beneviolins Report post Posted June 24, 2007 Having just returned from this year's workshop, here’s my take: Jim Brown was an attentive and gracious host, providing for our every need. Most importantly, he provided an excellent teacher in the form of Michael Darnton, who generously shared his vast knowledge. I came away with volumes of notes, a deeper understanding of building concepts, tool use, design considerations, pitfalls to avoid, and technical specs. The environment is supportive and humorous, and there’s no cooking required! Room accommodations and great meals are included. This irreplaceable opportunity not only strengthened my skills, it furthered my passion for building violins. Jennifer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andres Sender Report post Posted June 24, 2007 I came home yesterday, had lunch, and pretty much slept most of the rest of the day. I would not have believed it possible but I find I do have a saturation point for violin information--some of it's been settling out of solution. Hi Jennifer, I didn't get to say goodbye properly, it was great having you there again! Yes Jim B. was a really fabulous host, very responsive to requests and always looking for ways to ensure that we all had the best possible time. The campus setting is lovely and peaceful, it is hard to imagine a better one. Michael provided vast amounts of information, including a number of demonstrations and a great deal of personal coaching and feedback. It is always a revelatory pleasure to see him do anything, everything is done methodically, efficiently, and oh so quickly. Congratulations and thank you both to Jim and Michael for another fabulous workshop! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MANFIO Report post Posted June 24, 2007 Great! Do you know when Michael Darnton will be back here on MN? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beneviolins Report post Posted June 25, 2007 Thanks Andres, it was a pleasure seeing you again. I hope that "last supper" thing went well! By the way, I've been re-organizing my notes and if it's possible, I'd love to take you up on that offer to get a scan copy of the F-hole from the Betts. Best of luck to you in this coming year's violin building. Jennifer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andres Sender Report post Posted June 25, 2007 Jennifer--will do! Manfio--Do you know when the next earthquake will be? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MANFIO Report post Posted June 25, 2007 Oh...., thank you Andres! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_B Report post Posted June 25, 2007 Here's a Michael Darnton quote from the workshop: Question: Why aren't soundposts square? M.D. answer: "Because they're round" I guess if everyone needs more Michael, then all ya'll will just have to sign up for his 2008 workshop, June 2 - 20, 2008. Here's some photos from this year of Michael demonstrating how to make purfling Jim B Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dean_Lapinel Report post Posted June 25, 2007 Looks like fun. Is there a group shot of the participants? Is it possible to have a workshop with a focus on repair methods? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_B Report post Posted June 25, 2007 Thanks Dean. You know, there was so much going on we forgot to take the group photos at the end of each week like we did last year. Sorry. I am working on adding restoration and repair. It could possibly happen next year. However my first priority after a few successful years is to add bow making then repair and restoration. So keep posted. Jim B Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam Compton Report post Posted June 26, 2007 I've just recently returned from the Jim Brown Violinmaking workshop in Southern California. We all had a wonderful time, and I'd like to heartily recommend next year's workshop to any who may wish to attend. There was plenty of individualized instruction from Michael Darnton, with fine foods and a lovely downtown area to walk to with every convenience. We ate well, rested well, and learned many new things. I met Jeff Hass, a superstar who did the very best purfling that I've ever seen in my life. He uses a number 13 Exacto knife blade that he's lightly thinned. Michael showed me a new tool handling technique for cleaing up the inside of my plates that will really help. He uses a flat-bottomed, non-toothed finger plane to perfection. I can only speak for myself, but I smiled the whole time, and loved the wonderful people who attended. There were many old friends, and quite a few new ones. I'm still fired up, and getting ready for the Oberlin set-up workshop that's coming up. Good job, Jim Brown!...and Good Job, Michael Darnton!. Cordially, Sam Compton Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnCockburn Report post Posted June 26, 2007 Sam, what shape is a #13 exacto knife blade? Did a quick google and it comes up as a saw blade.(?) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COB3 Report post Posted June 26, 2007 I think that was a typo-- he meant a No. 12-- looks like a small scalpel blade, as it comes from the manufacturer. I did not see it, but he said it was somewhat thinned-- I'd like to see a picture. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_B Report post Posted June 26, 2007 Thanks Sam for the kind words. Looking forward to having you again next year. One thing about the blade Jeff used. It is a No12 Mini-Curved x-acto blade #X212. I presume we have the same blade as I was standing right next to you when I bought my pack. No doubt however that Jeff's purfling corner and bee sting was one of the best I've ever seen, and on only his 2nd violin! Folks we magnified this corner up on a screen 15 ft wide and the purfling corner filled the entire screeen. Even at that magnification, the mitre joint was beautiful and perfect. John - here is a photo of the blade. As Sam said, Jeff thinned the blade slightly up at the tip Jim B Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Burgess Report post Posted June 26, 2007 Sam, I envy you being able to attend all these workshops! What's your plan for making the transition to the crappy food at Oberlin? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_B Report post Posted June 27, 2007 Chow Time. Goooood!! JB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dean_Lapinel Report post Posted June 27, 2007 It's good to see Michael smiling and having fun in a couple of your shots. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dfontenot Report post Posted June 27, 2007 Hi guys, This is my first message so hope this goes well. I too was at the workshop. Hi Jennifer, Andres, Sam, JimB and any others I don't recognize. I had a great time. Michael does look happy but I think he was pretty tired. We worked him hard. Hope to be back next year! Darwin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COB3 Report post Posted June 27, 2007 Darwin! Welcome aboard! I wish I had been there to see you, but I am really glad you had a good time. Chet Bishop Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andres Sender Report post Posted June 27, 2007 Darwin welcome aboard! Is that the future site of the violin-making commune in your avatar picture there? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dfontenot Report post Posted June 27, 2007 Chet! How you been? It's been a while. We thought you were going to the workshop. Andres, that's the view from the cabin. Have you recovered from the workshop yet? You finish that fiddle yet? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ljsviolin Report post Posted June 27, 2007 One of my neighbors here in San Diego, an older gentleman by the first name of Brockway, attended the workshop (I can see him at breakfast on the right of the photo above). I'm looking forward to hearing all about the workshop from him! My wife and I (we both play violin) are looking forward to seeing his violin(s). Larry Samuels Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_B Report post Posted June 27, 2007 Quote: dfontenot: "we worked him hard". To say the least!! JB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacob Report post Posted June 27, 2007 Candid camera? Michael Darnton "down and out" - that's one for the archives. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wannamakeafiddle Report post Posted July 1, 2007 Hi to everyone from the workshop, we got so busy cleaning up after that I missed proper goodbyes to Sam, Andres, and Michael. My apologies, I'll have to make it up next year. Yes, even though 3 weeks of 14 hour days thrashed me, I'm coming back for more. Two years of this workshop and the surface is just scratched. Too much to learn. Unbelievable learning opportunity, even for experienced builders. Great people, wonderful company. And hi, Chet. Good to hear from you. Now for a question: Michael states that his method of plate graduation, Stradly authentic, will produce under eigenmode testing the patterns desired in that test for a finished plate. And that without any need for eigenmode testing and adjusting during the construction process, or any real need to test to confirm that when done. Has anyone out there independently confirmed that? Sam, did you get that new top plate done yet? Darwin, have your blisters from that bottom plate healed yet? Take care, friends Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dfontenot Report post Posted July 4, 2007 Hi to all again. I forgot to thank JimB and Michael for a fantastic workshop. Michael, I don't know how you do it. We asked a tousand questions and you gave up the goods. Many thanks. And JimB you put on a great workshop. The fan and extra blankets made it comfortable but you didn't have to add the air-conditioner; and the chocolates each evening were totally un-necessary. Darwin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites