All Technical articles – Page 4
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FocusAsk the Experts: protecting your instrument in hot and humid temperatures
Four luthiers and restorers advise a musician on how to care for her instrument during the hot summer months. From August 2014
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NewsHarry Mairson to speak online about digitally curating and studying the Italian violin making tradition
The computer science professor and amateur luthier will discuss his ’Digital Amati’ project using digital methods for understanding the structure and interpretation of classical stringed instruments, with digital curation, in a free Zoom talk to be held on 15 May 2024
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FocusAsk the experts: What should a luthier look for when choosing tonewood?
For a beginner luthier, choosing the perfect spruce and maple for an instrument can be a confusing process. Three experts in wood selection offer some guidelines
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Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: An alternative rib construction method
Luthier Alan Beavitt shares an option that can guarantee an accurate overhang at the end of the process
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Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: A 1759 violin by Joseph Marquès
Jordi Pinto examines the Spanish maker’s mid-century instrument
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Premium ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Making a decorative fleur-de-lys
Luthier Evan Davenport illustrates a method to add a striking decoration to the back of a Baroque instrument
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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
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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
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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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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 ❘ FeatureTrade Secrets: Half-edging with a router
William Szott presents a quick way to fit a new piece of wood to a block area
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Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: A 1925 violin by Giuseppe Del Lungo
Michele Mecatti looks at the Italian maker’s early 20th-century instrument
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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’
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Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: A 1909 violin by James W. Briggs
David Rattray looks at this early twentieth-century violin by the British maker
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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
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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
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Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: An 1889 violin by Charles Francis Albert
Bruce Braun Babbitt examines the late-19th-century violin by the American maker
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Premium ❘ FeatureIn Focus: A c.1800 violin by Joseph Panormo
Andrew Fairfax on the UK-based Italian maker’s turn-of-the-century instrument
