The distinctive Hopf violins, notably for the burnt in label stamp near the button on the back have many copies – of which this “Hopf” violin that came across my desk, is most likely one. This particular instrument had a broken button and is missing its scroll. None the less the rest is in good condition structurally. The bottom table is sound but the surface has been scratched up pretty badly. The top plate bears the scars of a life well lived and apart from a small crack and a chipped off corner (where the upper bout meets the waist on one side) is quite intact.
I chose to remedy the Hopf’s broken button with a clavette style repair. It’s less invasive as you don’t need to take any of the plates off, nor carve the back plate for a patch.
I was able to refit the original fingerboard, the nut needed replacing (it was to thin and held on with a maple shim in any case). The violin string length was a fraction short in the body , so pushed the fingerboard just a smidge into the pegbox to get the string length almost up to regulation. (Violin standardisation is relatively recent)
I elected to replace the entire neck using a blank, which still requires fitting and plenty of shaping. I used a figured maple neck rather than the plain neck, so while not truely authentic the aesthetic is more pleasing. I elected a light touch on the tables, there is a history there which I think is part of the charm, something I consider with my restorations
Using some pigments from my teacher I was able to get a reasonable match for the colours, and a light touch of antiquing to get it to a closer match to the rest of the violin (with over doing it).
I was happy with the overall sound and looking forward to seeing how it behaves under tension, after far too long in a cupbord
