The Art of Violin Making [Hardcover]

Chris Johnson (Author), Roy Courtnall (Author), Adrian Lucas (Illustrator), Lord Menuhin (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 1999

The Art of Violin Making is the major work for the craftsman, bringing into one volume a summary of essential information for the violin maker and player, as well as providing a historical reference. This book is essential reading for the violin maker, repairer and historian, providing a unique record of the history, social background, lives and work of the great violin makers of the past, combined with a clear practical guide to making violins. It includes: “Part One: The Violin Makers,” “Part Two: The Workshop, Tools and Materials,” and “Part Three: Violin Construction.”

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

CHRIS JOHNSON came to violin making through making guitars as a hobby. He attended Newark School of Violin Making and graduated with a distinction. Since then he has established a workshop in Leicestershire where he makes violins in modern and baroque forms, and exact copies of fine instruments. He also repairs and restores old instruments. Chris Johnson lives near Loughborough, Leicestershire with his wife and two sons. ROY COURTNALL is a luthier, writer and lecturer in musical instrument technology. After obtaining a BA Hons degree in sculpture from London University he went on to develop his instrument-making skills, establishing himself as a luthier. He has published a collection of plans of musical instruments, and is the author of Making Master Guitars also published by Hale. Roy Courtnall lives in Lincoln. ADRIAN LUCAS obtained a degree in architecture at Leeds Polytechnic in 1978. He has worked as a musician for many years and has also run his own architectural business. Most of his time is now occupied making and repairing guitars and teaching guitar making at an adult education class. He was the illustrator for Making Master Guitars by Roy Courtnall. Adrian Lucas lives in Lincoln with his wife and two daughters.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Robert Hale (February 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0709058764
• ISBN-13: 978-0709058762
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Instrumentation > Violin

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Investment, September 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Art of Violin Making (Hardcover)

This is not a type of beautifully decorated book usually found on coffee table to amuse guests even though it is of superb quality. It belongs in the workshop. It is written for both inspired and motivated beginners as well as serious luthiers. The chapter on tuning plates is revealing but can confuse a beginner. Since I am a beginner myself, I wished for complete measurements of the violin. I overcame the shortcomings by contacting a supplier of woods, tools and plans. Rest assured, the author included the list of suppliers at the end of the book.

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful book, September 9, 2000

By 

Front to Back (Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Violin Making (Hardcover)

I have purchased a few books on Violin making and this is by the far the most impressive of all. And I built my first violin using this book.

This book is full of clever techniques and lead you through the complete process from beginning to end, including the delicate area of varishing. Alternative methods are also give for some key areas, such as hollowing out the back and front of the voilin. The thing that makes this book stand out from the others is the artwork and the crisp black and white photographs that accompany each step of the process. The presentation is superb presentation and even if you are not going to make a violin, you can get an immense amount of joy out this book, just browsing it.. There are many clever tips sprinkled throughout the text - the tip I liked the best, was how to solve the problem of forming the rib joint at the bottom of the violin.

If there had to be a criticism it would be that it does not have typical template for the main mould, however this is only minor as templates are available from a various other sources.

This book is expensive,but it is worth every penny..

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for violin makers!, August 31, 2000

By 

John P. Schmidt (Columbia, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Violin Making (Hardcover)

This book has the best drawings and photographs of the process of violin making that I have ever seen. Large format, good camera angle, good shadowing and lighting. I have been an amateur violin maker for a long time and I learned about a half a dozen new procedures or tool modifications right away. I highly recommend this book for aspiring violin makers.