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First violin progress
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=16676		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Colin S [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:13 am ]
Post subject:  First violin progress
I don't normally post progress stuff, unless it's relevent to another thread, but I thought Barry and some others may be interested in the progress of my first go at violin making.

I've got the neck, fingerboard and box finished, just got to fit the neck to the body. I've also got to make a tailpiece and pegs, I know they are easy to buy, but come on, that's not me is it?

The Boss is pleased with it so far, and she's not easily pleased believe me!

Those of you, particularly the hobby builders, that only make guitars I can thoroughly recommend having a go at a violin, I think they can become adddictive.


Attachment:
Violin 1.jpg


Attachment:
Violin 2.jpg


Colin
Author:  bob_connor [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Looking superb Colin but I must say you are a brave man considering the scrutiny that it will have once strings go on it.

Bob
Author:  Dave White [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Colin,

It's looking fabulous so far - your skill and patience as ever amaze me. You are definitely a "luthier".

Is this one going to be a "fiddle" or "violin" or both in terms of the music that will get played on it? Either way I'm sure that married harmony (I tried to type b l i s s but that stupid running emoticon appeared!!) will continue to smile on you both as even more beautiful music gets created.

Let's see which one of us gets to finish a hurdy-gurdy first - if it looks like you are winning I'll have to make mine a double necked one :lol:
Author:  Colin S [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Dave, it's interesting, my last four instruments have been lute, steel string, classical, violin. On the go as well are an archlute, steel string and classical. I find the variety refreshing.

As to the hurdy gurdy, I'm still debating with myself which design to go for, but it and an Irish harp on on the next build schedule. I guess that you could combine them into a harp-hurdy-gurdy!

Colin
Author:  Marc [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Progressing nicely Colin. I look forward to seeing the finish instrument sometime soon. Hopefully we'll hear a sound clip.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Looking great there, Colin! Why am I not surprised?
Author:  crich [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
You amaze me,, [uncle] This is your first? What finish are you thinking,FP on a violin? CLinton
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
I bet he puts Chunky Marmalade on it! :D
Author:  Anthony Z [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Colin, very impressive!! Having build archtops - carving and graduating the plates doesn't frighten me. Carving the scroll on a violin does give me pause to attempt one. The scroll on yours looks perfect! Excellent job on the top purfling as well!

The boss will certainly be happy with this one!

BTW: Are you thinking of doing any funky inlay on the fretboard or staining it a bright cherry or deep blue? (kidding you on)
Author:  martinedwards [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Anthony Z wrote:
staining it a bright cherry or deep blue?

aw boo!!

I was gonna say that!!

lookin good Colin!!
Author:  Colin S [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Anthony, carving the scroll was really enjoyable and not that tough, it's just a matter of cutting away all of the wood that doesn't look like a violin scroll.

Waddy, it will have a close relative of the chunky marmalade, I haven't been given it yet, but it is a horrendously expensive real amber oil varnish, apparently it takes three old hags with a big cauldron on some Scottish moor to make it from eye of newt and tongue of frog or some such, anyway it's one of those things that if you need to ask the price....

By the way, this is made from measurements taken from the Liotti.

Colin
Author:  TonyKarol [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
I am with Anthony, Colin .. carving that scroll would scare the bejeezuz out of me (that looks awefully sweet .. [clap] ).. wouldnt a good ole slot head with Wav's do the trick ...

As for a finish .. check out the what's new page at http://www.12th fret.com, and see the dark burst on the thinline Eastman .. I can dig THAT ....
Author:  James W B [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Beautiful Colin.For the record ,here in Nashville ,it`s always a fiddle. James W B
Author:  Sam Price [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
I cannot believe that is your first violin, Colin; I have been told from a violin builder near me that it's a completely different art to acoustic guitars!!

Mind you, the delicate rosettes you have carved and the lutes you have built belies the truth that the ability/build chops are already present.

Is this for your own use, or is this going to be for your wife?
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Mercy, Colin, you never cease to amaze....
Beautiful work, and flawless miters.
Wow!

Steve
Author:  Ken McKay [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Nice job Colin, are you putting a Baroque set up on it?

Good work carving the scroll, it is hard to see the edgework from the lighting in your photo, but is looks nicely done and subtle. The Scroll looks fine, ff;s real good.
Author:  Rod True [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
That is looking excellent Colin,

Let me pay you the highest of compliments, that's looking very Italian. laughing6-hehe

I'm just having some fun with you Colin. Seriously you have great building chops and no doubt that will be one excellent violin when you're all done.
Author:  LanceK [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Colin,
That is very impressive! [clap]
Author:  John Kinnaird jr [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Colin that is very impressive.
Invisible joints in the seams, flawless mitres and purfling channels. Excellent! You are the best.

John
Author:  PaulB [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
I was going to ask if you started with a kit, then saw who was posting. I know better than to ask you that question. :roll:

Looking great Colin.

I'm thinking of trying my hand at building a cello at some point.
Author:  old man [ Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Colin, my friend, you've been holding out on us. I didn't know you were making a violin. That will be one one sweet instrument. You are a really fine craftsman, and I hope you can post a clip of your wife playing that thing. Wonderful job!

Ron
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Incredibly impressive, Colin. [clap] [clap] [clap] Lutes, SS and Classical ...now a violin! [clap] [clap] [clap] Keep us posted and be sure to have the boss give her unbiased opinion!

Holy smokes...all you have to do now is build an electric shredder and we can start calling you a luthier! laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe
Author:  Dave White [ Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
JJ Donohue wrote:
Holy smokes...all you have to do now is build an electric shredder and we can start calling you a luthier! laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe


Colin,

Yes - that would be useful for getting rid of all those sitka tops 8-)
Author:  Mike Mahar [ Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
Colin S wrote:
Waddy, it will have a close relative of the chunky marmalade, I haven't been given it yet, but it is a horrendously expensive real amber oil varnish, apparently it takes three old hags with a big cauldron on some Scottish moor to make it from eye of newt and tongue of frog or some such, anyway it's one of those things that if you need to ask the price....
Colin


Al Carruth has often said that if you want to start brawl enter a room full of violin makers and whisper the word "varnish". He also tells a story where a writer was visiting a bunch of violin makers interviewing them on their craft. Each of the makers extolled the virtues of their particular custom varnish formula. He would ask them what it was and, often, they would share it provided that he kept it a secret. The ironic part was that they all had basically the same formula. There was one exception. One very prominent builder said that he got his at the hardware store. I don't recall the builder or the brand/type of varnish.

I'm not implying that you shouldn't invest in this varnish. A lot of violin builders who know far more than I do swear that this is a critical component and that you shouldn't skimp.
Author:  Michael Jin [ Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First violin progress
I say build a cello next. [:Y:]
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