I work on violins, and watch lots of luthier videos…. You definitely did your homework, and are a talented woodworker, as well as a very talented narrator and editor of the video. Bravo! It was great - now, to go watch part 2
Kelley, I really enjoyed your video. Your presentation is so clear and well thought out. I am impressed that you took on such a complicated and exacting project. You have really developed your skills to be so adept at using a wide variety of tools while working through numerous steps with the blocks, ribs and linings. I am looking forward to seeing the progress as the project moves forward!
Kelley, this was very impressive and pleasing to watch. Your skill as video maker matches that as violin maker. Narrating over the action is more effort for you, but makes for a shorter, more pleasing and content rich video. your choice of background music is appropriate, and the fact that it is not so loud as to drown you out is appreciated. Thank you for sharing the results of your skill and effort with the world. This, from a non-musical engineer, who is more into metal work than wood work.
Thank you very much for the thoughtful comment Rick! I’ve spent the last couple years creating videos for social media for various companies and it’s gotten me acquainted with shooting, editing, music selection, etc, and I truly enjoy doing it - it’s half the fun of the project for me. Stay tuned for the next video where I create the top and bottom plates of the violin! I will get into some basic physics of sound and vibration which as an engineer you will appreciate!
Thanks Zach! I discovered a whole lot of no nonsense fiddle makers, mainly old school country people from all over the United States, while I was researching this project.
FYI The shape of a violin is actually an archetype. This is a set of geometry instructions on how to lay out the violin. A major difference is in the shape of the C bouts. Strat had smaller rounder bouts while gunarie for example had longer slimmer bouts. These affect how easy it is to make the instrument “cry and sing” with warmth. Remember, Strat worked hundreds of years prior to the metric system so accurate drawings and templates are hard to find. Strat began at age 15 and worked into his late eighties. He changed his archetypes frequently in search of perfection. At the end, he went back to features of his early works. So far you are doing an admirable job. The worst thing here are the costs of special tools like body clamps and finger planes. Thicknessing of the top and tone bar are time consuming.
@@KelleyMakes Look up "Men in Sheds Violin". This english gent has been making instruments for years. The back is very hard. There are islands of varying thickness with an odd island in the middle. This is to provide stiffness as the instrument is under significant stress.
Awesome start! I can't wait to see the next part. I started building acoustic guitars about 18 months ago and now have built 17. Once you start you'll be hooked. Enjoy your craft.
Shotgun video showed up on my recommended today. I like the style of your videos; look forward to the next part of this series. Youve got a channel worth subscribing to here.
Fantastic work and terrific video. I have built one each classical and a steel string guitars. Though not exactly a set of Lincoln Logs, they do not require the absolute precision that is needed to build a violin. I have had a violin build on my bucket list for quite some time, and I think your video will serve as my inspiration to build one and check this off my list. I will most definately be on the lookout for your next installment. 🎻👌
You're so smart, and so skillful Kelley. Fantastic job. I can't wait to see the rest of it. I wonder what finish you will eventually give to the maple. You can do some pretty amazing things with maple, using "aqua fortis'... I don't know if that's appropriate for a violin, but it looks amazing on maple gun stocks on old Kentucky long guns. ❤ Will you go for a modern polyurethane finish or a more traditional shellac, or a hand rubbed oil finish? I wonder. Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will be beautiful.
Great! I just received the viola poster, I want to use to make the molds. And planning to buy the materials. Very refreshing too watch someone with the same ambitious idea! You're a few chapters ahead of me. Looking forward to your next video's!
@@simonevanhove9129 just seeing this comment now, how is your viola coming along? I’ve had to pause on my project to take care of my newborn, not sure when I’ll be able to post the next in the series!
@@KelleyMakes Hi Kelly, congrats for you newborn. I hope you and the little one are boh healthy and happy! The block of my viola are in place.. one block could still use a little touch of sandpaper. 😉.. So.. preparing courage to start thinning the wood for the sides!
Watching listening with intrigue.i built/ repaired violin mandoli guitar dulcimerve been playing since before internet you tube existed ( before that was darkness) learning lutherie you'll love it or never do it again , violin is one of hooman kinds greatest inventions ...Bravo , I've yet to bend ribs or carve a top back...... Care ful with those blades. They don't apologize Bravo again
@@KelleyMakes Hi Kelly, thanks for the reply. I was thinking of having a go myself, so am watching with interest. Have you posted the second instalment yet?
@@Drlush1 give it a try! I haven’t posted the next part because I had a baby recently and don’t have the time, but there are several other makers on RU-vid doing similar things. Check out John mangum. Also, buy the book the art of violin making. I got most of my information from these two sources!
looks really good so far . i think that smell your smelling is like when you start up a furnace or electric heater for the first time im sure it will get better . im a new subscriber cause i know by the time your done with this violin you will be hooked . this may be your first but it will not be your last . and just so you know you dont need fancy wood . local wood will work just fine . really the only thing i see the most is people use spruce for the top and maple for the sides and back . but really there are no rules . dont get hung up on rules . i will say spruce should be used for the top . just because its such a good tone wood . cant wait to see your next video on this if its out already ill be in your comments again im sure .
Thanks so much for the comment! The reason I started off with “fancy” wood is because when I’m new to something I don’t like to “bend the rules” before I really understand the nature of what I’m doing. I’ve seen people make violins/fiddles out of all kinds of wood and they sounded great! Definitely something I’ll consider in the future. That highly flamed maple is very very difficult to bend. Broke a lot of pieces before I gave up and bought a less flamed maple slab.
Hi KelleyMakes! I just got into a uni with an amazing wood-related Makerspace, and my eventual goal is to make a violin like you have done in this picture. I've used a bandsaw, tablesaw, and belt sander before, but not to enough of a degree that I would call my self competent enough to make something with this much precision and talent. Do you have any recommendations of channels, websites, or videos I can go to to learn more? You really are just so skilled and I'd like to also get into more into wood-making!
Hi hannah! Great question. Check out Fine Woodworking, it’s a website as well as a magazine. I’m sure your school has great instruction regarding safety and use though.
I'm impressed. Would it be possible for your to write the name and web address of where you bought the wood and templates? How much do you think you spend in wood, forms, and luthier tools (appreciate if you could list out each separately)? I've got a bug to try and make a violin.
Hi again, Joe! Thanks so much for watching. The form and templates can be found on eBay by searching “violin molds/templates.” The wood was purchased from carpathiantonewood. As far as how much to spend on wood and tools, it really depends. The wood I bought was in the $400-500 range including shipping. The forms and molds were about $75. I haven’t yet bought all the luthier tools for carving, but several good gouges are needed as well as tiny little thumb planes. It’s not a cheap proposition, but it’s doable over time.
@@KelleyMakes Thanks for the info. As a woodworker, I've had a feeling how much it costs to build something with good wood for hardwood furniture. I knew wood for musical instruments was of a higher quality and thus likely more expensive. The numbers help put it in perspective. The way I look at it, to make say a nightstand, with hand tools will likely take me 100 to 200 hours. GIven I have a day job and a family, it will likely take me 6 months. As such, $500 for wood that takes me 6 month to "use up" is very affordable. There are many hobbies that cost much more and just leave you with memories.
Just a couple things to note. I think traditionally the corner blocks have diagonal grain not horizontal. Personally, I mortice all my linings and not just the C-bout ones but that is a preference. Didn't hear any mention of block and or rib tapering. Kind of hard to tell but at 3:08 the blocks seem flush with one side of the mold. Is this a multi-layer mold and you removed the layer of the mold where it is flat to the blocks in order to do the linings on that side? In general, good job.
The Art of Violin Making specifies horizontal grain specifically on the corner blocks, however I know that diagonal seems more common, like you mentioned. I also remember reading that morticing ALL linings had no added benefit for a lot of extra work and I don’t think the masters did that, but I could be wrong! I kind of cheated here and I’m going to be doing the second side of linings at a later time so I could get the mold off more easily.
@@KelleyMakes Has progress stalled due to life getting in the way? Anyway, looking forward to the next videos. I'm only an amateur as well but have a bit more experience than you so if you have any questions feel free to ask.
It has indeed gotten in the way! I’m currently carving the top of the violin but it’s going to take a big backseat for a while as woodworking and taking care of a newborn aren’t very easy to do at the same time! Lol
Thanks for all. I want to find data dimension's and patrons for make to violin. Do you know where i will to find. Friendly nick Sideris. Luthier bouzouki.
@@cs51762 whoops I’m sorry I thought you had commented on a different video of mine. The classical piece in this is from Vivaldis suite, the four seasons!
