Violin Forum/Message Board

DavidFord · Junior Member Joined: 07 Aug 2018 Posts: 6

Just an idle question. Just wondering, with the scarcity of pernambuco, if anyone has tried to replicate its features by laminating different types of wood together.

Something for strength, something for transmission of sound, etc.

I have no idea what woods should be used. Just blue skying a question. I am not a luthier.
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Nipi2 · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2018 8:54 am Post subject:

Different wood spieces have very good results. Woods like IPE, massaradumba etc. Also carbon bows have succes. There are many experimens on different woods and materials. The "resourses" section has articles on such kind of woods.

Mat Roop · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 7:08 pm Post subject:

Not a luthier? ... Perhaps an archetier? ... If not, time to become one!
Cheers, Mat

John Cadd · Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2023 7:49 am Post subject: Laminated wood

There is a huge gap here that should be filled. I think snake wood was used for laminated bows. It must be the most technically difficult way to make a bow. The stick is constructed with six parts fitted and glued together . It`s hard to put it into words .Each strip has 2 planed joining surfaces plus the outer surface .The angles are 180 divided by 6.So 30 degree bevels all along each element . 6 elements glued together . How they made the tip is anyones guess .The thicker end at the frog is much simpler . I would keep the bevel effect as far as possible . If you can make one of those you can really boast about it . Even if it does not work that well . It would be a thing of beauty .
Making the stick straight and then bending may be the way .But heating all that work and the risk must be enormous . Maybe make it dry and perfectly straight and then apply the glue. Bind and clamp it in the curve with tight bindings until the glue has set. Any votes for araldite or superglue ? Slow araldite sets harder .Superglue would be a nightmare . Maybe pernambuco has made us all too lazy to find another way .