The String Doctor
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"Tulsa Strings - THE STRING DOCTOR - Trained Violin Repairman"
Male
28 years old
Tulsa, Oklahoma
United States
Last Login:7/7/2008
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| General | This is a neck graft done on a circa 1920s Amadee Dieudonne violin from a teacher in Tulsa that had an accident. The scroll of her master made violin had been stepped on by foot. Several pieces were all that remained of the damaged scroll and cheeks of the peg box. The owner asked with tears in her eyes if it could be fixed.
Not an unusual repair for antique instruments, neck grafts are the correct way to repair a damaged neck, or a neck with the wrong measurements that cannot be saved. The goal is to keep the original scroll (considered the makers signature) with the violin, but to re-create a neck using fresh maple and a very tight fit (often the fitting for a graft constitutes the majority of the time and cost, but otherwise the whole repair is in vain).
 
Violins made pre 1820 have scroll grafts due to the invention of steel strings and changes in standard pitch (moving up to A 440 ). Forcing players to change from the traditional gut strings used for centuries and lenthen the necks of the violins to accomidate the higher tension creating the style of violin we have today.
This is a delicate repair requiring a consideration for many things during the process. Below is a list of the few key elements to a professional grade repair for a fine violin.
Fingerboard Angle
The angle of the fingerboard determines whether you can comfortably bow across all the strings.
Neck Projection
Proper proportions of the neck angle create the tension needed to make your instrument sound to its fullest potential.
 
Graft Fit
To ensure a long life for the repair the fit between the new wood and old must be seemless, and as unintrusive as possible.
Appearance
For fine instruments made by respected makers, and Dieudonne is one of the finest 20th century French makers, this repair was done with the utmost care and consideration for the original makers concept and workmanship. As little original wood should be removed as possible, and the graft should be invisible once the varnish is applied and touch-up to make it appear as close to original as possible.
This repair took 4 weeks and would cost $2600.00 from a violin shop.
Today this repair would cost $1000 from my new shop.
  
 | | Music | Jared Tyler, Malcolm Holcombe, Luke Bulla, Casey Driessen, Bach, Schnittke, Shostakovich, Radio Head, Monica Taylor, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Brian Haas,
Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Tom Skinner, Gillian Welch, Prokofiev, Dvorak, Sibelius, John Williams, Glen Gould, Nathan Milstein | | Movies | "Un Coeur en Hiver"("A Heart in Winter" French movie with subtitles). Another great movie about the Gamba ancestors of the violin family is "ALL THE MORNINGS OF THE WORLD". | | Television | Da Vinci's Inquest.
| | Books | Nabokov, Maya Angelou, Donald Hall, Tolstoy, Weisshaar (Vioin Restoration), Dan Dralely (Amati Family), Thomas Lux, Sharon Olds, Robert Fulghum, David Sedaris... | | Heroes | 
Horacio Pineiro, master violin repairman NYC. I had the good chance to study with him for a bit, and appreciate his genius
 Luke Bulla visiting The String Doctor
Amos Hargrave, violin maker Lawrence, Kansas, one of the finest modern makers, high quality instruments at a great price, and a terrific gentleman
Lisbeth Nelson Butler, violin repair teacher, Red Wing Technical College, Red Wing, Minnesota. Mrs. Butler is the finest repairperson I have met in the trade. Excellent maker, and Salt Lake City graduate. |
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Classical Music, Violinists Unite!, Myspace Violinists Unite!!!, String Players Unite, MystiQuintet, ~Tim Burton Lovers~, NUMBA1 ORCHESTRA, Singers/Songwriters & Musicians Unite Against The Cat/Dog, Captive & Wild Animal Fur Trade
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The String Doctor's Details
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| Status: | In a Relationship | | Here for: | Networking | | Hometown: | Fargo, ND, Carrington, ND, now Tulsa, OK | | Body type: | 0' 0" / Slim / Slender | | Ethnicity: | White / Caucasian | | Religion: | Christian - other | | Zodiac Sign: | Pisces | | Education: | Grad / professional school | | Occupation: | Violin Repaiman |
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The String Doctor
Tulsa , Oklahoma US
Violin Repairman
String Instrument Luthier
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Since 1996
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Formerly : The Tulsa Violin Shop
Tulsa, OK US
Repairman
Violin Repair
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May 2000 - April 2005
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About me:
Tulsa Strings -The String Doctor-Www.TulsaViolinRepair.Com Website.
Jacob R. Mehlhouse
918-794-8440
Trained Violin Repairman
* VIOLIN * VIOLA * CELLO * BASS *
Minor Repairs - Restorations
Bow Rehairs & Repairs
Value and Identification
Sales
Tulsa Strings offers fine instruments and bows with a a full repair service for violin family instruments and bows.
Tulsa Strings has repairman capable of high quality professional repairs. Free estimates for work are availabe anytime. Repairs are scheduled according to the needs of the customer and work load. Each repair is to the player's needs and budget.
Tulsa Strings is centrally located in Tulsa Oklahoma (31st St and Yale Ave), and will take repairs and rehairs through the mail or you may visit the shop. Call for appointment. 918 794 8440
Very often expensive repairs start out small and a good repairman can help you see the early signs of problems and prevent serious damage. Regular maintenance and check-ups lead to a healthy instrument and a confident player; that is why check-ups and soundpost adjustments are done as a complimentary service for all my customers. Call for a check-up today 918-794-8440
Besides violin repair Tulsa Strings offers bow work, including; recambering, rehairs, grips (silver, nickel, leather, faux whale bone), tip plates, restorations, cracks, and most other repairs. Rehairs are done using unbleached Mongolian Stallion horsehair.
Being the repair shop for The Barthelemes Conservatory here in Tulsa is a great honor. Barthelemes Conservatory has patterned their institution on the European Classical Conservatories, and is the only one of its kind in Tulsa. They are currently taking applications for scholarships. If you know a young student in Tulsa that wants to learn to play the violin, viola, cello, or bass, check out :
http://www.tulsabartmusic.com/
Please contact me for an appointment today.
918-794-8440
Tulsa Strings & The String Doctor
Jacob R. Mehlhouse
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Who I'd like to meet:
Passionate string players and musicians of all walks of life and styles. People that enjoy their profession as a love and want to better their skills and the tone of the instrument they play.
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