Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Very helpful in the subjects covered but, for full coverage, companion publications are required. This limits its usefullness while, no doubt, potentially increasing the income of the writer.

I'm a violin building newbee, just starting on my 1st one, and bought "The Art of Violin Making" by Chris Johnson and Roy Courtnall, and also bought "Violin Making, a Practical Guide" by Juliet Barker. Both of these books are excellent, but if your just buying one, I'd recommend The Art of Violin making, which is a bit more precise, and has aswsom pictures and illustrations of how to build, and fine instruments. Also, there are a lot of luthiers on utube, who show various ways of accomplishing the same thing, using different tools etc. It seems every builder has their own style, approach, and creativity. Both the aforementioned books have all the usefull measurements in them. Eventually, I'll probably buy the Strobel books too, but I'm making my 1st violin without them.

Very usefull and complete book, keyed with the others Strobels, informations precises and clear. Maybe you should have all Strobel's books to have complete information concerning the matter.