Violin Forum/Message Board

[jtart2]

I've been playing the violin/fiddle for a couple of months. The fiddle I'm using is a cheap Borg student fiddle, but I guess it doesn't sound too bad. My bow sucks, but until I get better I won't buy a nice one.

I've become curious about making one and was wondering if you guys/gals would enlighten me on what's involved.

How much do raw materials cost?
How much would I have to spend on tools?
How long will it take (man hours)?
How difficult is it to make?

I've read some posts about purchasing a violin making book, but I'm not sure if I want to go that far yet.

I love to learn new things. I'm an optometrist by trade, but I've spent the last 1.5 years building a replica of a 1965 427 Shelby Cobra to drive around. Now it's time to learn some woodcrafting.

I appreciate any feedback.

Joe

[Oded Kishony]

Be forewarned this is an extremely addictive/habit forming activity and should, by all rights, be illegal.

You will never come out ahead financially. Going down this rabbit hole is going to cost you far more than virtuyally any violin you're likely to buy.

You've been warned!

How much do raw materials cost?

About $200-300 in wood and fittings.

How much would I have to spend on tools?

As much as you care to but I woud think that about $3000 would get you started. It can be done for much less but if you want to continue making (see warnings above) then investing in quality tools makes much more sense.

How long will it take (man hours)?

It takes me about 3-4 weeks to make a violin but it will take you longer-perhaps someone else could chime in on this

How difficult is it to make?

You could easily spend the rest of your life developing your skills, varnish and acoustical insights. This is not a craft that many people master rather most become slaves to it.

Best of Luck

Oded

[Chet Bishop]

Well...that was rather cynical...dismal even. Possibly accurate, though.

There are a number of threads over on Maestronet.com (pegbox forum) discussing this same question...and hosting many of the usual suspects (many people on this forum are also on that one).

One, by a guy who calls himself PeSt, or something similar, chronicles his first violin in quite a bit of detail. You can get a good idea what is involved, from that thread. (Two threads, actually:)

http://www.maestronet.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=321262&st=0&p=458275&hl=+opus%20+1&fromsearch=1&#entry458275

http://www.maestronet.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=321251&st=0&p=458123&hl=+opus%20+1&fromsearch=1&#entry458123

You can count on 200 hours labor, IF you have a good teacher, and are pretty talented to start with. My first took about two years, as I had NO teacher, and am not that good at following directions, as I have too many "good ideas" that turn out to be detrimental, beside time-consuming.

I would echo the warning that it is addictive, but I recently coached a friend through both his first violin and his first cello, and he definitely came out financially ahead, PROVIDED he counts his time as "hobby" or "recreation" time, and doesn't try to make it a job. (He is a full-blown engineer, and doesn't need the money, but he now has a very good cello to play in the orchestra, and his violin is being played by a lady in the same outfit.) I have no idea if he will build another, but I 'spect he might. ("...what's that wood you've got, there, bub?")
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Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

[Chad48309]

As a student, I've learned that there is an infinite knowledge to be had in the field of violin repair that help train you to instinctively find desirable and undesirable tones, which is why I'm choosing orchestral string repair as my career path in life. I firmly believe that a better repairman makes you a better luthier and helps keep you adrift financially at the same time (though, in no uncertain terms, potentially in the poorhouse thanks to the dying orchestral programs in schools).

Not that I think you should just go out and throw yourself into this for the rest of your days. Just don't underestimate what you can learn about building by reading about repair, is my only point.
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-C.S.

[jtart2]

I would be making a violin strictly as a hobby and for personal use. I have no intentions of trying to make money off violins (unless someone were to offer me a pile of cash

I'm not looking to break the bank either buying the best tools available... just a few hand tools.

I've read some posts that state all you need are a few basic tools, some decent wood, and a good luthier book for the details.

So it would cost me more or less $500 with cheap tools and take a couple of months of whitling?

[Chet Bishop]

You must have a very strong optimist filter, if that is what you have derived from all of the above, but I suppose it is possible.

The fellow whose thread I referred you to took two years on his first, I think-- I took about that on mine. If you have a good teacher right there, luck out on some decent tools at a second-hand tool shop, use the Strobel book, and can dedicate 20 hours per week, minimum, then I suppose you could do what you have suggested. If you don't make any mistakes.

Books, plans (included in the Strobel book), wood, peg reamer, peg-shaver, Ibex planes, Jointing plane, bending iron, purfling marker, purfling pick, glue-pot, specialized clamps, multiple gouges, chisels, knives, scrapers, purfling, fittings, varnish, bridge, strings. (...am I missing much, here, fellows? I mean on a minimalist basis, of course. Assuming he already has a bandsaw, or the equivalent, and significant wood experience.)

Get the book, read it from cover to cover several times, to familiarize yourself with the procedures, then start buying the rest of what you need. Good luck.
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Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

[Mark Sullivan]

500 $, only if you borrow and make most of the tools. Good tools inspire bad tools waste time and materials and can lead to injuries. Ever busted a knuckle breaking a fastener loose with a cheap wrench that gave up?

If you have no other responsibilities and have good sharpening, wood bending, cutting, measuring, planing scraping. gluing, varnishing among other skills and a clear understanding of the the many processes involved, two months may be doable.

If not, and it is ok, it is an enjoyable experience, you would find the Strobel, book quite useful. It will give you a good overview for not a lot of money. http://www.henrystrobel.com/booklist.htm#violin

The more expensive Johnson and Courtnal The Art of Violin Making is good also. http://www.amazon.com/Art-Violin-Making-Chris-Johnson/dp/0709058764/ref=cm_lmf_tit_3/175-5627206-0660269

There is a wealth of information and kind people on this site and the other site mentioned.
For new people the process as a whole takes plenty of time allowing you the chance to spread costs out and develop skills over a period of time.

[Chet Bishop]

Amen to the "bad tools" point.

Cheap tools cost twice as much in the long run, or more: You are likely to ruin your project, waste countless hours trying to improve the tools so they will work, and end up having to buy the expensive tool anyway, in the end.

If you can buy them used, fine-- if you are a good enough tool-maker to make your own, that is fine too. But at some point you have to decide what you really want to do: make tools or make a violin.
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Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

[FiddleDoug]

Books are the first thing that you should buy!!! The Strobel books are very good, and won't break the bank. Most of the questions that you have, about tools, and everything else, will be answered buy reading the books (read at least a couple of times). You might be able to borrow books from your local library.
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Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

[jtart2]

Thanks for the advice. I'll read some books before I attempt anything.

[Chet Bishop]

Here is a tutorial by Michael Darnton which you may find helpful:
http://www.darntonviolins.com/viola.php
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

[actonern]

I think the most important tool you'll need is patience and persistence.

You will experience catastrophic mistakes in the course of refining your skills that will have you wondering why you ever entered the fray... keep going, its the only way...

E

[Chris Knowlton]

Hi Joe,

I live in Pinehurst not far from you and I would be happy to loan you some of my books.
Learning to build a violin is a wonderful experience.

Chris
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I make sawdust mostly

[Mat Roop]

[John Cadd]

Always try to follow the golden rule with violin making.Do everything as well as you possibly can to start with.It`s a good attitude to develop.