The next challenge was carving the scroll and making the neck
Producing the neck proved challenging, but enjoyable. Setting the neck into the body was also a challenge, but went smoothly.
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.
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.
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.
Very nice work. Congratulations to you and Ledah on your accomplishments!
Thank you Shawn!
Congratulations to you both! Once one gets to the level of playing where your daughter is, a decent instrument is not cheap. But what an awesome sight to see her playing the instrument you made. I hope she enjoys it for years to come.
Thank you Brian
David, This is totally amazing. Please let us know when the April performance will be in hopes we will be free to come down. What a fantastic accomplishment. Ingrid
Thank you Ingrid — it truly was a double treat and quite an exceptional day to have Ledah win the competition and also be so pleased with the violin. She will be performing with the Durham Symphony on Sunday, April 14, 3:00 PM
Dave, I truly believe you are on the upswing to greatness…
Well, what’s a feller to say to that other than, “aw shucks”, or, “having fallen far, it’s about time that swing starts swinging up!” Thanks for your sentiment Dave, unless you are teasing me as usual!
Dave,
You are truly a blessed man. Love what you have done with your talents and how you have shared them with your girls and with us thru your web site. BTW, your daughters play very well. I was a violinist as a young person but then stopped playing for decades. Then when my daughter chose cello, I picked up the violin again. My old dream of building a violin is still there but now it is a tune-up for building a cello. You have inspired me to start working on the dream again. I will use Simeon Chambers for the spruce tops. Any suggestions for sources of decent aged figured maple for the backs?
Hi Dan,
You are very kind — mostly, and in a large part due to a great partnership with my wife, I have had the luxury of following my own dreams. I have been working with old stocks of figured maple that I had on hand so I have not had to find suppliers yet, but I do know that that there are several out there specializing in the good stuff for violin family instruments. So good luck following your own dreams!
You’re a liar and a fraud! She is playing a Stradivarius or Guarneri, not the violin you made. The resonance and pitch is not something that can develop in a few years let alone a few months. What is the goal of this deceptive act?
Thank you Joe. I have never received a more heartfelt compliment.