All Technical articles – Page 14
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Premium ❘ FeatureMaking Matters: In praise of cypress
The wood of the cypress tree can seem like an unusual alternative for spruce, but both its figure and relative density make it a desirable option. Alan Beavitt explains why he has used it for several instruments
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Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Lengthening a violin neck
An alternative to performing a neck graft, without the need for making a replacement
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Premium ❘ FeatureMaking Matters: Pearls of wisdom
One of the most mysterious parts of bow making is the production of mother-of-pearl slides and eyes. John Matthews provides a guide to the process, and explains why ormer is the best shell to use
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Premium ❘ FeatureUnvarnished Instruments: Team Building
For luthiers, finely sourced white instruments may well be the perfect accessory – offering the double opportunity for varnishing practice and to sell less expensive models to students and those with shallower pockets. But, writes Peter Somerford, the issues of provenance and labelling are of utmost importance when marketing such ...
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ArticleConverting an instrument to Baroque set-up
Sarah Peck demystifies the process of (re)converting an instrument for Baroque playing - and focuses on the neck in this extract from the May 2020 issue
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NewsDouble-blind test reveals sound properties of instruments made from composites
The research has been published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
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VideoLuthier Peter Westerlund shares ‘unique methods’
The video is part of a series by the Swedish violin maker
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Premium ❘ FeatureLuthiers and RSI: Taking the Strain
For instrument makers, repetitive strain injuries can mean untold pain and misery – and possibly the end of their career. Luthier Cameron Robertson explains how, with the help of occupational therapist Sara Propes, he adapted his work process to guard against the problems of RSI in the future
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Premium ❘ FeatureMaking Matters: In search of the ‘missing link’
Stefan Hersh examines a Tourte-school bow that might provide a connection between the master bow maker’s conventional style and the earlier Cramer-head bows
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Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Repairing damaged blocks
A conscientious method that preserves as much information as possible for future restorers
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NewsViolin and bow makers collaborate to raise money for musicians’ fund
Luthier Jacob Brillhart is live-streaming the building of a $10k violin for ’Musician Aid’
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Premium ❘ FeatureMaking Matters: A Major Sticking Point
Instead of discussing the right way to secure a crack with reinforcements, shouldn’t we try to achieve the strongest possible joint in the first place? Christian Schabbon presents the results of his investigation into different types of glue
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VideoHow Nashville former gymnast and Chicago carpenter ended up making violins together
He’s a carpenter, hunter, fisherman and veteran, who, for many years, lived in the woods of Alaska. She’s a former gymnast who fell in love with the violin in ballet class. So on the face of it Ray DeMeo and Amanda N. Ewing don’t have that much in common. Except ...
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Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Neck shaping
A quick and accurate method for this crucial part of the making process
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Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Inlay techniques
Giving a decorative flourish to an instrument can add a personal touch – and be a true test of skill
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Premium ❘ FeatureMaking Matters: A head for figures
Luthiers such as Jacob Stainer often surmounted their instruments with elaborately carved heads rather than scrolls. Lloyd McCaffery, a professional wood carver, explains how he developed a modern take on an ancient art form
