Violin Forum/Message Board

Violin Repair Guy · Junior Member Joined: 09 Sep 2010 Posts: 13

I love violin music and violin repair. I have been a woodworker for cabinet shops for the past 15 years and I specialize in repair and touch-ups. I have a website dedicated to violin repair and would love some advice on how to make it more appealing.

What topics are most important to people who do violin repair all the time? What topics would beginners benefit from the most?

It is not my intent to drive traffic to my site by asking these questions. I just want some advice from talented people. What would make my site better?
The URL is http://eViolinRepair.com
If you think I am just trying to drive traffic to my site than please don't go to it. Thanks in advance for your advice.
From,
Eric
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Eric Luthier
The Violin Repair Guy

Dave Chandler · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:46 pm Post subject: Repair Site

Well, I certainly can't fault your choice for a model on the opening page!
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Andres Sender · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:08 pm Post subject:

Your site is not exactly work safe.

A book written in the early 20th century is very unlikely to provide information which relates well to current professional practice in violin repair.
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You can only connect the dots that you have.

Violin Repair Guy · Junior Member Joined: 09 Sep 2010 Posts: 13

Hey Andres Sender
I don't blame you for thinking that about a book that old. When I first saw it I was skeptical too but, believe it or not, these violin repair techniques have not changed much over the past hundred years. It is relatively the same concepts even most of the hand tools mentioned in the book are still used today.
What has changed with this century old book is the our way with words, the wording the author used is definitely different than modern authors. Also there are black and white pictures drawn by the author.
It is a cool old book, you should try it, it is free.
one more thing...I assume the picture of the nude violinist on the front page of the website is over the top.
You folks are great, I love this forum. Thanks for replying I can use all the help I can get.
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Eric Luthier
The Violin Repair Guy

Janito · Member Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 114 Location: USA

I would remove the silly little black rectangle. It has no place in violin geometry.

Janito · Member Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 114 Location: USA

The link to "Restoration and Repair of violins" takes you to

http://www.jgammuto.com/

Nuff said.

Michael Darnton · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 7:05 pm Post subject:

If the book is Horace Petherick's, that would seal the deal! :-)
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FiddleDoug · Member Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 227 Location: Hilton, NY

First of all, I'm not sending you my email to get some unknown repair book from the early 20th century. And yes, much of the information may be outdated. Many repair methods and some materials have been updated in the past 100 years. Do you have a copy of Weisshaar & Shipman to compare the ebook to? You mention that you have been a woodworker in cabinet shops for 15 years. How many actual violin repairs have you done?
It doesn't appear that you have any credentials as far as training goes. Your advise on changing strings doesn't give the normal warning to change one string at a time to avoid the potential of dropping the soundpost. Saying to an amateur to put polish on a violin is a luthier's nightmare. The bow repair video (and the other videos that I've seen by this guy) are hardly worth the time to watch them. Sorry to be so blunt, and correct me if I'm wrong (I will apologize profusely).
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Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

Violin Repair Guy · Junior Member Joined: 09 Sep 2010 Posts: 13

Hey FiddleDoug,
I am new to violin repair and I want to build my website as I build my knowledge. You have no need to apologize, this is exactly what I need. I will take your advice and criticisms with the utmost respect and use them to build my knowledge. Thank you very much.
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Eric Luthier
The Violin Repair Guy

FiddleDoug · Member Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 227 Location: Hilton, NY

Eric,
You don't say where you're from. If you really want to get into this, you should probably network with as many local luthiers as you can. As far as training goes, there are several summer workshop programs available with absolutely phenomenal people. University of New Hampshire, Mass. College of Liberal Arts, Redwoods in California, and others. Over the past 5 years, I have over 300 hours of workshop experience, in these summer programs, under very talented professionals, with lots still to learn. Not inexpensive, but the way to go if you want to learn it correctly. Good luck with your endeavors.
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www.wallindependent.com

Janito · Member Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 114 Location: USA

I am afraid I don't buy this one...I am building a website while I teach myself how to repair - Nonsense.

This is an attempt to create a past where none exists - exactly what Gammuto tried to do until he was caught showing stolen photos on his website of violins he was supposed to have made. Now he has lots of foreign greetings to suggest worldwide reach.

Let EVERY punter beware.

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ps I still have the archived Gammuto webpage showing the stolen violin photo,,,

Andres Sender · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 2:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks Janito.
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You can only connect the dots that you have.

Violin Repair Guy · Junior Member Joined: 09 Sep 2010 Posts: 13

Hey Janito,
I put some random links under the post "How to Repair Your Violin" to some interesting violin websites.
Is the "www.jgammuto.com" a fraudulent website? Should I remove the link?
Please let me know and thanks

P.S. I'm still not sure what is wrong with creating a website as I learn. There is not much to this site. Over the next few years , as I become a talented luthier, I will have a website that matches my experience. I will alter the info as I go, such as removing bad links to bad websites.
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Eric Luthier
The Violin Repair Guy

FiddleDoug · Member Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 227 Location: Hilton, NY

That as a newbie, you don't have the knowledge, or experience to know good information from bad. There's already too much bad information on the internet, and we don't need to add to that. As far as us feeding you information for your website, I'd be glad to act as a consultant for $100/hour or so. I've got several thousand $ invested in classes, workshops, tools, and books. Not to mention the 300 or so hours in the workshops. Perhaps you should become a talented luthier first, and then consider doing a website.
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Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

Violin Repair Guy · Junior Member Joined: 09 Sep 2010 Posts: 13

Hey FiddleDoug,
You make very good points and I can respect that. Thank you so much for responding with calm, politeness. I take all your advice and criticisms seriously.
Thanks again
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Eric Luthier
The Violin Repair Guy