Violin Forum/Message Board

[Pierre]

Hey,

I am a newbie and I would just like to ask what book (DVD)
is considered the bible in terms of fiddle making?

I realize their are several out there, but which one is
the 'authority'.

I have built a couple of canoes and Ted Moore's book
'Canoecraft' is considered the bible in this regard.

Much thanks
Pierre

[Jack Rushing]

Hi Pierre, The book " The Art Of Violin Making " by Courtnall & Johnson,
was highly recommended to me, by someone on this Forum. I have Henry
Strobel's book also, which is a good one.

[Barry Dudley]

I agree with Jack, at this point in time IMHO the Courtnall book is the best out there. It goes through the basic stuff of the tools and the shop and the into a step-by-step of how the make you molds and build a violin.

[Pierre]

Thanks for the information.
I know it will be quite a challenge, but, what the heck.
I recently read Marchese's book about Sam Zygmuntowicz.
Somewhere in there it compared fiddle making with building a boat, so I feel like I belong.

Thanks again
Pierre

[Dave Chandler]

I've been using Henry Stroebel's book, and like it, but you really need his other books to fill in some of the blanks. I'd suggest you can get virtually any of these through inter-library loan for a couple dollars and you can peruse them for a couple weeks.
_________________
Dave in the Blue Ridge
Southern Violin Association

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm" Winston Churchill

"I took the road less travelled, and now I don't know where I am." Marco Polo

[Chris E.]

I just recently purchased the Art of violin making as well. Its an oustanding resource, Very descriptive. It will however leave the new maker wanting a bit more, especialy in the plans department, which was disappointing considering the high price of the book. I would start working on finding a plan now, its a daunting task if ever there was one. I sought out the viotti strad poster based on advice from this forum as well as another. I found it @ the orpheus music shop in england. The website is a complete pain to deal with if you live here in the states. I couldnt get it to process my order for the life of me. I recomend contacting them in person over the phone, the lady who handles the orders is one of the nicest people you'll ever deal with. Extremely helpfull and accomodating

[Leif Luscombe]

Strobel's book "Violin Making Step by Step" has 2 copies of a Strad model plan included.
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Leif Luscombe
Violin Maker and Dealer
The Violin Forum Moderator

[Chet Bishop]

Leif,

Don't you find that the scroll is a little heavy on that pattern? Or did I simply cut to the wrong side of my pencil ine?

I used that pattern for my first violin, and the scroll on mine is awfully big. But it is a pretty instrument. I later used the Milanollo Strad poster from "the Strad" magazine (at Michael Darnton's suggestion) and have been happier with that.

Anyway, I second the motion on Henry's books. Had I gotten the Johnson/Courtnall book first I may have never built a violin-- I would have spent all my time drooling over their beautiful pictures.

Henry's books are very down-to-earth, step by step manuals, as thge titles suggest. Besides, he is a great guy.

[Leif Luscombe]

Hi Chet,

I have never actually used his patterns. But they look like a good standard Strad model.
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Leif Luscombe
Violin Maker and Dealer
The Violin Forum Moderator

[M Mibeck]

nevermind. Art of violin making better reference.

[Andres Sender]

Well if your goal is to approach something like professional practice then that book would not be a good idea as an early reference even if you were paid to read it.

Once you know what you're doing it will be fun to read, however.