GerardM

Can you tell me is it spirit or oil? At the moment I’m experimenting with various spirit recipes.

Will he be doing The Method School of Violin making. And will he stay in character when he goes home?

Thanks David I will try this. Take care G

Something I forgot to ask, what are the quantity’s of gum to turpentine. Or is it a case of adding the turpentine to the gum until saturation is achieved, as in there are no deposits in the bottom of the vessel?

FULLY understood David, I’m very big on health and safety.

David is it critical that both substances are the same temperature?

Thank you David for a very in-depth answer.

Thank you Michael good point about the mastic alcohol mix allowing things to move on more quickly.

I was thinking of using it as a wood sealer. Regarding your mastic varnish Michael how does it compare to spirit varnish? I am experimenting with the 1704 recipe. My next experiment will be your varnish. I have numerous off cuts of spruce and maple which I apply various sealer, stain, varnish compilations and keeping records of these tests.

When dissolving gum mastic using either alcohol or turpentine does it matter which one is used? Are there any advantages or disadvantages to using one or the other. Thanks G.

Will there be feedback problems

There’s a YouTube film “The little box that Sings” in which Harry makes an appearance. It’s a while since I’ve seen it but if memory services me correctly, I think he says he can make a violin in a week or so. In fact I will search for it an watch again.

Don does the torrefied violin sound improve with playing? As you say after a few years the sound difference between the two types becomes less. So is it that the non-torrefied violin catches up with the other? Also regarding violins in general with regular playing will the sound improve to a particular sound quality and level off? Then stay at that level with constant playing and servicing.

Could spike oil be added later if I wished to slow the drying time?

Thanks Doug I found similar results. Anyway I’ve gone a head and used Sandarac what’s the worst that can happen? The recipe was for Juniper, or in my case Sandarac, shellac, mastic, benzoin, elemi. Melted the mastic and Elemi. Mixed everything with alcohol and leave until all dissolved. Only done a small batch so not an expensive mistake if it doesn’t dry or some other disaster. LOL.