Violin Forum/Message Board

[Terryfromok]

My son wants me to make him a violin and I have a few questions about that. They are:
1. Has anyone used cherry for the back and sides?
2. Has anyone used douglas fir for the top?
3. Has anyone used osage orange for the bow stick?
4. Has anyone used Behlens violin varnish for a finish. What was the result? Were there any problems to be aware of?
Well that's it for now. Thank you in advance for any and all replies.

Best regards,
Terryfromok

[Mat Roop]

1- Yes
2- yes
3- yes
4- yes, depends on whose opinion , yes.
Sorry to be curt... but the debates and opinions on the questions you ask can go on forever.
May I suggest you will get a better response if you first research on the web then ask specific questions.
Eg... try these links for the first question....
http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=12797
http://www.maestronet.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=313119
Cheers, Mat

[FiddleDoug]

Get a really good book on violin making. Hope you've got a good budget for tools.
_________________
Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

[Chet Bishop]

I'm assuming, by the type of questions you ask, that this will be your first attempt at a violin. Is there a particular reason you want to make the job more dicey by using out-of-the-ordinary materials? (There is a fellow heavily publicizing his papier-maché violin right now...I'm assuming you are not in his category.)

Maybe that is assuming too much...my suggestion, as pointed out by others, would be that you do some research, get a book (Violin making, Step by Step, by Henry Strobel, at least...The art of Violin making by Johnson and Courtnall, if you want to spend a little more...but that one does not come with plans.)

You will need some tools, and a fair amount of patience. Good luck. There are lots of helpful folk around, but you will do well to get the books, and stick to what they tell you.
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com