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Is this a good idea?
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CelloWES
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Joined: 01 Jan 2011
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Location: US

PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:47 am    Post subject: Is this a good idea? Reply with quote

For a while now I have been wanting to construct a cello(but I want to make a violin because I heard it was easier to start on). I started playing when i was in third grade and I really enjoy it. I am now in eighth grade and I am wondering if this would be a good hobby to try. I love my woods class, so I would be surprised if I would give up the project. I own a 9" band saw, a jig saw, table saw, router, drill press, planer, and some other tools. My Dad was a home builder and architect, and makes remote control air planes for a hobby so he knows allot about wood. The thing that worries me is if this would cost too much for me to afford. I have $250 right now, but if I ran out of money I think my dad would help a little. If you think this is a good idea for someone my age, could you tell me some of the things I might also need? I know I should have a construction book, plans, and lumber. Is there a cheap place to buy wood and should I start on wood that isn't so fancy? Sorry if I am asking so many questions, ha ha.
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actonern
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Joined: 15 Aug 2007
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 7:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm guessing you're about 13?

My advice... ask your dad if he thinks you're ready. He knows you and your capabilities far better than we do!

Best regards,

E
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CelloWES
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My Dad wants to make it, it's just that we've never constructed a musical instrument before.
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actonern
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 2:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

this book is held in high regard as a good basic text for starting makers...

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Violin-Making-Chris-Johnson/dp/0709058764/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293991168&sr=8-1

It's a bit expensive, but not as expensive as the endless dead ends you can pursue with insufficient or misleading instruction.

Good luck!
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Michael Darnton
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 2:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd recommend you start with poplar from the lumber yard for the back and sides. It's hundreds of dollars cheaper than maple, and works fine.
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CelloWES
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cool! I heard about that book and was wondering if it is what i need. Also the poplar idea is definantly what I'm going to do. I was looking at some of the maple prices and I do not want to spend that on my first i ever make. Thanks Very Happy
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Michael Darnton
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You might want to take a look at the Making a Viola photo essay on my web site: http://darntonviolins.com

Also, maybe I'll finish this project someday, but still, there might be something for you here: http://violinmag.com
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FiddleDoug
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 11:13 pm    Post subject: Gonna cost way more than that. Reply with quote

The $250 might buy you the parts and strings, but it's going to cost you about 3-4 times that for the tools. The power tools that you listed will have limited use. Go to the library first, and get a good book on instrument making. Write down the tools that you will need, and then go to a supplier like International Violin Co. and price out the tools. You can sometimes substitute other tools, but it often makes the job harder.
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Michael Darnton
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 11:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I went up north for New Year's Day 2000, and just in case Chicago Y2Ked into oblivion, I put together a tool kit that I thought would permit me to make violins. The whole thing, including a bunch of clamps, fit into a .50 cal ammo can. I think there were five knives, four finger planes, a couple of rasps and scrapers, a file, three or four gouges, a 102 plane, a reamer and peg shaper, a small hand drill and some bits, a couple of rules, a post setter, two sharpening stones and a jam jar of glue. I may have thrown a bow saw into the trunk.

I think that adds up to around $1200 or a bit more. Violin making tools are pretty expensive.
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DonLeister
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 11:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Cellowes,

For a handsome and inexpensive piece of wood ask your dad if he knows any cabinet shops or woodworkers, they often have 'cut-offs' or short pieces of good material sitting around. They often save some really pretty pieces of wood and not have any good use for the short pieces.Ask if they have any soft maple (likely red maple, slab cut) cut-offs, often it is wide enough to make a one piece back.
Your dad might know of some hardwood supply places (ask the cabinet maker guys where to go) that will let you look in the racks at what they have.

A lot of cabinet guys around here actually don't like curly maple because it is harder to machine, and it gets painted anyway.

For saving money (and time invested in making) on tools, I would suggest following Michael Darnton's advice. He has a blog, some rough drafts for a book on making and tons of advice here and on the maestronet forums (more from a few years ago than lately). I think he can only repeat himself so many times...
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CelloWES
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 2:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The photo essays looks really good. Would buying plans, and the art of violin making book still be necessary?
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Chet Bishop
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Absolutely.

This is not a "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" type project. You could go more cheaply by getting the Henry Strobel book, "Violin-making, Step-by-Step", which also contains a drawing that will work. But you will need at least that.

I have completed thirteen instruments so far, with seven more on the bench, and I still refer back to that book (Strobel's) constantly, for measurements that I just don't seem to remember.

You can do this cheaply, but it will cost you more time in the long run. Buy at least a few good tools, and at the very least, the Strobel book. The Johnson-Courtnall book is more thorough, and has lots of great photos, but costs four times as much, and does not include a drawing...so you would still have to get a poster, or something.

BTW, Henry also sells a book, "Cello-making, Step-by-Step", which is keyed to the violin-making book. You would have to have both books, but I know a fellow on another forum who built his first violin and cello, using those two books, and both are quite good instruments. Both are being played in the local community orchestra.
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sdantonio
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Location: Bellingham, Massachusetts, USA

PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 1:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

actonern wrote:
this book is held in high regard as a good basic text for starting makers...

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Violin-Making-Chris-Johnson/dp/0709058764/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293991168&sr=8-1

It's a bit expensive, but not as expensive as the endless dead ends you can pursue with insufficient or misleading instruction.

Good luck!


It is an excellent book and regarding the expense, this is why we have libraries (I read my first copy interlibrary loan... then I broke down and bought one). Read it first and then see if you really want to attempt making one.
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sdantonio
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Having not read the entire thread I don't know if this was suggested, but how about something like a stewart mcdonald (stewmac.com) kit to start with?
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CelloWES
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Okay, what do you guys think about this? Using Strobels book for measurements, and the violin making essay to show me how to make it? I don't know if it's really necessary to buy "The Art of Violin Making" if there's one on the Internet with really helpful pictures.

Last edited by CelloWES on Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:52 pm; edited 1 time in total
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