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.

Precious Instruments, Illustrious Names

May 24, 2018 By in General Admin Leave a comment

If you’re lucky enough to be around Turin, Italy this summer check out this temporary display being put on between The Strad and Edizioni Il Salabue.

Titled “Precious Instruments, Illustrious Names: Lutherie and Music in Europe between the 17th and 20th Centuries”, it will take place from 31 May to 30 September.  “Visitors will see instruments played by some of the most prominent musicians of all time, including violinists Nicolò Paganini, Henri Vieuxtemps, Yehudi Menuhin and Gaetano Pugnani; and guitarists Mauro Giuliani, Ramon Montoya, Andrés Segovia and Ida Presti.”

The exhibition takes place at the Royal Palace of Venaria Reale.

Royal Palace of Venaria Reale, Italy

Check out more here.

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.

UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute Workshops for 2018

January 27, 2018 By in General Admin Leave a comment

Check out theUNH Workshops summer workshops, including three free workshops (at bottom) being offered from the University of New Hampshire’s Violin Craftsmanship Institute for the summer of 2018.  Credit to the Violin Society of America for distributing this to their membership, their email follows:

New Instructors & New Programs – June 18 – July 20, 2018

Click here for complete brochure.

The UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute carries on the tradition of luthiers, dating back to the 16th century European craft guilds. UNH’s Institute is one of the oldest string instrument repair programs in the U.S. Current internationally renowned instructors are respected masters of their craft.

Repair shop employees, string instrument teachers, musicians, and professionals from any background with a passion for woodworking and music looking for a second career, a source of income, or to study the craft.

All levels of experience will learn the trade from our accessible and knowledgeable instructors. You must be 18 years or older to attend.

Summer Workshops

Continue reading →

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.

IMG_2895

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.

Update: Stainer 1679

September 26, 2017 By in General Admin Leave a comment

After a quiet summer, I think an update on the 2nd Stainer 1679 is due.  Since last update I’ve assembled the corpus and attached the neck.

Stainer

I had planned not to setup the instrument ‘in the white’ but had a change of heart.  So I’ve cleaned up the nut and added a saddle.  As soon as the bridge has been cut I’ll put on some Evah Pirazzi stings and try out the sound.  I’ve been working on some new ground techniques which I’ll be trying out once I”m satisfied no other adjustments need to be made.