This is my entry for the #monomad challenge.
I'm back again with something that happened a week ago. After going to the house of a forme college professor, I had a pending task of changing the tubing machines of a Venezuelan Cuatro that belongs to her son. He doesn't live in Venezuela anymore, but she likes to keep his thing tidy. I went ahead and charged a very small fee for the job and the price of the new tuning machines.
I bet these older pieces had been in the instrument for more than 10 years without a change. The weather in Cumaná is very humid. Being near the coast doesn't help it one bit. Things get rusty in no time. Have a closer look at the removed tuning machines.
It was quite a trouble to remove the screws since at least one on each machine was rigid because of the rust. And that's almost as strong as welding something. I had to use a hammer to tap these screws keeping th sense of how much strength I'm applying to the whole piece. The head stock could get broken from a hard blow. Fortunately, I could remove all of them without any other trouble. And got the fresh new tuning machines ready to install.
This was a breeze of a job after removing the rusty ones.
I love the idea of how this lady keeps this instrument alive. It is the center of some family reunions in her house. It's a lovely thing it is still in good shape.
Also, wouldn't you know it, this Venezuelan Cuatro was made in the same place I took my luthierie classes. And the same person who taught my teacher. Life has a way to throw some nice tokens of appreciation to you from time to time.
That's all from by the moment. I hope you enjoyed my little photo session of this quick change of tubing machines. There are still more thing to explore in the amazing art of black and white photography related to my craft. And I'm loving it!
Have a great day!
PD. Women are still and by far my best clients. They pay in time and have no qualms about my work nor try to bargain for anything.
All photos were taken by me with my Redmi note 8 smartphone.
Follow me on Instagram for enquires and commission.
If you'd like to help the workshop grow, you can make a donation here. You can find me at discord as bertrayo#1763