(soft music) - [Narrator] This tired,
weathered 1840s violin is about to undergo a
meticulous restoration. What you see before you is
more than just an instrument, it's a piece of history. The wood, aged and faded, speaks of a lifetime of
melodies and memories. The original glue, once strong, has fallen to the passage of time, allowing this ancient marvel
to fall into disrepair. (signature tune chiming) (scraping) (drilling) (scraping) To restore this delicate
dismembered relic, our journey begins with
a sound post patch. A patch crafted with spruce, carefully selected to
match the original wood. This patch ensures the
frail crack remains sealed, promising new life to
this timeless instrument. (scraping) (blowing) The sound post plays a pivotal
role in this restoration. It's the bridge that carries
the vibrations from the strings to the heart of the violin. Ensuring all cracks are sealed, a wood-based glue is used to heal them. (scraping) (scraping) Here, the luthier meticulously
fits the fingerboard to the neck, breathing
life back into the violin. (scraping) (scraping) (soft music) With reverence and care, the front plate is reunited with the body. (soft music) (wood pieces clattering) The mortis of the neck,
once hollow and empty, is filled with wood,
completing the puzzle. (drilling) (scraping) (scraping) (scraping) The neck, a crucial milestone, is fitted. (scraping) A beautiful ebony crown
is fitted to the button. (scraping) The neck is shaped to perfection. The luthier ensures that
the integrity of this union is strong. (scraping) (blowing) (scraping) (scraping) (soft music) A touch of varnish enhances not only the violin's appearance, but also its resonance. (soft music) As we delve deeper into the restoration, you'll notice the interplay of woods that define this violin. The body, carved from spruce and maple, the darker noble ebony
used for the fingerboard contrasts beautifully. The pegs carved from boxwood
provide both function and form. The resurrection continues
with the introduction of a new bridge, carefully shaped to bring out the violin's true voice. (scraping) The sound post is set
in its rightful place, transmitting melodies from the strings to the soul of this old-age masterpiece. (drilling) A new tail gut and adjuster are installed, allowing future musicians to fine tune this violin to perfection. (violin tuning) (scraping) The luthier adjusts the fingerboard, and introduces a new saddle and top nut, preparing this instrument
for the music yet to come. (violin tuning) The finishing touches are applied as the luthier meticulously
cleans and waxes the violin, leaving it with a shine. (soft music) This instrument, once
lost to time, is reborn. (soft music) Now it's time to compare
the incredible restoration. (soft music) Beautiful craftsmanship. (soft music) And now the moment we've
all been waiting for. (violin playing) The violin is played once more, it's strings sing with a
voice that defies the years, a testament to the
craftsmanship, dedication, and patience of the luthier, who has lovingly brought this
ancient marvel back to life. Thanks for watching. (violin playing) (soft music)
