Dave Slight Posted December 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2019 Testore did not use a mould, the instruments probably being built up on the back (although the ribs could have been built first on a flat board, and then the outline then taken from them). Given that there is no mould to define the outline, assuming a template was used to set either the back outline, or the rib outline, it was rather loosely adhered to at times. While they fit a concept, the dimensions do vary, along with the overall outline. I don't think it was for any particular acoustic or structural reason, more a quirk of the making process at times, which in this example, seems more extreme than others. As to the flatness you refer to, this can often be seen in the work of several makers, notably Del Gesu, Storioni and others. In some cases it seems that the lower block has little to no curvature, and was just planed flat. Sometimes there is just a slight flatness at the block area, on others it can make the lower bouts take on more the outline expected in a cello. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slight Posted December 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 39cm (15 3/8") viola. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urban Luthier Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 Really nice work David! where did you draw your inspiration from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slight Posted December 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 Thank you This one started out as a project to create a small viola based on ergonomics. Over the years, I've dealt with a lot of clients who had begun to suffer problems associated with playing a large instrument as they got older. I am also involved with the RNCM a lot, and a number of the students there really struggle with violas of the standard dimensions. In these situations, people always worry that something smaller won't have the power or carry well, but that isn't always the case, and personally I think players will sound better on something they are comfortable with, rather than fighting against. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urban Luthier Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 Nice thanks! I love the nod to Brescia, but at the same time it really looks very personal and distinctive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slight Posted December 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 A few before varnishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urban Luthier Posted December 30, 2019 Report Share Posted December 30, 2019 Nice ground Dave. I really like your viola model! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelbow Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 Your workmanship is so tidy, lovely to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slight Posted January 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2020 Last coat of varnish on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bress Posted January 10, 2020 Report Share Posted January 10, 2020 Looks really great Dave! One thing that stands out for me is that the worn varnish areas look too clean. Maybe that's the next stage? -Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slight Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 In my experience, classic Italian grounds are not really that dark, and it can easily be overdone. With any strongly coloured varnish, there will be a strong contrast when worn back to the ground, and also a difference in texture between the two. It's hard to convey those sort of things in a photo when using a flash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bress Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 I definitely agree about the difficulty of photographing varnished instruments. It's strange that I don't see what I was talking about it now. Maybe I was using a different monitor. Previously I couldn't see the browns in the "worn" areas. It appeared stark like freshly planed wood. I'm blaming the monitor (instead of me being crazy). Beautiful work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scordatura Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 5 hours ago, Dave Slight said: n my experience, classic Italian grounds are not really that dark, and it can easily be overdone. Agreed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFryMan Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 Dave the dirt detail on this is beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slight Posted January 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slight Posted January 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2020 A few pictures before it was varnished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slight Posted February 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2020 Pear and maple purfling shavings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bress Posted February 2, 2020 Report Share Posted February 2, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Colley Posted February 3, 2020 Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 Beautiful work as always Dave, I am lucky that now and again I get to see these for real. Dave’s blog site is a great read too ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Byler Posted February 4, 2020 Report Share Posted February 4, 2020 Spectacular stuff Dave ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slight Posted February 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 On 2/3/2020 at 4:36 PM, Terry Colley said: Beautiful work as always Dave, I am lucky that now and again I get to see these for real. Dave’s blog site is a great read too ! Thanks Terry. If you happen to be passing by at some point in the future, I currently have a few things on the go, which you might like to look at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urban Luthier Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 Just had a look at your photo blog Dave, really nice!! https://slightviolins.wordpress.com/category/making/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slight Posted March 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2020 Ground coat in the sunshine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bress Posted March 28, 2020 Report Share Posted March 28, 2020 The color looks great. The figure is amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slight Posted March 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2020 Thanks, Jim. A long time ago, I managed to get five pieces all from the same tree. This was the least figured out of the five, and really looks stunning when you turn it through the light. Can't wait to use the others in the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.