This is my stand. On display were the two latest violas, two violins and a Willow backed cello. I will happily send any further information, photos etc of the individual instruments on request. The larger viola, with a back length of 16 inch, 405 mm., is on the right. The willow in this viola has the most beautiful red brown and purple colours under the oil varnish. It has a very lovely, carrying, strong sound.
Fiddle Daemons , who repair, restore, and deal in older Violin family instruments, is run by Jackie Sparrow. She works in conjunction with Ward Violins, and also had a stand at the day. This is a cello made by the Reverend Tweedale in 1910 being played at her stand. It was restored in Jackie's workshop and is currently available. The good Reverend made many cellos that were highly thought of. He was also a spiritualist who claimed to have had his varnish formula and other tips direct from Stradivari. It does sound very good. It was one of several instruments on Jackie's display.
New Viola Making :
The first bits of any new instrument are the blocks that support the ribs, the neck, the corners, and the endpin. Here they are being glued into the mould. This is the fourth viola made on this particular mould. The model is a Paolo Testore 1741 with a 15" back. These violas produce a much larger and fuller sound than most people would expect from a smaller viola.
The usual making practice is to shape the inner parts of the centre blocks, and fix the "C" ribs first. Then shape the other blocks and fit the remaining ribs.
This viola will have a one-piece back. As these often come in wedges, it is possible to make the sides of the viola from the same piece of wood. It involves hand sawing off a piece from the thick edge of the wood. That piece is then further sawn into the thin pieces that make the sides of the viola. Warming work.
Most wood for one piece backs are not long enough to make one-piece bottom ribs as was the Old Italian preference. For this reason, and the high cost of highly figured maple ( nothing changes! ) many Classical Old Italian Instruments have ribs that do not match the back exactly, or in some cases hardly at all. The Guarneri del Gesu violin the "Plowden" is a classic example.
A bit further down! This surface will be the under side of the back.
Rod, can you describe with detail the technique you use to cut with the saw that huge amount of wood please?
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