Violin Forum/Message Board

Barry Dudley · Member Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 64 Location: Monroe, GA

Here is a 5 string violin that is ready for varnish. I am going to leave it in the UV cabinet for a few days and see if the wood will tan a bit.

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actonern · Super Member Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 444

I love those f holes... I know they're not travelling down the Cremona highway, but the look fantastically ANGRY to me... furrowed brow Nurse Ratched!

Excellent!

Barry Dudley · Member Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 64 Location: Monroe, GA

The f-holes get lots of comments. Traditionalist of course do not like them much but customers do! Everyone says they have attitude. I call the sorta of Gothic??

Here are some shots with a shellac color ground added. I applied it using traditional "French Polish" method.
The violin is going too be antiqued. I will apply a clear oil varnish over this.

actonern · Super Member Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 444

Barry:

The french polish method requires a constant movement of the "muneca" to work... how do you deal with the many tight creases, like the upper ribs where they meet the neck root? Do you have a tiny pad that gets you right in there or do you have to brush areas like the scroll turns?

Barry Dudley · Member Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 64 Location: Monroe, GA

Let me say first of all that "French Polish" is not my typical method of finishing a violin. To be perfectly honest this particular violin was an experiment in getting color on the violin.

I did brush on the shellac to "body" the scroll and then go back and french polish the wide areas with a small muneca. beyond the entrance into the first turn I use what ever method i can make work.

If the violin is to be is going to be "antiqued" as this one is then the areas like the rib/neck root are not as much a problem.

Mat Roop · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:41 pm Post subject:

Barry Dudley · Member Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 64 Location: Monroe, GA

Matt, I am happy with the outcome because the customer likes the color!
That having been said, It was much easier to get the deep color that I was shooting for using this method. Much easier, IMHO, than trying to color the varnish.

I used dyes that are alcohol soluble. The ones I used are in a liquid form so I can introduce them drop at a time until I get the color I want.

I will put clear oil varnish over the shellac for the final finish and rub it out with Pumice and Rottenstone as usual.

Mat Roop · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:55 pm Post subject:

Barry... your instruments look awesome... do you have pics it after it aws antiqued?... Mat

Barry Dudley · Member Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 64 Location: Monroe, GA

I will when it is completed.