Lutherie – Page 2
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Premium ❘ FeatureDouble bass set-up: not a giant violin
The size and shape of the double bass mean its set-up differs greatly from the other bowed stringed instruments. Bass maker Arnold E. Schnitzer presents a comprehensive guide, designed for both luthiers and practically minded bassists
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Premium ❘ FeatureViolin maker Otto Schünemann: A Romantic visionary
Although Otto Schünemann’s violins were praised by everyone from Vuillaume to Sarasate, his name is barely recognised today. Clifford Hall tells the story of this idealistic luthier who strove to bring the glories of the Cremonese masters to 19th-century Germany
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FocusNew in at The Strad Shop: The Best of Trade Secrets 6
The Strad’s latest collection of articles on all aspects of stringed instrument making and restoration
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NewsPaganini’s ‘Il Cannone’ violin receives X-ray treatment
The historic 1743 Guarneri ’del Gesú’ violin has been scanned by a particle accelerator in Grenoble in search for the secrets to its unique sound
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Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: An 1899 viola by Luigi Rovatti
Lionnel Genovart looks at the Buenos Aires-based Italian luthier’s late-century instrument
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Premium ❘ FeatureMaking Matters: The ‘golden ratio’ in violin making
Violin maker Wolfgang Schiele argues that the influence of the ‘golden ratio’ on painting, architecture and lutherie supports the idea of a perfect form for instruments
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NewsWinner of 2024 German Musical Instrument Prize announced
Heinrich Gill GmbH was named the recipient of the award in the opening ceremony of the akustika trade fair in Nuremberg on 8 March
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GalleryFrom the Archive: Oscar Shumsky on the 'Pierre Rode' Stradivarius violin, 1715
The violinist shared his thoughts on the instrument that belonged to both Pierre Rode and Leopold Auer, in our April 1985 issue
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BlogsViolins of Hope In Pittsburgh: Timing is everything
In light of the recent passing of Amnon Weinstein, the founder of Violins of Hope, Barbara Khristi reminisces about the exhibition in Pittsburgh that was held in October 2023
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Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Repairing a cello button
Petko Petkov shares a restoration method for creating a new button on the back plate
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Premium ❘ FeatureMy Space: Marius Laufer & Christian Klein’s Landshut workshop
Take a tour of the makers’ workshop in southern Germany
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Premium ❘ FeatureMaking Matters: Stability of top and back plates
Christian Bayon reveals the results of several years’ experimentation with improving the stability of a violin’s top and back plates without compromising the sound quality
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Premium ❘ FeatureScarampella and Gadda: The art of the deal
Signed 100 years ago, an agreement between luthier Stefano Scarampella and his apprentice Gaetano Gadda has recently been discovered. Philip Kass explains how it shines a light on the business relationship between two of Mantua’s leading 20th-century makers
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Premium ❘ FeatureMy Space: Victor Hugo Vélez's Tallinn workshop
The Argentinian luthier presents his Estonian workshop
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Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: A 1786 violin by G.B. Guadagnini
John Dilworth examines a violin made in the last year of the master luthier’s life
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Premium ❘ FeatureElias Placht: how one man founded the violin making tradition of Schönbach
By the early 20th century, the town of Schönbach was producing tens of thousands of violins per year – but the industry began with just one man. Christian Hoyer sifts through the records to reveal the life and legacy of Elias Placht
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GalleryWhat does the inside of a Guarneri violin look like? Photographer captures hidden spaces inside fine Italian instruments
Take a look inside (literally) the New Zealand String Quartet’s instruments, captured by photographer Charles Brooks using specialist medical equipment
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Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Preparing the neck-block on a violin before scroll carving
Katharina Neumüller presents an efficient, accurate method for the earlier parts of neck carving, before working on the scroll
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FocusThe instruments and bows of Jacqueline du Pré
In this extract from February 1988, Charles Beare recounts the instruments and bows played by cellist Jacqueline du Pré, including the 1712 ‘Davidov’ Stradivari
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Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Half-edging with a router
William Szott presents a quick way to fit a new piece of wood to a block area