All lutherie articles – Page 6
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NewsObituary: Soroku Murata (1927–2020)
The veteran violin maker and teacher was head of the Tokyo Violin Making School and a respected jury member at international making competitions
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FocusAre contemporary violin makers limiting their potential to develop new ideas?
A key aim of the VSA/Oberlin Workshop ‘Obie 1’ project was to create a good original violin design that was not directly derived or copied from a previous instrument
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NewsPaganini’s favourite violin features in rare new recording
Italian violinist Francesca Dego records on the composer’s ‘Il Cannone’ violin
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ArticleUnsung masters from America’s ‘first school’ of bow making
In this extract from the November 2019 issue, Raphael Gold tells the story of Ernst Lohberg, one of three outstanding makers from the early-20th century who trained at William Lewis & Son and whose work was revered by Heifetz, Milstein and Stern
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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 ❘ FeatureTrade 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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Premium ❘ FeatureNorthern 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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FocusJacob 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 of ...
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NewsItalian 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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VideoThe '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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NewsIndianapolis '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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FocusFrom 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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VideoLuthiers 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 the musicians ...
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FocusDigital 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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FocusMaking 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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VideoUpton 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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NewsThe 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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NewsEILA 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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NewsSanta Cecilia International Violin Making Competition announces results
This year's contest attracted contestants from 24 different countries
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NewsViolin maker Neil Értz dies (1966–2016)
The lifelong luthier, researcher and teacher was highly respected in the violin making world