A Tribute to Al Stancel

Some of Al's advice

As I was tuning (A string) one of my old fiddles the other day I heard a slight pop. I stopped and looked and noticed a hairline crack running up to the top ot the pegbox from the peghole. It's microscopic and hasn't cracked all the way through. Looks like a varnish crack. I removed the peg and the crack is so small that I can't get glue into it with a syringe. The peg still functions I guess I just have to be careful while tuning not to push in on it too hard. : Any suggestions on repair/prevention of it cracking all the way through? I'm wondering it a coating of hide glue or varnish would give it any support? I'm afraid to try to flex the crack too much (to get the glue inside) because of it's position. If any of you pros or hobbyists out there have any suggestions I'd appreciate them. :

Thanx. John.

Hello: I wrote an extensive article for the Guild of American Luthiers...some years ago. First, try spiral bushings, on real cheap violins, a fiber bushing will do, and as a last resort, a cheek patch. Look up GAL, ask Tim Olsen for a reprint of the article.

Regards, Al Stancel

Does anybody knows a place in Poland that could help me with authentication of violin?

Hello: Try Jan Bobak, Nowy Targ, phone is 48-187-647-27, or you could tru R.Florek, in Bielsko-Biala, 48-30-205-9 ?

Good luck, Al Stancel :

Hello: : A good violin shop will either catch the fact that a fingerboard needs recontouring or call you before they do it if they didn't discuss it with you. Doing work without the owner's ok is a no-no!! : I have a feeling your "E" string notch is too low at the nut. If not, the board needs to be checked with a traight edge for lumps, or, even more common with inexperienced workers, a dropoff of the contour at the nut. This is caused by the sandpaper caul being brought too far over the end of the board during sanding. : My suggestion is for them to make it right at no charge. One thing folks in the bigger cities do is get an estimate from another luthier before they take it back to the one who did the work. : Whatever you do, be sure to let them know of your problem, and you expect them to fix it...in a nice way, of course!

Good luck, : Al

Mr. Stancel,
I can't thank you enough. I thought I was losing my mind. But you knew exactly what was wrong...The e-string is way too close to the finger board. For me, right now, it wasn't a good time for it to happen. I guess there never is a right time. Anyway, I'm trying to work around it until the luthier has time to work with me a spell, to get the height right and back to what it was. Well, thank you again, and like everyone on the board here - we're sure grateful to you. :