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Thread: Making a Violin

  1. #1
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    Default Making a Violin

    Sorry if the title is a little misleading to all those Violin making experts that are expecting a WIP, this is not the thread you may be looking for lol curiosity has just got the better of me.

    In my mind i view Violin making as a very specialist art, i believe it is the holy grail of fine woodworking for me. if i get to the skill level of making a violin by hand one day then i will be a very very happy and content hobbyist woodworker. I am not a musician or an artist or have a musical ear or have any connection with Violins other than they are made out of wood and i want to work towards making them one day.

    The question is, do i need to know how to play a violin and be familiar with their sounds in order to make them? I think it would be a bonus if you know how to play them but can i still make them purely for the artist challenge from a wood workers point of view and get a friend that knows how to play them test it out?

    At this stage i don't have the time to learn how to play (maybe one day later on) but i think it would be such an accomplishment to be able to make one and am eager to do so one day but if they are made out of a certain wood and a certain way that makes each violins distinctive sound and i need to understand that sound in order to become a "Violin Artisan" then i may be counted out before i even give my first one a real shot lol

    Any thoughts or ideas on whether making and playing the violin goes hand in hand or can a non violin player make decent violins?

    Thanks for any suggestions or thoughts in advance

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  3. #2
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    delbs,
    I was in your shoes last year when I decided to build a cigar box guitar. I had the woodwork skill to make it but my music theory was lacking.
    Being able to play a bit would be a big help but should not be a show stopper if you cant. You will have to get some idea of scale lenth and things however. At least no frets to worry about. Anyhow you have asked the question and I am sure there will be a few on here can point you in the right direction. I got all the info I needed from the kind folks on here and have gone on to more builds. I even have a commision build going on right now. My aim is to build some real ukes and guitars down the track and this cigar box phase is to learn what makes an instrument tick. Each build I learn a bit more. A fiddle from scratch would be quite a chalenge first time up but it is woodwork and with a plan and tools could be done. There are many types of solid body electric fiddles out there and this may be an easy first step on the learning curve. There are also kits with instructions. Have fun with it.
    Regards
    John

  4. #3
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    Delbs it may have been John van Wirdum, a well known Australian violin maker who only ever gifted his instruments that was a non-player himself though i will happily stand corrected. Fact, Leo Fender was a pretty famous axe maker who couldn't play guitar himself (same same different) and did very well building an empire of amps, guits both elec and acoustic, pedal steels, pianos etc. So if one person can do it surely another can as well.

    Steve

  5. #4
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by kamusur View Post
    Delbs it may have been John van Wirdum, a well known Australian violin maker who only ever gifted his instruments that was a non-player himself though i will happily stand corrected. Fact, Leo Fender was a pretty famous axe maker who couldn't play guitar himself (same same different) and did very well building an empire of amps, guits both elec and acoustic, pedal steels, pianos etc. So if one person can do it surely another can as well.

    Steve
    Steve,

    There are exceptions and some notable ones that you have pointed out. However, before I started making violins in 1980, I felt the need to learn the instrument but I didn't know why. I knew the guitar and could read music and that was a great advantage, so I taught myself to play the violin. Being able to play a violin you have made becomes a tool that is invaluable in knowing the best set up for each particular instrument.

    Handmade violins are all different and require individual attention in the set up. Two great examples are: a) Optimum soundpost position. If you can't play a tune that encompasses a number of octaves (or a number of scales), you will be disadvantaged in hearing the notes run together for the best soundpost position. Sure, it can be done, but with difficulty. b) Wolfnote establishment: Most good violins have at least one wolfnote. A wolfnote is always more pronounced when contained within a passage of notes. If you can't play, you might miss the existence of the wolfnote and therefore note be able to remedy it. Wolfnotes often can't be eliminated, but by slight adjustment to the soundpost, can be moved to a note that is less used by the player.

    Sure, there is enough information out there to build a violin by measurement, mathematics and the science, but there is no substitute for playing your own violin and using your senses to produce your best result regarding playability.

  6. #5
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    Well said, goes for any acoustic musical instrument.
    "We must never become callous. When we experience the conflicts ever more deeply we are living in truth. The quiet conscience is an invention of the devil." - Albert Schweizer

    My blog. http://theupanddownblog.blogspot.com

  7. #6
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    What Baz and Sebastian said plus i reckon it also applies to so many other things. Learning for me is jumping in and burying oneself in all aspects/areas of what ever interest it is, and when we are with, around, for and of music well it doesn't get any better really.

    Steve

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    I have this book and it's one of the best building books Ive come across. I often refer to Courtnalls Classical Guitar building volume during my builds.

    http://www.amazon.com/The-Violin-Mak.../dp/0709058764
    Whatever note you blow youre never more than a semitone away from the correct one....(Miles Davis)

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by kamusur View Post
    What Baz and Sebastian said plus i reckon it also applies to so many other things. Learning for me is jumping in and burying oneself in all aspects/areas of what ever interest it is, and when we are with, around, for and of music well it doesn't get any better really.

    Steve
    I'll just add. If you learn to play most likely you'll know other fiddlers. It's helpful to hear someone else play your fiddle from a distance. Some people plug the ear closest to the box.
    Cheers, Bill

  10. #9
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    Thumbs up

    I say jump in. With ukuleles and guitars many people start out making something using cigar box techniques. Many of us never stop.

    Check out cigar box fiddle plans http://www.cigarboxnation.com/page/free-plans
    And Google it
    This will get you a playable instrument with a ton of character in a fraction of the time and give you hands on experience which will come in useful when building a more regulation instrument.
    Above all have fun fiddling with it.

  11. #10
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    Default GOOD VIOLINS CAN BE MADE BY NON-PLAYERS

    Delbs,

    While it would be an advantage to be able to play, many people have made a first violin without being a player.
    Harry Vatiliotis is a highly regarded Sydney violin maker who cannot play, and has had a long, successful career. His work can be seen on Utube, by googling his name. He appeared in an interesting film made by Mike Rubbo(?) about Australian violin makers, called "The Little Box That Sings.
    There is a book available from carbatec by Bruce Ossman called "violin making - an illustrated guide for the amateur". this book includes full size templates, and details of types of timber, grain direction, simpler methods. One of the makers who started with this book was a Japanese schoolgirl Kathy Matsushita, who documented the build on her website. you can find her website thru google.

    Some of the first time makers chose to use cheaper timbers while learning the techniques, before venturing into expensive tonewoods. A violin can be made with common hand tools, so you don't need to sink $$$ into the project before you can try it.

    I suggest you start by reading about the steps involved, and you can enjoy planning the build before you have time to actually start.

    Rob

  12. #11
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    Good advice from Rob. I used the Ossman book to get started and built a viola. (I had one to copy )

    I found Harry Vatiliotis's wife's comments very interesting ..... " I sand till I get a certain sound from the sandpaper. "
    Cheers, Bill

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