Violin Forum/Message Board

Chet Bishop · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:26 pm Post subject: Latest Viola

Here's my most recent viola-- modelled after Henry Lanini's "Viola Normale Moderne" which, in turn, is modeled closely after the Andreas Guarneri "Conte Vitale"--but with larger lower bouts. I also left out the cello-style scroll, replacing it with a violin-style scroll, to save on weight, and decrease damping.

Anyway, the photos aren't great...I'm not a great photographer. They are more yellow than reality, but I don't know how to fix that. They seem to be a little distorted, which may be because I took them without a tripod from 3' away. Smile

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Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

Mat Roop · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:56 pm Post subject:

Hi Chet... thanks for posting. Your work is magnificent! Just wish I had the drive to get into making. I seem to be busy enough with restorations.
I too have difficulty getting good pictures, but part of that is the camera.. mine is a compact auto focus (its a Panasonic Lumix) and it just does not get the crispness that a full size manual focus lens can provide. Mine never quite seems to focus on the right spot.... I think it does an averaging of the area of focus and so is never really crisp.
Cheers... Mat

Chet Bishop · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:03 am Post subject:

Thanks, Matt.

In my case it is not the camera's fault. Mine is a Nikon D40, and perfectly capable of very good photos, but the doofus that uses it hasn't taken time to learn good technique.

Glad you like the viola. Thanks for looking.

Chet
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Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

Joseph Leahy · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:58 am Post subject: Re: Latest Viola

Chet Bishop · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:04 pm Post subject:

Yes, Joseph;

Big Leaf, and Sitka, 16-1/2" on the inside of the plate (not over the arches)...16-11/16" over the arches. Not sure what is the standard way to measure.

I used a spirit ground, then colored with propolis/alcohol/varnish mix. Then more spirit varnish, dyed with transtint.

Rubbed down between coats as needed, initially with 400 grit, then 6,000 micromesh and 12,000 micromesh, as I got closer to finished.

Thanks for asking.

Chet
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

Joseph Leahy · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:05 am Post subject:

Thanks Chet

Again, nice work!
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Website: www.leahyviolins.com

Mat Roop · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:53 am Post subject:

Hi Chet... I am sure you are aware of these sites for violin photography... but just in case...
http://www.darntonviolins.com/violinmagazine/book/violin%20photography.pdf
http://www.tarisio.com/pages/about/photo_instr.php
For background I use 2 pieces of white art board one on the bottom and one held vertical behind the instrument. You can get the board in black also, but I usually use white. What I really need are 2 things... the lighting set up and a better camera.. .. sort of like my tennis game... I play a great game except for the serve and the return Very Happy

Chet Bishop · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:28 pm Post subject:

My kids are making me a "light box" that will handle up to a cello, in size. It will have the white, seamless background, as you describe, and adjustable lighting. I hope "are making" means "soon"...guess I will find out.

Whenever it is done, I will upgrade all the photos on my website for all the instruments still available for a photo. Meanwhile there are some odd camera artifacts in some of my photos. I can live with it for now...but I am looking forward to fixing the problem.

The annual Musical Instrument Maker's Show at Marylhurst University is this weekend...noon to five both Saturday and Sunday. There will be in the neighborhood of 85 makers I am told. Mostly guitars, probably, but, say, a dozen violin-family makers, as well. Hope some of you are in the area and can attend. Cost is three bucks, I think
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com