Outram Lutherie

Outram Lutherie Stringed instrument service, repair, customisation and manufacture.

Today's installment of "do you really use that little plane?!" First of the woodworm damage patches on the front of this...
04/06/2026

Today's installment of "do you really use that little plane?!"

First of the woodworm damage patches on the front of this violin. At least the worm had the good manners to stay near the edge so these localised repairs are possible.

Thicknesses of the patch are all measured and replicated to within 0.1mm of original, so tone should be unaffected.

Stored in a loft since 1947!!! The owner wanted it brought back to life, so it's had a damn good clean, new bridge, a li...
03/06/2026

Stored in a loft since 1947!!!

The owner wanted it brought back to life, so it's had a damn good clean, new bridge, a little crack glued up, pegs polished, nut re cut and a new set of Pirastro Tonica strings. (Of course I forgot to take any "before" pics 🤦🏻) So just the chinrest to clean and pop back on at this stage.

Fitting bass bridge height adjusters for a returning customer today. He'll have no excuses now! 😂🤣
22/05/2026

Fitting bass bridge height adjusters for a returning customer today. He'll have no excuses now! 😂🤣

It's a rare day when the bending iron comes out for a repair job! Cutting, bending and fitting 3 replacement linings to ...
19/05/2026

It's a rare day when the bending iron comes out for a repair job!

Cutting, bending and fitting 3 replacement linings to this violin due to woodworm damage.
The ribs are having a couple of very small localised repair patches too.

It's all looking violin-y on the bench today.... Just warming the glue up for a peg bushing in the near most one, then t...
15/05/2026

It's all looking violin-y on the bench today.... Just warming the glue up for a peg bushing in the near most one, then the other apart for woodworm repair. (All treated from the inside, then it needs a few replacement linings and a couple of little patches. ... I'll try to remember a few pics as I go with that.

'"One over to the rest under" ... Start by cutting the string off 2" past the machine head. Poke the end through, bend, ...
20/04/2026

'"One over to the rest under" ...

Start by cutting the string off 2" past the machine head. Poke the end through, bend, then wind 1 turn over the protruding end, then let the rest wind underneath. Once it gets up to tension, it traps the end, so tuning is stable.

A technique that I use every time. Nice and neat, no silly knots, and never causes issues!

Today's installment of "Do you really use that tiny plane?" Violin fingerboard shaping and fitting. I've shown a blank a...
14/04/2026

Today's installment of "Do you really use that tiny plane?"

Violin fingerboard shaping and fitting. I've shown a blank as supplied so you can get an idea of how much has to come off.

The top surface isn't totally finished in these pics. I like to do the final scraping once it's fitted. All done with planes and scrapers.

Reinforcing a bass neck with 20 x 11 mm ebony this afternoon.
23/03/2026

Reinforcing a bass neck with 20 x 11 mm ebony this afternoon.

A bit out of the usual, but we took pity on a bass recorder. So far it's had a damn good clean, liberal application of b...
25/01/2026

A bit out of the usual, but we took pity on a bass recorder. So far it's had a damn good clean, liberal application of bore oil (it's been out of use for decades!) cleaned up the key work and cut and fitted some cork pads. I'm sure I'll end up changing the joint corks, but I'm letting the oil soak in first to see if anything either takes up or the slight ovaling gets better (or worse!)

I'm sure there'll be updates, but not necessarily straight away!

Much as I made this for myself years ago and I've gigged it loads, the fretwork has been annoying me (fingerboard shrink...
21/01/2026

Much as I made this for myself years ago and I've gigged it loads, the fretwork has been annoying me (fingerboard shrinkage after a life over the radiator!) so I took the frets out, reprofiled the fingerboard to "vintage" fender radius, re fretted it and re finished the neck.

Much as you can't tell from the rubbish phone recording, it plays lovely now!

Address

101, HIghfield Street
Coalville
LE673

Telephone

07816171205

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Outram Lutherie posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share