Technical – Page 9
-
Premium ❘ FocusThe geometry of violin outlines: Proportional representation
In this article from March 1990, Leslie Wyatt offers a rational and coherent geometrical method for the construction of an inner form outline and for sizing and positioning the f-holes, to break free from the traditional slavish reproduction of classical instruments
-
Premium ❘ FeatureClimate conundrum: Does wood from the ‘Little Ice Age’ account for the brilliance of Stradivari’s violins?
Did Stradivari have superior wood because of exceptionally low temperatures during his lifetime? In this article from April 2014, John Waddle, Steve Rossow and Steve Sirr investigate the idea using CT scans of Cremonese instruments
-
FocusGood vibrations: How violin modes influence tone quality
In the August 2021 issue, Joseph Curtin examines the evolution of neck setting. In part two of his article about violin modal analysis from 2009, he discusses low-frequency resonances that influence a violin’s acoustic behaviour
-
Premium ❘ FeatureViolin modal analysis – part one: Scent of a violin
In the first of a two-part article from June 2009, Joseph Curtin investigates one of the low-frequency resonances that help define a violin’s acoustic ‘perfume’, and explains how studying it can benefit makers
-
Premium ❘ FeatureViolin modal analysis – part two: Good vibrations
In the second of a two-part article from July 2009, Joseph Curtin continues his investigation of the low-frequency resonances that influence a violin’s acoustic behaviour
-
Premium ❘ ArticleSoundpost: Letters to the Editor August 2021
A selection of letters The Strad receives each month from its readers around the world: August 2021 issue
-
Premium ❘ NewsAnalysis August 2021: Adaptive learning
During the pandemic, some luthiers have begun making online courses to record their techniques and share their knowledge. Is it a viable alternative to one-to-one teaching? By Peter Somerford
-
Premium ❘ FeatureMy Space: Gertrud Reuter
The luthier’s workshop, based in Basel, Switzerland, contains furniture from the Paris firms of Caressa & Français, Maucotel & Deschamps, and Daniel Moinel
-
Premium ❘ FeatureMaking Matters: Something in the air
Steve Sirr and John R. Waddle use CT scans to examine the internal air volume of 20 Cremonese violins, and make a surprising discovery about the soundpost position
-
ReviewBook review: Monograph of the Antonio Stradivari Cello c.1690 ‘Barjansky’
Florian Leonhard reviews an extensive study of the famous cello, including dendrochronology, CT scans and posters
-
Premium ❘ FeatureNeck setting: Adjustment to change
The method of connecting an instrument’s neck to its body has undergone seismic changes since the Baroque era. Joseph Curtin analyses the ancient and modern procedures, and examines the benefits offered by fixing an adjustable neck
-
Premium ❘ FeatureRecording arching profiles: Ahead of the curve
Recording the archings of instruments is one of the most difficult areas of violin making and restoration. Charline Dequincey describes a method using dental compound which is accessible to anyone, and gives high-quality results
-
FocusViolin making at Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music
In this excerpt from the July 2021 issue, Sisi Ye examines a violin making programme in Beijing
-
NewsPhilharmonie de Paris announces lutherie competition
The contest will be held next January for students and professional instrument makers
-
Premium ❘ FeatureCarlo Bergonzi 1735 ‘Baron Knoop’ violin: Measure for measure
Rudolf Hopfner explains how the vast majority of measurements for The Strad ’s latest poster were taken from micro-CT scans of the ‘Baron Knoop’ Bergonzi
-
Premium ❘ FeatureViolin making schools in China: The way of the future
In the second of two articles on violin making in China, Sisi Ye examines the schools teaching the art of lutherie to young people, where tuition can last up to ten years and a grounding in music theory is essential
-
Premium ❘ NewsAnalysis July 2021: A rickety career ladder
In the UK, since opportunities for recent lutherie graduates are few and far between, many are turning to self-employment to make ends meet. By Peter Somerford
-
Premium ❘ FeatureMy Space: Jamie Marie Lazzara
The luthier’s workshop, based in Florence Italy, is just six square metres and was used in the filming of Hannibal
-
Premium ❘ FeatureMaking Matters: Thank you for sharing
CT scanning of instruments is becoming more and more commonplace – so why is it so difficult to get hold of the data? Harry Mairson and Paolo Bodini enter a plea for CT information to be made more accessible to luthiers and researchers
-
NewsInmates repair violins in Czech prison initiative
More than 200 stringed instruments have been mended, and 30 built from scratch, in the innovative scheme
