John Morris Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 For the past few weeks I have been completely engrossed in a book "The Art of Violin Making". Been reading it every night, pouring over the text, and the images, it is a wonderful book that starts off with the history of the violin, the main characters or makers, and of course, eventually a quarter of the way through the book, you get to the actual making of the violin. I love this book, my interest is completely peaked, and I want to make a violin in a big way. I have my violinist daughter encouraging me on my way as well. I have one burning question thus far. I have read in depth about the early makers from Amati, Stradivari, Guarneri, and Stainer. They all used Amati's designs and styles in way or another, and etc etc. It's a great book, so back to my burning question. There is no place in this book that states if these greats ever played a single note on the violin, if they ever slid the bow across a single string. From what I could read, they depended wholly on the feedback of the artists who purchased their violins. So, my question to you is, can you come up with any research, googled, or otherwise, that declares that any of the greats mentioned above, actually played the violin. It's amazing, I have this wonderful book, and again, no where does it state they ever played a violin, or any other stringed instrument. I know if I spent some time I could find the answer, but I just thought it'd be a fun discussion to kick around here. Back to my new thirst for making a violin, it looks incredibly fun, and a complete challenge. Not a single powered tool is needed, obviously, nor is a single powered tool used even by the great makers of today, but they may use a band saw to re-saw their logs for the tops or backs. Beyond that, it's all hand work, I love it. Woodworking, in a big way. Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Hechel Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 John, I work with a gentleman who used to repair instruments. The part that I found amusing was that he did not play either. John Morris and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morris Posted March 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Wow John, so it is true!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Moody Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 I only did a quick Google search John. I am sure your read this link were it says he could have been a woodworker before he word as an apprentice in making the violins. Possibly he decorated them when inlays before he actually started making them. Could be some interesting research. Hey you could always be the first to make one and not play and be in the history books. John Morris and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morris Posted March 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 I don't think I'd be the first to make and not play John! No where in the Wiki research did is state he played either! The greats I mentioned above, nowhere can I find that they actually played their instruments. Go figure!! Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morris Posted March 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 Another what I feel is a great topic, and fun! Brought this back up from the archives too folks, so what do you say? Any one have any answers, did these greats actually play? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadio Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 I built a Harp for a musician that wanted me to. I have never picked up or played any musical instrument in my life. We did,the musician and I ,spend several sessions together after it was built revising certain aspects of it before he was happy with the sounds it played. So then I made one for myself just for a conversation piece in my living room. I think David Falkner makes Guitars. Herb John Morris and Cal 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 So, what is the status of that violin, John? John Morris 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 I'm pretty sure Amati and Stradivari played. Possibly not with violins, though. Amati was reportedly in to ping pong and, IIRC, ole Strad loved Beach Volleyball. John Morris, HARO50, Cal and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post John Morris Posted March 10, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 3 hours ago, Cal said: So, what is the status of that violin, John? Never made it, I was in another world while reading the book, I thought I was going to open a violin making shop, become famous, and be in the history books, I already had in my own mind a shop full of luthier tools, and hand tooling away at some beautiful 200 year old growth spruce, then the book ended, and I came out of it. Cal, HARO50, Harry Brink and 4 others 2 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadio Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 If anyone could do it, you could, John. You have the determination when you set your mind to it. look what you have done with this web site,it is humming right along. With the help of your talented daughter you could make a violin , she could do the testing,you do the wood working,and who knows maybe she would pick up on the woodworking as well and carry on the business. Herb John Morris, Cal, Artie and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PostalTom Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 2 hours ago, Gene Howe said: ole Strad loved Beach Volleyball. So you think Stradi was into "varius" projects? I know, sorry. John Morris, Cal, HARO50 and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gene Howe Posted March 10, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 Don't fret about it, John. Pull the right strings and when you retire, you can make that spruce bow to your will. HARO50, John Morris, Dadio and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadio Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 49 minutes ago, Gene Howe said: Don't fret about it, John. Pull the right strings and when you retire, you can make that spruce bow to your will. You have a way with words, Gene. HErb Cal, John Morris, HARO50 and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artie Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 I think I saw a video with all 4 of them playing! It was for a fundraiser for Christopher Columbus to find a quicker route to the West Indies! Of course I believe it was Abe Lincoln that said you can’t believe everything you see on the internet. LOL On a serious note I would love to follow the progress of the violin if you choose to accept the challenge. To my inexperienced eyes, this would seem a project that transcends woodworking. Dadio, John Morris, Cal and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckaroo Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 GO ARTIE: URGE 'M ON, DON'T LET'M QUIT OR AS ONE OF MY BROTHERS USTA SAY SKITTIME, BOY. HARO50 and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p_toad Posted March 11, 2018 Report Share Posted March 11, 2018 Well, you could always join Mr. Peabody & Sherman in the WABAC machine and let us know. HARO50, Cal, John Morris and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Beitz Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 I can't play but I restored a ton of them. There is a zillion of parts on E-bay. Everyone would have laughed at me after the first one i finished. I could not get a sound out of it... I had no rosin on the string bow. Whats rosin I said...? Gerald, Cal and Gunny 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morris Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 16 minutes ago, Kevin Beitz said: I can't play but I restored a ton of them. Really interesting Kevin, I understand that the finish used during restoration is important, what did you use to re-finish the instruments? Gunny and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Beitz Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 I used hellman's varnish... Can't say if that's good or bad for a violin... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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