Craig Tucker Memorial Instrument

[Televet]

So, GMM22 has reached out to Mary and we have her permission to proceed with a memorial instrument. The plan would be to auction the instrument with proceeds going  to Craig's family. I would be honoured to quarterback this enterprise as my organizational skills, such as they are, are all that I can bring to the table. Jackson, and E both volunteered to pitch in, in Craig's memorial thread. 

Who else would like to take part?

 

Matt

[Jim Bress]

I have an old Sitka billet (80’s or 90’s) that seams like the type of wood Craig liked to use if I remember my readings of his old posts. I know E has already volunteered (generously) the top and back, so I don’t want to step on any toes. My second choice would be to offer the strings of choice.  I can also donate pegs if my stock meets with the esthetics of choice.  

Really miss Craig’s words of wisdom and wit. 

-Jim

[Dwight Brown]

I can help with fittings or the case.

 

DLB

I have an especially nice B&C chinrest in boxwood that I never used, guarneri style.

[JacksonMaberry]

Might be good to establish what we're making, then fill in a division of labor chart of some kind, such as:

Form and templates

Garland

Plates - jointed and flattened

Plates - rough arched and purfled

Plates - channeled, blended, and soundholes

Plates - final grads and bassbar

Rib-taper, assembly, and edgework

Scroll and neckset

Finishing/Varnish

Setup and Delivery of final product

 

Anyway, something like that. I realize the above does not reflect everyones personal workflow, it's just a rough idea based on mine. 

I'd love to work the plates, and would be happy to do the rough arching or the finish arching. 

[Guest]

30 minutes ago, JacksonMaberry said:

Might be good to establish what we're making, 

I think this is a good idea...

Where will the instrument be auctioned?

I know Craig mentioned that he favored  Sitka and Bigleaf but many would prefer to have European woods. I think using European wood would bring a higher price to the auction block and to Craig's family?

[Jim Bress]

5 minutes ago, lpr5184 said:

I think this is a good idea...

Where will the instrument be auctioned?

I know Craig mentioned that he favored  Sitka and Bigleaf but many would prefer to have European woods. I think using European wood would bring a higher price to the auction block and to Craig's family?

Agreed. 

[Televet]

I like Jackson's plan, and I agree with E and Jim about wood choice. Shall we give it a couple of days to see which other hats come into the ring and then start dividing tasks?

Auction venue? We have some time yet  but bears early discussion. If we choose a forum mainly frequented by violin makers we will have a sympathetic, but limited audience. A public forum like Tarisio or Amati has greater reach, but a less engaged (as far as the project is concerned) audience. We can begin the mulling process, and we can chew it over as we go until we reach the best conclusion. 

What shall we* make then, what were Craig's preferences and passions? (As always, easier to ask than to use the search function ) .

 

* By 'we' I  mean those of the team qualified to hold sharp things on their own, ie excluding me unless you include a scalpel and some neat stitching. My working material is much more forgiving than wood!

[Guest]

19 minutes ago, Televet said:

What .... were Craig's preferences and passions?

I think Mary would probably be the best source to ask.

[Dwight Shirley]

I'm sure Craig had wood in stock, why not use his wood? I think he also had several necks that he carved, waiting on fiddles. I think a neck that he carved would be nice.

[Guest]

That's a great idea Dwight!

[James M. Jones]

12 hours ago, Televet said:

I like Jackson's plan, and I agree with E and Jim about wood choice. Shall we give it a couple of days to see which other hats come into the ring and then start dividing tasks?

Auction venue? We have some time yet  but bears early discussion. If we choose a forum mainly frequented by violin makers we will have a sympathetic, but limited audience. A public forum like Tarisio or Amati has greater reach, but a less engaged (as far as the project is concerned) audience. We can begin the mulling process, and we can chew it over as we go until we reach the best conclusion. 

What shall we* make then, what were Craig's preferences and passions? (As always, easier to ask than to use the search function ) .

 

* By 'we' I  mean those of the team qualified to hold sharp things on their own, ie excluding me unless you include a scalpel and some neat stitching. My working material is much more forgiving than wood!

Can,t at the moment commit to participate directly in this build ,to much going on other fronts,, having participated in others though ,I,ll follow it and maybe be able to help at something.  it,s a great experience to be a part f something bigger , have fun with it....maybe some one has some Ace spar ....Craig was a great guy....As I recall, Craig was involved in the Arizona group of violin makers ,might talk to those folks about hosting the auction,sometimes smaller more intimate venues garner stronger responses toward projects like this. Just a thought. Best of luck with the project, not a small thing.

[JoeDeF]

I have maybe a third of a quart of ACE Spar Varnish (the good stuff that Craig liked, before they changed the recipe).  When I heard that Craig had passed, I went down, opened it, and tried it on a scrap of veneer.  It is still good, and the little veneer scrap looks nice.  I'd be happy to donate my ACE spar for this build.

[JoeDeF]

If you all decide to use it.

[James M. Jones]

12 minutes ago, JoeDeF said:

I have maybe a third of a quart of ACE Spar Varnish (the good stuff that Craig liked, before they changed the recipe).  When I heard that Craig had passed, I went down, opened it, and tried it on a scrap of veneer.  It is still good, and the little veneer scrap looks nice.  I'd be happy to donate my ACE spar for this build.

Awesome,!

[Guest]

I've met only a few Craig's in my life... CT was a very intelligent and sincere man with the gift of empathy and strength.

He had a real influence here on Maestronet and was here way before my time and was never shy of offering advise to those of us who were new to this craft

I'm looking forward to see what instrument the group decides to build.

 

 

 

[Ken_N]

I went looking for pictures of Craig's instruments.  For all he helped others, he didn't bang his own gong much!  I only found a couple nice shots when he was posting on glazed finishes.  

Unworn corners, and fairly nice height on the arch.  Nice f holes.  They look TOTALY different from the front and side because of the arch height.  Model?  I don't know.  Rather full arching.   

Anyone have anything?  

[JacksonMaberry]

Hard for me to tell exactly what's going on with the arching from those photos. Thanks for digging, at any rate, Ken!

@GMM22, given that you have contact with the family, would you be willing to investigate to see what kind of instrument Craig was in to? 

[Jim Bress]

Here’s some rambling thoughts. 

1.  Whenever I have to take a business trip I have this urge to write a note; Hi family love you blah blah...BTW can ask one of these people to finish the instrument I’m working on. Along those lines finishing a partially completed violin could be labeled Craig and friends. 

2.  The fact that we’re getting together to build a violin in Craig’s honor is the tribute. If we want to also help Mary then we should build something that will bring bidders to the table. 

3.  Damn I’m getting old. Could have sworn I had a third point. 

Jim

[JacksonMaberry]

Jim, damn fine points. Even No. 3! 

So to the end of honoring Craig but also offering something of value to those that survive him, we should heed Jim's No. 2. To me, that means most likely making something Strad or DG inspired, or at the absolute outside, something after one of the Amatis or other Guarneris. As much as I'd love to do something wilder, this isn't about me. 

[Televet]

So far we have a  Strad or DG Model, with wood for the plates supplied by E and varnish supplied by JoDeF. Dwight has offered a case and boxwood chinrest and Jim, strings and hopefully some pegs. Jackson has offered to work on the plates.

I will take on shipping costs as the project roams the World. We are still short of quite a bit of stuff and a number of luthiers I think. 

[joerobson]

I will provide ground and varnish.  Just tell me where to send it.

on we go,

Joe

[Christopher Jacoby]

I will lend a hand for a step. Craig was a good egg, and a better human than most good eggs...

[JacksonMaberry]

On 5/18/2018 at 9:54 AM, JacksonMaberry said:

Form and templates - @Addie do you have time? Maybe early DG? 

Garland

Plates - jointed and flattened @lpr5184 if you're providing the wood, would you mind taking on this step also?

Plates - rough arched and purfled

Plates - channeled, blended, and soundholes

Plates - final grads and bassbar

Rib-taper, assembly, and edgework

Scroll and neckset - @Christopher Jacoby your scrolls are wonderful, so maybe this is where you could fit in?

Finishing/Varnish - @Thomas Coleman you're a varnish God, so maybe you'd be willing? 

Setup and Delivery of final product

To everyone that has expressed interest - thank you. I don't intend to be the point person, organizationally, but I am willing to provide some measure of pressure to get the roster filled. To that end, I'm reposting my div. of Labor chart with suggestions. Feel free to use the @ feature to nominate your friends! =D

[Guest]

59 minutes ago, Televet said:

So far we have a  Strad or DG Model, with wood for the plates supplied by E and varnish supplied by JoDeF. Dwight has offered a case and boxwood chinrest and Jim, strings and hopefully some pegs. Jackson has offered to work on the plates.

I will take on shipping costs as the project roams the World. We are still short of quite a bit of stuff and a number of luthiers I think. 

I will have to look through my wood to see if I have something light enough for a Strad or GdG model. Most of my remaining wood is on the dense side and probably too heavy to make a good violin.

Let me know what density range/wood the group is looking for. I may have spoke too soon but I will check this week and see if I can come up with something to donate to the cause.

[Televet]

Sorry Jackson. Missed your post. You should write yourself in for your preferred step. Either rough arching, or finishing as you prefer. You were one of the first to step up so go for it.