The Most Dangerous Phrase in Violin Making: “Just One More Thing”

Every violin maker knows this phrase.

Every violin maker has said it.

Every violin maker has regretted it.

“Just one more thing” usually happens late in the day, when the violin looks good, sounds good, and is absolutely begging to be left alone.

But no.

You notice something. A tiny thing. Something no audience will ever see. Something no musician asked for. Something that absolutely cannot be ignored.

Just one more thing.

You lightly adjust the bridge. Which means the soundpost now needs attention. Which means the strings come off. Which means the nut suddenly looks suspicious. Which reminds you that the fingerboard could be slightly better. Which means it’s now two hours later and the violin is in pieces.

At this point, the violin is no longer cooperating. It knows you should have stopped. It is teaching you a lesson.

You finally finish, exhausted but proud. The violin looks perfect. You turn off the light and go home convinced you made the right decision.

The next morning, after espresso, you look at the violin again.

It is worse.

The thing you fixed was fine. The thing you changed now needs fixing. The thing you didn’t touch yesterday is suddenly the problem.

And that is when you remember the most important rule of violin making:

The best moment to stop is always one thing before “just one more thing.”

But of course, tomorrow, you will say it again...