Violin Repair: How to "Really" Repair, Replace and Overhaul a Hill Fine Tuner and Make It Wonderful!
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- Опубликовано: 3 май 2021
- Is your fine tuner difficult to turn? This is the "REAL" answer. Better sound and no more string protectors!
Instructions for the professional repair shop, and the novice violin player.
Note: At 29:52 I said "fine tuner" instead of "tailpiece." = I seem to do this sometimes when I'm making videos. :)
Tapered Round Ruby Stone / File
3000 grit 100 x 4 x 2 mm
www.ebay.com/itm/174220703067...
Rat Tail File / Needle File / Round file
Grobet Vallorbe 14 cm #4
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www.ebay.com/itm/GLARDON-VALL...
Fels Naptha Laundry Soap Bar
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www.amazon.com/Fels-Naptha-La...
Fiber Gasket Paper
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Fel-Pro 3187 Gasket material .0625 thick
www.zoro.com/felpro-gasket-ma...
3m Wet-Dry Sandpaper / Wetordry Tri-M-ite Paper A wt
413Q 400
- single sheets are usually available locally
www.amazon.com/3M-Wetordry-Ab...
Piano Wire .037" dia
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www.mscdirect.com/product/det...
Vise Grips
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www.mscdirect.com/product/det...
www.amazon.com/4-Inch-Curved-...
Drill Bits
.055" dia
www.mscdirect.com/product/det...
Duct Tape = Local Hardware Store
In addition to file that edge I use the plastic protector. Last time my E string broke for that reason was 35 years ago, when I was 15 years old and I learned that little trick😊
Kevin, your videos are wonderful.
Your explanation about filing is very good!
You really do fine work, I must say.
In many machine shops, they have a ball tumbler that could be used to clean up all the burrs on the tuner arm, but it requires finer tumbling stones.
Of course, each additional operation adds cost to the part, so that's why they don't do it (I bet).
Coming from a guitar background, I live and die by fine tuners.
Thanks for the clue about the Soap as lubricant.
My favorite is the Otto low-mass fine tuning tailpiece.
For refurbishing the threads on the fine tuner, I would use a thread gauge to discover the thread pitch and then use the proper size thread die to chase the threads and clean them up. Of course not everyone has such tools or knows how to use them.
Thanks for your comments. I'll have to share how much I truly do love tools when I continue with my tour of the violin shop videos. :)
Keep on your fantastic job and sharing please!
I love your drama and theatre!And of course all your knowledge that you share very kindly!
From Reykjavik with love, Rui.
Thank you for this. I just “upgraded” from my whitner with built in tuners to an instrument that may be cheap as far as violins are concerned, but is a lot to me, and was so disappointed with how hard the fine tuner is to use. Looks like I’ve got a project :)
Great attention to detail; thank you for taking the time to make the video!
Kevin, always so amazing and modest. Thank you!
I believe that's the first time in my life that I have ever been called modest. :) Thank you so much for your comment!
Thank you sir, spot on I just put some eye glass tabbing on my Hill hooks recently . The passion string are require file the ball ends with needle file. Your Idea is just what the Dr. Ordered. THANKS SO MUCH!
I keep all my broken drills to make punches. To smooth of the arm of the tuner I would hold the arm in the molegrips or a handheld vice and slide it along a fine sharpening stone
Thanks for your comment! Nothing says that anyone must use the same tools that I do. :)
Love all the details.
i don't even play the violin but these vids are really high quality...and this dude is relaxing/quirky to watch lol
Kevin, great video! Unexpectedly useful despite such a simple topic. Respect! The idea of shimming the tuner is awesome, thank you.
You are so welcome!
There are so many things in and on a violin that look simple at first, yet are actually quite involved if you want everything just right. Thanks for your comment!
What a great and informative video on something so basic as an E string fine tuner, I was wondering how you were going to get 40 minutes on tweaking a fine tuner but you did, excellent job.
Thank you. It's 40 minutes long and I didn't even mention about how the threads are sometimes made with too much slop (clearance between the threads) and it can make the tuners difficult to turn from the very beginning. = If I said everything that I really wanted to, it would be over an hour.
Thank you, maestro, I was only going as far as rounding the hook and lubricating with soap. The rest I had no idea. I use the Goetz tuner nowadays which is superior to the Hill.
Yes, the Goetz is superior to many of the modern "knock-offs" of the Hill fine tuner, yet I must admit that I'm still partial because of my initial experiences with the original Hill tuners, and the slightly better sound that they produce on "most" of my instruments, but not all. Thank you so much for your comment!
Do you still clean and repair old violins for customers? I have my Grandpa's. It was made around 1850 by a luthier where my grandpa went to school at the music conservatory in Brussels. He bought it used from his instructor. He graduated First in his class. He quit playing during the depression when he went to medical school. It sat in it's case ever since. I'd like it cleaned and tuned up.
What a great tip using soap.
Hi Kevin,
I have been searching for a video like this for a long time. Great job! Would it be possible to see the links (if available) for where you get your Hill style fine tuners? Thanks and well done!
I have purchased them from many wholesale distributors and dealers: the ones still in business are Deltex, Howard Core, International Violin Company, M&M (Shar), etc..
you should switch to brush away metal chips. if you blow, chances are these find their way into your eye and start to rust. thats something that will cost you your eyesight
one last question: does the spacer affect the sound? i remember seeing a video from you where different tailpieces did affect the sound, so im curious.
great video!!
In my "humble" opinion, everything affects the sound of a fine violin, though every instrument is unique. In the case of adding a gasket paper spacer to a thin tailpiece, if anything, it usually gives an ever-so-slightly smoother fuller sound. On thicker tailpieces, there is usually no noticeable difference. Though always make sure that you allow your violin to completely settle back in before making any final judgements.
@@kevinleeluthier thanks a lot! :)
well to avoid these from getting smashed again, you could heat-treat them like a throwing knife, right?
The brass and gold screws are pretty soft, and most black/steel screws are not the best "heat-treatable" steel, so I would stick to the rework as shown. How smooth the arm is, is the most important ingredient for success.
@@kevinleeluthier thanks a lot! :)
i use silicon grease
Hi Kevin,
I am buying a new fine tuner. Which would you recommend from the following options:
1. Regular Hill style; 2. Titanium Hill Style from Stradpet; 3. Goetz
Thanks!
I still prefer the original Hill style when it is "completely reworked" as shown in this video. But, if you are putting the fine tuner on with no "reworking" I would usually choose #1 the Goetz, #2 the Titanium, #3 the Hill. I hope this helps!
@@kevinleeluthier i really like Stradpet titanium
I know you were very specific, but what are your thoughts on beeswax as an alternative thread lube? I have some for Guitar repairs and construction use.
Beeswax thickens and thins with temperature, while the Naptha soap stays consistent over time, and regardless of the temperature. Naptha also has more "body" for filling in old, loose, corroded worn-out threads (which I have run into many times) and it gives a smooth, more solid feel. Yet, to each their own: Beeswax will work I know that a fair number of shops use it.
@@kevinleeluthier Thank you... I had no idea some shops use it. Just have some... and it crossed my mind. In fact... it is what I thought you were going to hold up as I watched the video. The soap really surprised me. Just know that I believe what you tell me. ✨
Does Naptha bar soap work as pegs compound?
Only if you're desperate. It's not nearly as good.
No homo!😂😂😂