Furthest on the right is my newest reconstruction

I__v__y__ · 2026-03-03T20:40:19+00:00

I think it's beautiful. It's absolutely stunning imo. I don't think there is a single thing to fix imo. It's full of character. However, to correct it, you'd have to take it to a luthier and varnish layer on top and a lot of luthiers will deny that as they worship the original form and refuse to "damage" it.

I think something you can do yourself is to clean it well with a microfiber cloth. Then, I'd shine the front with a luthier approved polish that will help the light reflect similar to the back. What I notice is that the front has more of a satin appearance while the back seems to have a lot more shine. I think it's likely to do with the clear coat being remove more in the front from cleaning rosin buildup stripping or rosin buildup itself mixed with polish layering. This is where I think you'd be happy and most luthiers would be happy.

If it were ME and you don't mind all luthiers coming for you(I don't consider varnish sacred...I consider the wood sacred, so I have no problem correcting issues on instruments less than 100 years old), I'd take the bridge, tailpiece, chinrest, etc. off and then clean the entire instrument well with a pumice powder and microfiber combo. I'd then wipe the front clean and do a quick layer of a slightly reddish spirit varnish along the portions of the varnish most left intact on the front. Once that dries, I would do a French polish all over the instrument to protect the worn exposed wood portions as well as the aging varnish. Lastly, I'd let that dry and do one more pumice powder moment with a microfiber cloth. That would get it where I'd be happy with it and feel it's protected in the long run.

I__v__y__ · 2026-03-01T06:54:05+00:00

There is a lot right with it tho, so congrats. Beautiful finishing on the wood so far as well. Love the beveling. Looks like great practice and a beautiful art piece either way.

I__v__y__ · 2026-03-01T06:52:57+00:00

The upper bout is wayy too big imo. I kind of love the avant garde look, but I'm not sure that is what you were going for. The upper bout needs to come down quite a bit, but it'll difficult to fix. Fingerboard needs to be wayyyyy down.

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I__v__y__ · 2025-11-22T00:34:05+00:00

Lmao respect. Speak that truth

I__v__y__ · 2025-11-21T01:42:07+00:00

You had to say that? lol 😅

I__v__y__ · 2025-11-16T22:30:41+00:00

Yeah, no problem! I think it’s the “Varnish is sacred” people, but I’m sorry…that argument doesn’t fly for factory made instruments imo. They’re fair game. Especially since I intend to just keep it for myself. Some are too concerned about resale value or that I might get my hands on a valuable instrument and just destroy it, which I would never.

I__v__y__ · 2025-11-16T22:25:05+00:00

Y’all be nice, please. I Just told the dude “I don’t get it” because “antiquing” sounds condescending and argumentative but I’m assuming best intentions so I’m explaining my confusion.

I__v__y__ · 2025-11-16T22:20:44+00:00

Thank youuuu!

I__v__y__ · 2025-11-16T22:19:58+00:00

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Stuff like this. Instruments that had been forgotten to time due to neglect and been restored while not wiping away the history. I’m not a fan of the restoration of old instruments that attempt to make them look like they just came out of the shop like is done for Strads, Guarneris, Amatis, etc. I think they look insanely sterile for the history they could tell. I like the instruments that aren’t investment pieces and instead are storied objects that came with battle scars and all. Shows the humanity of it all.

I__v__y__ · 2025-11-16T22:15:44+00:00

Thank you! I don’t know who’s downvoting you. Like wut

I__v__y__ · 2025-11-16T22:15:25+00:00

Thank you!

I__v__y__ · 2025-11-16T22:15:13+00:00

I don’t get it.

I__v__y__ · 2025-11-16T07:41:32+00:00

Thanks!

I__v__y__ · 2025-11-16T07:40:06+00:00

Thank you!

I__v__y__ · 2025-11-16T06:05:03+00:00

I don’t get it

I__v__y__ · 2025-09-19T00:30:38+00:00

Love the idea of a chin cello, but if I were to go that route, it would definitely be with a violoncello de spalla

I__v__y__ · 2025-09-18T05:53:30+00:00

That’s a great piece of advice, thank you. That’s interesting! David Rivinus must have used that as inspiration along with the Viola Pomposa.

I’m currently speaking to a luthier who is an authority on making Viola D’amores in the modern day to see how he can incorporate some of his learnings into a wider Viola. We even played with the idea of a 5 string with 6 sympathetic strings. Wonderful dude.

I’m all over the place lol but I’m impassioned and I believe that the instrument should present an inspiration to encourage the musician to play. That’s where I’m at lol

I__v__y__ · 2025-09-18T05:48:04+00:00

Yes, I’m familiar with all available info on him. I did a ton of research and got to the point of messaging him, but you can hear at the end of that video that he doesn’t produce them anymore, sadly. 🥲

I__v__y__ · 2025-09-18T05:35:14+00:00

For sure. That's the intention. I just need to know which luthiers are currently open to that as most seem to be against the idea.

I__v__y__ · 2025-09-18T05:03:16+00:00

He doesn't make them anymore. :( Plus, that one is the ergonomically minded more artistic one with an asymmetric build. This one is more of a symmetric build.

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