Mathew Atria Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 (edited) So here it is...I've always helped my father with his instrument repairs throughout my whole life on and off. Only for the past 10 years have I consistently done violin, viola and cello repairs as a second job. Last year I decided to make a violin and use the same prints, template and guide my father used back in the 1970s to make his only violin. "You can make a Stradivarius" by Joseph Reed. I struggled with many things throughout the process but it all came together in the end. I would love to hear any comments or feedback. Good or Bad ill take it. I'm just happy its finished and I will move onto the next when I find the wood and time to start it. Edited October 2, 2019 by Mathew Atria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geigenbauer Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Hi Mathew, congratulations. I will leave it to the pros here to give advice, but I think it looks very nice. I was amazed to read that this is your first instrument. Congrats again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane88 Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Bravo, you did it! Make a list of what you would like to improve upon and go on to the next one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violadamore Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Congratulations!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Butcher Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 How does it sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three13 Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Congratulations, it's lovely! Someday, I hope to follow your example... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipKT Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Congratulations! I have often wanted to try that, but I’m sure that all I would do is develop a first name relationship with the surgeons at the emergency room. The best judge is you yourself, look it over and decide what you want to be better, and then ask the experts here how to improve. When I was regularly writing, I would write something, I think it was splendid, go back to work the next day, realize it was not splendid, and rewrite it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacksonMaberry Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Congratulations! Play the heck out of it and get someone else, as good a player as you can find, to play it for you and give you their feedback. Consider getting one of the more recent books to help guide your future efforts, like Brian Derber's recent volume, which is a fantastic encapsulation of the Mittenwald school as inherited by the Chicago school. One thing that leaps immediately to mind, looking at your photographs, is the arching of the center bout as it relates to the f-holes. Compared with Stradivari, you haven't scooped the f-hole area of the center bout and as a result your wings lie in the same plane as the surrounding arching. My teacher Tom Sparks referred to your situation as "chicken wing". Take a look at some good photos of Strads, especially from the side, and then look at yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scordatura Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Congratulations! Nice first effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dand Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Good job. I am also curious about how it sounds...pls keep us posted and thanks for the pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Atria Posted October 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) On 10/3/2019 at 1:04 AM, JacksonMaberry said: One thing that leaps immediately to mind, looking at your photographs, is the arching of the center bout as it relates to the f-holes. Compared with Stradivari, you haven't scooped the f-hole area of the center bout and as a result your wings lie in the same plane as the surrounding arching. Jackson, Thank you for giving this great feedback. I completely agree with you. When I brought it to an expert that's one of the first things he said. I can barely play the instrument myself. I go as far as twinkle twinkle. When the expert played it sounded great and then he knocked around the post a little bit and it got louder. I'm extremely happy with the sound and so was he. Upon completion I have been writing down all the little details and mistakes that I did make and will not be making those mistakes on my next one. Thanks Edited October 4, 2019 by Mathew Atria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Atria Posted October 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 2 hours ago, dand said: Good job. I am also curious about how it sounds...pls keep us posted and thanks for the pics. dand, I will have to find a player to do some short recordings of the sound and then I will surely post them here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Atria Posted October 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 10 hours ago, PhilipKT said: Congratulations! I have often wanted to try that, but I’m sure that all I would do is develop a first name relationship with the surgeons at the emergency room. The best judge is you yourself, look it over and decide what you want to be better, and then ask the experts here how to improve. When I was regularly writing, I would write something, I think it was splendid, go back to work the next day, realize it was not splendid, and rewrite it. Philip, No emergency room visits but definitely a trip to the band aid box multiple times..haha Oh trust me I've looked it over enough to make my head spin and taken plenty of notes. The next will be far better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A432 Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Nice job for a number one. If you're looking for nits to pick, The long axis of your f-holes wants to be rotated so that the upper eyes are closer together. When the distance between them is greater than the width of the bridge feet, the "tweeter" can't focus the sound, as with some Bergonzis. (So, at any rate, said Sacconi). The asymmetry of the outline looks nicely organic, if a little extreme. Compared with AS, the f-holes are very narrow, and rather long. Even subtle differences there have tonal consequences that seem out of proportion to their magnitude. (So, at any rate, said Han Nebel). It looks like the area between the c-bouts is where you want to be directing your attention on number two. FWIW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMartin Posted October 4, 2019 Report Share Posted October 4, 2019 Thank your posting your first and bringing fond memories. I had recently noticed that the outline drawing included with "You can make a Stradivarius" is very close to the 1721 Kruse in the Strad Mag poster. Reid's drawings and arch patterns do not show FF fluting. Don't know if the text mentions that as the book itself wandered off years ago. On the other hand, in 1957, the book enabled a thirteen-year-old to start making without a mentor. In addition to drawings of all the necessary tools, it also cited tonewood and fitting sources Rembert Wurlitzer and William Lewis and Sons. I eventually visited Wurlitzer in 1960 and was invited to walk through the long narrow workroom with its single bench. The only worker that talked, a dark-haired fellow, handed me the luscious white violin hanging above his work area. Believe he was René Morel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Preuss Posted October 4, 2019 Report Share Posted October 4, 2019 Well, well. If you want to hear an advice: concentrate on the flow of lines on your next fiddle. The f holes look ultra stiff with the parallel stems. As far as I can see this applies for other parts as well. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Atria Posted October 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2019 On 10/4/2019 at 1:01 AM, DMartin said: Reid's drawings and arch patterns do not show FF fluting. Don't know if the text mentions that as the book itself wandered off years ago. Unfortunately it doesn't show fluting and I wish it had. I thought about it after the fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Atria Posted October 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2019 On 10/4/2019 at 8:27 AM, Andreas Preuss said: concentrate on the flow of lines on your next fiddle. The f holes look ultra stiff with the parallel stems. As far as I can see this applies for other parts as well. I agree with you. They are slightly stiff and they are also slightly narrow as well. The Violin definitely could use a little more flow to it. I have that noted for my next one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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