James M. Jones

Rub tones .... gotta love the rub tones especially the end pin rub tones , somewhere between 21- and 23 ... the sweet spot .

Almost as good as my dog, is good enough for me! Lol

And the emotional response to it. Lol the possibility is indeed infinite! Could it be that Tuning a sound post provides an emotional platform to feel good about ones work.? In a world so full of successful people , very successful people , it’s hard to find that “one thing” that allows an individual to stand out and be special.... having the ability to actually tune sound posts, end pins tuning pegs , string nuts and peg boxes.... that’s something special.... real special.... something to feel good about. Lol

So sorry to hear this , Mike was a great guy , always enjoyed friendliness and camaraderie with him. He will be missed for sure.

Well yes , the rocking motion of the top like a see saw , sends that pulse that causes the bending action - I agree , simple to see that , I’d expect the inside of the bend across the width of the soundpost to be exerting more pressure than the out side of the bend , that is if we could accurately measure the difference in pressure on the post from the bass side to treble of the post , at the juncture of the sound post and top or back plate, should I expect to see or do you expect a difference during the rocking of the top.? Or would the pressure remain constant. .

Well as usual your very correct I guess what I was trying to point out , is that what they show , yes it is bending but not in a common sense , that is it’s not observed by the naked eye; “ it’s moving as they show but extremely exaggerated “ this movement they show is a result of the compression, So yes it bends , but not in a way normal people can measure with common tools . Yes , It’s a matter of degree

The video is really showing compression not really bending per say in the common sense, the amount of flex is probably impossible to measure with any normal tool , it’s moving as they show , but they exaggerate to the extreme.

Trivia question who said .... “ it’s nice to be nice to the nice”? I’m in full agreement this line ... it’s not going anywhere... and that we can all see the fallacy of the sited video, just rifting off the idea of what is nice and where are those lines ? My larger point is that... David L has (I am sure ) endured many critiques of his “method “, buy many leaders in the field ‘(again I am sure) kyet persists in the folly, I ran into his stuff years and years ago .....and am still confused at how any legitimacy can be ascribed to it. If we really want to be nice, rather than attacking those who strongly object, , maybe it’s best to just let folks vent a bit , after all some have made a lifelong commitment to bringing the best effort to the field and well deserve recognition that the effort is not for nought. Sometimes calling attention to a perceived problem” only serves to exacerbate it.

Near as I can tell there’s been no name calling or derogatory statements made of his basic substance as a human being I’d be tempted to ask what is kindness after all . ? I mean sure there’s always “nice “ ways to say things , but to offer an unvarnished truth —— .? Mostly comes off as not so nice , “ hey your breath stinks ! Doesn’t sound nice , but could be the nicest thing a person hears in a day . Even if they are smothered in compliments on their shoes .... am I wrong.? I’ve always admired certain contributors way of cutting to the bone, saves a ton of time sorting, The problem with The guys videos is that they are entirely unfounded and have no peer support, yet the production quality is high enough and his confidence in the process suggests he is some one to listen to. Like the fellow doing acupuncture or the STL guy hours upon hours have been waisted by beginner makers, myself included.... over nonsense, pure made up nonsense.... but that’s not nice to say ....so who is not being nice ? Who’s the one leading people down false paths ? What does being nice even mean these days? I’m all for politically correct language and sensitivity to diversity.... but also am not into putting makeup on pigs .

My only real concern with kiln dry as Stated is the relative stress that may be imparted during the process…back in the day , kilns were harder to control and less was known of the effects, they also could accept more of a waist stream so cracks and warps could be simply burnt as fuel for the next train load , in short modern kiln dried wood doesn’t seem to have the same negative impacts as what grandpa got … to quick and hot and dry , can stabilize the outside while the inside is wet creating a stress jacket of sorts , that when cut into can reveal warping with one side , if the wood is otherwise suitable as far as density and quarter goes ,I’d say try And cut a blank and see if it moves …

What an awesome project to be a small part of , thanks to everyone!

Thanks for the explanation! That certainly fill in a few knowledge gaps .. I’ve done the limed version several times . Also the raw rosin , with a long cook as per R. Hargrave. Thanks again for taking the time to educate.

Could someone please explain just a little of what resonate varnish is? And what the perceived advantages are over A straight rosin oil cooked varnish? All these years and I’ve never really got it….

Ive set maybe 40 or so , 28 on my own work and the rebuilds of old bin boxes … Kind of in the same boat with around 3-4 plus hrs give or take on my new work . on a technical level, next to the neck set, it has to be about the hardest joint on the fiddle to master and a critical one to get correct, no sense rushing.

I strongly encourage a beginner to not purchase top shelf wood , or buy it and put it aside for after a few instruments are completed, chances are the first violin will mostly be an exercise in methods as much as violin making, unless your coming into this work with a considerable skill set in wood working , there will be mistakes. For the most part “good wood” will be in the middle to upper price range .a top with a bit of charismatic variety in grain width and a less than spectacular flamed back has just as much potential as any “master” grade wood does , if other parameters such as good quarter, density, little runout are set as priority. That said the first decision of many is wood selection…