All Technical articles – Page 16
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FocusMaster stroke: Schilbach varnishing brush
The tapered and split synthetic fibres of this brush are designed to absorb a large volume of oil or spirit varnish, to enable its controlled and uniform application. It has an untreated hornbeam wood handle and solvent-resistant plastic ferrule, eliminating the risk of staining to the varnish ...
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FocusAll kitted out: violin accessory set
Manufactured in India to Italian designs, these accessory sets comprise four heart-shaped pegs, a decorative end-button, a Guarneri-style chinrest with Hill-style clamps and a Hill-style tailpiece. They are available in ebony and rosewood with a black trim to the tailpiece and black pin collars and pegs, and in boxwood trimmed ...
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FocusFirmly fastened: the Schilbach Kevlar tailgut
Using military-grade materials to improve set-up stability Kevlar is familiar to most people as a material used inside bulletproof vests. According to German manufacturer Schilbach, however, this strength also makes Kevlar a useful component in the tailgut that fastens an instrument’s tailpiece to the button at the ...
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FocusA cut above: Lee Valley stainless steel pocket plane
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Canadian woodworking firm Lee Valley has produced a limited-edition version of its pocket plane in corrosion-resistant stainless steel and with a nickel-plated lever cap. The plane measures approximately 115mm by 30mm and weighs 285g; its blade measures 22mm across and is set ...
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VideoDie Seele der Geige: documentary featuring Frank Peter Zimmermann and luthier Martin Schleske
[n.b. no English subtitles. As broadcast on Arte.tv, the film is in German, or click the gear icon to change to French.] This documentary, a coproduction by EuroArts and BR (Bavarian Broadcasting), follows violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann in 2016 as he reunites with the ‘Lady Inchiquin’ Stradivari, after a period ...
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VideoHow many luthiers does it take to make two violins in a week?
This video follows the week-long process of making two new violins for the Royal Northern College of Music instrument collection during its Strings Festival in March 2018. Luthiers Kai-Thomas Roth, William Castle, Marc Soubeyran and Tibor Szemmelveisz collaborated on building two violins between 2 and 8 March, one based on ...
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Focus4 tips on using antiquing methods to give an instrument a warm look
John Simmers shares his wisdom on finding a balance between antiquing and not antiquing
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NewsVSA honours instrument and bow makers in biennial competition
Violin Society of America convention in Cleveland reveals winners in violin, viola, cello, bass, quartet and bow categories
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FocusCommissioning a new instrument – a guide for players
Commissioning an instrument can be an exciting prospect, but as a creative journey it can have its ups and downs. John Milnes considers how both player and maker can keep each other happy.
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NewsSpanish luthier Ramon Pinto has died at 89
He was director of the Casa Parramon stringed instrument workshop in Barcelona for over 40 years and founded the Spanish Master Luthiers Association
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NewsWinning luthiers announced at Cremona Triennale
The International Violin Making Competition announces winners in categories for violin, viola, cello and double bass
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VideoVSA Oberlin Acoustics Workshop 2015
Each year for one week, the international violin making community gathers at Oberlin to discuss the latest findings in acoustics under the guidance of researchers and renowned makers. Tying in with the new Making Matters article in our October issue, on the Oberlin Bow Making Workshop and its project ...
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FocusHow do you copy a Kittel?
Nikolai Kittel remains one of the most enigmatic bow makers, so when the assembled talents at this year’s Oberlin workshop set about making copies, they uncovered a host of interesting points, as Robert Ray explains
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NewsNew type of wood material might pose fresh possibilities for string players
The material could be a competitor to steel or titanium alloys
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VideoReplicating a Benoit Joseph Boussu
In this video, violin maker and researcher Geerten Verberkmoes puts the finishing touches to a replica of a violin by Benoit Joseph Boussu, using construction methods most likely employed by the 18th-century French luthier.
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VideoViolin maker Guy Rabut featured in Esquire video series 'Handmade'
This video, featuring New York based violin maker Guy Rabut, was made for Esquire.com’s ‘Handmade’ series in 2017. Director & Cinematographer - Josh K. Brede Creative Producer - Travis Gorzelsky Executive Producer - Anna Jimenez Producer - Christian Nilsson Associate Producer - Sara Cogan Editor - Travis Lee
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Premium ❘ FeatureAsk the Experts: How to look after your bow
Four bow makers advise on how best to look after a new bow to maintain both its performance and potential resale value
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FocusTeaching lutherie the Red Wing way
Instrument repair requires great attention to detail, knowledge and patience – and teaching new students is no different. Here lutherie pedagogue Steve Rossow gives some tips acquired from his years of tutoring at Minnesota State College Southeast
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FocusA step-by-step guide to keeping your bridge healthy
Tuning your instrument will naturally pull your bridge out of position, so you need to overcome your fear of touching it – as well as knowing when professional help is needed, writes Adam Pelzer
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FocusRe-rediscovering the lost secrets of classical varnish
When Koen Padding died in 2012, the violin making community was not just bereft at losing a loyal friend but also thrown into confusion about whether his varnish making knowledge, on which many relied, was gone with him. As a collection of his writings is republished, we take a look ...