The people who looked at the fiddle at the Fleadh didn't think it was reparable either, though none of them were fiddle makers. If you have an intact front or an intact back, the other side can be replaced. In fact I think that had already been done with my fiddle as it looked like the front and back were different woods. There used to be a label inside that read something like "Boston 1789. Fiddles expertly repaired, fronts and backs refitted". The label fell out a few years ago and I don't actually remember the year that was on it, which isn't important because it was probably just a folly. I've been told by someone who seemed to know, that the fiddle was of German design.

Fiddles are constructed with separate fronts and back, though often the back is made in two longitudinal halves (mine had a one-piece back); the components are not divided at the waist. I didn't think the finger board was so special that I'd want to put it on a new body instrument.

How did Peggy Seeger's guitar get run over?