Violin maker's blog

The new Cello has now had its final varnish coat.  Beautiful amber and colophony oil varnish, coloured with a deep red madder, both made in the workshop.  The willow back and sides appear darker than the original wood colour, and are very luminous with a lovely deep red glow in the right light.  The colour is very similar to that of the Saveuse Stradivari cello featured in a recent edition of the Strad. The hazel markings in the belly of the new cello are especially nice.
All being well the cello will be strung this weekend or early next week; and then on to its new owner.

After several requests, I am making a small - "ladies size" - Guarneri del Gesu model violin based on the "Violon du Diable" 1734 del Gesu. The original is quite small at 350 mm back length, the "Ladies" size is 348 mm., with a lighter neck, and proportionally measured string length.  I am using some stunning wood that I have saved for this model. Photos in the next blog.