Violin Forum/Message Board

[medstudent]

I have played the violin since I was 12 and have always been fascinated by the instrument itself. I have also been into woodworking since I was a kid and have always wanted to build a violin.
I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for resources, ie books, websites, etc. It is hard to find good resources out there. I am also looking for affordable tools and maybe a list of "must-have-tools" to get started with. Hopefully not too expensive, (I am in medical school:). I don't want to waste my money on cheap stuff either.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[Chet Bishop]

The least expensive and still quite accurate and helpful book is Henry Strobel's "Violin Making Step By Step", at around $30. It includes a plan, and literally will walk you step by step, in fairly traditional manner (without yelling at you in seventeenth-century Italian). He does not cut any corners, and while his design may not exactly fit any known maker (Maybe it does, who knows?), the whole experience is that you have built a very credible violin on the first try.

Dr. Todd, on Maestronet, used this book and built his first violin last year. A woman in the orchestra for which he plays tried to buy it from him, but he wouldn't sell, as it is his first violin. Today, in orchestra practice, he is playing a cello he made for himself, using Strobel's Cello making book. He lent the violin to the other player for the season, but will get it back.

Many decent makers have used that book for their starting point. He lists the tools to buy, etc. You can ask questions here, as you go.

Are there other ways to go? Surely. But you asked for "most bang for the buck", if I may take liberties with interpretation, and, in my opinion, that is it.

Where you get wood and tools, etc. will largely depend on where you live, and who you are. Some people want to make all their own tools, etc. As a med student, you may want to use your time more productively, and save tool-building for when you are the stereotypical "rich doctor".

Lots of advice for every step right here on this forum, as well as others.

Good luck on it.
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

[medstudent]

Thanks for the reply. I will definitely look for that book.
Are there any good videos out there? I saw a set of DVDs by Peter Prier, but then I saw the price....
Also, to answer the question about where I am from and who I am in regards to tools, wood, etc. I live in Louisville, Ky and I am a nobody, so my resources will probably have to be all online. Any specific suggestions for a good website that offers tools and wood at reasonable prices? Do you know where I could find a basic list of essential tools until I can obtain a book?

[Mat Roop]

welcome medstudent
first do a search on the topic of what you are looking for in this forum
Example of what there is on tools:
http://www.violins.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=780&highlight=start+tools
http://www.violins.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=643&highlight=start+tools
and on books:
http://www.violins.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=961&highlight=making+books
http://www.violins.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=261&highlight=making+book
and on making try these sites...
http://www.darntonviolins.com/violinmaking.php#articles
Check the videos and blogs here ... http://quartetofpeace.com/

For specific questions... just post & you will surely get a good response.
Cheers & Good luck! Mat

[Chet Bishop]

The book is available here:
http://henrystrobel.com/ direct from the author/publisher, but, of course, may be available used somewhere.

If you don't mind my saying so, I think you would be wise to get the book, and read it through, completely, about five times. Then decide on tools. Could you build it with nothing but a leatherman and a sharpened stainless steel serving spoon? Probably, but it would not be the best way to go about it.

Could you do it with about $10K worth of high-end hand-tools? Of course, but, in reality, you would only use a handful of them regularly.

There are a few hand tools that would be indispensible. A curved-bottom plane will be needed, as well as probably two knives. At least a few gouges...the sizes are all specified in the book, (which if you went on line and ordered it today, you could be reading during Thanksgiving break...), and, toward the end of the project, some specialized tools-- purfling marker, peghole reamer, peg shaver, clamps, etc.

Unless you know someone from whom to borrow a fairly large plane, you may need to buy that. You may need to build or buy a workbench... or not-- your choice. People have built fiddles at their kitchen table for centuries, but it isn't the best way to go about it. If you get the book, Henry will tell you pretty specifically what is needed. And there are "cheap" ways around many of them--but you need to read the book, so you have an idea of what you are up against.
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

[Chet Bishop]

BTW, here is the link to Dr. Todd's first cello (2nd instrument)
http://www.maestronet.com/forum/index.php?s=4568c77b33fc5cdebfed59bba315df5a&showtopic=322662
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

[medstudent]

Thanks for all the great links Mat. The videos are fun to watch. I am very much a visual learner.

Chet, I will take your advice and get the book. That way I can have a better picture, from beginning to end of what I am up against. I did check out a book from the library not too long ago. I cannot remember the name, but I think it was written by a woman. It was a nice overview, but did not go in depth enough at all.

I will probably have to start out with buying the wood and the first necessary tools and get more as I need them while going along, as you mentioned. Which is fine with me.

Thanks again for all the advice, I will definitely be back on here with lots of questions I am sure.

[okawbow]

It takes only a few basic tools to make a violin. I made a Stainer style violin while camping in Alaska in the summer of 2002. This was violin #4 for me. I used a work mate folding workbench, and a picnic table and clamps. There was no electricity at the campgrounds, but sharp hand tools work just fine. A good hand powered jig saw, a small block plane, a curved sole thumbplane, couple chisels, knives, scrapers, and a couple gouges are all I used for the work. Everything I used fit into a suitcase.
Here are some poor pictures of the fiddle.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/5201682062/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/5201089289/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/5201090155/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/5201684234/in/photostream/

[Mat Roop]

Okawbow... mighty fine job ... better than most do in their hi tech shops!
Bet you won't be able to bear to part with it!
Cheers, Mat

[L P Reedy]

International Violin Co. has "Violin Making Step-By-Step" on sale now for $25, as well as a couple of other Strobel books. They are also a good source for about everything you will need. That's where I get about all my supplies and tools that I don't make. Also check out the main site here.

[medstudent]

Thanks LP. I actually just bought the book from Amazon, about $5 more, but free shipping. Just yesterday my wife got me this book called Violin Making by Bruce Ossman. I looked through the book and although the diagrams are nice, it seems the method is rather odd. Like using veneer for the ribs. Is this done normally? I don't want to be rude, but the pictures of the violin that the author made did not exactly look like what I am looking for, if you know what I mean.
But I did order the Strobel book as well as the measurement book, which I think will be good since you guys recommended it.

[Chet Bishop]

"although the diagrams are nice, it seems the method is rather odd. Like using veneer for the ribs. Is this done normally? "

In a word, NO! that book is not a good choice, but is being sold all over as a good alternative. Your wife had no way to know that--I am not criticizing her.

Probably the best book out there, in terms of detail and inspirational quality is "The Art of Violin Making" by Johnson and Courtnall...but it is three times the price. and does not come with a pattern.

In terms of "bang for buck" and traditional integrity, I will stand wtih Strobel.
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

[okawbow]

The Ossman book actually has a few helpfull instructions for making a VSO. But should not be relied upon as correct. His chapter on carving the scroll is understandable, and makes sense. If you can have a good example of a scroll in your hands as a guide; then his method is usefull.

All the books I have read had their good and bad points. Go to your library and see if they can get books on violin making and collecting. Read as much as you can before starting.

There is nothing wrong with using cheap or free wood for your first try.

[medstudent]

Thanks for all the help so far. I have not fallen off the face of the earth but rather studying, studying, and studying some more. Now that I have some free time, I have been getting started and could use some more advice.
I acquired quite a few tools and most of the necessary wood for my first violin.
So far, I finished the mold and also glued together the back and belly. I think the mold is looking nice. However the top and back are proving more frustrating to me. The planing is what I am really having a hard time at, since I have never really done that before.
I did my best when planing the joints. However, after I glued them together, I can see the tiniest bit of light coming through the joints here and there.
First of all, how serious is this. Do I need to take them apart and start over again? I am afraid if I do that, I will only make it worse. I don't know how I can plane the joints out any better. Plus I have no idea of how undo the joints. Do the joints have to be perfect, or is this something that is to be expected on my first violin?
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Michael Darnton]

Yes, that's serious. Yes, you need to do those joints over. It sounds like your plane isn't sharp--it should be sailing right through the wood with a good clean hiss, not fighting you.

What you really need to do, and just missed, unfortunately, is my California summer violin making workshop. Next year we're going to have a class just for beginners, too!
http://scvmw.com

If you're interested, call Jim soon--I think next year is already about 2/3 full.
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