Handpainted sign done by Rose Langdon, with in progress violins
Two Instruments being built are nearing the completion stage as most of the material has been formed to its final shape, before being assembled, finessed, then successfully varnished and set up. Violin is not available. The Viola is still unspoken for.
With the corpus of the instrument now assembled and the scroll carved. I’m getting ready to prepare the neck for installation on a violin model that is already spoken for. I used this model for my last commission with great success. Differences in this one include an ebony cap emulating an artistic repair commonly seen on older instruments of great value.
Measure across the length of the arch with my small LeeValley keychain measuring tape:
Back Length: 358mm
Lower bout: 207mm
“C” bout: 113mm
Upper Bout:171mm
The rib structure garland receives some inside trimming before installing the linings and gluing to the back and belly.
Scraping away at a violin scroll for the latest commissioned instrument.
Eastern Canadian Maple. Really tightly flamed with beautiful fleck. Chosen by customer.
Top glued to the ribs
A little bit further behind progress wise is a new viola, designed around playability and responsiveness for players with smaller hands/frames that still demand a powerful sound. The upper treble side shoulder of this viola has been made smaller to make getting around the instrument easier. This is my first instrument to feature doubled (inlaid) purfling. I used it to draw attention to the smaller treble side, to trick the eye from focusing on the non-symmetrical shape of the outline.
Busy Bench
viola treble side purfling
Measuring using the same trusty tape the viola currently shapes up in the following dimensions.The arch goes almost completely to the edge which is to be turned and shaped during/after the installation of the rib structure.
Length:394mm (15-1/2″+)
Upper bout: 192mm
“c” bout: 130mm
Lower bout: 238mm
Price: $9,000
