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Anders Eliasson -> RE: Just a Fiddle/Violin (Nov. 11 2014 8:07:27)
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For now I stick with this shape. Its a generic Strad, but not a direct copy.
I have built 4 violins and I wont change shape for now. I have a ton to learn. Just like in guitarbuilding, its not really the plan that matters, but what you do with it. And if I changed shape now, then I would loose track of what I have already done.
The varnish is the same as before. Just another color mix. Its has less patina.
I have tried copys of Il Cañone, the 1743 Del Gesu you mention. They are very typical classical solo instruments. Powerfull and not the easyest to play. Very different from what I´m looking for. Back in the 80th I had classes with the concertmaster (is that the word?) of the Royal Chapel (symphony orchestra) of Copenhagen. In the orchestra he played a very expensive French made Del Gesu copy. It was not his. He didnt like playing it to much and never used it for practising or playing chamber music. He let me try it and it was a very high piched and nervous instrument that had to be dominated all the time. Good for playing solo because it easily put itself on top of everything, but not specially good for blending, which is what you need in chamber music. A more mellow violin blends a lot better with deeper pitched instruments like violoncellos and violas. Il Cañone had a pretty thick soundboard with a very special graduating of the top. What I build is closer to early Stradivarius which is thinner and more even in the lower and upper bout. I do, of course, build the center of both the top and the back thicker than a original strad. Because if not, the violin would not be able to cope with todays string length, string tesion and pitch.
THis one has come out really well. It is very well balanced and a joy to play. It suits what I want to do. Its very good at making double stops. (playing two notes at the time for the non violin players) It blends both notes very well. Its strong in the basses and lively in the top which will open up a lot more with the years.
I hope to find the energy and time to see if I can build a violin very similar, but with just a few herz higher main frequency. I know it´ll make the blending and the double stops less easy, but I think it would be worth it. Anyways, we always need some new goals in life, and this is one mine.
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