This blog will show how I build a violin from start to finish. First off, I am a self trained violin maker. I have made 6 violins, using Strad (the magazine) posters. They are THE blueprints for violin makers. Self trained really means I didn't go to school, or apprentice under a maker. I had help in other ways. I used information from a book (Johnson and Courtnell) that shows the tools and procedure, and a website (maestronet.com) that has many professional, and amateur violin makers that are willing to give advice and helpful hints.
Last Friday I took my latest violin to a violin shop in the city. It was made on the pattern of a violin by del Gesu called the Ole Bull. I made it to send to an exhibition in Oslo that just ended last weekend. I thought I'd show what an amateur maker's copy would look like. I built it fairly fast, about 2 months, but the varnishing took just as much time. In the end I didn't send it because the shipping there and back was going to be at least $600. It was in the spirit of the exhibition that I handed the violin over to the shop owner for his opinion. He wasn't impressed by much, but he did like my archings! Score one for me. He didn't like the irregular overhangs, the purfling cut in a few places, or the varnish, 3 coats that took forever to dry, that he said was too thin. The next one I'll have to get in touch with Joe Robson at violinvarnish.com. He also didn't like the American Sycamore back, saying I should stick with maple. I explained that the light weight sycamore worked well with the 7mm thick back, but he frowned on that as well, as they are usually only 4.5-5mm thick. He also wasn't amused by the cocking of the eyes of the scroll, even if it was on the original. The popularity and praise riddled upon del Gesu instruments seems like it is always followed by makers saying "but the workmanship.....". He suggested I make a Strad model, very clean, real violin wood, and bring it in to show him what I can really do. That's where I am now.
The picture here is of the previous violin?
ReplyDeleteI'm curious what woods the fingerboard and tailpiece are made of.
Sorry I didn't get a notification of a comment. I thank you as well for taking the time to ask.Yes it is the violin I built on the Ole Bull pattern. The f holes are the main thing that makes it stand out, they're kinda long. The wood they are both made out of Mexican or Nicaraguan Rosewood. I don't remember which, but I bought a 2" x 2" x 24" turning square of it at the Woodcraft store. It is pretty hard, but very light, maybe only as dense as sugar maple. The reason it is so light is the structure is full of holes! Not sure what they call them, but the wood has lots of them. I bought the wood specifically because it looked cool, was hard, and had the highest and strongest tap tone of the whole stack of wood they had. Again, sorry for not seeing this sooner.
ReplyDeleteKen