Cracks are one of the most common structural issues faced by violin-family instruments. Whether caused by impact, dryness, or tension over time, cracks can affect both the sound and stability of your instrument if not addressed properly. At Callier-Scollard Violins, we specialize in a variety of crack repair techniques—ranging from traditional cleating to modern magnetic reinforcement methods. Below you'll find a collection of examples and walkthroughs demonstrating how we restore violins, violas, cellos, and basses to full integrity and tonal clarity.

• Cello Rib Crack Repair — Repairing cello ribs with cracks, ensuring structural integrity and sound quality. ⓘ
• Repairing a Cello Top — Repairing bass bar and sound post cracks on cello tops for stability. ⓘ
• Using Cleats and Magnets — Using rare earth magnets to assist in cleat installation for instrument repairs. ⓘ
  • Magnetic Cleats for Violin Cracks — An innovative method using magnetic cleats to stabilize violin cracks while preserving resonance. ⓘ
• Repairing Instrument Cracks — Essential crack repair methods for violins, cellos, and basses, ensuring longevity and sound quality. ⓘ
  • Repairing Bass Bar Cracks — Fixing cracks along the bass bar using inlaid cleats or molded support. ⓘ
    • Fixing an Unglued Bassbar — Repairing unglued bass bars to restore instrument stability and resonance. ⓘ
  • Restoring Bass Ribs — Professional techniques for repairing bass ribs, preventing further structural damage and improving tone. ⓘ
  • Repairing Cello Back Holes — This cello fell over and landed on its back. It was in a soft case and when it landed it must have hit the buckle on the back which forced all of the layers to split. ⓘ
  • Fixing FF-Hole Cracks — Best practices for repairing cracks around FF-holes without compromising resonance. ⓘ
  • Repairing F-Hole Cracks — Effective methods for repairing common F-hole cracks in violin family instruments. ⓘ
  • Saddle Crack Repair Guide — How to repair saddle cracks effectively to maintain a violin’s tonal balance and stability. ⓘ
  • Fixing Sound Post Cracks — Fixing cracks near the sound post to maintain structural integrity and tone quality. ⓘ
    • Restoring a Dumpster Cello — A unique restoration project detailing the repair process of a cello found in a dumpster. ⓘ
    • Cello Back Post Crack Fix — Expert repair techniques for cello back post cracks, ensuring proper soundpost fit and stability. ⓘ
    • External Post Patch Repair — An alternative method for patching post cracks externally without invasive internal modifications. ⓘ
  • Viola Crack Restoration — Fixing multiple viola cracks with internal and external reinforcement techniques. ⓘ
• Pac-Man Style Magnetic Spacers — Using magnetic spacers to assist in instrument repair and alignment. ⓘ

Beyond common crack and neck repairs, many string instruments require specialized restorations to address wear, damage, or unique design challenges. From custom bridge fittings and edge replacements to repairing rib cracks and worm damage, these examples showcase the craftsmanship and problem-solving involved in restoring instruments to their full beauty and function.

• Blocks — Block Landing Page ⓘ
• Bows — Explore expert bow repair services at Callier-Scollard Violins, including broken bow fixes, frog... ⓘ
• Proper Bridge Fitting Techniques — Proper bridge fitting techniques for optimal sound and instrument stability. ⓘ
• Handmade Chinrest Crafting — Custom handmade chinrests for improved playing comfort and instrument fit. ⓘ
• Replacing Instrument Corners — Learn how damaged corners of string instruments can be repaired or replaced using spruce and purfling matching techniques. See photos of violin and bass restorations. ⓘ
• Cracks — Explore professional crack repair techniques for violins, cellos, violas, and basses. ⓘ
• Replacing Worn Edges — Replacing worn edges on string instruments with new wood and varnish matching. ⓘ
• Necks — Explore expert neck repair techniques for violin-family instruments. ⓘ
• Fixing Cracked Violin Ribs — Learn how to repair a cracked violin rib caused by chinrest damage. Our guide provides tips on how to fix this issue and prevent it from happening again. ⓘ
• Scrolls — Explore expert scroll repair services for violins, cellos, and basses. ⓘ
• Seams — Seams Landing Page ⓘ
• Unusual Bass Bar Designs — Explore photos of unusual and unique double bass bars. See how we fixed an inexpensive bass with an unglued bass bar and broken rib. ⓘ
• Unique Instrument Restorations — Restoring and maintaining unique and rare string instruments. ⓘ
• Varnish — Explore expert varnish restoration and rare instrument repair techniques, including violin and... ⓘ
• Repairing Worm Damage — Explore the restoration of a beautiful violin with worm damage on the back. Learn about the repair and refinishing process for previously filled areas. ⓘ
• Restoring Worn Violin Tops — Restoring worn-out pegbox holes for secure peg fit and tuning stability. ⓘ
• Zeta Violin Acoustic Repair — Specialized repairs for Zeta acoustic violins to maintain electric-acoustic balance. ⓘ