Over time the string projection of a violin, viola or cello can lower. The easiest way to make it easy to play again is to simply lower the bridge so that the string height is the correct distance from the fingerboard. Once the projection height (extend the line of the fingerboard to the bridge) measures less than 26mm it's getting too low. There will be less and less clearance when playing the e string because the bow will start to sometimes touch the "C" bout. Also the violin will loose some of it's projection. There are a couple of ways to solve this problem. DutchmanThe easiest and least intrusve way is to make a Dutchman wedge to raise the projection. First the fingerboard needs to be removed from the neck. If it's still thick enough and in good condition it can be reused. Then the neck needs to be planed a little to make sure the neck is perfectly flat. Then you fit a matching piece of maple to the neck and glue them together. The next day you plane the wedge so that the projection lands at about 28 mm. If the angle is not correct you can adjust this by the amount of taper of the wedge. If you want to raise it without adding additional tension on the violin the wedge is flatter. Then once the fingerobard fits the new wedge, it's glued on. The next day the wedge needs to be worked into the curve of the neck. The neck needs to be treated and a little varnish touch up is done under the fingerboard and at the body where the neck ends. A new bridge is fitted to match the new height.  dutchman 20140222 162505 | dutchman 20140306 171852 |
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WedgeIf the projection of the neck is too low because it has been set at an incorrect angle, then the neck can be removed and a small wedge can be glued to the heal of the neck. It can then be fitted similar to the way a new neck is fitted. Make the wedge wide enough for that there is enough wood to correct the angle and also center the neck if it's a little off center. Sorry the pictures are not too clear. IMG 20161115 113648 | IMG 20161115 113701 | IMG 20161115 113939 | IMG 20161115 114022 | | |
Neck Graft |
