violins88

Thanks to all for your thoughts. I was afraid to tell you why I asked the question, but I just took my meds, and now I have more courage. I made a template for my viola making student. I marked the center line and drilled holes. Weeks later, a colleague discovered the center line was WAY off. I wanted to be able to blame the mistake on the original maker. You folks kept me honest.

Is it common for violas to be made with necks that are not on the center line, but set to the right? I can imagine this would make it easier for fingers to reach the fingerboard. Thanks.

One of the students in my hobby violin making class brought 5 pounds of hide glue. When mixed with water, and heated, it is very odiferous; more than I have ever experienced. Could it be good?

Tell me more about the blade and chip breaker. I assume the wooden plane uses a high quality blade and chipbreaker. I like the inverted setup because it’s easier to drag the wood across the plane than the plane across the wood. Thanks to all who have commented so far. I appreciate it. And I have to say, regarding the angled blade arrangement, where the blade is not perpendicular to the cutting direction, is something I made 45 years ago, because it seemed to make sense. Then, recently, I found out this is a thing. Been around for years. Rare antique now. A friend in Wellington has one. Works great.

I once saw Christopher Germain use one of these. Does anyone still use it? I am exploring what’s possible. Thanks.

I have a good looking piece of slab cut maple. When I knock it, the sound is dead. Could it possibly work in a violin?

I saw a viola here in Wellington that looked like it was blown up like a balloon. I assume that would be called full,

What app for Mac computer will record sound and create FFT so violin modes can be found? I usually use a pc, but now must use a Mac. Thanks.

Wow. After all that heated discussion, the thread just stops. I am curious about how the violin turned out.

DarylG, sorry, I would have to watch you do that, but thanks. Urban luthier, thanks. Now I must find a cad person.

Davide, thanks.

I am making a viola. I don’t have a mould. I just have an accurately sized image from luthierslibrary.com. Can I make a pattern for the mould using the inside edge of the purfling? Thanks.

Classes begin in Wellington, NZ, in June at BenchSpace. I will be teaching “hobby violin making.” The class is full, at present. But in December, there might be a slot.

Sugar with dye. Or burnt sugar. Orange jello.

John Harte, we need you.