Great as always, an update in the unlikely event you remember me but I have successfully gotten ahold of a local luthier and he's invited me to see his workshop!
I must ask this question. I absolutely love how this is done. But the question must be asked: All materials, wood, glue, etc. being exactly the same, could one not CNC the arch and the hollowing out of the back? At least to the basic dimensions, then finish with much less planing and scraping. I wouldn't think that would have any effect on sound and would reduce cost. It would quite have the same character I suppose but a poor kid might have a better shot at getting one.
I have no intention in making a violin. But, I really enjoying seeing how one is made. As I watch, I try to imagine how the great luthiers of the 16th century used far more primitive materials and tools to do the equivalent tasks. Thank you for sharing what you have learned.
Now of course you COULD just CNC this whole process and if you used the exact same materials (glue, wood, varnish, etc.) I can't imagine that the sound would be affected. Somebody is probably making violins that way.
Some may think the lighting seems a bit "dramatic" for a craftsman to see well. However, I have seen professional woodworkers, sculptors, and gunstock makers (all of whom often use similar methods) use that light as a guide. You can tilt something into shadow that you want to see light reach, thus giving you a good gauge of where you're going. The eons old version of the laser level guide I suppose. Plus you can use the shading of the shadow to show you the curve you're working on.
Yes very good lad, but how do you actually cut the ribs from a maple tree? I'm totally never going to know because nobody can tell me. I just assume that you buy them already cut? Help❤
Thanks, Yes I bought the wood. I think we need license to cut the tree. We cut the material for the back out from the tree like a piece of cake, literally, not as an idiom, cutting it out should be hard.. then cut the ribs out from the cakes.
So quarter sawn piece then? Cheers sweetheart for your quick reply. I have made violins using already cut to a violin like shaped outside shape a big thick front, 1 piece spruce, then the same back of the maple, in the same manner, then I ask for the ribs to be done for me, only because, as you just replied that it's disallowed to cut someone else's trees down, unless your are in the forestry commission with a tree surgeon's license, as authorities, now are very strict about this which is totally right. It's hard work chiselling though. I use my grandads huge scoop chisel and his wooden malet. Ooh my back! Anyway cheers, it's got a really sweet powerful tone. I'm a professional violinist for over 40 years. I like bigger bass bars in my violin as in the shaped height. It's something I discovered along my learning experiences with restoring them, then making a few folling the teaching, which was not very clear and it is a real way to learn by mistakes. The violins I was completing where not clear enough and I knew after many years why, after going through lots of restoration work that the best sounding older violins where one's with a slightly sprung and deeper height. Integral bass bars are really awful, some more than others too. Also, narrow middles, the waist part is too narrow and they are nasal violins. Sorry for going on. Just wish I had known what I know now. About the graduations inside and outside. What's your fingerboard made from? Xxxx
Awesome, I've never seen anything like it before. You are amazingly gifted, this is a work of art and your patience is unbelievable. Congratulation on such achievement.
Because I play cello, I want to make cellos. It is very difficult to find videos to help me. This video was very helpful. Also, the violin you created looks beautiful.
I used to own a violin before switching instrument. I always wanted to know how it its made. Though now I roll with a guitar, i still appreciate learning how its made. It gives it more value and then you realize how much care you must have with your instrument.
