Viola neck reshaping.

IMG 20230929 160628 975 IMG 20230929 160628 975	IMG 20230929 163121 275 IMG 20230929 163121 275	IMG 20230929 163131 446 IMG 20230929 163131 446
IMG 20231002 123218 130 IMG 20231002 123218 130	IMG 20231002 123258 660 IMG 20231002 123258 660	IMG 20231002 123846 726 IMG 20231002 123846 726
IMG 20231002 130446 265 IMG 20231002 130446 265	IMG 20231010 100114 337 IMG 20231010 100114 337	IMG 20231010 100134 500 IMG 20231010 100134 500
IMG 20231016 123135 521 IMG 20231016 123135 521	IMG 20231016 123202 177 IMG 20231016 123202 177	IMG 20231016 124613 572 IMG 20231016 124613 572
IMG 20231017 114633 769 IMG 20231017 114633 769		IMG 20231017 114646 042 IMG 20231017 114646 042

Violin and Viola necks can be reshaped so that they are easier to play. Here are a few steps that show different stages of reducing the nexk size. 

• Have the customer show you a neck that they think is comfortable.
• Feel the shape of th neck so you have a mental picture of the shape
• Take measurements near the nut, both width and thickness
• Take mesurements near the heal of the neck, width and thickness

IMG 20161119 172501 IMG 20161119 172501	IMG 20161119 173910 IMG 20161119 173910	IMG 20161123 130405 IMG 20161123 130405
IMG 20161123 130415 IMG 20161123 130415	IMG 20161130 120658 IMG 20161130 120658

1. Thin down the sides of the neck using a knife and file. This should be straight
2. Thin down the center of the neck
3. Modkfy the curves at the heal and nut using a template
4. Draw a center line
5. Use a good wrasp to remove most of the wood.
6. Once the shape is getting close, switch to a flat file
7. Sand the neck with 100 grit
8. Wet and after it's dry sand again
9. Switch to 220 repeat the process of sanding and wetting
10. Switch to 400 sand and wet until the neck feels very smooth
11. Use 0000 Steel Wool
12. Color the neck so it looks old.
13. Rub a light oil onto the neck using 0000 Steel Wool,
14. Remove excess oil.