Violin maker's blog

We are in Manchester are for the RNCM Manchester International Violin Competition from Thursday 1st December to Saturday 3rd December 2011. We will have two Cellos, one new and one 2002 vintage, as well as Violas and Violins on display for these three days. Please come along and say hello. Free sweets and pencils!

This is violin no.81 in the making. It is a Guarneri del Gesu model c. 1740. This beautiful wood is Bosnian and about 7 years old. The pictures show it cut from the plank, and with the main arching done. The edges, and therefore the final outline, as always are finished after the body is assembled, in the proper Cremonese fashion. This way of doing things gives the outlines a fluidity, and individuality to each instrument.

The soundholes and varnish of an earlier Del Gesu model.