The violin fingerboard and top nut can change over time. The fingerboard will deform and affect the distance between the strings and the fingerboard, and the string groove of the saddle will deepen and affect the string distance. At this time, it is necessary to replace various accessories that have been deformed or have an impact on the sound quality.
When replacing the fingerboard, it is best to ask a professional violin maker to repair it. The string nut is relatively simple, but the string groove is not easy to control, and there is also bonding and trimming. Some simple deformation and damage can be repaired by yourself.
If you can't repair it during the repair process, you need to take it to the violin workshop for the maker to repair, it so as not to completely damage the violin. The following describes how to remove the violin fingerboard and top nut.
(1) It takes a lot of force to disengage the fingerboard, and it is unknown when the fingerboard will suddenly come off. Once the violin knife slips out of control, it will hurt people and the violin. Be very careful when operating it.
Always keep one thumb pressed against the fingerboard. In a position to prevent the fingerboard from falling off and hurting the panel, it is best to wrap a soft cloth on the panel.
(2) After removing the nut, place the front end of the violin knife diagonally across the upper corner of the fingerboard. If you hold a violin knife in your right hand, hold the fingerboard with your left hand and the neck together, press your thumb on the top of the fingerboard, and then stack your right thumb on your left thumb.
Insert the front end of the knife alternately from the two upper corners of the fingerboard into the seam between the fingerboard and the neck, so that the fingerboard is partially detached.
(3) After the two corners are disengaged, insert the front end of the knife into the seam horizontally according to the width of the fingerboard, and move the knife downward. Use the two knives to insert and move down alternately, so that the adhesive seam is continuously disengaged downward, and if necessary, tap the violin knife with a hammer.
When the fingerboard of the fiddle instrument has been disengaged halfway, the knife can be used as a fulcrum, and the end of the fingerboard that has been disengaged can be pressed firmly, and the knife will continue to move downward until the fingerboard is completely disengaged. Always take care to keep the handle in a position that will catch the fingerboard if it snaps out of the way.
(4) If there is a crack in the ebony during the operation, move the violin knife along the seam between the fingerboard and the panel at the opening. If the ebony continues to split, it must be changed from the wide end to the narrow end of the neck. But it is more difficult to operate, and the edge of the neck is vulnerable to damage.
(1) The top nut is subjected to downward pressure on the strings. It does not need to be firmly bonded, usually, just point bonding. A violin knife can be used on the top nut of violins and viola. Insert from either corner where the top nut meets the fingerboard, shake it gently and apply downward pressure, and squeeze across the seam and the top nut should disengage.
If that doesn't work, place a rectangular hardwood stick flat on the fingerboard, hold one end against the violin top nut, and hit the other end with a hammer to disengage the top nut. Be careful not to damage the pegbox. If it still doesn't work, place one side of the neck against the edge of a workbench padded with a soft cloth, and use a chisel to split or cut the top nut off.
(2) When removing the top nut of the cello, lie on the side of the cello on a workbench padded with a soft cloth, stand on the top of the head, and block the head with the body.
Use a rectangular hardwood stick against the top nut along the side of the fingerboard, and use a suitably sized hammer to strike the other end of the stick firmly to disengage the top nut.
Never touch the pegbox of the fiddle instrument, and never place the stick against the top of the nut where the rest of the string to avoid accidental damage.
