Stradivari's Ground

[Craig Tucker]

Unfortunately there is no such thing as a right not to be subject to irrelevant replies, false portrayals, or tag-teaming by CT.

"tag teaming" tee hee!

Though my reply was brief - I feel it was also to the point. Allow me to elaborate.

For violin makers today - people who exist in a shop environment and make violins on a daily basis, and who perhaps find the many theories interesting, also find that they need a workable varnish immediately, a varnish or varnishing system that works, one that looks good, does not impair sound quality, and will help the violin sell.

Such information might actually be more to the point than all of the existing theory, as interesting as it is to read or contemplate.

All of the theory - and there seems to be quite a few truck loads of it - doesn't help much unless it is applicable.

I find that, speaking strictly for myself, talking to makers who have done the footwork and found the commonplace materials that can be simply applied - and which satisfy my immediate needs, has saved me the inevitable trial and error process I would still be wadding through if I were to just read through and try all of the available "Strad Varnish Theory" literature. ( the only process that would be available to me since I don't have any Strads or Del Gesu's on hand to draw any theories of my own from directly.)

I often find that, in life, people who devote themselves exclusively to research and theory - though interesting - often don't have a clue as to exactly what does or doesn't work pragmatically.

Those who also make violins and/or varnish, usually can be found out by their posts by virtue of the fact that their suggestions are more grounded in things that don't just sound good but which also work in a pragmatic sense.

My reply was with reference to the statement that John made;

"You have not tried any of these things. I can tell by the things you overlook. They would be obvious if you made a few trials."

Part of the reason why I seem dismissive of some posters (which I am) is that I don't have a lot of patience for things that merely are true in a "theoretical sense" but which cannot be used, or information which is presented in such a way as to seem to be given as a "proof" of sorts - though untried.

I hope this helps to clarify what may have seemed to be a bit 'too brief' of a reply.

[Adam Edwards]

CT ...... Being a young man I can identify with your thoughts ........... if I was a old man I would probably indulge myself in some folly

[violins88]

"tag teaming" tee hee!

Though my reply was brief - I feel it was also to the point. Allow me to elaborate.

For violin makers today - people who exist in a shop environment and make violins on a daily basis, and who perhaps find the many theories interesting, also find that they need a workable varnish immediately, a varnish or varnishing system that works, one that looks good, does not impair sound quality, and will help the violin sell.

Such information might actually be more to the point than all of the existing theory, as interesting as it is to read or contemplate.

All of the theory - and there seems to be quite a few truck loads of it - doesn't help much unless it is applicable.

I find that, speaking strictly for myself, talking to makers who have done the footwork and found the commonplace materials that can be simply applied - and which satisfy my immediate needs, has saved me the inevitable trial and error process I would still be wadding through if I were to just read through and try all of the available "Strad Varnish Theory" literature. ( the only process that would be available to me since I don't have any Strads or Del Gesu's on hand to draw any theories of my own from directly.)

I often find that, in life, people who devote themselves exclusively to research and theory - though interesting - often don't have a clue as to exactly what does or doesn't work pragmatically.

Those who also make violins and/or varnish, usually can be found out by their posts by virtue of the fact that their suggestions are more grounded in things that don't just sound good but which also work in a pragmatic sense.

My reply was with reference to the statement that John made;

"You have not tried any of these things. I can tell by the things you overlook. They would be obvious if you made a few trials."

Part of the reason why I seem dismissive of some posters (which I am) is that I don't have a lot of patience for things that merely are true in a "theoretical sense" but which cannot be used, or information which is presented in such a way as to seem to be given as a "proof" of sorts - though untried.

I hope this helps to clarify what may have seemed to be a bit 'too brief' of a reply.

Well said. Theory is fun, but if you need to make violins, it seems to be better to learn what good violin makers actually DO.

[Johnmasters]

CT ...... Being a young man I can identify with your thoughts ........... if I was a old man I would probably indulge myself in some folly

Actually, I surprised myself. As a moderately old man, I find that I am just like I used to be. I actualy experiment more, mostly because I have some extra time. And I have a better overview of what I want to do. I used to think old folks were strange because of age. Actually, what you are seeing is the culture of an earlier day.

Well said. Theory is fun, but if you need to make violins, it seems to be better to learn what good violin makers actually DO.

The best of both worlds, is ....... to do both. Don't experiment in order to get "there" before you start. Start, keep going, and do an experiment when it occurs to you. As to theory, think about this while you carve scrolls. Thinking does not actually slow one down.

[Adam Edwards]

The best of both worlds, is ....... to do both. Don't experiment in order to get "there" before you start. Start, keep going, and do an experiment when it occurs to you. As to theory, think about this while you carve scrolls. Thinking does not actually slow one down.

This is my approach now...................I did spend alot of time getting my stuff in one sock , now that kids are in the picture I have to keep the pace going , my thinking now is done on the run

[Johnmasters]

This is my approach now...................I did spend alot of time getting my stuff in one sock , now that kids are in the picture I have to keep the pace going , my thinking now is done on the run

That is a good thing for me to do. I never know when I will get some kind of idea. But the chances are improved if I ruminate a lot.

[Groda]

It's just been discovered that Stradivari wiped his ass with glasspaper. In turn, I have also employed this technique and can attest to an increase in projection and carrying power of my instruments.