Category Archives: Making

A Violin Maker Podcast!

January 31, 2019 By in Links, Making, Violin History Tags: Leave a comment

I’m thrilled to find out about this new PodCast by Rozie DeLoach & Chris Jacoby!

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Just in its infancy, very approachable and showing promise. Their description of the podcast is: “We cover the lives of violin makers, their best parts and worst parts, yesterday and today. Historical stories, interviews with experts and makers in the field. Omobono Stradivari was the least liked son of his father, Antonio, he was remembered in Antonio’s will as a screw-up. He is our north star. We are all part of this. We all belong exactly here. “

You can find their website and podcast here.

“Learning Trade Secrets”

December 17, 2018 By in Links, Making Leave a comment

LTS LogoA new company is offering a series of seminars on a variety of topics including varnish, bow making and repair, violin and cello setup, and aspects of restoration.  These 5-day courses are offered periodically over the year.

“Learning Trade Secrets” is operated by Bowmaker Rodney D. Mohr and offers a selection of high profile instructors from the making and restoring community.  They are based in Ashland which is located about 1 hour SW of Cleveland, Ohio.

Check out their current list of workshops here and I’ve added “Learning Trade Secrets” to my list of North American violin making schools and programs here.

An Affordable Brass Bridge Stamp

July 21, 2018 By in Making, Tools of the trade Leave a comment

I recently decided to try out a customizable leather punch for sale on ebay.  I’m thrilled with the results.  Wuta Leather offers a customized leather punch at quite an affordable price.  I ordered mine and provided the specifications after they contacted me.  It took about three weeks to arrive.  I added a walnut handle and gave it a test run.  I’m very satisfied with the results.

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A bridge stamp is a great addition for a violin maker, particularly if you take care in the setup of your instruments.  The stamp goes on the side of the bridge facing the fingerboard, on the waist of the bridge.  It’s typically done is an easy to read font, and sized so the text is 1.5mm high.

For best results, hold the stamp in the flame of a tallow candle.  The purpose of the candle is to coat the stamp with soot, not to heat the stamp.  Press with firm against the bridge adjusting the angle slightly without removing to ensure complete contact.  The stamped name will not smudge.  Comment if you’d like to order a stamp through me, or if you’d like more information.

Continuing the Canonne

June 9, 2018 By in Making, Tools of the trade 1 Comment

Work continues on the back of the Guarneri 1743 ‘Il Cannone’ inspired violin.

This tightly famed European maple back and matching neck block will closely approximate the original ‘Il Cannone’.   This beautiful wood should make for a visually stunning instrument.

The downward chevron created where the flames meet at the joint are true to the original.  Guarneri broke with tradition in this aspect of his making – an intentional statement of individuality to set himself apart from the other great Cremonese makers.

The outline is transferred from the mold with a moderate overhang.  The plate outline and overhang will be adjusted with files after this step.  Cutting is done by hand with a #7 blade on the Knew Concepts Jewellers aluminium fret saw.

Linseed Oil Bleaching

March 29, 2018 By in Making Leave a comment
Linseed Oil Bleaching

I’ve been researching linseed oil, and discovered the SRO method by Tad Spurgeon.  I also was surprised to see that linseed oil can be bleached separately from thickening.

The cold refining process
Start of Bleaching
L:R: 3 moths of bleaching in UV Chamber and 12 year of bleaching in a window
L to R: 3 months in UV chamber, 15 and 18 months of bleaching in natural sunlight

The results speak for themselves.  The picture above (with the coffee stirrer) is 18 months of exposure to sunlight in the window.  It was covered during this time.  No appreciable thicking has occurred.  Up to 12 months slight lightening had occurred, but after 12 months the bleaching accelerated rapidly with very clear oil achieved at 18 months.  This oil was in a fairly sheltered window with little direct sunlight and in a northern latitude.

Next, I’ll be testing out the oil to determine the yellowing properties when dried.  Stay tuned.

Canonne Inspired del-Jesu Update

November 2, 2017 By in Making 2 Comments

The Cannone-inspired Guarneri del Gesù is progressing.  After completing the templates, mold and counter-forms, the ribs have been installed.  Linings next, then on to the scroll as I like to have the scroll nearly-complete before beginning the plates.  I’ll be re-creating the original scroll’s dimensions.  Its a large scroll and a departure from the more Strad-style scroll I’ve previously created.

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Canonne Scroll

Il Canonne Scroll

Highlights of a 1961 Svindsay Violin

October 26, 2017 By in Making, Restoration, Violin History 1 Comment
Highlights of a 1961 Svindsay Violin

I recently had the opportunity to examine a Peder Svindsay violin from 1961 (sometimes spelled Pete or Peter Swindsay).  Peder’s style is interesting, the fluting of his scroll is broad and sweeping and I’ve included a picture of that below, however, i was particularly impressed with his corner miters.  These manage to include a graceful sweep along the c-bout line and have a certain liveliness and energy.   Corner miters are always done by hand and are clear sign of the maker’s patience and care.

Peder was originally from Norway and a founding member of the Violin Maker’s Association of British Columbia in 1957.  He was an accomplished violin, viola, cello and bow maker.  He owed a shop in Vancouver for some time and won many awards for his work at the Association competitions and internationally.