13 replies to this topic

[Joseph Swenson]

Hi Again

OK for my second grousing... I revceived in my viola wood order from Metropolitan Music some Pahler Tone wood, Nice quality matching flamed 2 piece maple back, neck, and sides.

I started examining the ribs and about 1/3 of each rib has this unattractive discoloration in the rib through the grain.





I tried scraping down one rib and it was still just as much a problem and perhaps even more visible.

I know this will show up in the final appearance of the instrument. Am I crazy to complain? I can use the ribs just not the discolored sections so I'm thinking I will ask for a couple additional rib pieces hoping they'll match, or should I ask for an entire re set and hope for the best as I did with the select viola top? - Which as you might have seen from my last post, the problems with the replacement was worse than the original problem.

Thanks again for your observations!

Regards,
Joe

[John Cockburn]

I think that will be absolutely fine. You probably won't even notice the discolouration once it's varnished.

[arglebargle]

It looks like mold/fungus to me.
I would just go ahead and use it.
With some planning you should be able to place the effected spots in less noticable areas, like the upper curve in the c-bouts or the lower bouts under the chinrest.
Shouldn't be too noticable after it's varnished.
Good luck.

[Wm. Johnston]

I would use this wood. If you plan carefully then you can probably avoid using most of the discolored wood or place it in a tough to see spot like the corners on the c-bouts.

[lyndon]

once again, buy your wood from a specialty tone wood supplier

[arglebargle]

I would use this wood. If you plan carefully then you can probably avoid using most of the discolored wood or place it in a tough to see spot like the corners on the c-bouts.

Jinx! Buy me a Coke!

[Oded Kishony]

You might be able to get rid of the staining with a dilute solution of oxalic acid (hardware store), try it on a corner of the ribs.

How much shows in the final product depends on how clear your varnish is, whether you intend to antique the instrument, how much color you will apply to the instrument, if you intend to sell the instrument and how naturally fussy you are.

Oded

[Johnmasters]

Hi Again

OK for my second grousing... I revceived in my viola wood order from Metropolitan Music some Pahler Tone wood, Nice quality matching flamed 2 piece maple back, neck, and sides.

They gave you FOUR lengths, you only need three. You should be fine.

[Joseph Swenson]

They gave you FOUR lengths, you only need three. You should be fine.

Yes I was initially measuring it out to see what the deal was, and one length is not enough wood for the lower bout. So I in fact need all 4 lengths. These ribs are almost the same length as the violin ribs I used.

I spoke with Metropolitan Music and they are going to try and match the ribs and send me a couple more pieces.

They are VERY accomodating so I can't complain too much. But I can't imaging if the flamining is going to show through the varnish in the end how this discoloration could possibly be hidden. And my point really is if I'm payting for a certain grade wood why settle. Its like like getting poor quality food in a good restaurant.

once again, buy your wood from a specialty tone wood supplier

Thanks for the comment Lyndon. Do you have some recommendations? (I'm on the West Coast US)

Cheers,
Joe

[robertdo]

Yes I was initially measuring it out to see what the deal was, and one length is not enough wood for the lower bout. So I in fact need all 4 lengths. These ribs are almost the same length as the violin ribs I used.

I spoke with Metropolitan Music and they are going to try and match the ribs and send me a couple more pieces.

They are VERY accomodating so I can't complain too much. But I can't imaging if the flamining is going to show through the varnish in the end how this discoloration could possibly be hidden. And my point really is if I'm payting for a certain grade wood why settle. Its like like getting poor quality food in a good restaurant.



Thanks for the comment Lyndon. Do you have some recommendations? (I'm on the West Coast US)

Cheers,
Joe

But it looks like Andreas Pahler is a tonewood specialist, according to his biopic. On the Metropolitan music his name is beside Simeon Chambers's one.

[Joseph Swenson]

Pahler is German tonewood accoring to Met Music. SO it's either the buyer for Metropolitan Music or the "wood guy" as the sales person on the phone put it today, who needs to be more selective in what they ship out. I've had to return a few items recently. Maybe they just need confiscate this "wood" guy's flask.

Joe

[MANFIO]

This is not a problem, you will not notice it under the varnish.

[Don Noon]

Just one more vote:
Plan as best as possible to trim the discoloration and/or have it in the corners, and it will disappear under the varnish anyway.

[Michael_Molnar]

Pahler is German tonewood accoring to Met Music. SO it's either the buyer for Metropolitan Music or the "wood guy" as the sales person on the phone put it today, who needs to be more selective in what they ship out. I've had to return a few items recently. Maybe they just need confiscate this "wood" guy's flask.

Joe

Andreas Pahler is highly reputable. You have more than enough good ribs to use.