Customer Reviews

The Art of Violin Making

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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..

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.

I am a middle-schooler who has an immense interest in violinmaking. I am currently carving a scroll by myself with no guidance except this book. I have never seen this done or anything. And this book is wonderful. If this book can tell a middle-schooler who had no experience in woodworking how to make a scroll, it can tell anybody how to carve a violin!

I've read a lot of instructional books over the years, and this ranks as one of the best. My greatest concern was that it be worth the price, and it certainly is. Explanations are clear, photos and diagrams are excellent and the first chapters on historic and contemporary makers make good reading. The book is ever so slightly thin in the area of plate tuning and violin varnish -- but one might argue that both of these topics are so broad as to justify a separate investment in instructional material. I am confidant, however, that one can make a very good instrument using this book alone as a guide -- with the exception of plans and patterns for a specific model, which are not included. The English generally do a very good job at books addressing traditional arts/crafts, and this publication is no exception. I consider my copy an excellent investment.

I found this to be a fantastic book. It is very well written and beautifully illustrated. The text covers every detail of the art of making a violin. It does lack in a few areas however. I would have been thrilled with the addition of some information on original design and or mechanical drawing of a violin. Also, the book is a bit thin in the areas of plate graduation, tap toning, wood selection, tools and varnish. Overall though, I highly recommend this book; it is more than enough to get anyone started on building their first violin. I'm sure it is the best text currently being published.

I had to wait for the tenth reprint of this book. Well worth while. The reviews are correct [one by Yehudi Menuhin ] that this volume provides all the knowledge you would wish on Violin making.The articles on the original makers ,and todays makers complete the violin story. As a fiddler of 60yrs I am not going to build one , but I now know the correct configuration of sound post ,bridge etc . Inspired me to give a talk at our local "Probus" club on History of the violin.I have an Albani ,down the scale a bit but I love it.

High quality book that as far as I can tell left nothing out. There are some complaints about a lack of prints by some of the reviewers, but violins vary and there is no one print that can cover the variations.

I don't know how accurate the drawings are as compared to an actual Strad are , but if you can find a complete copy of You Can Make a Stradivarius Violin by Reid, Joseph 1967 there are some fairly decent full size drawings (24" X 36" I think) in the book for the violin, the mould and all the required tools.

this book tells you everything you need to know about violin making and is well written