Violin Making: Step by Step (Book five of the Strobel series for violin makers) [Paperback]

Henry A. Strobel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1994 | Series: Book five of the Strobel series for violin makers

A complete, traditional method. Includes brief descriptions of alternate methods. Photo-illustrated, from sharpening tools to varnishing and adjustment. Includes full size drawings for making a Stradivari model violin. Illustrated with 115 photographs of the model violin (Leandro Bisiach), and of the demonstration violin as it was made, step by step, by Henry Strobel. For the beginning or advanced maker or the interested violinist.

The Strobel books for violin makers are professional, concise, and convenient, reflecting traditional, conservative, and artistic work. Some forty thousand sold, they are used internationally by student, amateur and professional makers in shops and schools, and referred to by manufacturers, sellers, users, and lovers of bowed instruments. High quality 8.5 by 11 in. paperbacks made to lie flat and last on your workbench.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . is clear, systematic, and full of good information and advice." -- David Brownell, Editor, Michigan Violin Makers Association Journal

"All (of his books) are thoroughly illustrated . . . replete with bibliographies, annotations, and indices . . . The Art & Method of the Violin Maker is . . . a very personal account, written with great erudition and insight . . . All of these titles are recommended to anyone with even a passing interest in violin literature." -- From a review by John Dilworth in the April 1994 Strad Magazine

"If a beginner could own only one book . . . I'd have to recommend this one above all the others." -- Sam R. Compton Jr. Editor, VMAAI Journal and a Director of the Violin Society of America

"It looks like the premier book for beginning violin makers . . ." -- Leonard C. Showalter, Editor, Southern California Association of Violin Makers Bulletin

(The series of books) "Si tratta di volumi che hanno una finalit practica, di ausilio al lavoro del liutaio. . . L'intera collana rappresenta una interessante initiativa editoriale, che ha in piu il vantaggio di prezzi modesti." (I translate: ". . . These books are for the practical assistance of the working luthier. . . The whole series represents an interesting publishing venture, with modest prices as well.") -- From the review in La Lira di Orfeo, Cremona, No. 3, 1996

About the Author

Henry Strobel is the author-publisher of seven books on violin, viola, and cello making, repair, and adjustment, which are used worldwide. He recently published a video Watch Me Make a Cello, Step by Step. Born in Indiana in 1936, he had a first career as an electronic design engineer, and was one of the founders of Digital Telephone Systems, Inc. in California, which manufactured transmission and switching equipment. He served in the US Air Force service in Scotland as a communications officer. He studied violin as a schoolboy, made his first over thirty years ago, and has had his own violin business for twenty years, fifteen at his current full service violin shop in Oregon, where, with his wife and sons, he also makes violins, violas, and cellos, and writes books.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 78 pages
• Publisher: Henry a Strobel; 2 edition (November 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962067369
• ISBN-13: 978-0962067365
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Instrumentation > Violin

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Thin on style and content., April 20, 2003

By 

Neal Williams "dravite" (Springdale, Arkansas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Violin Making: Step by Step (Book five of the Strobel series for violin makers) (Paperback)

I agree with a previous reviewer that this book, while informative, is rather thin on style. I get the impression that Strobel, with his engineering background, isn't the best at explaining some of the simple yet critically important details in the violin-making process. Some of the more obvious steps are illustrated and explained, yet some of the more obscure and complicated things are practically glossed over, which can be extremely frustrating for a beginner. For example, when cutting sound-holes there are certain directions in which the wood must be cut, or it will splinter and break. That fact is not even mentioned in this book. A beginner simply cannot rely on any one of Strobel's books as a complete reference on the subject -- he or she will have to look elsewhere as well.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Be prepared to buy more of Strobels books - want to or not., November 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Violin Making: Step by Step (Book five of the Strobel series for violin makers) (Paperback)

Not a bad "how to" book on violin making. A bit thin on content and style, with constant references to three other Strobel books on the subject which you are assumed to have purchased. For the total price of all the books you might be better off buying "The Art of Violin Making" by Chris Johnson and Roy Courtnall - an outstanding text on the subject.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid foundation, April 19, 2005

By 

Chet Bishop (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Violin Making: Step by Step (Book five of the Strobel series for violin makers) (Paperback)

I found Henry's books (all of 'em) to be a solid foundation in lutherie. My first two instruments were built using nothing but his instruction, and I have continued to build since then.

"Violin Making Step-by-step" give all the information a beginner needs, to build a very respectable first instrument, without cutting any corners, or departing radically from tradition.