Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-23
THE MAKING OF A VIOLIN.

The Perfect Instrument q Rare Pro-
ductiOn.
Judge Hiram L. sibley in New York Christian Ad-
vocate.
To many 1t will seem strange that a good
violin should not easily be made. But while
its purely mechanical construction appears
to be quite simple. compared with such in
struments as the piano and organ, yet the
highest success in making it is far more
rare than with them. Most makers in con-
structing a dozen violins will have hit
with one, which makes 1t worth all the rest,
as to tone-the great point In the result. So
tar as I can learn, after a good deal OF in
luiry and many trials. there is but one liv-
ing master Of the art and science Of violin
building who can assume uniform quality
in the instruments he turns out. Their con-
struction is a complicated work. having in
1t some very subtle elements. The first
point is to select the woods Of which vio-
lin is to be made. These are certain kinds
Of fir and maple. Experiment shows that
each has its specific pitch and kind Of tone.
and that they also differ In these respects
simply as woods. Then there is every grade
Of quality in each Of these woods, from the
worthless in tone to the almost matchless
specimens in the greatest violins. so that to
get the best woods Of both kinds Is funda-
mental to success. There also must be an
exact relation of difference between the
tone pitch Of the fir and maple which are
to join In making an instrument. More
over, whether the plates that constitute the
top and back shall be worked thin or left
comparatively thick in certain definite, flDe-
ly graded proportions in each case depends
upon the woods being of their kinds hard or
soft, and fault here will be disastrous. In
short, the more than fifty pieces which en-
CT rI1nf of NOD Nyfn1f
must be put in such adjustment Of each to
the other. and to all, as nothing short of
the finest skill in and genius for q fine art
can accomplish.
sound-post. which connects, for purposes of
vibration, the front and back, is a delicate
matter, as, IL II be moved the thirty-second
part OF an inch from the right position, in
good instrument, the tone will be i'm
paired. So important in fact is this little
post, that II has been called the soul of the
violin" Then the bass-bar, a strip of wood
near ten inches long. on the inside under
and about In line with the q string, which
IS termed the nervous system of this
king, Is most difficult thing to adjust in
size, shape, mode of contact and precise Do
sition. Ole Bull experimental with makers
for this. The slightest deviation from the
right thing here Is fatal to the best tone re-
suits. But this is not all. The positions of
post ana par are peculiar to each instru-
-hOreONer, the strain or the strings
on the body OF the violin-near ~ pounds
pull, with 70 down pressure on the bridge
Is an element In the problem; as is the DO
sition of the neck, tinger-board. the little
blocks inside. and "iinings'' at the edges of
the sides. All tell on the final result, and
fault anywhere may cost the success one
seeks. Nor can the varnish be overlooked
Inc object OF this is to adorn and protect
the wood. No spirit varnish, however.
should be used. 1t must te of a nature to
cover the body OF the instrument somewhat
as the skin does the flesh, attached closely.
put in degree flexible to what is under it,
not absolutely rigid. as that would prevent
perfect vibration Of the wood and SO mar
the tone. A Lupot violin once owned had
varnish put on by the maker seventy years
before which indented when pressed. but
did not fracture. From this think IL will
be seen that for a carpenter to work out a
rough approximation to the violin, in form
and feature, upon which simple jiEs NAV be
sawed in painful monotony 10 quite a DIFF
ferent thing from producing those splendid
violins given US by the great Cremona maxi
ers. or the no less valuable works of a few
or the moderns. ITO perfect that wonder
of travei-the locomotive" says Sir w. 10.
Gladstone. has perhaps not required the
expenditure of more mental strength and
application than to perfect that wonder of
music, the VIOLIN"