Rescue Violins: The Violin Rescue Centre

 I hide glued, clamped and then varnished the back of this violin. Manby violins seem to have a tenancy for the back seam to open. I am not sure why. But is is a definite characteristic of these lovely instruments. Even after gluing and clamping the seem can give the appearance of not being totally closed when it is. I guarantee the repair to this one for my lifetime. Fixing an open backseam is in fact an incredibly simple process so long as you have the correct equipment an know how to use it.

  Manby Violins  Here is a label from a Manby violin with his fretted fingerboard Here is the 1912 US patent for his invention ( here ). ( Archived ) A 1914 and revised 1918 price list with other useful information on the effect of the 1st world war on prices and places of manufacture of violins  here A useful research paper on the topic  here My daughter has a Manby violin. I purchased it on eBay for £67. It had areas where the face needed gluing to the ribs and there was a large part of the middle seam of back split open. I fixed it and re-varnished the back to my 11 year old daughter's wishes to have it tiger striped. In effect, the flaming of the maple on the back is artificially exaggerated by my efforts. She loves the violin and it does play and project very well indeed.