@darrenking Is this why Strads smell of cheese? Probably sweaty fingers. Some guitar techs charge extra for cleaning before they will start work. Interesting point about veneer I found this out the hard way the first time I tried to…   Read more»

@darrenking Looks like you have covered all the bases with design and the need to store in a small space. I’ve never used an electric machine for instrument polishing but have done a bit of metal polishing or linishing as…   Read more»

Ive always cut dove tails by hand but after watching the live stream today if think I may be converted to using a router. Looks much easier and cleaner.

@robin I think reducing the rib depth would reduce the bass response due to the smaller sound box size, lower frequencies having a longer sound wavelength and needing a bigger box. You could compensate by trimming or scalloping the X…   Read more»

I always sit and look at the amount of waste created by cutting the perfect neck blank from a big lump of timber and reflect on the fact that the prices charged by Mark and other suppliers really isn’t that…   Read more»

tv101 I haven’t made a lot of new violins as there isn’t much demand but that’s not unusual. I’ve spoken to full time professional makers who only do repairs or take part made Chinese instruments and rework them for a…   Read more»

@tv101 Interesting that you should post a pic of the inlaid fiddle. It’s a very old technique that was used on instruments in the 16th & 17th Centuries (typical on Baroque instruments). It involves scribing out a groove, with a…   Read more»