Violin Forum/Message Board

[ctviolin]

Or perhaps I should have said; The wonderful and simple truth, about modern violin varnish...
Ok, so tonight I feel like talking...

I've been varnishing violins for twenty some odd years now.

On another forum, (lets let it go at that) I have posted “endlessly” about my many and various adventures in varnishing violins, and, about my personal varnish formulas, my various discoveries, and my experiments with other makers varnishes - and all the rest.

By far, I was never alone, by any stretch of the imagination - nor am I suggesting that I was or have been anywhere near alone in this occupation either - many of us went round and round, almost endlessly.

So, that's not the point I'm making, Ok?

Of course, it's all still over there, on file, and most people there, still go round and round about "classically correct" varnish.
How it was made
How it was used
What it was made of -
Etc., etc., ad infinitum...

Whew! - Ok, so far?

if anybody ever wants to look any of it up, (but let's face it, most of you have probably already walked at least part of that path?) it's (I must assume) all still on record there in the past archives

And, let me tell you, there's plenty to gain from looking back on this - till you drop from exhaustion even. My own posts are there, and many posts from many other makers (and - very many better makers than I'll ever pretend to be) are there also.

Many experienced Violin Makers have commented, many Varnish Makers have commented, and many people in general, have related their own personal choices and experiences, re: varnishing violins.

About ten years ago, I had an idea that I would never again try to use anything that was "exclusive made and sold for violins" - for varnishing...

a decision I had come to, (and still hold to, btw) because I had ventured into that strange land - once or twice too often - where every company that sold violin varnish to the public - (many of which I had purchased and used - with varying degrees of satisfaction, I might add) none of them, that I could remember, had ever included any real, or detailed information (other than roughly general stuff, like; this is an oil based varn., or, this is a spirit based varn., or this is an Amber varn. - etc.) about EXACTLY what ingredients & proportions were used to make the varnish. Nor, what colorants were used, was ever included, nor any other additional etc.'s necessary to understand exactly what was being used.

Now - when you add this to all the supposition about what actual historical, Strad or Amati, or Who/Whatever historical classical varnish was made of - well, it became almost embarrassing after a while - to realize that this was a subject that was so inevitably random, myriad, and even garbage - ridden that it was in actuality simply an area where, by a common mostly unspoken agreement, everyone involved in talking about violin varnish has specific ingredients that they were fond of, and everything else was either weak, or non-applicable.

I will still tell anyone who wants to know, exactly what I use.

And, I must add that a proper violin look and sound was accomplished by most every varnish I have used, since I became somewhat used to the different medium(s) in general. Also, what is true is that once just about any varnish (old, new, handmade, from a can, from a dealer, whatever...) is applied properly, and allowed to dry - and the violin is complete - there are few people around that could tell you anything about what was used – either by looking at or by playing the violin in question

Perhaps someone will find this interesting, or even simply entertaining - and perhaps, there are many people who will disagree or even who will scoff at such an idea.
Either way, who really cares?, it was there in me to say.

An opinion, my opinion, only. Comments accepted.

ct
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Look,
Listen,
Learn.

[R Mac]

The more I read about varnish, the more confused, and apprehensive I become about it. The only thing that (almost) everyone agrees on is that one's soul will go straight to Hell if they use polyurethane... probably before the first coat is dry. Beyond that simple truth, it all gets pretty obscure, and one is driven nearly mad by the controversies and confusion.


I wish that someone would write a simple, definitive work on varnish for instruments. But, I see that the subject is so contentious, and the waters so murky that this can never happen.

Mac
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Robert MacPherson

http://www.lightlink.com/armory/
http://billyandcharlie.com/

[ctviolin]

[ctviolin]

[quote="ctviolin]
The remaining 1% would simply not be satisfied, because it was not their personal - secret formula varnish that was used. <g>
And, that very day, (online) even if I labeled it as my personal way of doing it - it would be torn apart by virtually everyone who varnished in a different way, by a different method. (by THE CORRECT method)
[/quote]

If you look around - you cannot help but see where this attitude is already dominant in some of the subject matter, here.

Which it ok, and ok to get into for a tiny bit - to respond to I mean, but if you're not careful, it will usually go on forever and no resolution is found if you try to take such an the argument, to a usefull conclusion. (Of any sort)

Because (usually, in my opinion) it isn't why the point is being discussed (to find out an actual answer) in the first place, in some discussions - so, in actuality, certain things (or, certain points - certain arguments) are often best just left alone.

Can you see this?

On the other hand, if this can go a ways further down the road without the usual self destruct phenomenon becoming apparent - perhaps we can arrive at some interesting - immediately workable solutions for you...

Nobody else need agree that it is a correct way to go. If you are happy with something (some particular results) then, we would have gone down a road that at least a couple of us will be happy with... Does this sound possible to you?
_________________
Look,
Listen,
Learn.

[johngia]

In the past, I have only asked questions here and only commented on non-technical aspects of violin making, as I have never even seen a "good" violin.

But, I read one "theory" about Strad --- that he went down to the local furniture shop, and purchased theirs.

After having made twenty violins (or VSO's?) my favorite? Per one of Craig's "adventures" in another post --- Ace hardware spar varnish. Still have some, but I think the original formula is no longer available.

I also like just plain shellac. And correct me if I am wrong, but I believe I read where Michael has used that on occasion.

Don't be to hard on me guys

[ctviolin]

[ctviolin]

$ 250.00 each - cool?
_________________
Look,
Listen,
Learn.

[johngia]

[ctviolin]

[johngia]

[ctviolin]

[johngia]

[pmccombs]

[MWard]

I have used combinations of stuff form Joe Robson and International and Metropolitan Music, either individually or mixed up on the same instrument.

What do you use now, CT, and what is your method?

I recently used Ace spar varnish on a banjo neck, and it came out pretty shiny. What do you do to knock off the shine?
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May I always be the person my dog thinks I am.

[ctviolin]