All lutherie articles
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VideoBBC Radio 4: The Instrument Makers
In this radio programme, cellist and presenter Verity Sharp hears the stories of four very different instrument makers
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Premium ❘ Feature
Trade Secrets: Asymmetric neck shaping
A method that allows for deviation from the standard neck outline, for the comfort of the individual player
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Review
Book 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 ❘ Feature
Northern double bass makers: Northern lights
The 19th century witnessed a thriving double bass making scene in the Manchester area of England. This northern school, which had its own distinct style points, flourished for a longer time than its southern counterpart, as Thomas Martin, Martin Lawrence and George Martin explain
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Focus
In focus: 1953 violin by Giuseppe Ornati
A maker and also tutor at the Cremona International Violin Making School, whose influence was keenly felt among Italian luthiers during the latter part of the 20th century.
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Focus
Jacob Stainer: Micro-CT analysis of top-block and pins
In the April 2019 issue of The Strad, Rudolf Hopfner explains how the neck root and top-block of a Jacob Stainer violin made after 1650 gives insights into his working methods – and solves a mystery about the maker’s training in the process. This video, made up of hundreds ...
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News
Italian violin maker and teacher Francesco Bissolotti has died aged 89
The influential luthier was respected for his technical skill and use of Cremonese making techniques
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Video
The 'Four Circles' approach to violin making
In the January 2019 issue of The Strad, luthier Kevin Kelly describes his geometrical method for violin design. This video is intended to provide a visual accompaniment to the article. ’In the past, there must have been a system of design that makers could easily understand and follow, with ...
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News
Indianapolis '21st Century Violin Search' names two winning luthiers
Instruments by the winners will be bought by the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis and loaned to the laureates of the 2018 contest
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Focus
From the archive: kitchen stove-top experiments in Cremonese varnish
In the April 1938 issue, a hapless amateur maker relates his unfortunate experiences while attempting to find the ‘secret’ of Stradivari
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Video
Luthiers Stefan-Peter Greiner and Mark Jennings at IMS Prussia Cove
The materials on day one With sounds of rehearsals in the background, luthiers Stefan-Peter Greiner and Mark Jennings remove the mould from the violin they are working on collaboratively while resident at the International Musicians Seminar (IMS) at in Cornwall, England. ‘The project will help ...
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Focus
Digital Amati: a computer program putting luthiers back in touch with ancient principles
A decade ago, François Denis’s Traité de Lutherie showed how the old Italians used Euclidean geometry to design their instruments. Now a computer program based on these principles allows luthiers to construct and adapt patterns quickly and easily. Its creator, Harry Mairson, explains the genesis of Digital Amati
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Focus
Making matters: ground prep
Since time immemorial, makers have searched for the perfect varnish recipe, and take great care of the ground – but often fail to realise the importance of preparing the wood first. Christopher Jacoby gives a crash course in ‘ground prep’
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Video
Upton Bass: Laminated or Solid Double Bass Ribs?
’When you get inside an old old instrument, you’ve got grafted pieces of wood, you’ve got linen cloth… it’s essentially bad plywood’. Gary Upton of Upton Bass in Mystic, Connecticut, explains the benefits of plywood ribs on a double bass.
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News
The Strad September 2017 issue
is out nowCelebrated American violin tutor Dorothy DeLay remembered by former students, including Itzhak Perlman and Philippe Quint
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News
EILA responds to CITES rosewood restrictions
The Entente International de Luthiers et Archetiers (EILA) is campaigning for changes to be made to new restrictions introduced by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to the worldwide movement of rosewood. The new rules, which came into force on 4 February, apply to 250 ...
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News
Santa Cecilia International Violin Making Competition announces results
This year's contest attracted contestants from 24 different countries
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News
Violin maker Neil Értz dies (1966–2016)
The lifelong luthier, researcher and teacher was highly respected in the violin making world
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News
South Korean luthier wins Wieniawski International Violin Making Competition
Poland, France, Spain and Italy were also represented in the final
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News
Results announced for 2016 China international violin and bow making competition
Makers from the home country dominate results, with Polish, Hungarian and Italian entrants also represented
