I thought it was going to turn out like an un-ironed shirt. Not only are you a surgeon, but you're a cosmetic surgeon. A veritable tour de force. Thanks Jerry! I hope the lassie loved it when she got it back.
What can one say but "WOW,WOW,WOW"Bravo! Prima! there are no accolade's to discribe your patience, and skill level on that repair/restoration. I had a lot on my agenda for today. but when I got watching you with this, I could not just get up and leave. so I watched the entire 4 video's till it's completion. And am still in awe at your skill but most of all your patience in how you handled each and every tiny piece that went back into place under your skilled hands. And Brave to Alli's skill at playing chocolate and letting us hear the beautiful sounds it can still make after all that damage and restoration. thank you Both , for sharing. ECF
This fourth part did my heart so much good. I was talking to you on the monitor all through the previous parts "Don't worry about trying to preserve the existing finish. Just plan to refinish it!" I would've wanted it refinished if it were mine. This refinishing hides the original trauma much better also. She can't event talk about the original accident so she doesn't want to be reminded of it, I'm sure. Thanks for sharing this. You've done an amazing job of fixing a wood stringed instrument that was basically "ran over by a car" as you have said you can do. I'm so glad she found you and brought it to YOU to fix. Amazing job saving this violin/fiddle. You are a GENIUS!!
You turned ashes and dust in to a wonderful looking, beautiful sounding instrument like a medieval wizard on a mission of mercy, then put it to the real test by handing it to a pro like Ally. Pretty awesome man.
I just finished watching this series for the second time, and I was just as impressed as I was the first time! Whodathunk that this instrument was repairable at all? I'm very proud of you for making all of right calls, and making all the cracks on the top disappear. The snooty violin restorers would probably have charged $10k to fix the violin, and I doubt that it would have turned out any better. You do outstanding work, Jerry, the proof is in the pudding. I've been enjoying your videos for several years now, and I've seen one instrument after another, turn out beautifully. Your only restraint is the budget, sometimes the clock is your worst enemy. I've seen you generously give away a lot of free time and (used) parts many times, and give your customers a break. I believe that it is a good business practice, I did the same thing in my business, and it gave me a tremendous amount of "word of mouth" customers. I set up computer systems in small business and residential homes, and I charged one hour just to show up. If I finished in under an hour, I would answer any questions they had, well past the "one hour". Treat them as the valuable people that they are, and they will reward you with recommendations to their families and friends to have you help them out with their computer problems. When I turned sixty years old, I sold the business to a much younger fellow, and let him carry on with the same business model (hopefully).
Everyone would think, chocolate was just an useless junk (in It's unrestored state). But in his hand, this fiddle is a treasure with hidden value, hand of musical God 👍🧡🧡
Having already seen the customer' face when she views this violin for the first time since recent restoration i am awe struck. Of course the amount of work necessary to bring this instrument back from the edge is monumental. And to restore inherent sound character with infinite playability is miraculous. Excellent workmanship, Thank You
I think what helped in this situation was almost all the pieces were present and Jerry is smart enough to use them. A lot of people would have replaced that whole area on top with one piece but I think this is better for the violin. ( Also the area on the back where the bottom block would have been replaced completely too. )
I take my hat off to you. It looked an impossible task you have incredible patience to complete the project. Thanks for the video I always enjoy your violin repair video’s.
The chocolate restoration is my favorite series so far. There is something marvelous about taking a severely damaged instrument and returning it to grace, beauty and function. Also, I am so glad you removed the finish. That proved to be the right call.
An amazing series to watch, I came upon it by accident as a suggested video - what luck. Sir, your are master of your trade! Well Done! Greetings from Scotland.
Fantastic repair. I picked up an old 100+ year old violin a few years back in not playable condition, and spent time bringing it back to life again. A neighbor owned it and I bought it off him for $10. I have to admit that I had to spend money to bring it back to life, but it sure plays good. I spent around $150 to get the iolin back in playing order again as parts of the main body was damages with age, but now is strong and durable again. The case that it came in was an old coffin type case made also of wood, and still holds up today. I'm no violinist, but I do paly a couple of tunes on it and like I said now sound great. You did a fabulous job on restoring that violin. Bravo.
So, if I’ve got this right, we can send Jerry a few boxes of matches, describe the horrific shipping accident which led us to contact him, and he’ll make us a world class fiddle? I gotta go to the store.
That second piece of music that she played was beautiful! The hammer on and pull off’s had a bagpipe...esqe sound. Chalk up another win for rescue string works!
This has got to be one of the most extensive projects I seen you do yet! Absolutely incredible. Thanks Jerry, and make sure to tell us what the customers reaction is!!
Watching this 4-part series over the past 2 days has been one of the most compelling and amazing feats of skill, ingenuity, tenacity, patience and perseverance I have ever witnessed in my life. Jerry is an absolute miracle worker, resurrecting that poor, old violin from its state of total destruction and bringing it back to life. Listening to it sing again brought tears of joy to my eyes knowing that its voice had been restored. Old Chocolate should also be known as the Lazarus violin. Watching Jerry's painstaking work on this project has been profoundly humbling and heartwarming, understanding how easy it is for something to be destroyed, and how truly rare and precious a thing it is to create. I sincerely hope that Anastasia and her family truly appreciate the miracle restoration they received and that she continues to care for and play that beautiful little violin for the rest of her life.
lmao I sure like the way you installed the small doohecky patches (proper english). Another great video. Amazing transformation from devastation to a cherished heirloom.
I wish I had longer to get to know Chocolate better before filming. We were just getting acquainted. Looking at it closer up, I couldn't see most of the repairs because it was so well done.
I'll be danged, if I hadn't seen it I wouldn't have believed it was the same box of pieces that came in a while back. Great job Jerry. Really nice work
Outstanding work! Hard to believe that you were able to take a box of chocolate chips and restore it to a fine solid bar. Thanks for sharing this one Jerry!
Boy Jerry, you’ve got us on the edge of our seats for this one! I can’t wait to see the final episode. It would be super cool if you included a clip from the owner, after she got it back. She must be thrilled to tears, literally.
Ya got my vote Mr. Bryan. I would love to see her reaction as she unwraps, tunes and plays her resurrected (yes Mr. Jerry you done brought Old Chocolate back to life!) violin.
Mr Rosa I just stumbled upon your videos a few days ago and with every one I watch I'm more and more amazed and in awe of your skills. You have inspired me to build my own mandolin And I just wanted to say thank you! P.S. Now you know how Charles Derrington must have felt when he had to put Bill Monroe's mandolin back together lol
Jerry, I’ve found that using a gun and compressor that can spray a fan of finish wider than the instrument works extremely well to lay down a very even color. Leave the airbrush setup for touch ups and repairs imo. Ive been dying the wood first, like you do your mandolins and tinting the clear finish to taste. I know that’s not appropriate for a 150 + year old instrument, but it might have been the way to go here. You worked a God’s honest miracle with this young lady’s fiddle.
Jerry sir, I always enjoy your video series on the mandolin and guitar builds, but this, this is one of a kind video series. You took an old vintage instrument that was mishandled from moving and restored it, and boy oh boy can it sing. It's got a nice ring to it. Great job on the restoration and all the other tough restorations you and caleb did
Wow! Just Wow! Good call on refinishing the top. The scars all but disappeared. I think it sounds beautiful! As for your brown Reclusive spiders, they aren't reclusive enough for me. I never want to encounter one.
It looks so much better after refinishing. Sounds warm and resonant to me too. What more can one wish for? A masterpiece repair and a beautiful instrument. Just bravo, Jerry!
I was unable to tie in during the live stream but have been waiting all week to see this. What a great job you did on Chocolate! I would love to see Anastasia’s reaction when she gets her instrument back. Well done Jerry!
Respect sir for your knowledge and patience love watching your work. Greetings from the Netherlands from a 70 year young man !!!!
Well Jerry you have exceeded my expectations. You are also a cosmetic surgeon and stepped into cosmetology! Well done.
I thought it was going to turn out like an un-ironed shirt. Not only are you a surgeon, but you're a cosmetic surgeon. A veritable tour de force. Thanks Jerry! I hope the lassie loved it when she got it back.
Jerry, that is amazing! Terrific work, thanks for taking us along for the ride.
What can one say but "WOW,WOW,WOW"Bravo! Prima! there are no accolade's to discribe your patience, and skill level on that repair/restoration. I had a lot on my agenda for today. but when I got watching you with this, I could not just get up and leave. so I watched the entire 4 video's till it's completion. And am still in awe at your skill but most of all your patience in how you handled each and every tiny piece that went back into place under your skilled hands. And Brave to Alli's skill at playing chocolate and letting us hear the beautiful sounds it can still make after all that damage and restoration. thank you Both , for sharing. ECF
Binge watched this series to 2am and I know nothing about music, but I like the woodworking education!
Glad to see the violin playing music again!!!
This fourth part did my heart so much good. I was talking to you on the monitor all through the previous parts "Don't worry about trying to preserve the existing finish. Just plan to refinish it!" I would've wanted it refinished if it were mine. This refinishing hides the original trauma much better also. She can't event talk about the original accident so she doesn't want to be reminded of it, I'm sure.
Thanks for sharing this. You've done an amazing job of fixing a wood stringed instrument that was basically "ran over by a car" as you have said you can do. I'm so glad she found you and brought it to YOU to fix. Amazing job saving this violin/fiddle. You are a GENIUS!!
My one word review for the entire Old Chocolate violin repair................
W O W !!!
Like they say "Seeing is Believing". Beautiful Job Jerry!
You turned ashes and dust in to a wonderful looking, beautiful sounding instrument like a medieval wizard on a mission of mercy, then put it to the real test by handing it to a pro like Ally. Pretty awesome man.
I just finished watching this series for the second time, and I was just as impressed as I was the first time! Whodathunk that this instrument was repairable at all? I'm very proud of you for making all of right calls, and making all the cracks on the top disappear. The snooty violin restorers would probably have charged $10k to fix the violin, and I doubt that it would have turned out any better. You do outstanding work, Jerry, the proof is in the pudding. I've been enjoying your videos for several years now, and I've seen one instrument after another, turn out beautifully. Your only restraint is the budget, sometimes the clock is your worst enemy. I've seen you generously give away a lot of free time and (used) parts many times, and give your customers a break. I believe that it is a good business practice, I did the same thing in my business, and it gave me a tremendous amount of "word of mouth" customers.
I set up computer systems in small business and residential homes, and I charged one hour just to show up. If I finished in under an hour, I would answer any questions they had, well past the "one hour". Treat them as the valuable people that they are, and they will reward you with recommendations to their families and friends to have you help them out with their computer problems. When I turned sixty years old, I sold the business to a much younger fellow, and let him carry on with the same business model (hopefully).
Fantastic restoration, Sir! The violin looks and sounds great. And the violinist, Allie, is amazing!
REAL NICE job, Jerry! Spectacular resurrection!
Wow! What a project! Absolutely 💯 a great rebuild...unbelievable you made chocolate whole again. And great as t playing...
I’m with you. Stradivari would be proud of your work. Keep up the great work and cool story fiddles ☺️♥️
Everyone would think, chocolate was just an useless junk (in It's unrestored state). But in his hand, this fiddle is a treasure with hidden value, hand of musical God 👍🧡🧡
Having already seen the customer' face when she views this violin for the first time since recent restoration i am awe struck. Of course the amount of work necessary to bring this instrument back from the edge is monumental. And to restore inherent sound character with infinite playability is miraculous.
Excellent workmanship,
Thank You
I think what helped in this situation was almost all the pieces were present and Jerry is smart enough to use them. A lot of people would have replaced that whole area on top with one piece but I think this is better for the violin. ( Also the area on the back where the bottom block would have been replaced completely too. )
Just unreal Jerry. Congratulations. A masterwork.
I take my hat off to you. It looked an impossible task you have incredible patience to complete the project. Thanks for the video I always enjoy your violin repair video’s.
I’m am awestruck by the miracle you performed.
The chocolate restoration is my favorite series so far. There is something marvelous about taking a severely damaged instrument and returning it to grace, beauty and function. Also, I am so glad you removed the finish. That proved to be the right call.
Well Jerry, it looks great and you can't hear sentimental value anyway. Amazing work getting it to where you did!
An amazing series to watch, I came upon it by accident as a suggested video - what luck. Sir, your are master of your trade! Well Done! Greetings from Scotland.
Fantastic repair. I picked up an old 100+ year old violin a few years back in not playable condition, and spent time bringing it back to life again. A neighbor owned it and I bought it off him for $10. I have to admit that I had to spend money to bring it back to life, but it sure plays good. I spent around $150 to get the iolin back in playing order again as parts of the main body was damages with age, but now is strong and durable again. The case that it came in was an old coffin type case made also of wood, and still holds up today. I'm no violinist, but I do paly a couple of tunes on it and like I said now sound great. You did a fabulous job on restoring that violin. Bravo.
You continue to best yourself, Jerry! Well done again - truly a miracle what you’ve done here.
Thank you for showing the sharpening of your scrapper. That was very interesting indeed.
You are a marvel and a wonder Jerry - the best ever - a master!
Repairs are like a box of chocolate. With Jerry, you always know what you're going to get.
Jerry your one hell of a luthier! That thing is now better then new because of where it came from! Think of all the stories it could tell!!😀
A great ending to a wonderful journey. Thank you Jerry...
you never cease to amaze me with your restoration work!
So, if I’ve got this right, we can send Jerry a few boxes of matches, describe the horrific shipping accident which led us to contact him, and he’ll make us a world class fiddle? I gotta go to the store.
Yeah, that's exactly what I've been thinking. It is fun to watch him work his alchemy turning kindling back into a violin.
I agree send Jerry any old broken piece of junk and he'll turn it into a masterpiece. Well done Jerry!
It truly was firewood before he worked his magic
Beautiful sound. I really enjoyed listening to Ally play Chocolate. He sounds so beautiful.
Beautiful the young lady plays wonderfully!
Probably the best video series you have made to date .... bravo .... well done
That second piece of music that she played was beautiful! The hammer on and pull off’s had a bagpipe...esqe sound. Chalk up another win for rescue string works!
l first said it looked very repaired but in the end Jerry nailed it he has some incredible master skills great work 🙏👍👏
This has got to be one of the most extensive projects I seen you do yet! Absolutely incredible. Thanks Jerry, and make sure to tell us what the customers reaction is!!
Tremendous, Mr. Rosa. Throughly enjoyed. Now, to get back to replacing the faucets in sink.
Beautiful! Congratulations Jerry. What a journey. I loved every minute of it. Thanks for sharing.
Watching this 4-part series over the past 2 days has been one of the most compelling and amazing feats of skill, ingenuity, tenacity, patience and perseverance I have ever witnessed in my life. Jerry is an absolute miracle worker, resurrecting that poor, old violin from its state of total destruction and bringing it back to life. Listening to it sing again brought tears of joy to my eyes knowing that its voice had been restored. Old Chocolate should also be known as the Lazarus violin. Watching Jerry's painstaking work on this project has been profoundly humbling and heartwarming, understanding how easy it is for something to be destroyed, and how truly rare and precious a thing it is to create. I sincerely hope that Anastasia and her family truly appreciate the miracle restoration they received and that she continues to care for and play that beautiful little violin for the rest of her life.
You did exceptionally well on this FoObar
Wow, what a transformation! You are incredible!
WOW! I'M BLAFERGASTED! I MEAN FLABERGASTED! Jerry, your incredible work on CHOCOLATE is so awesome and finished with a heavenly performance. WOW!
Simply stupendous! You looked as pleased as punch when it was being played and didn’t you deserve to be? Certainly made my day.
The work you did, shown by the end results were just fantastic. I second Don Williams suggestion also!
1st class Jerry .....1st class......real nice job .....thanks for showing us the rescue of Chocolate..
nice sounding violin
Outstanding job on Chocolate!
I also hope they took a video of the owner getting her violin back.
Bravo! You have made a great reconstruction.
It's alive!!!!!!wonderful and awesome after seeing the part 1. Awesome
Watched the whole thing and words escape me so just WOW!!!
Wow.. impressive rebuild series. Appreciate the skill and knowledge you have Jerry. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Sounds sweet. Well done, @RSW! Well done, @Ally!
Fantastic result! What a pleasure to watch! Thanks Allie for playing for us!! Beautiful!
Oh my, what can I say this is an epic and emotional series thank you.
lmao I sure like the way you installed the small doohecky patches (proper english). Another great video. Amazing transformation from devastation to a cherished heirloom.
Fantastic series of videos. I don't know the first thing about violins but I enjoyed every minute. Thank you Jerry.
Absolutely amazing! Looking forward to meeting you all in a few weeks!
You can hear the tone sweeten as the violin is being "played in"... Lovely. Impressive reconstruction, Jerry!
I wish I had longer to get to know Chocolate better before filming. We were just getting acquainted. Looking at it closer up, I couldn't see most of the repairs because it was so well done.
Thank you Ali,
That was beautiful.
Beautiful restoration. The violin has a powerful bright sound.
Thank you for taking us on this journey. Hope you can take us further when the young lady is reunited with chocolate!
All I can say is Wow. Great job well done.
Wow. Great great job. That one was a real labor of love.
Thanks Jerry, I really appreciated this one!
BRAVO Mr Rosa, a great moment.
CONGRATULATIONS on Chocolate, Jerry! Ally proved that your repair was successful. It's Sweet chocolate now.
Highlight of the year for sure.
Beautiful work on the finish -- worth the extra scraping and effort. It will be there forever.
I'll be danged, if I hadn't seen it I wouldn't have believed it was the same box of pieces that came in a while back. Great job Jerry. Really nice work
Outstanding work! Hard to believe that you were able to take a box of chocolate chips and restore it to a fine solid bar. Thanks for sharing this one Jerry!
Boy Jerry, you’ve got us on the edge of our seats for this one! I can’t wait to see the final episode. It would be super cool if you included a clip from the owner, after she got it back. She must be thrilled to tears, literally.
yeah, we gotta see Anastasia's reaction
Ya got my vote Mr. Bryan. I would love to see her reaction as she unwraps, tunes and plays her resurrected (yes Mr. Jerry you done brought Old Chocolate back to life!) violin.
Steady on folks, this man has already performed one major miracle! 😉
Well done is just understated. Awesome work.
Great stuff... 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 loved every minute of it jerry. Cheers.
Mr Rosa I just stumbled upon your videos a few days ago and with every one I watch I'm more and more amazed and in awe of your skills. You have inspired me to build my own mandolin And I just wanted to say thank you! P.S. Now you know how Charles Derrington must have felt when he had to put Bill Monroe's mandolin back together lol
Bravo! Bravo! Bellissimo! Bravo! Chocolate is.......Alive! Encore! Encore! Magnifique! Magnifique!
Well that was quite a journey.. looks great and sounds great.. a winner for sure. a great job for sure... tks for sharing..
Wow! If you cleated every crack, you'd wind up building a secondary top underneath the main one. :-) Well done and inspiring.
I was fascinated by this project through all 4 parts. Beautiful work! Loved it!
Patience, care and time! Thank you. Now Chocolate has real character!
What a terrific ending to this violin’s rebirth! Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Jerry.
BEEAUTIFUL: tHE WHOLE pROGRAM . It was perfect. Thank You Dave
Omg ....omg Jerry that was beautiful omg...omg it sounded so good strong wow
Jerry, I’ve found that using a gun and compressor that can spray a fan of finish wider than the instrument works extremely well to lay down a very even color. Leave the airbrush setup for touch ups and repairs imo. Ive been dying the wood first, like you do your mandolins and tinting the clear finish to taste. I know that’s not appropriate for a 150 + year old instrument, but it might have been the way to go here.
You worked a God’s honest miracle with this young lady’s fiddle.
Beautiful work , even mor beautiful playing by your guest !!
To me it looked like firewood but you did an excellent job and saved another piece of history.
Timestamp 1:20 this is why Jerry Rosa is the man.👍👍👍
Vary good video Jerry, and great job.
Jerry sir, I always enjoy your video series on the mandolin and guitar builds, but this, this is one of a kind video series. You took an old vintage instrument that was mishandled from moving and restored it, and boy oh boy can it sing. It's got a nice ring to it. Great job on the restoration and all the other tough restorations you and caleb did
Wow! Just Wow! Good call on refinishing the top. The scars all but disappeared. I think it sounds beautiful! As for your brown Reclusive spiders, they aren't reclusive enough for me. I never want to encounter one.
She plays beautifully and Chocolate looks amazing. I hope we'll be able to see the owner when Chocolate is returned to her. She'll cry tears of joy.
It looks so much better after refinishing. Sounds warm and resonant to me too. What more can one wish for?
A masterpiece repair and a beautiful instrument. Just bravo, Jerry!
just wonderful...waited all week for this!!!!
I was unable to tie in during the live stream but have been waiting all week to see this. What a great job you did on Chocolate! I would love to see Anastasia’s reaction when she gets her instrument back. Well done Jerry!
Jerry I've seen you do a lot of really nice work. But this job here Takes the Cake what a job.
Broken Glass is a traditional material for fine scrapers. The Violin looks & sounds wonderful. Great job Jerry.
I have used glass and all I can say is it's sort of works. If that's all you have then that's what I would use.
Quite the Resurrection, I really can't believe you got Choco back to that condition from where it started. Also appreciate your work ethic.
That is a lovely second piece! Beautiful. Thank you, Ally!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Ally
I was wondering why you didn't take the finish off at the beginning. Glad you did because it came out beautiful. Well done. Amazing job.