Violin Forum/Message Board

Seahawkwalt · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject: violin making

Hello. I am interested in making violins. I have decided on the book "The art of violin making" for my reference based on reviews. I have zero experience with woodworking unfortunately. Are there any instructional videos one could recommend? Secondly, how can I locate any close seminars? I live in Athens, Tn. It would be difficult with my family/work situation to attend a seminar for 1 to 2 weeks...are there any online or short seminars? Lastly, where can I find a list of required tools? (how much would you estimate the total cost for the required tools?) And where would the most economical place to buy them be? I appreciate any input and thanks in advance.
Seahawkwalt Smile

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Chet Bishop · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject:

Well, I was expecting people to jump all over this... If you are a doctor, you will have no trouble with the level of instruction given in any books on lutherie. If you really are fearful about the tools, I can only tell you that it is not all that tough to get used to.

I guess I would suggest supplementing the Johnson/Courtnall book you already got with "Violinmaking, Step-by-Step" by Henry Strobel. It has things in a pretty orderly, uncluttered style of writing, and gives tool lists, etc. Ver simple book by comparison. (I have both, among others...)

You could either use Henry's pattern (included in the book) or buy a poster from "The Strad"--say, the "Milanollo", or another one (everyone has favorites). The only reason I'm suggesting the Milanollo is that (a) Michael Darnton recommended it, and (b) I happen to know it has all the measurements you need, and some of the other posters (the Kreisler for example) do not.

Learning to adequately sharpen tools could be a challenge. I'll bet there is someone near your location who could give you some pointers, though.

I tried to look up Athens on Google, and drew a blank-- where in the state are you located? I have a friend in Afton who makes violins, and is a fine woodworker, to boot.

Chet Bishop

Seahawkwalt · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:00 pm Post subject:

Thank you Mr. Bishop. I live in Athens, Tn. (where the point of N Carolina hits Tn). I will certainly check out Strobel's book. I have a few patients who are woodworkers so I would say sharpening wouldn't be a problem. I'm not sure where Afton is but I will check.
Seahawkwalt
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dwdougherty · Junior Member Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 5

ollieken · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject: bow rehair

Also Bow Rehair by Craig Tucker is a good dvd
CRAIG TUCKER
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DonLeister · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject:

Seahawkwalt,

Violinmaking is different from woodworking, sharpening , tool knowledge and techniques are very specific (types and sizes of gouges, sharpening technique, hardness of steel,...) so going with woodworker's knowledge will not be on course, and can mean buying the wrong tools $ , learning bad habits. (time)
The books by Courtnall Johnson and Strobel are very helpful. I suggest reading online posts by Michael Darnton, on Maestronet, especially for tools and technique. He is very practical, and takes a workbench, no nonsense approach, like no other.
An investment now of a week workshop at SCAVM would put you years ahead and steer the ship in the right direction at the start!
Don Leister

Chet Bishop · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:03 am Post subject:

"SCAVM would put you years ahead and steer the ship in the right direction at the start"

Couldn't agree more! I really wish I had gone to a workshop the first year, instead of the third or fourth, and had gotten a good teacher on the first violin, instead of the eighth. i would have saved a lot of time and frustration.

Chet Bishop

Todd Glover · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:54 am Post subject:

Andres Sender · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject:

I believe the Milanollo poster is out of print, but the 'Kruz' is still available.

There is a vast amount of information available online in various lutherie or violin-making forums. Including many threads by beginners talking about their adventures.

Todd Glover · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:21 pm Post subject:

Any you'd care to point to? I've looked at a few of the other forums, but this is the first I registered to.

Andres Sender · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject:

Maestronet is a good one, and on specific topics it will point you to any others which might be helpful.

Chet Bishop · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject:

Here's one fellow's website telling about his first violin.

http://z11.invisionfree.com/Stringed_Instruments/index.php?showtopic=16

Here's his home page.
http://www.welshviolin.com/

There are many others.

Chet

Todd Glover · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:44 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the pointers.

I became interested in making violins when an opportunity came up for me to pick up some "very" old violin parts that had not been finished or assembled.

I need to try my hand at building a few before I dive in on this other material, so I'm sure I'll be asking many questions.

MANFIO · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:11 pm Post subject:

I recently posted a neck and scroll carving tutorial here sometime ago.
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Jack H. · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:27 am Post subject: