Will’s Blog Posts:
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I found this article last week in the New York Times August 28th Edition. The article was title , “Packing Technology into the Timeless Barrel” (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/28/business/packing-technology-into-the-timeless-barrel.html?_r=0). The article discussed how barrel making has not essentially changed for the past several hundred years, much like violin making. However the industry and competitive forces have changed, and companies are applying technology to optimize the barrel making process. The end result is higher-quality barrels tailor made for specific uses. Over the past year-plus I have been applying CNC technology to the beginning phases of the violin making process. The CNC machine can accurately replicate the beginning rough-out processes for the violin body and neck. The machine cannot do the intimate and labor-intensive plate tuning, fitting, finishing and varnishing; that must be done by hand. A CNC machine is a way to compete with cheaper labor, but only where technology is applied appropriate. Let there be no misunderstanding, a quality violin has to be done by hand for the majority of the work. Violins are made from wood, a natural material, the source material varies by nature and the violin maker must account for these variances. The New York Times article mentioned this raw material variance aspect related to barrel making as well. The New York Times article closed with this Quote, “Skilled Craftsmen still build a barrel by hand. …You can’t just computerize it…you can use automation but in the end every barrel is going to be a little different”.. Likewise with the violin, we can use computerized technology and advanced acoustical analysis. But, in the end each violin will ultimately be crafted by hand and will be a unique violin representative of the individual maker’s skill#savannah
I found this article last week in the New York Times August 28th Edition. The article was title , “Packing Technology into the Timeless Barrel” (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/28/business/packing-technology-into-the-timeless-barrel.html?_r=0). The article discussed how barrel making has not essentially changed for the past several hundred years, much like violin making. However the industry and competitive forces have changed, and…
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The spreader fell out of the frog on my chamber group cellist’s bow. Now she has a new spreader in her frog. The past few days I’ve been very busy working on the CNC models for my new viola. This consist primarily of computer work and machining. Today I thought would be it nice to focus on some actual handson Craftsmanship. I’m also going to do a little varnishing before I get back to the computer modeling. Craftsmanship is so much more rewarding
The spreader fell out of the frog on my chamber group cellist’s bow. Now she has a new spreader in her frog. The past few days I’ve been very busy working on the CNC models for my new viola. This consist primarily of computer work and machining. Today I thought would be it nice to…
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The 1727 Strad Cassavetti viola mold has been milled. The plates seamed, the viola is underway
The 1727 Strad Cassavetti viola mold has been milled. The plates seamed, the viola is underway. #violacassavetti #jacksonville #brunswick #savannah #saintaugustine #violin #violinmaker #violin #viola #cnc
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This morning I started up the CNC machine to work on the mold for the Casavetti viola. The CNC software would not start. After digging through Linux log files and linuxcnc configuration files it became apparent that the game controller which gives me manual control of the CNC machine was not working. I moved the cables around on the USB controllers and then noticed that one of the cables had been chewed by my lovely cat Oliver. If I wasn’t already a computer expert and former electrician this CNC thing would be such a waste of time and money. I begin to wonder if I should just stick to my 17th-century tools.. Oh, by the way, Oliver is still healthy and enjoying watching me work. That darned cat
This morning I started up the CNC machine to work on the mold for the Casavetti viola. The CNC software would not start. After digging through Linux log files and linuxcnc configuration files it became apparent that the game controller which gives me manual control of the CNC machine was not working. I moved the…
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Looking west at the intercostal from my Nieghbors yard. The rain was pelting horizontal. Blustery but only small limbs down on the ground! Yeah
Looking west at the intercostal from my Nieghbors yard. The rain was pelting horizontal. Blustery but only small limbs down on the ground! Yeah #ameliaisland
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Violin Ivan top plate
Violin Ivan top plate. #violinivan #violin #violinmaker #luthier #jacksonville #brunswick #savannah #saintaugustine #ameliaisland
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Violin Ivan top plate
Violin Ivan top plate. #violinivan #violin #violinmaker #luthier #jacksonville #brunswick #savannah #saintaugustine #ameliaisland
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Violin Ivan, balsam ground with Medullary lines highlighted. One more application of Greek Pitch Gold, then color coats
Violin Ivan, balsam ground with Medullary lines highlighted. One more application of Greek Pitch Gold, then color coats. #violinivan #violin #luthier #violinmaker #ameliaisland #saintaugustine #savannah #brunswick #jacksonville
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Home on Amelia island… Contemplating violin making…. “Nature is the highest art.” Emily Dickinson
Home on Amelia island… Contemplating violin making…. “Nature is the highest art.” Emily Dickinson
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Scroll crack repair on the “A” tuning peg. Shim, maple bushings, varnish touch up. Better than new
Scroll crack repair on the “A” tuning peg. Shim, maple bushings, varnish touch up. Better than new. #luthier #violinmaker #violinrepair #jacksonville #stmarys #brunswick #savannah #saintaugustine