03/28/2026
This instrument arrived at our shop after its owner made the mistake of trusting a local music store with a delicate repair. The first two photos show exactly what came back to them — gaps, misaligned pieces, and edges that simply weren’t sitting flush.
What followed was a full undo. We carefully disassembled the botched work, re-glued every existing piece, and brought each joint back to a clean, flush fit. (Photos 3&4)
From there, clear filler was used to address the missing sections and crack fissures before leveling the entire rib surface. (Photos 5,6&7)
The final stages document the touch-up progress (Photo 8)
The finishing touch: hand-applied patina and craquelure, carefully matched to blend seamlessly with the rest of the instrument’s aged character.
The last photo speaks for itself.
Have you ever had a repair go wrong? Let us know in the comments.