All Lutherie articles
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FocusSeeing red: Stradivari’s special instrument varnish
In this extract from September 2018, Joe Robson examines the history and prestige surrounding the colour red and how it began to feature in Stradivari’s instrument varnish
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Focus
The Strad Calendar 2022: Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume viola 1867
This viola is regarded as an exceptionally pure and unique specimen among Vuillaume’s work
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Focus
The components of violin varnish
In this extract from November 2007, Joe Robson explores the history and methods of making violin varnish
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Focus
The Strad Calendar 2022: Santo Serafin violin 1750
Santo Serafin’s refined style can be particularly seen on the scroll
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Focus
Discovering the composition of historical varnishes
In this extract from the October 2021 issue, Balthazar Soulier, Stefan Zumbühl and Christophe Zindel introduce their study of minerals historical varnishes
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Focus
The Strad Calendar 2022: Hendrik Jacobs cello 1696
One of the very few cellos made by Hendrik Jacobs himself, and the only Dutch instrument in the Calendar
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Premium ❘ Feature
Recipe for success: Stradivari’s varnish
The search for Stradivari’s varnish formula has continued since the 18th century, but there have been few scientific analyses of the varnish itself. Stewart Pollens reveals the results of his recent study of the varnish on five of Stradivari’s instruments, in this feature from May 2009
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Premium ❘ Feature
Stradivari’s varnish: a chemical analysis
Jean-PhilIppe Echard and Balthazar Soulier reveal the results of their seven-year research into Stradivari’s varnish, using five of the master’s instruments from Paris’s Musée de la Musique. From April 2010
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News
Two gold medals awarded at 2021 Cremona Triennale violin making competition
Kazune Nemoto received the top prize in the cello section, while Guido Mariotto won for his double bass
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Focus
The Strad Calendar 2022: Giuseppe Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin c.1736
With a handsome, deeply reflective and broadly flamed maple back, this is the crown jewel in the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation’s collection
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Gallery
‘Noah’s Violin’ has successful Venice launch
A quartet of musicians from the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory performed Vivaldi on top of the floating instrument
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Premium ❘ Feature
The Strad Calendar 2022: Dutch treasures
The Strad Calendar 2022 showcases twelve of the finest instruments belonging to the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation. Head of collection Frits Schutte outlines its work, while Hubert de Launay gives a tour of the riches
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Premium ❘ Feature
Optical effects in Lutherie: Reflected Glories
Why do some instruments look completely different in varying kinds of light? In this lutherie feature from August 2013, Michael Molnar explains how an understanding of wood, varnish and their optical interactions can produce magical results
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Focus
Using ‘Digital Amati’ in violin making
In this extract from September 2017, Harry Mairson introduces the ’Digital Amati’ software used in conjunction with Euclidean geometry to design string instruments
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Premium ❘ Feature
Between the Baroque and modern age: Vuillaume’s ‘Messiah’ Strad
Stefan-Peter Greiner examines Vuillaume’s unorthodox method of fastening and extending the neck in his copy of the ‘Messiah’ Strad. From November 1996
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Focus
Using Artificial Intelligence in violin making
In the September 2021 issue, Sebastian Gonzalez investigates artificial intelligence (AI) software to examine violin forms
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Focus
‘Spanish Court’ Stradivari viola copy by Diego del Valle
A chance to check out the decorated viola that is the subject of The Strad Podcast Episode #11
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Focus
The Strad Podcast Episode #11: Jesus Rodolfo’s 1696 ‘Spanish Court’ Stradivari viola copy
Jesus Rodolfo speaks about his very special instrument made for him based on a decorated Stradivari
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Focus
Various viola variables: weight, shape and sound
In the September 2021 issue, William Castle examines how weight, shape and sound is affected in violas of various sizes
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News
Inaugural Brandenburg Violin Making Workshop 2021
Watch exclusive footage of the week-long workshop in August, the first of its kind in Europe
