Building violin no. 1

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Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

Building violin no. 1

I will try to participate a bit on the luthiers section again. I´ll try to concentrate on practical and direct issues and I´ll try to stay clear of all the supermental discussions that some members seem to like and which have dominated the foro for a long time now and which to me has very little to do with building stringed instruments.

So here we go and totally off - topic:
When I´ve had time, the last month or so I´ve been doing little things and one of those has been to start the building of what hopefully will end being my violin number 1. Its a journey into a new world and I´m where many of you guys are/where when you made/make your first guitar. Its, of course an advantage to have built 100 guitars. I have the tools and some of the tecniques, but violin making is something very different from guitarmaking. I´m not going to pretend I know things I dont know, so this violin is copy all the way through or better said a copy of a copy of a copy. I´m using Strobels books on the subject and he builds a copy of a french copy of a Stradivarius.
Good enough for me.
So far I´ve made the sides and linings. I was worried about bending the 1mm thick highly flamed mapple sides. Specially the middle part, the C´s, but it went pretty flawless and I´m happy with the result. My bending iron is a home made one made of a 25mm irontube, a stripped chineese soldering iron and a bit of aluminium cloth to stuff itt all together inside the bending iron. Its a matter of taking your time and work slow. What a joy, this with working slowly. I´m so happy I´m not working out there in the "real" world where everyone is running faster every day. What a monster of society we are creating.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2012 16:10:09

Gimar

Posts: 39
Joined: May 13 2012

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Hey Anders, seems like a nice project you are working on, keep us posted!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2012 16:33:23

jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Nice work Anders. What a fun project!

Like you I've been considering a new endeavor. If I can find room in the shop I'm planning to build a harpsichord for my 71st birthday.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2012 18:13:57

Dave K

Posts: 155
Joined: Mar. 29 2006

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Looking professional already Anders - Can't wait to hear you fiddle a tune on it.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2012 18:31:14

tri7/5

Posts: 570
Joined: May 5 2012

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Are you going for more of a classical sound or a folk/bluegrass fiddle type of sound? I don't even know if there is a construction difference between the two or if it's ultimately the player getting what he wants out of the instrument.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2012 18:42:27

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to jshelton5040)

quote:

If I can find room in the shop I'm planning to build a harpsichord for my 71st birthday.

Cool. Isnt that dificult??? If you do it, post some photos. I like the words "fun project" Thats what its supposed to be. Its fun to build guitars as well, but after 100, it can get more like work if you know what I mean. Building a violin will hopefully bring some fresh air into the workshop. A new point of view
Dave.. You´ll have to wait. This is not a speedy project
Dyingsea: I´ll go for a good sound. In general, violins/fiddles are the same thing. It could be interesting to make a fiddle with a more nasal open sound and with some crusty midrange. But I think It´ll be a project after violin number 25

So for now, I can live with a good standard stradivarius sound
It takes a good time to know what you´re doing when building instruments and I dont think I´ll go pro in the violin world.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2012 18:49:45

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Rage on quietly against the monster Anders.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2012 19:49:06

jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Anders Eliasson

Cool. Isnt that dificult??? If you do it, post some photos. I like the words "fun project"

There are many books on the subject and one can buy premade parts like jacks and action parts to speed up the process. There are even kits available but they are very expensive. I doubt it's more difficult than building a violin but it might take a bit longer

. I've wanted to build one for may years but it takes a lot of space since I see no point in building a small one.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2012 20:33:03

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

John,
I made a kit violin this winter. A stewmac kit. I tuned it and did everything to make it sound and it realy works very well and is a good violin. BUT.. I cant really accept that its a kit instrument and thats why I´ve started from scratch.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2012 21:56:59

jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Anders Eliasson

I cant really accept that its a kit instrument and thats why I´ve started from scratch.

I understand completely Anders although we buy premade rosettes, tuners, frets and bone for our guitars to cut the cost one would feel kind of tertiary to the production if he let someone else select the wood, bend the sides, etc. I had an offer once from some rich relatives to start and run a guitar factory and couldn't even imagine how to do it. What a bunch of dreamers luthiers are...then again, maybe it's just sloth.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2012 23:32:49

odinz

Posts: 407
Joined: May 26 2010
From: Sarpsborg,Norway

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Awesome Anders... I think I have asked you before if you had interest in this, seems you do...
I really admire that you do stuff yourself these days too, even your bending iron.
My great grandfather started to build a house in the early 30s and it took really long until it was liveable, because he made everything by himself, even a large portion of the tools.
Even though he lived there with the family when it was not completely done he never called it home until he had finished making a carved figure to be set atop the doorway.
My grandma remembers that he sat down laughing and smoking an overfilled pipe afterwards.

So, do you think there would be a possibility that I can own a violin made by you someday to match my precious blanca?

It would be an honour owning one more of your instruments Anders.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 27 2012 2:09:45

FlamencoD

Posts: 113
Joined: Apr. 7 2012
From: Portland, OR

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Very cool. I hope that you can make some videos of someone playing it when you are done.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 27 2012 3:43:04

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

John, I make my own homegrown rosettes for the cery same reason.
Jonas, This with the bending iron was mostly a money thing. It cost me 3,- €. I dont mind buying tools.
And of course I will make a video and I will be playing it myself. I´m getting pretty good now.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 27 2012 7:22:48

krichards

Posts: 597
Joined: Jan. 14 2007
From: York, England

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Great project Anders.
I made my one and only violin 33 years ago, under the guidance of a violin maker.
After that I moved on to guitars and I've managed 28 in the intervening years.

But you've got me thinking........maybe another violin one day.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 27 2012 7:46:42

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Anders,

I'm really happy to see you started your violin. It will be fun to watch. I have my cello moving along, but it's going slow.

What have you decided to do for varnish?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 27 2012 23:09:12

Ricardo

Posts: 14799
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Cool man, good project. Now, is that the front of the violin, or the BACK????

just kidding.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 28 2012 4:12:23

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

Now, is that the front of the violin, or the BACK????
just kidding.

That is the interior resonator panel, fool.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 28 2012 4:42:08

Anders Eliasson

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Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Varnish is going to be sugarseal and true oil (oil varnish) I´ve done that before and I liked it.

Sometimes my use of language confuses me. I´m a dane in Spain and everything connected with instrumentmaking or boatbuilding is in english. All my jigs and molds heve things written on them in english and I never speak english. Its a bit weird.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 28 2012 7:19:13

Flamingrae

Posts: 220
Joined: May 19 2009

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

I´m a dane in Spain and everything connected with instrumentmaking or boatbuilding is in english.

Ah, so the Dane in Spain goes mainly against the grain? - sorry, but I could'nt resist.

Well done Anders - it's good to try something new every now and then. I still have a violin that needs finishing and a viola, no corners - that wants some varnish. I'll never forget my violin making skills - taught me so much about wood and instrument construction. The bass bar was always the hardest part to fit and get right. Later on I got into oil varnish making. Thankfully it lasts a long time as it's a bit smelly. French polish is a bit more straight forward. Best of luck with this.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 28 2012 9:51:48

Anders Eliasson

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Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Making the scroll and head of the violin

So here´s another one of those processes that was unsure about. It looks so difficult and it aint easy, but everything have their tricks and so does the scroll of a violin. Lots of small cuts, patience, very sharp gouges and some homemade scrapers.
This is the way it looks now. Its far from being finished, The pin in the scroll is not totally straight from all angles, but you have to look with a critical eye to see that.
I will leave it like it is for now and do the final shaping and finishing off when I´ve made the box of the violin.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2012 8:28:52

johnnefastis

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Joined: Jan. 10 2012

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Hi Anders

I just watched "El Guitarreo" this weekend... inspirational work well done to you and Simon for that. If I ever make a guitar I think I will wear out the pause button.

Now I am wondering.

quote:

I dont think I´ll go pro in the violin world.

Why not ? You make amazing guitars and thats not easy. Is it just because violins have more compound shapes and a more complex geometry, that makes them harder ?

Don't stop posting about this project, its great to see.

Cheers

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2012 9:43:42

gerundino63

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From: The Netherlands

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

This is a sculpture Anders!
Very nice!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2012 9:51:51

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

John
The main thing in being a pro is not to build but to sell........ Besides, I think I´ll better finish a couple of these things before I start dreaming
Also, the violin world is pretty closed and very oldfashion.

Peter gave the answer to what the difference between building a guitar and a violin. On the guitar, you mainly work plates almost even thickness and the instrument is more square, the violin is sculpted and has round forms all over the place.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2012 16:11:16

Dave K

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Joined: Mar. 29 2006

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

The pin in the scroll is not totally straight from all angles, but you have to look with a critical eye to see that.

That is what makes it art I believe - You may be the only person to actually "see" that imperfection, but that is what will make it stand out from the dull CNC carved scrolls. Beautiful work Anders.

Cheers,
Dave

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2012 17:38:14

srshea

Posts: 833
Joined: Oct. 29 2006
From: Olympia, WA in the Great Pacific Northwest

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Hey, Anders. Don't want to take your thread too far off topic, but I thought of you when I saw this. I remember you asking around about busking a while back and thought maybe you were thinking on taking a leap and hitting the road yourself...

http://vimeo.com/47265755

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2012 18:14:13

estebanana

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Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Anders,
Your scroll looks good.
I'm in the middle of carving my cello back, but it's about four times as much work as carving a violin so I'm going to be slower.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2012 19:18:57

Anders Eliasson

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Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Thanks a lot. I like the scroll myself. Its got character

Stephen, get ready for that double bass project. I know you´ll do it. You´re crazy enough.. Meanwhile, why dont you post some pictures and storys about your cello. This section could do with something real and not just all this MrB mental yingy yingy.

Adam, I was in France for some weeks this summer and did some busking with the violin. I liked it. When you´re alone in a city it might be lonely, but when you busk, you´re part of it.
Thats next summers project. Drive around in Europe in an old van and play number 1 violin in the streets. Visiting family and friends and sometimes stay in the forest for some days learning new tunes and reading books.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2012 19:43:02

gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
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From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to estebanana)

quote:

Anders,
I'm really happy to see you started your violin. It will be fun to watch. I have my cello moving along, but it's going slow.
What have you decided to do for varnish?

There seems to be an intimately innate proclivity in every luthier to eventually take the violin (or cello) challenge. I am sure not many will share their results, but it would be interesting to see how many of the other luthiers who post here have indulged the “call of the fiddle”.

And yes (as Stephen insightfully asks) to see how they sorted out the vexing "varnish" dilemma.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2012 20:58:52

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

Visiting family and friends and sometimes stay in the forest for some days learning new tunes and reading books.

You better make it to Bath.... or else Gina, Queenie and I will have to hook up with you in a forest somewhere, with my 6-string steel and we work out some reels and jigs.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2012 21:02:31