What Really Happens in a Violin Maker’s Day (It’s… a Lot)

Video Description

Today was one of those big, busy, beautiful days in my workshop — polishing old violins, lowering bridges, rehairing bows, fixing soundposts, planing fingerboards… and finally gluing together the trash violin someone literally threw into a bin. I still can't believe it. It's such a lovely instrument. You’ll also see a little meditation, a bike ride, some coffee breaks, and a glimpse into the violin I’m currently building for myself. These “day in the workshop” videos are some of my favourites to make, and I hope you enjoy spending the day with me. 👉 Download my free guide: The 7 Essentials Every Violinist Should Know when Buying their Next Instrument https://olafgrawertviolinstudio.com/7-essentials 🎻 Keep making beautiful music — and thanks for watching! Please like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss the next restoration episode. ⭐ MY VIOLIN SHOP 🌐 Olaf Grawert Violin Studio https://www.olafgrawertviolinstudio.com 🎻 Shop Instruments & Bows https://www.olafgrawertviolinstudio.com/shop 📞 Book an Appointment https://www.olafgrawertviolinstudio.com/bookings ⭐ SOCIALS 📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/olafgrawertviolinstudio 📘 Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/olafgrawertviolinstudio ▶️ YouTube @AskOlafTheViolinmaker ⭐ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL Thank you for helping make these videos possible ❤️ 00:00 – Setting up for a big day 00:17 – Meditation & morning routine 01:12 – Polishing a 1960s Italian violin 02:35 – Restoring an old German violin 03:45 – Retouching varnish & polishing techniques 06:40 – What is the “trash violin”? 08:54 – Bow bench chaos & bow rehair 10:40 – Straightening the bow (heat bending) 12:47 – Rehair complete… sort of 13:30 – Soundpost adjustments 14:36 – Polishing continues 15:30 – Lunch & bike ride 16:25 – Fitting new strings (Evah Pirazzi Neo) 17:40 – Final polish & setup checks 18:55 – Adjusting bridge height 20:14 – Time to glue the trash violin top plate 21:45 – Cleaning old glue & clamping 22:50 – Planing a fingerboard with deep grooves 24:00 – Retouching varnish & end-of-day wrap-up 27:00 – Client pickups & workshop reflections 28:20 – Olaf from the future: progress on my own violin