How to Remove the Top on a Fiddle

Beginners can remove the top of a fiddle if attempted carefully.

Removing a fiddle top requires painstaking work. Fiddle tops break easily when pressure is applied in the wrong way. When removing the top, you must work slowly and carefully. Splits in the wood, broken tops and sides, and gouges to the fiddle's finish happen when the job is rushed. Take the fiddle to an experienced builder if you are unsure. Though removing a fiddle top risks damaging the instrument, beginners can do it following the right procedure.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Razor knife
• Plate separation knife
• Thin wood strips

1. Remove the strings from the fiddle.

2. Cut along the seam where the fiddle top meets the sides with a razor knife. Cut carefully, just deep enough to get through the finish of the fiddle to expose the seam for separation.

3. Insert a plate separation knife between the fiddle top and the side of the fiddle. Work around the fiddle top while looking for a weak spot in the glue to slide the knife in and separate the top.

4. Pry the top with the plate separation knife. Pry with the leading edge of the knife; prying with the back of the knife can break the fiddle top.

5. Insert long strips of thin wood between the top and sides of the fiddle as the seam opens up. The strips of wood take pressure off the back of the knife.

6. Work around the edge of the fiddle top until it completely separates from the fiddle sides. Remove the fiddle top.

Tips & Warnings

• Heat the fiddle with a hairdryer to loosen glue if no separation can be easily found.

• This procedure can ruin the fiddle or create expensive repairs. Take the fiddle to a professional for assistance if you have any doubts.

References

• Dale Mfg.com; How To Safely Remove the Top Plate; David Langsather; 2010
• Global Oneness: Violin Construction and Mechanics