Violin Forum/Message Board

[ctviolin]

Story time.

Most of you know that I've recently had and am recovering (yeah, still) from a stroke. It was a result from some of the bad chemicals they were using while I was on dialysis...

It was quite an experience, and it has changed me and my personality and my interests and goals in some interesting ways.

Though I've tried, I'm find it hard to get back into violin making exactly. I must say that I don't understand it. I've been doing (violins) this for nearly twenty years now. I've still got several half finished violins sitting around the shop - plenty of violin wood I've collected through the years, fittings galore, and all of the tools and other necessary ect.s.

So, I wonder, in a way, what's going on?

I guess that I'm waiting for the bug to bite me again. I know for a fact that it will, eventually - this is all I've been doing for the past many years, really, is making and repairing violins, playing grandad to my grand kids - and being married.

Though I will tell everyone about this oddity which I find interesting...

I've gotten struck by a great desire to make bows.
I did buy some pernambuco from Bruce Harvie back when he was selling it. (back before he got ripped off) and so I am able to delve into it immediately.
I am back at my bench repairing violins, so, I'm still at my bench working.
But what I find myself making (I should say - "working on") lately is bows. It's a real break from violin making - which I did try to immediately get back onto, after this recent medical problem, but, I've gotten this weird bow making bug that has bitten me.
Odd, huh?

I do have a close (actually, he's a genius with developing techniques and methods of his own...) bow making friend, who is helping me get started at this.
I do also have the bow making book by Kun and Regh, (a very mechanical book) and the old standard by John Bolander Jr. (a hand made classic treatise). So, I have an idea how others have approached the subject also.

But the fact is that my friend is giving me extremely workable personal advice that I'm finding very well thought out, creative, and to the point... so, and I believe that in the long run, I'm lucky to have such a friend (who I met on the OLD Maestronet - before he left) so, I'm starting down this new path with these new tools and materials, and yet, I'm still in the violin making field.

Anyone else find themselves courting a change?
_________________
Look,
Listen,
Learn.

[actonern]

I'm amazed by people that can stay constantly focused on violin making. I can't. I've found the best and fastest way to get back into it is not to "linger" but to take a complete break. I love landscape photography, motorcycling... lots of hobbies. After a month or so out of the shop altogether, one day, the passion comes back anew and I'm right back into it, enthusiastically, not out of a sense of artificial passion.

[Chet Bishop]

Well...as you probably know, Craig, I don't see lutherie as a hobby-- I want it to be what I do for a living. I am happiest when working on instruments, and I can spend 10-14 hours at it without it feeling like a chore.

The financial reality has been; if I can't sell them, it will have to remain a hobby. And, as it is a relatively expensive hobby, I may decide I can't do it at all. Except that I have enough wood for a few hundred instruments already stockpiled, and nothing else I really want to do, so...might as well build a cello, or whatever.

I'm glad you are building bows...have you tried the Ipé or Bloodwood, yet? They are definitely cheaper and reasonable alternatives, and you have a little of each, so you might consider practicing on that, and saving the Pernambuco for when you feel more confident in your skill.

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

[Ed Shillitoe]

So Craig - how soon will you be posting some pictures of your bows? Can't wait!

[johngia]

[kubasa]

Go for it Craig! Sounds great. Will we have to pop over to the bow making forum to chat with you now? I watched a show in French the other day about making bows. It was incredibly interesting. I had no idea what all was involved (course, I had no idea what they were saying either...)

Violin making isn't my day job. I wish it was......but it's a hobby for me - a very enjoyable hobby. At times I do lose that enthusiasm but then I hear a wonderful violin or see one that really catches my eye and then I get motivated again.

[ctviolin]

[ctviolin]

[ctviolin]

[ctviolin]

[fiddler59]

Craig,
I really look forward to seeing your bow making pics. Hope you are doing well....!!

David Blackmon

[ctviolin]