Violin Forum/Message Board

BK · Member Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 60

Hi All,

I have a question about the internal block heights. The top block that is located below the neck is supposed to be about 2mm lower than the other blocks. I didn't really understand how you should compensate for the loss of this 2mm when you are carving the top plate. Do you need to somehow shave down the bottom portion of the plate? Because, it seems that if you leave the top plate completely flat, then the ribs and the top plate would have a 2mm gap towards the front.

Any help is greatly appreciated, as always! Smile

Thanks,
BK

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

The ribs are also shorter. Gradual taper from the end block to the neck block.
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Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

L P Reedy · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:58 pm Post subject:

BK · Member Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 60

oh, ok, I didn't realize that the top plate will bend to compensate for the difference.

I also didn't fully understand what the purpose of the taper is exactly. Is this necessary to make room for the neck?

Andres Sender · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 3:26 pm Post subject:

There isn't a firm explanation for the taper as a tradition. You can see some discussion of it and the evidence for it in Roger Hargrave's very interesting article on the working methods of Guarneri Del Gesu on his web site.

Some makers work specific taper strategies into their making with specific rationales, but those are not universal.
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You can only connect the dots that you have.

L P Reedy · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject:

As Andres implies, there are several ways of doing the taper, including the full length method that Doug mentioned. Some taper the back instead of the front, or some combination. I think the general consensus is that it is just for looks, but at one time I speculated to myself that there might be a small structural benefit, which I was not even able to convince myself was true. I still have not entirely ruled that out, however.

byacey · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 2:55 pm Post subject:

I don't bother tapering my ribs; I make them all the same height. If I was to do so, I would taper from the bottom block all the way to the top. I'm against purposely inducing any unnecessary stresses into the instrument.
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Bill