Violin Forum/Message Board

HAK · Junior Member Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 18

I just bought a old violin at a yard sale. It's missing the saddle,
tailpiece gut and the soundpost is rolling around inside. It's had quite
a bit of play by the looks of wear on it. In the case there were two
small satchels/bags which may have contained powdered rosin or whatever.
The stuff melted and oozed out of the bags and made a sticky mess. It
has the consistency of cold molasses and amber in color, it can be drawn
into a fine thread when you stick something in it a pull on it. It's
not soluble in water or lighter fluid. Hard to get off the fingers, no
taste or odor. Any ideas on what it might be and how to get it out of
the case?
BTW the violin's label inside says, "Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonenfis
Faciebat Anno 1716". In the lower right hand corner of the label there's
a double circle with the letters A and S and a small cross between them.
The back of the peg scroll is stamped "GRAND SOLO VIOLIN". By looks I'd guess it's at least 50 years old but who knows?
Thanks
Hank

PS Right now at 67, I'm attempting to play the guitar, and sing, but I
had violin lessons as a child and will attempt to fix this thing and see
if I can re-learn to play.
_________________
Hank WD5JFR

Mat Roop · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:33 pm Post subject:

No taste?... you must be a brave sort!

No doubt its a factory violin...likely of no great value unless it sounds great and then the value will be what it means to you. What that stuff is, is anyone's guess...may I suggest you get a new case.
Cheers, Mat

HAK · Junior Member Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 18

Since it didn't have any odor and wasn't soluble in lighter fluid or water I thought what the hell, just touch my finger to the tip of my tongue. No taste and I'm still alive. The case which is molded, not sure of the material is quite nice except for the goo at the scroll. I can probably salvage it by replacing a bit of the lining, it's the color of a Crown Royal bag. Perhaps someone might have an idea what was in the little bags.
Hank
_________________
Hank WD5JFR

HAK · Junior Member Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 18

Does anyone know what would make rosin melt or what might dissolve it to make it gooey?
_________________
Hank WD5JFR

joejoe · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:18 pm Post subject: deccicant

sorry i cant spell it ,, but ill bet a doller to a donut. that its a water spong
type its in a bag and looks like little misshapen balls inside , sometimes found in shoe boxes,and is reactive .. have you ever had rubber worms
eat into your tackle box? or find a gooyy mess. same thing. some plastics give off fumes that come in contact with other chemicals and start a degradation of one or both matriales,thay are desind to absorb moisture and any other fumes .. as too the cause ?

joejoe · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:19 pm Post subject: deccicant

sorry i cant spell it ,, but ill bet a doller to a donut. that its a water spong
type its in a bag and looks like little misshapen balls inside , sometimes found in shoe boxes,and is reactive .. have you ever had rubber worms
eat into your tackle box? or find a gooyy mess. same thing. some plastics give off fumes that come in contact with other chemicals and start a degradation of one or both matriales,thay are desind to absorb moisture and any other fumes .. as too the cause ?