First Violin: 3rd Installment

Gluing the top and back went smoothly.  I approached this with some trepidation given my inexperience using hot hide glue, but it went smoothly.

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The next challenge was carving the scroll and making the neck

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Producing the neck proved challenging, but enjoyable. Setting the neck into the body  was also a challenge, but went smoothly.DSCF4197

The fingerboard is often removed prior to finishing the instrument to allow better access to the top.  Here, a dummy has taken its place to protect the delicate edges of the neck.
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There is tremendous mystique surrounding the varnishing of violins, from the sealing and choice of a “ground”, to staining, and formulating and applying the varnish. I sealed with very diluted oil/varnish mix, stained with a combination of various water-based aniline dyes applied in layers, and then French polished using a garnet shellac. I think the results were very pleasing and it should age nicely as well.DSCF4208

Then it was on to fitting the pegs, sound-post, bridge, end-pin and tail-piece.

I got motivated to dive into this project when I knew that my eldest daughter would be needing a new violin.  Was I naive, foolish, stupid?  Probably all three and more besides. Ledah has been playing for about 14 years, she’s a freshman music major and an outstanding violinist.  The violin she’s been playing for almost two years is a prize, (on loan) for winning the University of Delaware National String Competition in 2011. The instrument is a very costly one made by a prominent luthier, but it is due to be returned this Spring.

Well, here’s a clip of Ledah bringing out some of the first notes to come from my completed violin.

This experience has reminded me that it is often a good thing to dream, and even try to make those dreams a reality. Ledah was so pleased with my effort that she has chosen to play it over the other violin.  Listening to both played side by side in a large room it was clearly the more resonant and powerful violin. I was absolutely floored and completely gratified.  It felt like hitting a homerun on my first at bat in the Majors! Earlier that same day Ledah competed in and won the Durham Symphony (NC) Concerto Competition.  She’ll be debuting as a soloist with the symphony in April 2013 and giving the violin its first public airing as well. I couldn’t be prouder of her. You know, I’m pretty pleased with my own effort this time too.

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