This is a violin I got in trade, and it had a cracked end block (upper right). I pulled the top off to replace the block, and also to see what else I could find that needed help.
These late-20th-century German violins were built with great haste. The linings are continuous, running from end-block to neck-block, over the corner blocks, and not even touching the ribs in many places.
The bass bar was completely loose at the neck end, and appears to have never actually been in contact with the top.
At the other end, the bass bar does not contact the top either, except for a couple glue bridges.
Fortunately the top was stoutly made, so the instrument did not collapse. :-)
I'll take out the bass-bar, take a little thickness out of the top, and make a new bass-bar. It should sound better, though I don't know what it sounded like before (but I can guess!). At the very least I can sell it knowing that it will be in decent structural shape.
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