All lutherie articles
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NewsObituary: Tom Blackburn (1944-2022)
The London-based luthier and restorer ran Blackburn Stringed Instruments for more than 50 years
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News
The String Circle launches in Cremona
The initiative supports both both the art of master luthiers and the needs of young string players in search of high quality instruments
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Focus
Challenges at the bench: mental health and luthiers
Mental illness is often comorbid with chronic physical conditions, resulting in multiple challenges for many luthiers, as Peter Somerford examines
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Focus
‘Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people in the trade’: how to enter the lutherie profession
In this extract from March 2022, luthiers reflect on their early professional experiences and give advice to those entering the profession
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News
Inaugural Philharmonie de Paris lutherie competition names winners
A total of 89 cellos were submitted for the competition, to celebrate excellence in the field and promote emerging talent
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News
Photo gallery: Violin made from salvaged floorboards of Shackleton’s former home
Edinburgh-based luthier Steve Burnett crafted the violin, marking the centenary of the legendary explorer’s death
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Focus
‘The best viola of mine’ - Count Cozio’s 1773 Guadagnini viola
Alberto Giordano and Barthelemy Garnier examine the business agreement between G.B Guadagnini and Count Cozio di Salabue that allowed the luthier to create a new style of viola, in this excerpt from the January 2022 issue
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News
Luthier Marten Cornelissen has died
The Dutch-born craftsman made more than 600 instruments during his lifetime
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News
New registry for fine instruments launched
The Si-Yo Fine Instrument Registry will store and update information on the musical treasures of the past
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Premium ❘ Feature
North America focus: Pioneer Spirit
America has long been a land of opportunity for the talented luthier, whether professional or hobbyist, immigrant or national. Philip Kass explores the lives and work of six gifted US makers from the late-19th to mid-20th century, in this article from November 2008
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News
Bulgarians and Italians take top awards at ANLAI violin making competition
The contest saw a hundred instruments by luthiers from ten countries assessed, with the award ceremony taking place in the historic Church of Santa Maria della Neve
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News
Women in Lutherie to hold 2021 online annual conference
The online event will provide a space for female luthiers to discuss their trade through discussions and workshops via Zoom from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 October
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Focus
The Strad Calendar 2022: Giuseppe Guarneri ‘filius Andreae’ cello 1715 ‘ex Navarra’
The Guarneri ‘filius Andreae’ must be the most impressive Cremonese cello in terms of maker’s marks
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Premium ❘ Feature
Cremonese varnish: Shining example
A close look into the history and chemistry of varnish making can shed new light on the mysteries of classic Cremonese varnish, as Joe Robson explains, in this lutherie feature from November 2007
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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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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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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
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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Video
Violin disaster! Can this violin be fixed?
Watch as luthier Olaf Grawert attempts to repair a violin with extensive bottom block damage
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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
