Violin Forum/Message Board

[John Cadd]

Just for mischief I tried to ask an AI site some awkward questions ,like the ones we have on this topic. When I asked if it is possible to annoy an AI machine the writing went Red and it said
Duckduckgo is unavailable now.Please try later.------ Perfect.

[MikeCooper]

Since this has become a discussion of curtate cycloids, I have a question or two.

I use half templates. I traced them from the CT scan on the Titian poster, is that good enough or should I use actual CC templates?

When using CC templates do you use the usual 5 cross arch templates and then carve out between them by eye? Or do you have some other method of establishing the arch along the whole length of a plate?

I've noticed from looking at CT scans and other good images of Cremonese instruments that the bottom of the scoop is in from the purfling, in other words the purfling is on the outer part of the scoop so that's what I do.

[Michael Darnton]

Half templates are fine. I think that's actually what was done, and it has caused me to think that probably the area around the edges is more important than the center, regarding arch. Which makes a lot of sense. I've seen some very grotesque violin arches that nevertheless followed the templates around the edges and worked fine, in spite of the middle area. I think there they just blended the two sides without a lot of concern. In the center I think that graduation is the major factor, both from stiffness and weight.

Yes, purfling is on the slant downwards, scoop always in from that, and that is a nearly universal feature of Cremonese work. Scoop directly on the purfling is a nearly universal feature of German factory and later work. Think Roths, etc. Thanks to the Hills for that bad observation that messed up violin makers for 100 years.

I use the normal 5 templates. At my summer workshop one year Sam Ray Compton made a template for every cm of the back, 35 in all, and was following them religiously. It was one of the most beautiful arches on a new violin that I'd ever seen. Unfortunately, he went home from the workshop and immediately died, so that's the extent of that experiment.
_________________
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[MikeCooper]

Hi Michael, thank you for the comments. I think I'm on the right track for some reasonably good arching for an old backyard hacker.

I hope it's not rude to find humor in that. Went home from the workshop and immediately died. What an abrupt end to the violin build!