Another complete restoration on a Mills Violano with Mahogany case

 

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View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://robertsmusicalrestorations.com/index.php/restoration-projects/completed/15-mills-violano-with-mahogany-case#sigProIdaf52d6dcc7

-------THE RESTORATION---------

During a typical restoration the complete Violano is taken apart. The case is also dismantled. In this restoration the case simply fell apart in many pieces. All cracks and veneer repairs will be done at this time before stripping. All parts will be nickel plated and polished. Soundboard will be completed first so the strings will have time to stretch during the restoration and given multiple tunings. Next the Violin is gone over and re-finished. Final finish need to cure 10 days and then hand rubbed for a mirror finish. Now its on to restore the rest of the unit.

(Below are different aspects of the restoration listed in no particular order.)

---SOUNDBOARD AND FRAME--- Seems like in the past the bottom of the frame came apart and someone "attempted" to repair it.

• Before Before
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• Beam over hanging. Not flush. Beam over hanging. Not flush.
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• Repairing vertical cracks along the side of the frame and securing ribs. Repairing vertical cracks along the side of the frame and securing ribs.
• Stripped finish and more gluing. Stripped finish and more gluing.
• Built new blocks for bottom support. Built new blocks for bottom support.
• COMPLETE! COMPLETE!
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• Seems like a 1/2 inch rod went through the soundboard. Seems like a 1/2 inch rod went through the soundboard.
• Repaired. Repaired.
• Stripped and ready for finish. Stripped and ready for finish.
• COMPLETE! COMPLETE!
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• Before & After Before & After
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------CASE-----

The case needed EXTENSIVE work. The entire case basically fell apart. Base was rebuilt and extra supports installed. New bottom doors needed to be fabricated. Someone previously built replacement doors out of solid mahogany and they where terribly warped. The front edge of the top lid was cut off, I assume to fit through a door way. This also will be extended like original. The exterior of the entire Violano will be re-veneered and all mahogany trim pieces to be replaced.

 

• There was a lot of gluing and clamping There was a lot of gluing and clamping
• New doors New doors
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• Front of lid was extended and was re-veneered Front of lid was extended and was re-veneered
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• New veneer New veneer
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• New mahogany trim molding New mahogany trim molding
• Complete Complete
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• Before & After (just a little differance) Before & After (just a little differance)
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------PLATE-------

• BEFORE BEFORE
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• COMPLETE! COMPLETE!
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• Notice the Agraffes under the red cloth. Most will paint these gold. We Nickel plate them like original. DETAIL! Notice the Agraffes under the red cloth. Most will paint these gold. We Nickel plate them like original. DETAIL!
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-------VIOLIN------

• Before & After Before & After
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------FINGERS-------
In every Violano restoration we strip the old nickel off the fingers and precision file the string contact points to remove ware groves. Then nickel plate. THIS IS A MUST in restoring Violano’s. In performing this step the fingers will have a solid contact with the strings. Also it is common for the original nickel to bubble and flake causing the fingers to stick and keeping them from having a smooth operation.

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------CONVERTER------

• The converter is totally disassembled and rehabbed The converter is totally disassembled and rehabbed
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------ACTION PARTS------

• Action parts are cleaned and all felts replaced Action parts are cleaned and all felts replaced
• We do the majority of nickel plating in house. So,all screws are glass beaded and nickel plated. Thats why our restorations stand out among the rest. We do the majority of nickel plating in house. So,all screws are glass beaded and nickel plated. Thats why our restorations stand out among the rest.
• We even seal the wood tip of the action jacks so they wont dry up and crack in the future. The magnet just holds them till dry. We even seal the wood tip of the action jacks so they wont dry up and crack in the future. The magnet just holds them till dry.
• Before & After Piano coil holder frame Before & After Piano coil holder frame
• Piano Coil hardware all ready for assemboly Piano Coil hardware all ready for assemboly
• New rubber bumps New rubber bumps
• Complete Complete
• Top of damper rods cleaned and lacquered Top of damper rods cleaned and lacquered
• Complete Complete
• New hammers installed New hammers installed
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------MISCELLANEOUS PICTURES-------

• Roll frame gear box is taken apart and all hardend grease cleaned out. Roll frame gear box is taken apart and all hardend grease cleaned out.
• All cleaned and re lubed. All cleaned and re lubed.
• Complete Complete
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• Coin on/off. Before & after Coin on/off. Before & after
• Replaced worn contact blocks Replaced worn contact blocks
• Roll frame Before & After Roll frame Before & After
• Finger cover Before & After Finger cover Before & After
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************* COMPLETED **************

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