Posted on January 13, 2010February 7, 2024 by Dale Phillips Letter: Erikson Letter AL#7 Letter: Erikson Letter AL#7 by George Manno Originally published in American Lutherie #8, 1986 Dear Tim: In response to Mr. Erikson’s letter, published in American Lutherie #7, I’d like to say that just because violin makers focus their talents on one art form, it shouldn’t and doesn't make me feel above any of my fellow lodge brothers or sisters who practice their talents in another form. I felt Mr. Erikson was trying to impy just that when he referred to violin makers as “a special breed.” I also disagree with his statement that the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers lacks unity. Although I am not a member of this federation, I have spoken to its president and secretary on many occasions. Unity within the federation is stressed at all times. The question of work ethics, which I raised in the article entitled “Honesty” (American Lutherie #5), is only a small part of a bigger concern that many violin makers face. In many ways, the G.A.L., with its publication, has helped bridge the gaps that arise due to the lack of information being published by and for violin makers. Tim, I applaud your efforts. American Lutherie #7 was one of the best violin-related issues ever. If you are an amateur maker or a professional maker or repairman/woman who would like to start a new guild for violin and bow makers, with the sole purpose of sharing more information on making, repair techniques, and instrument identification, please contact me. I’d be willing to start some sort of newsletter to help get it off the ground. This does not mean that I am leaving the G.A.L. Sounds great! The GAL loves lutherie info sharing in any form. Also, American Lutherie has good violin stuff in the can for upcoming issues. Thanks to members like you, George, our violin family coverage has improved noticeably. -Tim
Posted on January 13, 2010February 7, 2024 by Dale Phillips Violin Q & A: Violin Cleaner Recipe Violin Q & A: Violin Cleaner Recipe by George Manno Originally published in American Lutherie #11, 1987 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume One, 2000 Do you know the recipe for making the old Sacconi special violin cleaner and polish? I have tried just about everything but can’t come up with the right recipe. No, I’m sorry I don’t. You may want to break this down into a smaller recipe, but here’s a formula for a very good cleaner. 2 qts. alcohol (denatured) 2 qts. turpentine (artist grade) 1 qt. distilled Water 1 pt. raw linseed oil 1 pt. pure lemon oil
Posted on January 13, 2010February 7, 2024 by Dale Phillips Violin Q & A: Lightfast Colors Violin Q & A: Lightfast Colors by George Manno Originally published in American Lutherie #11, 1987 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume One, 2000 I’ve been using water colors for touchups and repairs in the last five years, but some of the colors are starting to fade out on the older repairs. I use Pelikan transparent watercolors #725. What else can I try? I have used many different types of color over the years with varying degrees of success. As you are finding, knowing how a color will fade is as important as color matching at the time of touchup. The only colors I use now are analine dyes I purchase from Horn & Son String Instruments, Inc. (2570 Superior Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114). They have powdered colors for spirit and oil and I find them to be extremely true. With yellow, red, and brown, you can match just about anything. In the last five years I’ve had no problems whatsoever. A word of caution: Fluorescent lighting tends to fade any color. Be advised that analine dyes are carcinogenic.
Posted on January 13, 2010February 7, 2024 by Dale Phillips Violin Q & A: Fiddle Fakes by Tetto Gallo Violin Q & A: Fiddle Fakes by Tetto Gallo by George Manno Originally published in American Lutherie #11, 1987 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume One, 2000 We have inherited what we believe to be an old Italian violin. Inside the instrument is a paper label that reads “LORENZO BUONARROTI-ROMA-1883.” We have taken the violin and shown it to a few dealers, but none of them have ever heard of this maker. The dealers all agree that it is of Italian origin, but that’s all they would tell us. There is a very good chance that the instrument you have inherited, labeled “BUONARROTI,” is the work of Tetto Gallo (1901–1976) of Cedar Lake, Indiana. From the late ’30s up until 1953 Gallo imported many violins in the white (unvarnished) from Italy. He would antique these instruments (make them look older than they were) by using acids and dyes. He then varnished them either with a golden brown or a red brown thin oil varnish. Knowing that he could not fool an expert if he labeled the instruments with a well-known maker’s name, Gallo used names he made up. The name Buonarroti was the surname of the famous sixteenth century Italian artist, Michaelangelo. The instrument you have should be signed, “T. GALLO/year” on the underside of the top. The next time you show your instrument to a dealer have him/her take a look inside with a mirror.
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.
