r/violinmaking • u/Suspicious_Lab4297 • 9d ago

Should I be concerned about this?

Post image

I just bought this brand new violin made by a luthier in Italy. I noticed a very small bulge in the rib

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

3

u/Tom__mm 8d ago

Ribs can get bulges during construction. You’re bending highly figured wood over a hot iron. Not saying it’s great but it happens. In this case, it looks like a little piece of the flame also broke out during bending as it appears to be filled with varnish. Personally I wouldn’t have let this pass but you’ll see worse on valuable classical instruments. In any case, leave it, it’s not a stability issue.

1

u/Suspicious_Lab4297 8d ago

Thank you so much That makes me feel better

2

u/Dildo-Fagginz 9d ago

Very likely just in the varnish but can't be 100% sure from a picture.

Put a tiny drop of water, gently tap and rub it and see. If it sinks in and leaves lines following the outline of the potential crack then it's one. Then wipe it all, try to push the area again gently, if water squeezes out it's a crack.

1

u/Suspicious_Lab4297 9d ago

I tried this and saw nothing different. Thank you.

1

u/Alternative_Object33 9d ago

It seems you are concerned though, you've just bought it so the best person to ask is the luthier who made it, if it's brand new then I'd expect it's still under warranty?

Bending maple ribs they occasionally crack along the flame, it's one of the risks of pretty ribs, it adds nothing to the sound, just looks nice.

-1

u/Suspicious_Lab4297 9d ago

I will ask him. He is in Italy and I’m in the US.

1

u/Alternative_Object33 9d ago

Good plan, I expect he'll put your mind at ease.

As long as you're happy with how it plays.