Posts from — April 2008

On Tuesday, to get help installing three sound posts, I visited the incredibly kind people at Shar Music. I was a bit nervous, intimidated, and embarrassed about the whole idea of going to them for help. They are all incredibly experienced in the traditions of this craft, and here I am making a three sided violin as my first instrument. It is breaking so many rules, it being made out of order, and I have made so many mistakes. Making all of those mistakes if fine with me because I have learned so much from them. But, it only made me more fearful when showing my work to a man who has been making violins for 37 years and is referred to as a master. I was calmed by the genuin excitement of the people at Shar, their understanding that this is an experiment, and that I am only a novice.

Liza spent the most time with me. Taking time out of her day to do the physical installation of the three sound posts; something that she has never done before.

Here Liza is placing the bridge so that she can make the markings for where the sound post will go.

Taking the internal measurement from top plate to back plate.

Sanding the ends of the sound posts with a belt sander.

After taking the measurement we cut a piece of spruce dowel down to size and beveled its edges. Now, Liza is putting the sound post into the body of the violin through the “f” Hole.

I just finished hanging the beast in the gallery. The senior thesis show opens tonight at 6pm. I will post photographs afterwards.