Blackerby Violin Shop has the most complete repair and restoration shop for strings in Central Texas. Repairs are done using time-tested methods and materials that stress a conservative and "reversible" approach. We provide a written estimate up front and get prior approval from the customer before proceeding if there is significant deviation from the estimate. Sound post adjustment or sound post patch, bring your instrument to us for professional and affordable repair.




Our luthier, John Koehler, is restoring this old 1920's Juzek bass. We'll document his progress in this year-long project on this page. The top is full of cracks running from top to bottom, including a large crack under the bass bar. There's also a massive sound post crack running both with and across the grain. The top is severely misshapen and poorly-done previous repairs won't make the job any easier. John actually began the restoration in the spring of 2011 and is on schedule to complete the job before the summer of 2012.





















A look at the bass bar crack...and a picture showing the web of cracks going in all directions around the sound post.
















With the top off, we get a better look at the damage and previous repairs. You can see the crack along the bass bar and an added strip of wood with cleats which still came open. In the last picture, an old favorite...a rib cleat glued in using the 'thread and drill' method. Suffice to say that crack is also open.

















One rare example of when a bad previous repair might have made things easier. The old sound post patch was so poorly fit, much of it simply lifted out with pallet knife. John removed the remaining patch with small planes.























A restoration of this magnitude cannot be undertaken without a plaster cast. First a frame is made around the bass's belly. Then a vacuum pump removes all the air between a large piece of latex and the top. Finally, John pours the plaster with the latex stretched taut and bubble-free.






















After only a day or so, the plaster is set (and generating substantial heat!) The cast then sat for several weeks to allow all the moisture to leach out. John meticulously scrapes and sands the tiny imperfections left behind.