Violin Forum/Message Board

DonLeister · Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2013 1:37 pm Post subject:

Sue, that is an important point!
I didn't realize some of you all were there, I would liked to have met you.

Ken Pollard · Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 1:35 am Post subject:

fiddler59 · Junior Member Joined: 02 Aug 2012 Posts: 14 Location: USA

I had the pleasure of playing some of Don's violins and they are very impressive to say the least...!! I am in the progress of building my first violin loosely based on the "Du Diable" del gesu. I am one of twelve students taking a violin building class taught by Joe Thrift through Surry Community College and the course is based on the old Italian method using an inside mould and installing both front and back linings before the mould is released from the garland. Using Italian spruce and Bosnian maple. The course is taught one day a week for 6hrs. And we can take home our "works in progress" and work on them there as well. Joe has been a great instructor so far. My wife is taking the class as well and she has really taken to violin building. It has really been a great experience for both of us. I have been a professional fiddler for over forty years and I have always wanted to build my own, so it is like a dream come true. Plus I have always been a fan of del gesu and del gesu inspired violins from all periods of his career. It is like a dream come true.....!!

David Blackmon

kjb · Super Member Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 385

you are very lucky to be taking joes course , I talked a little to him about it. that is a unique experience and cheap!

DonLeister · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:12 pm Post subject:

Ken that is a C. F. Landolfi. Your violin is looking good.
Hi David, wow, you're in Joe 's class, that sounds like a blast! Thanks for the kind words.
Here is something I am working on

J. Goldsmith Strings · Member Joined: 09 Oct 2013 Posts: 26

I think this classifies as a picture of the day: my first violin scroll.

It's not finished yet, and I didn't decide on the outline (The template I was given was like that), but you get the idea!

fiddler59 · Junior Member Joined: 02 Aug 2012 Posts: 14 Location: USA

Mikes · Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 1:23 pm Post subject:

Don, That is really looking great! I like the f's, I think it's hard to capture the Del Gesu look but you got it and the corners are sweet looking.

Ken, That one you are working on is also looking very good! Can't wait to see your varnish job.

Ken Pollard · Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 6:16 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Mike and Don,

I agree, Don, -- 'clean' looking worksmanship. Looking forward to seeing more of it.

Mike, although I can't say anything in violin making is easy for me, I can safely say that varnish is the most frustrating part. I am a definite member of the "CitriStrip Club." One fiddle I have hanging above the bench right now has been stripped three times.

But, I'll post photos as this one moves along.

Andres Sender · Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 4:39 pm Post subject:

Just a quick and dirty comparison of a relaxed garland (red) with what happens when the end blocks are pulled apart (green). I have been thinking about how molds may have been used in the old days.
_________________
You can only connect the dots that you have.

L P Reedy · Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 6:08 pm Post subject:

Nice illustration, Andres. That could explain a lot. I don't work with loose garlands, so I don't have such options.

SooT · Member Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 74 Location: Devon, UK

Ken Pollard · Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 5:37 pm Post subject:

Ken Pollard · Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 5:40 pm Post subject:

DonLeister · Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 8:36 pm Post subject:

I like these little latex finger protectors, especially when I have been using fingerplanes all day. I think Soot turned me on to these.