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Technical
Premium ❘ Feature
Decorating a bow frog: let the flowers bloom
A very specialist part of the bow maker’s craft is the addition of decorative inlay into a bow frog. Vladimiros Sorokin-Andreou presents his method for this intricate and delicate part of the process
Premium ❘ Feature
Trade Secrets: An alternative rib construction method
Luthier Alan Beavitt shares an option that can guarantee an accurate overhang at the end of the process
Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: A 1759 violin by Joseph Marquès
Jordi Pinto examines the Spanish maker’s mid-century instrument
FeatureAsk the Experts: protecting your instrument from chips and nicks
A panel of luthiers give their thoughts on some unusual marks that have appeared on the surface of a violinist's instrument over the course of his playing career
Premium ❘ FeatureCello bridge design: X marks the spot
For many years the design of the cello bridge has remained constant – but could it be improved? Sebastian Gonzalez presents the results of a comparison between the standard French bridge and a newly designed model, while Gaian Amorim tracks the development of the bridge
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
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
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
Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: An 1899 viola by Luigi Rovatti
Lionnel Genovart looks at the Buenos Aires-based Italian luthier’s late-century instrument
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
Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: A 1925 violin by Giuseppe Del Lungo
Michele Mecatti looks at the Italian maker’s early 20th-century instrument
Premium ❘ FeatureAnalysing the ‘Boissier, Sarasate’: Stradivari à la mode
George Stoppani presents the results of an investigation into the acoustics of the ‘Boissier, Sarasate’, focusing primarily on the ‘signature modes’
Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: A 1909 violin by James W. Briggs
David Rattray looks at this early twentieth-century violin by the British maker
Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Preparing a two-piece violin top
An accurate method for sawing and preparing tonewood before the main process of carving the plate
Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Establishing a consistent double bass neck heel
A personal method that can be utilised during the design of the neck and scroll
Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: An 1889 violin by Charles Francis Albert
Bruce Braun Babbitt examines the late-19th-century violin by the American maker
Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: A c.1800 violin by Joseph Panormo
Andrew Fairfax on the UK-based Italian maker’s turn-of-the-century instrument
Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Making a mould and templates from a poster
A quick, efficient and accurate way of cutting durable templates using one of The Strad’s publications
Premium ❘ FeatureMaking Matters: Building a five-string cello
David Folland gives some practical tips, based on his recent experience of building a five-string cello
Premium ❘ Feature21 reasons why your instrument might be buzzing
Finding why an instrument buzzes while playing is a task that bedevils luthiers. Dmitry Tarakanov presents a checklist for the most likely causes
Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Making an ebony crown
An intricate method for a sometimes vital part of the repair process
Premium ❘ FeatureMaking Matters: Adding primer before varnish
Before varnishing their instruments, most luthiers add a layer of primer. Vlado Tilev looks at the types available, and their effect on sound quality
Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: A platform for gluing a broken button
A method that takes the guesswork and uncertainty out of this challenging repair job
Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: A 1947 violin by Frantisek Zivec
Matthieu Besseling on the Bohemian maker’s mid-century instrument
- Feature
Ask the Experts: protecting your instrument from chips and nicks
A panel of luthiers give their thoughts on some unusual marks that have appeared on the surface of a violinist's instrument over the course of his playing career
- Premium ❘ Feature
Cello bridge design: X marks the spot
For many years the design of the cello bridge has remained constant – but could it be improved? Sebastian Gonzalez presents the results of a comparison between the standard French bridge and a newly designed model, while Gaian Amorim tracks the development of the bridge
- Premium ❘ Feature
Double 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
- Focus
New 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
- News
Paganini’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
- Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: An 1899 viola by Luigi Rovatti
Lionnel Genovart looks at the Buenos Aires-based Italian luthier’s late-century instrument
- Premium ❘ Feature
Trade Secrets: Half-edging with a router
William Szott presents a quick way to fit a new piece of wood to a block area
- Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: A 1925 violin by Giuseppe Del Lungo
Michele Mecatti looks at the Italian maker’s early 20th-century instrument
- Premium ❘ Feature
Analysing the ‘Boissier, Sarasate’: Stradivari à la mode
George Stoppani presents the results of an investigation into the acoustics of the ‘Boissier, Sarasate’, focusing primarily on the ‘signature modes’
- Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: A 1909 violin by James W. Briggs
David Rattray looks at this early twentieth-century violin by the British maker
- Premium ❘ Feature
Trade Secrets: Preparing a two-piece violin top
An accurate method for sawing and preparing tonewood before the main process of carving the plate
- Premium ❘ Feature
Trade Secrets: Establishing a consistent double bass neck heel
A personal method that can be utilised during the design of the neck and scroll
- Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: An 1889 violin by Charles Francis Albert
Bruce Braun Babbitt examines the late-19th-century violin by the American maker
- Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: A c.1800 violin by Joseph Panormo
Andrew Fairfax on the UK-based Italian maker’s turn-of-the-century instrument
- Premium ❘ Feature
Trade Secrets: Making a mould and templates from a poster
A quick, efficient and accurate way of cutting durable templates using one of The Strad’s publications
- Premium ❘ Feature
Making Matters: Building a five-string cello
David Folland gives some practical tips, based on his recent experience of building a five-string cello
- Premium ❘ Feature
21 reasons why your instrument might be buzzing
Finding why an instrument buzzes while playing is a task that bedevils luthiers. Dmitry Tarakanov presents a checklist for the most likely causes
- Premium ❘ Feature
Trade Secrets: Making an ebony crown
An intricate method for a sometimes vital part of the repair process
- Premium ❘ Feature
Making Matters: Adding primer before varnish
Before varnishing their instruments, most luthiers add a layer of primer. Vlado Tilev looks at the types available, and their effect on sound quality
- Premium ❘ Feature
Trade Secrets: A platform for gluing a broken button
A method that takes the guesswork and uncertainty out of this challenging repair job
- Premium ❘ Feature
In Focus: A 1947 violin by Frantisek Zivec
Matthieu Besseling on the Bohemian maker’s mid-century instrument
-
A subscription to The Strad brings you:
- Monthly issue in print and as a digital edition
- Three special supplements and The Strad Directory
- Archive of digital issues from January 2010
- Unlimited access to all premium subscriber online content
- Two detailed instrument posters a year
- Interviews with star string players
- Masterclasses with commentary
- Sheet music annotated by international concert artist
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