All Lutherie articles – Page 51
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Premium ❘ GalleryFrom the Archive: a violin by G.B. Rogeri, large pattern, 1697
This illustration of a violin by Giovanni Battista Rogeri was published in The Strad, February 1914. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs: The larger violins of this great maker are exceedingly scarce. This Rogeri’s ordinary fiddles are, relatively speaking, numerous enough, and are about the ...
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Premium ❘ FeatureCan you tell a fake instrument from the genuine article?
With more and more instrument forgeries finding their way on to the market, how do experts, dealers and buyers stay wise to deception? Femke Colborne finds out
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VideoComparing 3 Stradivari cellos
Pablo Ferrández visits the Nippon Music Foundation to compare the 1696 'Lord Aylesford' cello he has on loan with two others by Stradivari, the 1730 'De Munck, Feuermann' and the 1736 'Ladenburg' (part of the 'Paganini' quartet).
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Premium ❘ GalleryFrom the Archive: a violin by Giovanni Grancino, Milan 1714
This illustration of a violin by Giovanni Grancino was published in The Strad, April 1914. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs: Of the various Grancini, the instruments of Giovanni (1675-1737) are probably best known. Those of his father, sons, and various other relatives are seldomer ...
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Premium ❘ FeatureLife out of balance
While many luthiers are happy making stringed instruments to the standard form, others are keen to explore the possibilities of alternative patterns. Peter Somerford discovers how asymmetric designs can affect tone quality, projection, acoustics and player comfort
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Premium ❘ FeatureAn unexpected twist
The few remaining guitars by Antonio Stradivari have distinctive characteristics – which proved useful when another example came to light recently in a museum collection. Emiliano Marinucci and Lorenzo Frignani tell the story
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Premium ❘ FeatureThe Jewel of Taiwan: The Strad Calendar 2020
The Chimei Museum in Taiwan houses the largest collection of stringed instruments in the world.The Strad Calendar 2020 marks 30 years since its founding, as Dai-Ting Chung and Andrew Guan highlight some of the remarkable treasures within its walls
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Premium ❘ FeatureShould violin makers embrace cutting edge computer analysis?
Violin maker Sam Zygmuntowicz explores how high-tech ways of analysing violins and their sound could help makers and even influence the future forms of instruments
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Premium ❘ FeatureIn focus: a c.1930 violin by Ignacio Fleta
Jordi Pinto examines an instrument by the important Spanish maker
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ReviewBook review: Füssen Lute and Violin Making; A European Legacy
John Dilworth reviews a history of lutherie in the southern German town
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Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Making a Tourte-style eye
How to use gold, tortoiseshell and abalone in copies of works by the ‘father of the modern bow’
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Premium ❘ FeatureMaking Matters: Keep the wolf from the door
Joseph Curtin describes a quick and simple method for violinists to eliminate a wolf tone on their instrument, along with the science behind it
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Premium ❘ FeatureStringed instrument myths exposed
Have you heard the one about checking an instrument crack by spitting on it? What about washing your bow hair in hot soapy water? We separate fact from crackpot theory
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VideoAn afternoon with Carlos Arcieri
Luthier Carlos Arcieri is seen in his workshop in this short film by Emilio Seri made in 2018. Arcieri worked Wurlitzer’s in New York under Simone Sacconi and alongside René Morel, John Roskoski, Dario D’Attili, Luiz Bellini, William Salchow, Mario D’Alessandro and Vahakn Nigogosian until the shop closed in 1974. ...
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Premium ❘ FeatureAsk the Experts: how to guarantee a violin's resaleability
Strad readers submit their problems and queries about string playing, teaching or making to a panel of experts
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Premium ❘ GalleryStradivarius at work in his studio by Edgar Bundy
2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the exhibition of British artist Edgar Bundy’s portrait of Stradivarius at work in his studio at London’s Royal Academy of Arts. Although there is some doubt as to the authenticity of the 1893 painting – as no definitive record of the luthier’s appearance exists ...
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VideoCloser to Nature – a documentary about violin maker Dmitry Badiarov
The Russian violin-maker Dmitry Badiarov (based in the Netherlands) developed his love for carving wood after deciding to build his first sailing ship, aged 5. Since then his love for making violins has co-existed with his passion for sailing and the sea. In this film, which was presented at a ...
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Premium ❘ FeatureHouse surveys are standard practice, so why not instrument surveys?
Roger Hargrave argues that buyers should insist that dealers provide full condition reports



























