[what does ossify mean?]

And then there are the 'compromisers' who may be mineralists for Maple and minimalists for Spruce.

Jim

I would think the opposite would be more effective.

[what does ossify mean?]

I was just rereading some of the Curtain/Alf stuff about their approach. They mention fuming with ammonia for 15-20 min.

I have the Condax research somewhere. I am going to dig it up.

[what does ossify mean?]

Sergio Peresson was an interesting maker. Much sought after in the 70s and 80s. His fame was secured when Jacqueline DuPre used one of his cellos. Eugene Fodor was another proponent. Many of the Philadelphia Orchestra members at least at one time used his instruments. The better instruments have good volume and projection.

In model and approach he evolved into a maker that took a left turn. Worked for Moennig. Some became critical of him after the demand went up. His fiddles go for a decent amount.

[what does ossify mean?]

On a less than scientific hunch, I feel that there is something to the acoustic properties of the sealer (the first contact with the wood). Not only the composition but the method of application. I have found that Sacconi's, Peresson's and Zigs clues reguarding this to be thought provoking.

[what does ossify mean?]

Potassium silicate has a ph of 11.3. At least this was from an online source. Not sure of the concentration. I had heard that the alkaline nature of waterglass is bad for the wood over the long term. As pointed out above it is hydroscopic. But then again so is wood...

Did the cremonese have access to potassium silicate?

[Jim McKean's Blog]

Read most of the blog posts about the viola and cello. Some interesting points about violin making. Pretty well written too.

I enjoy his preferance/exploration of poplar and willow vs the maple dominance. He also does not shy away from slab cut backs/sides.

[Antiquing techniques]

Hi Matthew;

I spoke with John about that particular talk after the workshop, and he mentioned that he might work with his son to put it down on paper... for later presentation or possibly publication. I thought it to be a good idea.

Going into the subject in detail might be interesting here, but some of what I found memorable and insightful when John talked personally was that knowing the guy (or for some, at the very least, knowing the guy's work), and hearing how he approaches his work, gave the subject real "weight"... so let's give him some time and see what he comes up with?

For those who are curious, to touch on the subject generally, John discussed the general order in which he plans an executes a restoration. It sprung from feeling that many kind of "dived in" without a specific plan/order in mind. He felt it was hard to "win" the job (have top notch results) if things were done "out of order". Simple things (like having a general approach plan and budget or cleaning the instrument before disassembly) as well as more technical things (working from the center of the plate out when dealing with significant deformation/reinforcement/flaws) were covered within the talk.

I can respect this. It is for this very reason that I am leary of posting information from a visit that I had with Luiz Bellini. Out of respect for him I need to ask before I post. It is fair to say that he is not bad with antiquing

[Antiquing techniques]

Also, at Oberlin, John Becker gave an overview and order to how he approaches a restoration. I found it to be very helpful to have an overall approach from such an experienced person. If some of the more experienced antiquers on this site feel so inclined, it would be very helpful to hear your approach to antiquing, especially an order of operations. John gave an order to every restoration he handles. It was very organized and well thought out. I'm thinking of something like that for antiquing.

Thanks.

Could you share some details about Becker's system?

[#7 (lucky?)]

You guys need to keep in mind that Don was part of the team thay designed the Mars rovers that the original spec was for 90 sols (Martian days). The Opportunity rover has lasted 2737 sols. That is off the charts "over engineering". That gets my deep respect and could be beyond the scope of most fiddle engineering. Remember the shuttle tiles?

[Strad Plans f-holes]

Clearly Strad would prefer Illustrator (vector) and del Gesu Photoshop (raster).

[How do you decide when strings need replacement?]

I used to use unwound gut strings (Heifetz influence pre Baroque Renaissance). I found that they did not last too long in general. I didd not want to store them very long. Hydroscopic and prone to oxidation perhaps.

[How do you decide when strings need replacement?]

How long do new strings last in thier original package if not used?I have a couple of sets of Dominant and Passione strings waiting for violins to be made.

Any synthetic core string should be fine. The silver wound strings will tarnish if stored for a long time. No biggy though.

[How do you decide when strings need replacement?]

Lastly, I wonder what changing from MITTEL to WEICH (thin) gauge does - increase speed of response but lessen volume?

.01 for your thoughts

Your assessment is correct.

[How do you decide when strings need replacement?]

i run a violin shop robert, i use mostly dominants for good reasons

I have tried most if not all of the available strings. With certain exceptions I stick with dominants. Tonicas are good but not quite as good as dominants...in my opinion. I might be picky though. Cello A and D and viola A are a different story.

[How do you decide when strings need replacement?]

how long do strings, dominants last, on strung up instruments only rarely played, if its 6 months ive got 20 instruments to string and over 800 to spend on strings!!

Strings that are not being played would have a longer life than those that are being constantly played. Strings under tension will very slowly degrade over time.

[How do you decide when strings need replacement?]

I would describe the sound of strings that need to be replaced as dull and less reponsive than they need to be. When you put dominants on they are buzzy and metallic. Dependiing on how much playing you are doing, you need a minimum of four days and as much as a week for them to settle in. If the instrument is not being played it may take more time. This is provided that the instrument is not very dark to start with.

After strings have been played out they lose the overtones and the small amount of sizzle that is desirable. It feels like you have to be more aggressive to get the sound you want vs the sound being there.

[Kavakos]

My respectful advice to you would be to listen really careful to renditions of Beethoven by Kreisler, Enesco, Szeryng, Grumieux, Ferras and from the moderns, Isabelle Faust. And, by the way, Beethoven was an excessive sentimental. Quie mad, you know...

And that's about it.

Ditto on Szeryng and Kreisler!

[Belly weight]

I used to be an admin of a very active board. We used a different software (vBulletin) and had some problems with the search. It was better than here at MN but only a bit. The indexing was an absolute pig with resources though. We scheduled it for the wee hours of the morning. Fond memories...The board software is not bad othewise here at MN.

Someone should sticky to use google to search.

[E. Sartory violin bow]

How does 20K...ish strike you? Good luck.

[3D "Printer" - and its possibilities in lutherie.]

We have one of these at the school where I teach. I have seen some pretty cool stuff that they have achieved. Most of the pieces have been relatively small scale (6-8 in.)

[A del Gesu Cello.]

looking at the Cozio Calendar it lists Janos Starker as playing the 'Lord Aylesford Strad' I've always thought he played a Gofriller. Does he own both or has he changed cellos in the last 10 years?

BTW that Del Gesu cello is really hard to play but I bet in the right hands it would be awesome!

Oded

Starker has not had the Strad for many years. When I was at Indiana in the early 80s he was playing the Gofriller. The Aylesford is a large instrument and Starker did not like playing it for that reason. His Gofriller is gorgeous.

[Strad 3D DVD]

I see the price in Pounds. Do they ship to the US?

Bruce,

They do. I am in the US. It is pretty compelling in my opinion.

[Opinions on best wood for bow blocks and spreader wedges]

I have used various woods for the blocks and always basswood for the spreader wedge. I am thinking of going softer for the blocks (poplar or basswood).

Funny story about the basswood tree. These days a bit "non green" though.

[Opinions on best wood for bow blocks and spreader wedges]

What type of wood do you use for bow blocks and spreader wedges when rehairing?

[Dominants]

I keep coming back to Dominants--for violin and viola. E string or even A and D on viola are a different story. Many of the "big" soloists use them.

Depending on how much playing you are doing I allow 5-10 days for them to calm down. They are a bit buzzy or metallic at first. Then need to be played in.