Ron1

I noted violin #1 having 4 fine tuners, violin #2 not set-up, and that both were photographed at the same time. Is there significance in these observations?

ctanzio- here's full-length front & back pics

Thanks for the clarification, guys. Makes sense to me now. (I thought I'd get a couple of opinions on eyes vs. ears :-))

Thanks Bert & Rue. I think I've got it now! I'm not alone in my thinking that the protuberances at the sides of the scroll, when viewed from the front or back, should properly be referred to as "ears"; and when viewed from the side, as "eyes". Knute Reindahl (1857-1936) constantly experimented/changed the design of his scrolls. Ear extensions are a feature he used from time-to-time, and are seen on many of his instrument scrolls. Attached are photos of two of his violins on which he added such extensions. The first three pics are of a scroll (1902) that lost one of it's ear extensions, and the subsequent repair; the last two are of the most exaggerated extensions I've seen on his instruments (1920). Being a non-maker, I've got to ask, why can't a wider block of wood be used in the first place? Does everyone buy 'standard' pre-cut blanks, or what?

Bert- The problem is, there is no attachment symbol here on the 'reply' area. I used to click on a 'paper clip' symbol, & then I could attach photos??

I tried to attach photos to a post, but there is no 'paper clip'. Am I not doing something correctly?

Ski- listen: "Fi~Fie~Fo~Fum". Methinks the beanstalk is much too high, and the Giants are much too big. They ain't lettin' go of that goose.

I recall the previous thread. Then, as now, too many posters mistakenly talk about repairing and making, and that violin expertise can only be acquired by hands-on experience with vast quantities of instruments, etc., etc. The point is completely missed. I think the OP is talking about acquiring knowledge, not ability. Instrument-making workshops and schools do touch on this type of knowledge, but their real emphasis is on building the instruments. I disagree that the market (potential students) for a credited course is too small- in addition to the many who are just plain interested, I think many, many professional makers and dealers would avail themselves of such a course, in order to increase their knowledge and thus augment their business abilities ($).

This back & forth banter will just promote jalousie amongst y'all.

Bruce- In your original post you say you had been "generously given" the neck, and in your later post, it seems you're saying you acquired it at auction, and did not choose to acquire the other pieces offered at the auction. Do I mis-read or mis-interpret?

And the lower text might say something like "(_ B___lucci-Strad)"

Have you deciphered the other words on the neck? The word preceding Stradivarius (sp) seems to possibly be "Original"?

Regarding change in color perception after cataract surgery, my experience was somewhat different than David's Mother & Grandmother. Because they only 'do' one eye at a time, you have a chance, in-between surgeries, to compare your original eye (lens) with the new one. Some colors were different for me, especially the reds; and the reds I saw with the new eye were not pleasing- they tended toward a more crimson hue, having more blue than normal. A previous, pleasing "turkey red" was now a garish hue to me. The phenomenon was especially noticeable with red cars. I was not happy, but no one would believe, or admit the artificial lens did not produce "natural" colors. Now that I have both new lenses, I have no comparison, so I can no longer notice if colors are "off". But think what this would be like for a painter or artist who works with very precise color... OTOH Craig, this simple out-patient procedure will not merely slow-down or stop further deterioration of quality of sight, but will completely restore your vision. It's truly amazing! Even with my experience, I highly recommend anyone needing cataract surgery to have it done. You'll never regret it.

Happy Birthday Craig!

Do dolphins and water kelpies have tails like that? And legs? But, this is getting exciting, I just heard that someone found some stones near my neighborhood too!

These responses are primarily from makers, and represent that viewpoint. I think responses from players might be different, and responses from dealers and collectors might show an entirely opposite viewpoint. It's kinda the makers vs the market.

The screws adequately stabilize the center seam, but a little more filler seems to be needed. And I like that slotted screws were employed, rather than Phillips- a subtle antiqueing trick!

I think "boots on the ground" is real clever. Is it proper for a Head-of-State to refer to another Head-of-State by first name? Wouldn't "Chancellor Merkel" have been more protocolish? I don't recall hearing that before- although "Ahngula" didn't seem to mind. But then, she didn't refer to the President as "Barrack" either. (Everything I think of seems to have a political over-tone; but then, that's what ticks me off mostly.

I live close to Milwaukee- almost as good as close to Germany, when the subject is beer. "Bock" beer, these days, is a fake copy of what used to be a seasonal treat. Around the end of the year, breweries would clean out their vats. The dark thicker sludge taken off the bottom during this operation, was called bock, or sometimes referred to as "Christmas beer". It was only available during that season, and was special. Nowadays 'bock' beer is 'brewed' just to satisfy a mis-informed market. I agree with Stephan- I, too, become ridiculously angered at certain words or phrases- mostly the ones that folks use because the think they are fashionable. When did Angela Merkel become Ahngula Maerkel? (Newscasters are some of the worst).

Apologies! I did understand; it was just another of my clumsy attempts at humor.

Ouch

The general consensus seems to be that Del Gesu is given a pass. I've noticed the same when it comes to Strad, for asymmetry, etc. These reflect my own sentiments as well, but what I cannot understand, is why they are not applied to modern makers. In the case of modern makers, we hear "amateurish", "unconventional", "folk", etc., but never tolerance or forgiveness, let alone praise. I know the argument here will be SOUND, but as we know, sound is too objective to be the difference; besides, such judgements are typically made immediately upon sight, and without benefit of playability or sound comparison.

I have been attempting to design a shipping container for violins for a long time- I thought I was on the right track, but the Amati Box is a game-changer. I give-up! It is almost the perfect answer in all respects- 1. Very light-weight (inexpensive to ship) 2. Uniform & minimal size for the intended purpose; less "united inches" (further minimalizes shipping costs) 3. Excellent protection for the instrument while minimally invasive 4. Extremely easy to use- no peanuts, no bubble wrap, no tape, no butchering/re-making cardboard boxes 5. Much more 'professional', and could be printed with customer's name, logo, etc. 6. Light-weight & flat shipping of boxes to customers 7. Auction houses could furnish to consignors when appraising instruments, making very easy (& more likely) for consignor to follow-through 8. Manufacturer could offer some basic free insurance to users- would emphasize mfr's faith in product & be an excellent marketing aid This box will "go big" and will be widely used throughout the industry! I'm tossing out all my plans & prototypes

I think that part of the 'fear', or reason for opposition to the idea of a structured course, is a misconception that the students would all become 'experts' and flood the market. The reality is, that the overwhelming majority would most likely be amateur and professional makers and dealers who simply wish to expand their identification knowledge & skills for personal use or to better serve clients bringing in eBay purchases or attic finds. Such a course would probably go no further than id'ing regions of origin, anyway. Although discussion and speculation of maker identity would undoubtedly take place, it would not necessarily be a part of the curriculum. It seems like an obvious way to provide an apparently large number of folks that have an interest, or a need, to know more in this area. A precious, dedicated few, may continue seeking to educate themselves, and eventually become 'expert'. But that would take lots of additional time and learning the old-fashioned way- working 'hands-on' in big shops or auction houses.

Knute Reindahl, in addition to carved decoration, usually to the head, used pyrography to achieve decoration on a small number of instruments.