Parchment instead of linen?

[NC Violone]

Fixing an inexpensive bass viol that has some long cracks in the top. I talked with a fellow who builds viols, and he suggested hide glue impregnated parchment instead of linen. Ultimately he said either is fine, but he prefers parchments. The cracks start on each side of the saddle, and get almost as high as the bridge feet.

This is not a great instrument. I still care about doing a good job with it, but it's not critical that it be the best possible repair strategy.

Thanks.

[Eric Rene Roy]

Parchment can shrink a lot and cause cracks to the srounding wood, especially when large amounts of it are used.

[NC Violone]

Thanks. Went with linen. I'd used it before and it worked really well again. I'd heard about parchment and thought I'd ask since I'd not used it before.

[kurt ratering]

i have seen old cracks repaired this way, and it seems that eventually the glue gets brittle and cracks with the parch/linen leading to buzzing. i prefer fitting cleats. longer lived, a easier to remove if need be.