Hi, please look at the photo and tell me if this violin has a crack (or about to crack) mark on the back or not. The person selling said there are no cracks but I want your input...it's kind of hard to see at first but I see 2 lines in the wood....please help me.

http://www.imagehosting.com/show.php/1243347_DSCF0996.jpg.html

why is no one commenting??? IS this forum a joke? geez, I really need some help here...

I don't really know how to tell.. but personally if your worried I probably would not buy it. Wood varies a lot.. and also does have some imperfections that aren't always negative. Since the lines are symmetric im guessing its part of the wood.. but don't go buy what i say :P

Try to take it to someone (other than the seller, because they more than likely wont say anything bad about it) like a teacher that can help you pick out a violin. Make sure you try many of them (i probably tried at least 7-8 and took them to my teacher before i bought one)

Good luck!

it looks like the grain in the wood to me but i wouldn't chance it

If it is in the center of the back, then what you are seeing is a seam where two pieces of wood are glued together to form the back of the violin.

The seller may just be saying that. take it to a music shop or your teacher for a second opinion. i do know some one who has a cracked violin and it doesn't sound overly bad at all but it would be best to ask. remember it never does hurt to..

thanks but it was an ebay auction and I didn't bid. It turned out to just be the grain of the wood.

Those aren't cracks.

if it is on the seam, you can tell easily. take your index finger and lightly tap all around the edge of the top and bottom face of the violin. Your taps will sound VASTLY different from the others if there is a crack.