Violin Forum/Message Board Forum Index Violin Forum/Message Board
Provided by Violin Vision
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Solid vs split back

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Violin Forum/Message Board Forum Index -> Violin Making and Restoration Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Dave Chandler
Super Member


Joined: 31 Oct 2007
Posts: 691
Location: Mt Mitchell in North Carolina

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:58 am    Post subject: Solid vs split back Reply with quote

Is a solid back really any less appropriate than a joined one? Does it devalue the project? Does it have any effect over sound? I know some of you out there have probably been involved in some of the VSA competitions, and does a solid back compete with split backs?

Another question, the other day I ran out of wood for linings, and digging through my scrap box found a couple pieces of (spruce?) bass wood that I had ordered from Stewart-McDonald. It was just a bit too short for violin bass board and may have been intended for guitar. Anyway, its was 6.5mm wide, split like a dream. I couldn't believe how easy it was to bend. I looked in my bible, and Henry says use "appropriate" wood for linings. Is spruce appropriate?
_________________
Dave in the Blue Ridge
Southern Violin Association

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm" Winston Churchill

"I took the road less travelled, and now I don't know where I am." Marco Polo
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address
MANFIO
Super Member


Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 458
Location: Sao Paulo

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi! I imagine you are thinking about differences in one piece and two piece backs... both are - and were - used, including by Stradivari and Del Gesù. One piece backs are even more expensive, in general.

There will be no difference for the judges if your back is one or two pieces, what will count is how you've made the instrument.

Yes, spruce can be used for linings, it was used by old Cremonese makers. But I prefer Michigan Black Willow for linings and blocks.
_________________
www.manfio.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7875988@N02/with/464604020/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jack H.
Super Member


Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 346
Location: Israel

PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I actually preffer a nice one piece backs.
Most of the Uberfantastic sounding instruments I have come across have one piece backs and many modern makers I know of actually preffer them, claiming that they just sound better.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
mapleleaf_gal
Member


Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 73
Location: tucson, az

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i prefer one piece backs out of sheer laziness. jointing is not my favorite task!

there is no difference in sound, though. generally higher quality instruments have one piece backs because they were made for royality. so, it was more of an asthetic thing than an acoustic thing.
_________________
http://sgwhiteviolins.googlepages.com/home
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Violin Forum/Message Board Forum Index -> Violin Making and Restoration Forum All times are GMT - 4 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group