Stainer 1679 and Guarneri 1743 Update

An update on progress.  The 2nd Stainer 1679 is nearly complete with the back now glued to the ribs.  Next the top will be attached and the neck mortised into the body.

IMG_1250

Stainer 1679 #2

Its usually at this point that I start looking forward to the next project.  For the next instrument i’ll be following the ‘Il Cannone’ 1743 Violin by Giuseppe ‘del Jesu’ Guarneri.

IMG_1251

My mold and materials for a ‘Il Cannone’ 1743 inspired Violin

The neck, back and ribs are aged European maple, chosen for similar figure patterns to the original.  The belly will be made from Newfoundland black Spruce.  This wood has higher strength than other species, but tends to be smaller and twist as it grows, making it very difficult to source.  As a final touch the nut will be made from Tagua to simulate the ivory nut on the original ‘Il Cannone’.  Known as vegetable ivory, its actually the nut of a tropical palm tree.

My ‘Il Cannone’ will have an outline which is an approximation of the original.  This was a design choice.  I went with a symmetrical outline, whereas the original has large variations.

Cannone Back

Il Cannone back outline variation

Violin Maker Competition Notice – Violin Makers of Arizona Association

2017 Violin and Bow Competition – Tucson Arizona

October 10 – 13, 2017

Do you want to really know how good your violins sound ? Join us, at The VMAAI Violin Competition in Tucson. We sit together and listen to an open competition of our instruments being played by professional players. This lets us hear all the instruments made by all the other makers. It is a unique experience of all the other competitions in the US. Technical workshops are conducted after the daily competitions, and there is plenty of time to talk to other makers about techniques or ideas.

Competition categories:

  • Instruments: Cello, Viola,  Violin-steel strings, Violin-synthetic strings
  • Bows – Workmanship and Playability: Cello, Viola,  Violin

Visit our website,  or facebook, for more information and competition rules.

Please forward / share with other Violin and Bow Makers

Continue reading