Violin Forum/Message Board

[Michael Darnton]

For those who are following my never-ending book progress, I have just put up the rough of a new chapter, Setting the Neck, at http://violinmag.com
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my work sites: http://darntonviolins.com and http://darntonhersh.com

[Joseph Leahy]

Thanks for the heads up. I will be downloading and reading it later today. Very generous of you Michael. Thanks again.

Joe
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Website: www.leahyviolins.com

[actonern]

Beautifully written, as usual.

I am a bit surprised, however, by the repeated emphasis on extremely tight tolerances on the neck's length and body stop. By example, lots of successful violas exist in different dimensional incarnations, with violists quickly able to adapt to the ergonomics of a different instrument.

I understand that the violin has evolved differently, with less deviation from Michael's measurements accepted.

But +/- 1/2 mm on the 130 measurement... really? It's that critical?

Michael, would you care to elaborate a bit on your views of the reasons behind this?

Best regards,

E

[Michael Darnton]

Violists are accustomed to a wide range of sizes, and are used to the idea that they will have to get used to a new/different viola. Violinists aren't that flexible, and will reject instruments which aren't perceived as normal.

Really, those kinds of tolerances aren't hard to get.
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new blog at my site! http://darntonviolins.com/blog
my work sites: http://darntonviolins.com and http://darntonhersh.com

[actonern]

Besides player attitudes... would you say that there is a solid empirical basis related to tone in sticking precisely to these dimensions?

[Michael Darnton]

No, not at all.
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new blog at my site! http://darntonviolins.com/blog
my work sites: http://darntonviolins.com and http://darntonhersh.com