Violin Forum/Message Board

Michael Darnton · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:22 am Post subject:

Sugar. Yup, it's hard and heavy. I gather that's very different from bigleaf, which I have not used. I found myself making backs around 2.2-3.5mm thick, or even 3.2mm in the middle, instead of my usual 2.4-4.5mm, in order to get the weight down to something reasonable. I liked the sound, and so did customers--that wasn't a problem. The reason I changed was that dealers immediately spotted it, and said if I was serious I should use serious wood. Since they were the ones dealing my violins, I listened.

Tops were different--that decision was definitely tonal.

This violin--if you click through there are photos--was one of the ones with U.P. hard maple: http://www.violins.co.za/archives.asp#0346 The last I heard, it had been sold and was in the London Symphony.
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Chet Bishop · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:23 am Post subject:

I have used Michigan Red Maple, and, of the domestic maples I have used, it was most similar to European. It also has a pattern of little "worm-tracks" in it that make it look a little like Chinese maple. (I have had people tell me it is Chinese, though I know the man in Michigan who cut it, and everything.)

Michael, how did you find that it compared?

I see I was writing while you were talking. Sorry.

That is a good point..."If you are serious, use serious wood." Well said.
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Michael Darnton · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:47 am Post subject:

I have some of the red maple, too, but I don't remember much about it. I guess it wasn't as ugly to work as the sugar. Somehow I've accumulated pretty large pile of wood that I'll never use, including about 20 cedar violin tops, and a bunch of adirondack that I'm cutting into blocks and linings. Most violin makers save their best wood for later, but I've been hoarding firewood.
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kubasa · Member Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 212

That's a really nice looking instrument in the link you provided. However, it almost looks like two different instruments though - one with darker varnish and one with lighter. I'm guessing it's just the different exposures and such. Regardless, it's a nice looking instrument.

I had to laugh where it mentions that you sawed the wood into pieces with a chainsaw. I did the same thing. I almost burned up my chainsaw the wood was so hard. This will probably be my last sugar maple instrument. Not that I don't like the wood but it is indeed heavy and just too much extra work. It's been fun experimenting though.

Joseph Leahy · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:46 pm Post subject:

DonLeister · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 1:54 pm Post subject:

That's a good looking violin Michael.
I like how the varnish wears and also how it was photographed with the little buildup of grime between the worn and unworn areas. That's bona fide patina! I like seeing that even though it isn't the kind of patina that 'sells'.

Thanks for sharing the article.

Is that a wider button that most? Do dealers say anything about that?

Michael Darnton · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 1:57 pm Post subject:

It's my calculation of what an original Strad button looked like, based on a few comparables. Dealers think it's big, but I don't mind. :-)
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actonern · Super Member Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 444

Hi again Michael:

Another question, based on your video.

You say here, and elsewhere before, that there really is something special about the golden period instruments.

Do you have any opinion on the recent tests that have been conducted which appear to reveal little to no detectable (to musicians) difference between well built modern vs. old work?

Best regards,

E

Michael Darnton · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 11:43 pm Post subject:

If you ask unqualified people things you get unqualified answers. Not everyone who drives is automatically qualified to review a Ferrari, even if they are professional drivers (taxi and truck drivers, for instance). To find out how a Ferrari drives, you ask people who drive Ferraris.

To pick one famous test of recent years that was even worse, but widely promoted, an auditorium of physicists couldn't tell the difference between a Strad and a new violin. I ask you, who in his right mind cares what they think about it?
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MANFIO · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 4:13 pm Post subject:

Nice video Michael!

I've been using Elgelmann spruce (from Simeon Chambers) in my violas for years and it works quite nice. I recently made a violin with it and it sounded good too.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/7875988@N02/with/464604020/

ctviolin · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:40 am Post subject: