I just bought a old violin at a yard sale. It's missing the saddle,
tailpiece gut and the soundpost is rolling around inside. It's had quite
a bit of play by the looks of wear on it. In the case there were two
small satchels/bags which may have contained powdered rosin or whatever.
The stuff melted and oozed out of the bags and made a sticky mess. It
has the consistency of cold mol***** and amber in color, it can be drawn
into a fine thread when you stick something in it a pull on it. It's
not soluble in water or lighter fluid. Hard to get off the fingers, no
taste or odor. Any ideas on what it might be and how to get it out of
the case?
BTW the violin's label inside says, "Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonenfis
Faciebat Anno 1716". In the lower right hand corner of the label there's
a double circle with the letters A and S and a small cross between them.
The back of the peghead is stamped "GRAND SOLO VIOLIN"
Thanks
Hank
PS Right now at 67, I'm attempting to sing and play the guitar, but I
had violin lessons as a child and will attempt to fix this thing and see
if I can re-learn to play.
