Technical – Page 20
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FocusLuthiers' favourite gadgets from ancient plant matter to the latest tech
We asked some top makers and restorers to share their favourite labour-saving devices, and got a fascinatingly broad range of responses
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VideoFinding Bespoke: The Violinmaker – A film by Michael Bernard featuring Benning Violins
Filmmaker Michael Bernard’s short film in his ‘Finding Bespoke’ series visits Benning Violins, a four-generation lutherie workshop in Los Angeles. Eric Benning is featured in the December 2017 issue of The Strad’s ‘My Space’ column – to read the full article, download the issue on desktop computer, ...
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FocusHi-res revelations: how CT scanning is revealing the secrets of the old Cremonese makers
In the January 2018 issue of The Strad, Rudolf Hopfner explores the CT scanning of stringed instruments, explaining how the technology works, some of the terms involved, and exactly what kind of revelations can be gleaned from the resulting images. Below, he interprets CT images of instruments by Amati, Stradivari, ...
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FocusCan these new tailpiece designs raise the tonal game of your instrument?
Until recently, the importance of an instrument’s tailpiece was barely realised. Vicky Sharpe talks to some of the craftsmen who have been experimenting with different materials and designs to help maximise an instrument’s sound quality
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VideoEdgar Russ: The right soundpost position
Continuing his YouTube series, Cremona-based luthier Edgar Russ talks about how to work out the correct position of the soundpost
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VideoChristian Tetzlaff on his 2000 Greiner violin
Christian Tetzlaff switched from playing older instruments to a modern one built by the German luthier Stefan-Peter Greiner. In this video from the Czech Philharmonic he suggests that ”Stradivari and Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ were fantastic violin makers but their instruments are not good because they are old and Italian, but ...
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FocusMaking a carbon fibre bow in 10 steps – photo story
Founded in 1999, Arcus has developed a reputation for making lightweight, durable bows from non-traditional materials. Company director Bernd Müsing explains how a composite bow is made, from initial design to first hair fitting
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FocusIt's the inside of the violin which governs its sound – how did we end up carving the outside arch first?
For almost two centuries luthiers have been copying instruments using the French method which, Torbjörn Zethelius argues, doesn’t give the interior carving of the violin the primacy it deserves – and crucially, that which it had in the hands of the original Italian makers
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FocusHardwood alternatives from natural options to advances in synthetics
Following CITES’ restrictions on the trade of rosewoods at the beginning of this year, there are those in the musical instrument industry who fear that ebony may be next. Peter Somerford looks at the alternatives to ebony and other exotic hardwoods being developed by a handful of intrepid manufacturers
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VideoIvan Hus makes a violin in 1968
This short film directed by Bogdan Žižić in 1968 shows Croatian violin maker Ivan Hus (1898–1992) in his Zagreb workshop, and follows the process of making a violin.
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VideoViolin maker Guy Rabut talks about his obsession with wood
In this extended version of an interview that formed part of The Truth About Trees documentary, New York based violin maker Guy Rabut talks about the importance of fine wood in his profession
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FocusMaking Matters: a luthier's photographic studio
Now that having high-quality images of instruments is essential for many luthiers, a practical solution is to create your own photographic studio. In this extract from the October issue of The Strad, Ian McWilliams describes how he went about creating light boxes for lighting isntruments
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NewsUK ivory ban proposals include musical instrument exemption
British goverment has launched 12-week consultation on ivory ban proposals with suggested exemptions for musical instruments among other categories
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FocusReverse engineering: explaining a Cremonese mystery by making the insides of the arches first
In his search for the secrets behind the classic arching technique of the Cremonese makers, Torbjörn Zethelius uncovered some revealing insights in this article from The Strad August 2006 issue. He will be returning to the topic in the November 2017 issue with observations from the intervening decade
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VideoLuthiers Stefan-Peter Greiner and Mark Jennings at IMS Prussia Cove
The materials on day one With sounds of rehearsals in the background, luthiers Stefan-Peter Greiner and Mark Jennings remove the mould from the violin they are working on collaboratively while resident at the International Musicians Seminar (IMS) at in Cornwall, England. ‘The project will help the musicians ...
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FocusDigital Amati: a computer program putting luthiers back in touch with ancient principles
A decade ago, François Denis’s Traité de Lutherie showed how the old Italians used Euclidean geometry to design their instruments. Now a computer program based on these principles allows luthiers to construct and adapt patterns quickly and easily. Its creator, Harry Mairson, explains the genesis of Digital Amati
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FocusMaking matters: ground prep
Since time immemorial, makers have searched for the perfect varnish recipe, and take great care of the ground – but often fail to realise the importance of preparing the wood first. Christopher Jacoby gives a crash course in ‘ground prep’
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VideoUpton Bass: Laminated or Solid Double Bass Ribs?
’When you get inside an old old instrument, you’ve got grafted pieces of wood, you’ve got linen cloth… it’s essentially bad plywood’. Gary Upton of Upton Bass in Mystic, Connecticut, explains the benefits of plywood ribs on a double bass.
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BlogsFrom concept to sound: What judges look for in a violin making competition
Luthier Patrick Robin, one of the jury members of the International Violin Making Competition Prague, discusses how he goes about assessing an instrument
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FocusThe titanium frog - a violinist and a luthier compare notes on the innovation
Violinist Peter Herresthal and luthier Christophe Landon recall how a performance of Kaija Saariaho’s Graal théâtre led to the debut of a new titanium bow frog
