Posted on January 13, 2010February 7, 2024 by Dale Phillips Violin Q & A: Violin Varnish Recipe Violin Q & A: Violin Varnish Recipe by George Manno Originally published in American Lutherie #10, 1987 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume One, 2000 I have been experimenting with varnish making for the last four years. I have read just about every book published on the subject. I have written to makers in this country, as well as to makers all over the world, asking their advice and comments on my recipe, but not one of them has replied. I am enclosing my oil varnish recipe for you to see; it’s not very complicated. The color is a rich golden brown; the only problem is that it won’t dry. pine gum resin gum rosin (colophony), WW grade linseed oil turpentine spirits Do you see anything wrong with this formula? Not knowing how much of what you use to make this varnish makes little difference in what I see wrong with your recipe. First, the presence of rosin or colophony in your varnish will not allow the other ingredients to become palmitic, therefore it won’t dry. Another thing, the rich golden brown color that you have now will fade once exposed to any kind of ultraviolet light. Leaving out the gum rosin will give you the beginning of a good spirit varnish. As for a colorant, there are a number of dyes that can be mixed with your now-spirit varnish to complete it. Please contact Mr. Ed Campbell of the Chimney Violin Shop, 614 Lerew Road, Boiling Springs, PA 17007. He’d be more than happy to help you with your ongoing experiments.
Posted on January 13, 2010February 7, 2024 by Dale Phillips Violin Q & A: Cello Bridge Change for Projection Violin Q & A: Cello Bridge Change for Projection by George Manno Originally published in American Lutherie #10, 1987 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume One, 2000 I have a good French cello that I just can’t get the sound to project from. The tone has a very fine quality, but it all seems to be locked up inside of the instrument. I have cut a new bridge and soundpost, but still it’s not anywhere near what it should be. Do you have any suggestions? Without seeing or hearing the instrument, I’m not sure what you mean when you say that the sound is “locked-up.” I’m only guessing, but it could be the strings, or the placement of the soundpost, or even the bridge. Did you spread the feet far enough when you fit it? I will tell you this, when I’m working on a cello that has a good strong tone but doesn’t project well, I’ll use a Belgian-style bridge. The higher arching of the feet always works for me. Try this and let me know.
Posted on January 12, 2010March 7, 2024 by Dale Phillips Review: So You Want to Make a Double Bass; To Make a Double Bass; Double Bass Making Review: So You Want to Make a Double Bass; To Make a Double Bass; Double Bass Making Reviewed by David Riggs Originally published in American Lutherie #71, 2002 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Six, 2013 So You Want to Make a Double Bass Peter Chandler Peter Chandler, 2001 ISBN 9780968935309 To Make a Double Bass Harry S. Wake Harry S. Wake, 1995 (revised edition) ISBN 978-0960704866 Double Bass Making Bob Hitchings Gwyllum Press, 1999 ISBN 9780953715602 Until recently, would-be bass makers have had only one main source from which to get specific information on making the string bass. Harry Wake has now been joined by two authors who present distinct approaches to the subject. For those who may have been intimidated by the prospect of taking on such a seemingly difficult project, there is now a good deal of help available in these volumes. While it seems unlikely that one without any lutherie experience would tackle a bass as a first project, it is conceivable that one may be primarily interested in this instrument, and it is entirely possible to make a beginning, at least, with any of these books. For sheer detail and volume of information, I would probably pick the Hitchings book over either of the other two, but more on that later. Peter Chandler’s book is the slickest production with 93 pages and 109 figures, more than 20 of which are color photos. At $60US it is also the most expensive of the three. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on January 12, 2010February 7, 2024 by Dale Phillips Questions: Double Bass External Linings Questions: Double Bass External Linings by Arnold Schnitzer Originally published in American Lutherie #97, 2009 Quincy M. from the Internet asks: Some double basses have what look like external linings, strips of wood on the ribs at the top and bottom edges. Can someone please tell me what the purpose of these strips is and also what they are called? Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on January 12, 2010February 7, 2024 by Dale Phillips Questions: Bass Scroll Questions: Bass Scroll by Guy Rabut, Roman Barnas, and Tim Olsen Originally published in American Lutherie #89, 2007 ■ Paul W. from the Internet asks: Do you have any advice for someone who is carving his first bass scroll? I have read instructions and seen pictures, but I’m having trouble figuring out what to do after the first turn of the scroll is blocked out. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
