amazon.com/TecUnite-Piece...
Wow! This was a lot of work. You can donate in $2 increments at:
the-romantic-school-of-music.c...
![Chk Chk Boom - Stray Kids ストレイキッズ 스트레이 키즈 [Music Bank] | KBS WORLD TV 240719](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/63QPwqCRGcw/mqdefault.jpg)
I thought I was a perfectionist when it came to cleaning my acoustic guitar, but this man wrote the book on it!!! Beautiful!
and with such patient passion.
Why the hell would you do this with strings on. Perhaps the owner told hom to leave strings on. Like trying to clean a table with things still on it. Can never be as thorough with strings on.
Edit: finally got around to explaining at 35:50. Sheesh
@@jonshomo1167 Thanks for your comment. It is amazing what I've had to do "with the strings on" and while the customer running late for their next performance. :)
9😊
I had no intention of watching the full 46 minutes one sitting but I ended up doing just that! Thank you for posting this!
You are very welcome!
Thank you for spending the time.
My dear, you are such a precious master luthier. I enjoy your style and your love for these beautiful works of art.
Thank you.
What you do is a poety for me.
I can't stop watching and listening.
The violin...I bought and started practicing a few months ago at the age of 62. I feel priviliged.
OMG! It's astonishing how you are sharing this precious knowledge with us this way!
Thank you so much!
It is my pleasure. If my videos can keep just one more master instrument from being ruined, it will all be worth it!
I just found your video Kevin and it is amazing. Thank you for all the effort to video the cleaning and varnishing. Now - I’ve got to take a close look at my 71 year old violin!
Why didn't you remove the strings 1st?
the best way to remove old rosin/dirt from a violin is to use xylene, since almost all violin varnishes are totally unaffected by this solvent (of course try a small area first). Once the violin has been cleaned up, traditionally it is french polished, however there is an alternative way to polish a violin that does not use any solvent or add any finishing material such as shellac or oil; this is by using a wax finish that is very long-lasting, repels dirt and rosin which can easily be wiped off with a rag. The wax finish can easily be removed. The best wax finish I have found is Saphir Medaille d’Or Mirror Gloss - Natural Wax Polish (for Leather Shoes & Boots) it also works great as a polish for wood. This hard wax finish is easy to apply and polishes to a mirror gloss shine extremely easily with very light buffing with a soft cloth. Another very highly recommended polish for violins is Wyman's Furniture Cream, which gives a somewhat softer finish than the Saphir wax.
Just love the way you share your knowledge Kevin, romantically, poetically and with a purpose. For the love of music.
I applaud for your tenacity and great attention to detail. The violin is truly a work of art and will be in service for years to come.
Probably the best video I've seen on this subject! Your passion for the instrument is infectious :)
I did not expect to watch the entire but here I am. Amazing video and invaluable knowledge provided here! Thank you so much for your work and I hope you're having a great time all the time!
Exceptional craftsmanship, patience and resolve. Great great work on a classic!!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Wow! A labor of love! I now have greater appreciation for French proper cleaning and French finish…thank you!
What a great video, and that varnish turned out so beautiful when your work was finished. I'll definitely come back here whenether I need information on how to properly clean my violin
Kevin is tenacious in his quest to make the best violin luthier videos on RUclips
As a keen violinist and amateur violin maker, I found this absolutely fascinating - really interesting and clear explanations, and super filming. What a transformation in the instrument.
Thank you! It just so happens that I'm doing this same operation on an instrument this afternoon, only the strings are coming off this time (which makes the operation easier).
And the difference before and after "feels" even better. These instruments really do have wonderful "souls.'
Hi Kevin, Sir.
You just made my day, and probably more after today.
I am so impressed with your talent and skill set. I haven't seen anyone come close to the finesse, perfection, and detail, while patiently performing the task I just witnessed
in a very long time.
Probably about 40 years ago.
I used to help my father repair, refinish, restore,and touch up many
many pieces of antique furniture and any thing related, even antique cabinetry and moldings in antique homes.
Wow, I still have some of the knowledge from those days.
I was 12 years old and until about 20.
Im glad I found your channel!
Im thinking of learning the violin.
I have two to work with.
I feel inspired and want to Thank you for your time and knowledge. Also I look forward to watching more of what you do.
People like you are far and few.
Best Regards,
Brian Hoffmaster
Lancaster County Pa
Kevin thank you so much for spending time to teach us about the violin in more detail. I am a luthier also here on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. I must say I learned so much from you spending time the different aspects of repair and clean the violin. Thank you much. T Farrell
Brilliant video! The best video on this subject available. I’ve watched every one. Wow! I can hardly wait for the next video.
Thank you so much for your positive comment. My next video is already in the works.
Can not agree more. This is the best video I have ever seen on violin cleaning
Wow. I’m a violinist but I guess it turns out I know next to nothing about what happens in the shop when I take my instrument in for maintenance. I personally will leave all of this to professionals such as yourself but I thank you so very much for sharing what tremendous skill and artistry is involved with this work. Thank you so much for the video!
Steve K.
I love your comment, because these videos are just as much for the education and appreciation of musicians as they are for those who actually perform the work.
Huge appreciation for your skill and the work that went into sharing it with us. I recently bought a cello circa 1850 which has been well cared for but is ready for a cleaning. This video confirms I am correct that it needs to be taken to a professional for cleaning. Thank you so much.
This video is the most useful at the whole internet! I thank you Kevin!
I just can't express how grateful I am!
Your appreciation is my best reward. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this wonderfully done lesson. I watched every little bit of it completely inthralled. I’m blessed in many ways... and one is that usually I know when I’ve been given a priceless timeless gift, and then try to show my appreciation. I don’t always choose the perfect words, but please understand that I want what I say to help to give whatever you need inside to feel your time and effort is worth it... and has touched this guy right here, in California, once again. Thank you very very much!
Thank you, once again. That means so much to me.
What an amazing transformation!! That was very interesting. The finished "product" looks beautiful.
Spectacular video, Sir. I love French Polishing. The smell, feel, and results are hard to describe unless you have done it. While watching this video, I could almost feel the perfect friction of the pad on the surface and smell the alcohol and shellac. "Don't ever stop while on the varnish", truer words have never been spoken. You have a gift for presentation.
Very helpful! I’m in the process of purchasing a old 19th century violin. It’s a little dirty. Watching this video has me asking the Luthier to clean and polish it. Thanks!
I really enjoy your format, and professionalism of your videos. I follow a few luthiers and all of you make some fantastic videos. Wishing you great success with your channel!
This channel is an underrated gem!
Always a joy watching a man with passion for his work, Bravo sir!
Thanks for devoting your valuable time and knowledge on the subject. I have a Amati 364 year violin which needs to go through a similar process
I just restored a 1946 violin this video helped tremendously
Watched this once again after a year went by, and still fascinating. No, not carried away at all. I do the same thing, writi9ng, and reworking each sentence, each phrase, into just the right pattern to suit the whole. It is not an obsession; it is the quest for perfection.
That thing turned out gorgeous, absolutely stunning 3d flame on the maple parts after the polish! Loved the narrative explaining each step too as well as the playing part at the end, I watched the entire thing twice.
I fix guitars as a hobby and am always absolutely blow away by the techniques, knowledge and materials you violin guys use for work like this.
We generally deal with Polyurethane on our side of the Luthiers genre ... you can basically windex that stuff and it will shine like a diamond without hurting the finish, sometimes in the rare case of a "good" or expensive guitar nitrocellulose lacquer with which you have to be a little more careful but you can get away with a slightly damp cloth with hand soap and it will be just fine. Fingerboards we can use lighter fluid (Naphta) and Linseed oil ... it's basically idiot proof.
Stuff like you did here with the cleaners and polish knowing how careful you have to be with the instruments and their varnish (and the staple/sound post ... another good reason to leave the strings on) to avoid ending up ruining the instrument .... This is true mastery in my opinion!
Both enticing and humbling to watch, thank you.
Absolutely beautiful and stunning violin!!!…. Great job on the thoroughness of your video. Very educational.
I know. I not only didn't ever get bored doing this cleanup work, I couldn't get enough of the beautiful violin underneath! :)
This is fabulous! One doesn't even fully realise the terrible state in which this violin actually was until the final reveal! To me in the beginning it just seemed a bit dull yet bit by bit I realised how much buildup there really was. Thanks for sharing such a fascinating video!
Thank you so much for your comment. Since this instrument (also the violin in my recent fingerboard refinishing video), I'm on a crusade to inform musicians not to store their cleaning cloths on top of their violins!
I can't thank you enough for this fabulous and inspiring video! I wish I could take lessons from you.
Ok, where do I click to like it more than once? I loved it sooo much, Congrats Kevin.
Not 3 minutes in & I'm learning things.
Awesome video, thanks!
Thank you so much for listing most of the products you use. I had no idea where to even start looking for some of those things...
I have been looking for several years for the answers you give here. Few how to videos give enough information about tools and materials as you do! I am a violinist who just wants to know how to maintain or refurbish beautiful old instruments I find online or in thrift shops to pass on to young students. You are helping me do that. Please keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for your comment. It's a very long story, but I will begin making videos again after being gone for a while.
Outstanding job. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I don't want my violin to get like this one, that's the reason that I always clean it after playing.
Wonderful! a person who loves what he does, it must come from heart and mind..
thank you so very much..for exposing your passion..You are a major inspiration
to any one who loves making music,and the care of their instrument
Thank you. As soon as I get out of this neck brace, there is so much videos like this to come. :)
Excellent presentation! Well worth dealing with the GoPro challenges! Thank You so much in taking the time in doing this and for sharing your knowledge and masterful trade tips! It was very helpful!
I'm so glad that this video is still being appreciated and doing so well. I'm getting ready to do a whole lot more videos = please tell everyone that you know! :)
wonderful and complete wiew of cleaning your instrument.... Thank you Kevin!
You are so welcome!
Wow man, that was beautiful to watch and so helpful. Thank you so much!
Beautiful video, Kevin. I'll never do this to my own instruments (well, I might have a go at my electric guitar) but It's awesome to see it in process. It's also nice to see you making videos again. Thanks for some relaxation and joy in these weird times.
Since it looks like everyone will be spending more time at home, I have made it a point to spend more time making videos over the next couple months.
@@kevinleeluthier and it's much appreciated. I know you did a video where you talked about wood selection before. I'd love to see a video where you talk about the wood you have in your inventory. I'm sure you have some interesting boards with some interesting back stories.
How can someone allow a fine instrument such as that to get into that condition? Amazing results! Beyond cleaning or maintenance to the highest level of conservatorship! Impressive!
Incredible. I thought I would skip through parts, but I've watched every second :D I started playing violin ~2 weeks ago and have been LOVING your videos as well as your general style - detailed and knowledgeable, but without losing the love and art of it. Thank you so much for sharing your mental treasures with us, you are a wonderful human being.
You may not refer to me as a "wonderful human being" after reading my second book (Choice of Loves/"The Book of Honor"), but when it comes to violins and violin making, Thank You So Much! I'm working on another violin lesson right now.
What a master! Your are amazing as a master violin maker and as a violinist!
Very gracious of you to teach this fine technique, and you took a lot of extra effort to develop a film for all to learn; thank you kindly! I'm going to delicately clean an fifties F Style guitar, to begin with. It's safe to try your technique.
(experts have told me that it's probably just a "Sears Roebuck" model, that by the way has a model number stamped inside the neck;:so, who knows)
Hi, exquisite video, so pleasant, the definition of meticulous and thorough cleaning, outstanding craftsmanship. Thank you very much indeed, for sharing. Take care.
Bravo, Maestro Kevin. Muchas Gracias for sharing!
Item # D12 ;-)
This video is fantastic with great attention to accuracy and detail. Your Go-Pro works very well even if you found it tricky. Thanks for this video Kevin. This is up there among the finest on YT! regards, Phil
Wow! It is my honor. And yes, even though I'm using the gopro more and more, it's still "tricky" with a tiny screen, and it makes me look like an amateur sometimes with fumbling hands. :) So, thank you for understanding!
Tbis video is very hekpful to me.
I do appreciate the effort you put into making it for us.
My old violin has rosin that has assimilated inot the varnish.
I read Two Trees and I liked it very much.
Hey that is a good idea you have for cleaning the inside of the violin.
Spectacular! The end result was astonishing. I would be terrified to put alcohol anywhere near my violin. I’ve been looking for information on how to remove some rosin build up from the belly of my 1799 fiddle, and this is the best thing I’ve found. Yet I’m still too afraid to do it myself.
Superb work, Kevin! Thank you so much for demonstrating! G Ire
Marvellous video. It is very useful indeed for all violin lovers.
Beautiful and amazing! Thank you for sharing this. It also cautions me not to try this at home!
I've been restoring violins for 20 years, I wish I would have seen this 20 years ago. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your comment. I can't wait for this neck brace to come off so I can continue with this series of videos.
From grubby to grand! I enjoyed your video. I got a lot of useful information. I buy damaged and or destroyed violins to practice on. 👍👍👍
WOW , ! Bravo ! Great film , great job , great techniques , where have you been my whole life , just kidding , but really , my restoring violin teacher died couple years ago from Montreal , he probably knew about you , and well , thank you , I learned and confirmed a lot , merci .
Beautiful result. Thanks for sharing.
It really was my pleasure.
FANTASTIC! Extreme generosity. Thank you, sir.
You are so welcome.
Very instructive!!
Thanks 🙏🙏
I must admit that I am too impatient when working with varnish. I must be the sledge hammer to your tender touch. Later today I am going to retackle a bad varnish job and this time take a breath, pause, work small and often. I thank you for showing me the way to what I hope is better restoration and cleaning.
I bought a violin for my upcoming retirement when I will finally have time to learn, so I'm a total clean slate. I was blessed to find your videos & will use them as my base for learning. I had a small stint with a music teacher on a rental while waiting for mine to be made. I did not like the way she had a time table regardless of how I was progressing, throwing too much at me at once even thou I explained that I wanted a teacher to learn proper techniques, so not to learn bad habits. When I saw one of your videos talking about practicing one thing until you master it I was thrilled, exactly what I wanted! You are now my go to person for learning everything violin. I read & enjoyed your book too. I do have a question on what I've watched so far, (still watching at this time) why would't you clean everything 1st and then do all the varnish touch ups? Thank you for all that you share with us.
Thank you so much for your compliments. I am working on an entire series of simple violin lessons from the very beginning right now!
All of the raw wood is initially cleaned and sealed first so that the dissolved rosin from the varnish next to it does not get accidentally pushed into it. Raw wood is so thirsty!
It is possible to carefully do as you are suggesting, yet the finish product always seems to turn out better this way, at least for most people.
Thank you for this demo.. very nice workmanship
Thank you. These videos take so much time, I'm glad that they are appreciated.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful video.
What a wonderful video, as a piano restorer wish I'd taken up violin restoration instead. Thank you for a very interesting and informative video, Happy new year.
It's never too late. :) Happy New Year!
Thank you Kevin! Great video , beautiful seeing you work and too bad we can't know what this del'gesu pattern fine violin is.
This is amazing! I just donated. Thank you so much for sharing this with us for free!
You are wonderful. Thank you, and I am finally working on more videos now.
truly, a masterful work.
Absolutely love your videos, the history is great
There is definitely a lot more history to come, since I did inherit almost everything from The Romantic School of Music. I hope to share it all eventually!
Beautifully done. With excellence.
My my! This man is a master and a teacher
I wish I'd found these before making 5 violins and repairing more than 10. Very informative videos and exceptionally well narrated! And I did order Two Trees!
Thank you so much! Thanks for watching, and don't forget to leave a book review!
@@kevinleeluthier Will do!
Wow! Thank you. It makes me want to go apologize to my violin for neglect. This was educational and entertaining.
Thank you very much for making this! It's really interesting to learn about (violinist). It also looks like if you don't get into medical school, you can still do surgery pulling dust bunnies out of violins, it looks like a game of Operation.
Wow. My mother gifted me her violin she played as a child. A luthier told me it's not worth refurbishing it. But still it has some family value. So may have my luck on it. Your video may help me not destroying it. Thank you :)
Please be careful, and always keep in mind the word "finesse" while working.
Fantastic video, thankyou so much you answered all me questions I had about cleaning g.can I ask you what was the material you used to blacken the fingerboard as I need to do this
Awesome video Kevin
I learned a lot with this video. Thank you
i love this video, watching it again because why not
Would like if possible , Mr. LEE, DO A COMPLETE BOW RE-HAIR AS AM STUDYING DIFFERENT BOW REHAIR TECHNIQUES. I DONT BELIEVE IVE EVER SEEN MR. LEE TACKLE A BOW REHAIR. AND THIS IS WHAT POWERS A VIOLIN AFTER ALL. THANK YOU MR
LEE, FOR YOUR WONDERFUL TEACHINGS.
OK. It's on my list. I don't do nearly as many re-hairs as I used to, but at one time Rene Morel was impressed enough to offer me a full time job at an unbelievably high wage to do all his re-hairs. Of course in Manhattan, it was simply a very "nice" wage.
well done buddy , (ex french polisher) satisfying video
BTW, I use a medical endoscope to do inside work! I paid $40 for one at an auction that sold for $18,500 when it was new. Then I changed to a Meade eyepiece camera to hook up to my computer and view on a 47" screen. I have all sorts of gadgets that run inside the fiber optic part to the tip of the endoscope. I have done all sorts of repairs on all string instruments without taking them apart, and I charge a very large amount of money for my repair work! It beats taking the instrument apart, which is such a hazard to the instrument!
Thank you for your knowledge! One question, normally do you remove the strings and fittings before doing a full job? Otherwise it looks that at least a non expert would leave some spots untouched.
Awesome video concerning a real professional cleaning and renewal.
Thanks a lot!
Regards from Germany
You are welcome, and hopefully when the world gets back to normal (whatever that is), I'll be able to visit Germany again. I've only been there once for a few hours while purchasing violin wood and it was wonderful.
Great work! It's good that you apply a thin layer of varnish!
Yes. If I didn't, fresh rosin would begin bonding to the original varnish again.
yes, keep em coming! love your videos :D
Last picture of the Back is beautiful
Wow excelente trabajo maestro, le ha vuelto a dar vida a ese hermoso instrumento, tiene algún tutorial sobre el puente.
Absolutely beautiful result. ;)
Amazing video , Kevin thank you so match
Amazing vídeo. Thank you so much.
Thank you very much for your videos. They are very informative. Could I ask you why you clean the rosin with alcohol and not with turpentine? Please excuse me if this is a dumb question. Cheers.
Thank-you very much, FANTASTIC video! 🙂
Love watching your work:)
Man, I do different types of woodworking, painting, etc. and that tip you gave about rounding one side of the cutter to hold the cutting edge off of the surface you don't want cut seems like a good one. I'm going to get out the diamond sharpeners and give that a shot...I'm kind of embarrassed I never thought of it.
I will give one in return...if you ever want to wrap something in electrical tape and have it hold VERY tightly (keep a seal, basically) just stretch it before you wrap. At some point it rips, and you want to stay shy of that point, obviously, but stretch a few test strips and you'll get the idea. I've even wrapped split garden hoses this way with many wraps and had them hold for many hours. Give it a shot, it works great, and will protect wrapped or soldered wires much better when this method is used. If a long wrap, just pull the roll out a few inches, stretch, wrap, and repeat. If you really need it to be at least very water resistant just take some CA and lightly coat it afterward...also helps hold the ends long term in less than ideal environments.
Nice.
You know I'm just putting some Minwax on my hardwood floor in a certain corner where it had some abuse. But this video is the best isn't it?
Always wonderful presentation! I have a student violin. Not the same. But I think it is beautiful.
Most student violins actually stay fairly clean, and if rosin does build up, it usually only takes the Joha cleaner to do the job.
Hi, great video, where do you get the product you used to clean the rosin from the top, Yoha at 3.56?