All Lutherie articles
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Focus'The major asset required in finding the perfect bow is due diligence' – Benjamin Bowman
Violinist and Metropolitan Opera concertmaster Benjamin Bowman has spent his entire playing career in search of ever more subtle and responsive bows. Here, he charts the beginning of his journey to finding his ‘forever bow’
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Trade Secrets: Small tools, big help
A number of labour-saving devices designed to make life easier at the workbench
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Making Matters: Beauty and the bridge
The acoustic role of the violin bridge is well known, but what about the aesthetic choices that luthiers make when carving them? John Beames gives a detailed analysis of a favourite bridge to elucidate the process
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Video
Cremona Mondomusica trade fair confirmed for 2020
The event for stringed instrument players, makers and dealers will take place from 25 to 27 September
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News
Luthier creates tiny playable violins during lockdown
Bavarian violin maker Maria Sandner’s creations can be just 10cm long
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Vihuela de Arco: Unlocking the secrets of the past
A popular instrument of the Middle Ages, the vihuela de arco is only known today from contemporary references and pictures. Javier Martínez explains its significance in the history of bowed instruments, and debunks some of the myths surrounding it
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Trade Secrets: Designing a bridge for a violin with distorted arching
A solution to a common problem in antique instruments
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Making Matters: In praise of cypress
The wood of the cypress tree can seem like an unusual alternative for spruce, but both its figure and relative density make it a desirable option. Alan Beavitt explains why he has used it for several instruments
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Focus
A genuine Amati or a clever fake?
Could the cello shown here be one of the eight ‘bass violins’ ordered by Catherine de’ Medici for the court of Charles IX of France? Luthier Filip Kuijken explores the known history of the instrument and considers whether it could be an original Andrea Amati – or a clever fake ...
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Auction report: June 2020
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, sales continued at the London auction houses in March. Kevin MacDonald gives a tour of the highlights
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In Focus: A c.1930 violin by Annibalotto Fagnola
Philip Brown examines an instrument by the Turin violin maker
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Trade Secrets: Lengthening a violin neck
An alternative to performing a neck graft, without the need for making a replacement
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Making Matters: Pearls of wisdom
One of the most mysterious parts of bow making is the production of mother-of-pearl slides and eyes. John Matthews provides a guide to the process, and explains why ormer is the best shell to use
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News
50th anniversary of Mirecourt’s School has been postponed
Celebrations for the Mirecourt National School of Lutherie’s 50th anniversary have been postponed
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Focus
7 tips for avoiding repetitive strain injury when making instruments
For instrument makers, repetitive strain injuries can mean untold pain and misery – and possibly the end of their career. Luthier Cameron Robertson explains how, with the help of occupational therapist Sara Propes, he adapted his work process to guard against the problems of RSI in the future
