Open seams
When the top or back separates from the ribs, careful cleaning and regluing with warm hide glue bring the joint back together.
Fiddle & violin repair · Truro, NSBringing your
Bringing your
fiddle back to life.
Thoughtful repairs for the instruments you love. Bring your fiddle or violin back to its best, in the experienced hands of Peter May.
Fiddles & Violins40+ years of experienceInstrument & string careTruro, Nova Scotia
Fiddle & violin servicesFrom the first string
From the first string
to the finest detail.
Cracks in the wood
Dry conditions can cause wood to shrink and split. Repair may involve aligning and gluing the crack, careful clamping, and small interior wooden cleats where needed.
Bridge replacement & adjustment
A leaning, warped, or poorly fitted bridge can affect string height and tone. Assessment determines whether an adjustment or a newly fitted bridge is the right approach.
Peg fitting & bushing
Slipping or sticking pegs make tuning frustrating. Refitting or replacing pegs can help; worn pegbox holes may need wooden bushings to restore a sound fit.
Sound post adjustment
This small spruce post helps support the top and transmit vibration inside the instrument. A shifted, fallen, or poorly fitted post needs precise fitting and positioning.
Re-stringing
Fresh strings can bring new life to a well-played fiddle or violin. Replace worn or broken strings, with careful fitting and tuning to get your instrument ready to play.
Not sure what’s wrong? Start with a conversation.
Ask Peter about a repairMeet the hands behind the workA musician’s ear.
A musician’s ear.
A craftsman’s touch.
From cabinetry to an extensive career repairing instruments at Long & McQuade in Halifax, Peter May has spent his life understanding wood — and what makes it sing.
Today, his independent workshop in Truro specializes in the fiddles and violins that mean something to their players.
Get to know Peter ↗Testimonials
In their own words.
Recommends Blue Dog Fiddle Repair
“Pete resurrected a violin of mine that was at death's door, and made it not just live, but sing”
Recommends Blue Dog Fiddle Repair
“He knows his stuff and will do great work at a very reasonable price”
Recommends Blue Dog Fiddle Repair
“The look on her face when she played it was priceless. It sounds SO good.”
Recommends Blue Dog Fiddle Repair
“Ole Blue Dog has done many pieces for me in the past, mostly aged furniture and chairs are a specialty of his.”
Let’s get it playing againGood repairs start
Good repairs start
with a conversation.
Tell Peter about your instrument and what you’ve noticed.
Talk to Peter