All Lutherie articles
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‘No way fit to express an opinion’: From the archive: February 1933
Author and luthier Robert Alton rails against ‘The Amateur Violin Expert’ – even reserving a few harsh words for the professional expert as well
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News
Luthier and bow maker Boyd Poulsen has died
The American polymath, a respected musician, lecturer and botanical expert, was 87 years old
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In Focus: A 1953 Giuseppe Ornati violin
Alberto Giordano takes a look at a mid-20th-century Italian violin
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News
US National Music Museum begins reopening project
The institution, which has been closed for several years, will reopen in phases throughout 2023
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Auction Report February 2023: Rarities and English gems
A unique Stradivari viola and a record-breaking Daniel Parker viola were among the highlights of the London sales in October 2022. Kevin MacDonald reports
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Analysis February 2023: Problems with pernambuco
The CITES CoP19 conference brought the pernambuco situation into sharp focus. How can the music community take the issue forward into the future?
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Cremonese Varnish: Coats of many colours
Pierre Flavetta reveals the results of his historical research into the colourants and methods available to the luthiers of Stradivari’s day
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The art of Computer Numerical Control arching
Yann Poulain reveals his method for roughing out the arching of the front and back plates using the technology
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‘I’m happy to show them around’ - My Space: David Ayache
Visit a 13th-century workshop in the heart of Montpellier, France
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In Focus: A 1679 violin by Hendrick Aerninck
Michel Samson presents the 17th-century Dutch instrument
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Trade Secrets: Cleaning and repairing surfaces before closing an instrument top
An essential procedure for repair work on older instruments
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Making Matters: A new take on an old classic
To combat the tedium of the Covid-19 lockdowns, Andrea Schudtz embarked on a project to copy a decorated Andrea Amati violin – but with a modern twist
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Focus
7 tips on adjustments to get the best out of your instrument
The finest Stradivari in the world will sound poor if it is badly set up. Here are some points to consider sourced from our archive
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In Focus: an 1859 violin by Nicolas-François Vuillaume
Roland Baumgartner examines a violin representing a free interpretation of the work of Guarneri ‘del Gesù’, by J.B. Vuillaume’s younger brother
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In Focus: the 1696 Stradivari ‘Archinto’ viola
John Dilworth praises the archetypal beauty of Stradivari’s ‘Archinto’ viola, a magical example of form and aesthetic
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‘Cut the Stradivari cord’ - Opinion
Luthier Paris Andrew argues that, rather than copying Antonio Stradivari models, makers should study other beautiful instruments that exist
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Making Matters: How I set up a violin making workshop during the pandemic
Ian McWilliams explains how he set up a summer violin making workshop near the German capital
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In Focus: A c.1776 Domenico Busan viola
Joseph Grubaugh and Sigrun Seifert take a look at a viola from the Italian maker
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‘Makers have been working blind’ - Cremonese archings
Gareth Ballard presents a detailed method for analysing the various curves of archings
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Analysing the 'Titian' Stradivari violin, 1715
In our February 2009 issue, Sam Zygmuntowicz examines one of Stradivari's finest golden period instruments, using both traditional and high-tech methods