Violin Forum/Message Board

[waynebergman]

Using Bruce Ossman's book called Violin Making for my method of build. This is my first Violin and things are going ok so far. My bouts are made of several layers of veneer glued together and I was wondering if all that glue in between layers of veneer will give me a different sound quality from a thicker piece of bout material that has been heat bent to shape. My book just mentions the one method. Also wondering if I should seal any of the inside of the bouts and the inside of the belly and back before it is all glued together. I am a long ways from that but the question has poped into my mind at this time.

To see photos of my violin so far if any one is interested see the link below. Part of this album has some pictures of the process and I do plan to put my violin photos on a seperate album when I get the time...


http://picasaweb.google.com/waynebergman/WayneSProjectWorld

[rs]

In theory, any weight change at any point of contact to or in the fiddle effects the tone of the instrument. Usually, in excessive weight in the ribs, blocks or particularly the neck, the tonal difference will be noticed in the response of the instrument. That is, the player will notice it takes more "time" for the tone to reach response when the bow is drawn. This is because the excess mass must absorb the force of movement of the string. It will continue to do so until this mass reaches saturation, that is, the excessive mass is all in motion and can absorb no more. Only then will the response be adequate. This takes a spit second to occur, but makes playing the violin a chore. What this means in reality is that the player will draw the bow, and then have to adjust his style of play on each and every note. That makes for a very long evening for the player. (Generally, the neck, not the ribs, is usually the culprit when this symptom occurs. I personally have found that hollowing out the neck under the fingerboard will often remedy this problem. Indeed, I have been so satisfied with this approach that I make my own fiddles with hollowed out necks and heels.)

Excessive weight also absorbs vibration, hence damping the plate movement in similar fashion to shock absorbers on a car. The "ring" that a maker ususally shoots for is thus harder to achieve in heavy instruments. Whether these symptoms occur in your instrument or not simply because of the choice of rib construction is impossible for me to predict.

As for the internal sealing of the instrument, I would not recommend it for two reasons. The second is that sealant inside and out will radically effect the ability of the wood to breathe and adjust to changes in humidity. The main reason I would avoid sealing the inside, though, is that varnish is simply mass. Any mass put on an instrument effects the tone of the instrument in much the same way that varnish or sealant placed on a clock pendulum will cause the pendulum to slow down.

Best wishes and I hope your fiddle turns out well.
_________________
Randall Shenefelt

[Andres Sender]

The veneer method may or may not add mass, but it will certainly add stiffness, and this will have an effect. Noticeable on a first fiddle? Maybe not.

The Ossman book is not a good resource for people concerned with doing things right. It is more geared to people who just want to get a fiddle done without reference to professional practice or tradition.

[waynebergman]

Thank you Andres and rs for the time you have taken here. Like many things I have done for the first time you learn as you go so looking forward to the process on this project as well. .....wayne

[famuswood]

Amen Andres in your description of the Ossman book. I know better now.