Lutherie
-
FocusWhat is the secret behind Stradivari's red violins?
Varnish maker Joe Robson explores the mystery of the special deep red varnish colour that makes Antonio Stradivari’s later instruments so attractive
-
Video
A six-string custom viola played by Henning Kraggerud
In this video, Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud amd jazz pianist Bugge Wesseltoft perform an inprovisation on a folk tune. Kraggerud is playing his custom-made ‘viola concorda’. ‘I was longing for a sound that I couldn’t produce, so I ordered a new instrument from Ariane Becker,’ he
-
Focus
A step-by-step guide to keeping your bridge healthy
Tuning your instrument will naturally pull your bridge out of position, so you need to overcome your fear of touching it – as well as knowing when professional help is needed, writes Adam Pelzer
-
Focus
In focus: a 1895 violin by Eugenio Degani
A very fine and representative example from the most accomplished period of the grandfather of the modern Venetian school. Article by Roland Baumgartner, photos by Gertrud M. Reuter
-
Focus
In focus: Pablo Casals' 1733 Goffriller cello
The cello on which Pablo Casals made his landmark recordings was for a long time believed to be by Bergonzi, writes Philip Kass
-
Focus
Do violin making competitions stifle originality in favour of perfection?
Peter Somerford asks what luthiers should do to maximise their success when entering a competition, and whether winning really is everything
-
Video
The most common types of violin makers, ep.2
Oslo based violin maker Jacob von der Lippe’s second compilation of violin maker types, from accident prone to always dusty. For the first video, click here
-
News
In focus: a 1720 cello by Michele Platner
Christopher Reuning looks at an instrument which could be confused with one by Tecchler, but is actually by the other great Roman cello maker
-
Focus
What's the difference between a £1,000 and a £20,000 violin?
How do violin dealers and auction houses settle on the prices of instruments in the ‘middle range’ – and what should a potential buyer bear in mind when browsing?
-
Gallery
In focus: the 1744 'de Bériot' Guarneri 'del Gesù'
In this article from July 2015, David Rattray takes a look at a highly refined instrument that kicks against the constraints of conformity
