I really thought I'd had my hat well and truly 'nailed on' with this one! I paid well over the odds for fiddle player Paul Newland's worn out Amati copy. Certainly no mates rates here, though definitely none expected! However, all my hard work paid off as this violin has just been valued at four times the price I paid for it.. Restoring Paul Newland's 'worn out' Amati copy violin was no easy task though.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753901873197-395877880.jpg" /> The new nut cut from a vintage ebony piano key, starting to take shape. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753902104906-129416123.jpg" /> Removing a millimeter or so from the fingerboard to remove the grooves and to add the correct amount of relief. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753902171099-114396063.jpg" /> Unlike many restorers, I like to fit the bridge by turning a piece of emery paper upside down and sanding the bridge in place. Then maybe finish off with chalk etc. Photos of removing the top to repair the cracks to follow.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753902257710-202824944.jpg" /> Done.