Official Luthiers Forum!

Colin, congratulations on the completion of another fine instrument. There seems to be no musical instrument out of your reach, you are a luthier in the truest sense of word. Your bold approach to broadening your skills inspires me to be a little less safe and repetitive with my building, however, not so far as a violin--too big of a leap for me.

Incredible sound clip, your wife's musicianship shines through in her playing. You must really enjoy the wealth of music in your home.

Colin, you did a beautiful job …the violin looks and sounds great.
Please be sure to thank your wife for all of us, she is remarkable.

It always amazes me when two talented people connect.

Thank you for sharing and Congrats

_________________
Rich S

"The inconvenience of poor quality will linger long after the thrill of a bargain has been forgotten"

Exquisite work Colin! Seeing your violin - you can imagine what one of Antonio's
must have looked like coming out of the shop.

There's a good story told about the Viotti Strad in Toby Faber's book - 'Stradivari's Genius'
for those who might be interested.

Make some more of those!

john g

Number 2 in the merit order and likely Number 1 in her heart -- that's not much of a gap to close!

Congratulations on a great violin Colin! And man,can your wife play !
Just a very,very good job for a 1st violin and that she ranks it so high(#2) is
amazing.

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Wow, step away for awhile, and look what happens!
Colin, that is superb!
Kudos for stretching your self in a new direction, and then pulling it off so well.
(Which shows that talent is not evenly distributed. You got a lion's share, which is not all that fair...)

Now, I'm waiting for your first pipe organ.

Give our thanks to Penny--she was inspiring.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

hi Colin
Very fine work.
Who could resist Bach played so well?.
Geordie

_________________
some tunes on acoustic and guitar synth.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGeordieAdams
http://www.myspace.com/geordieadams

Outstanding! Both the violin and your wife's playing.

Congratulations Colin. A pleasure to see and hear.

Cheers,

Pat

That is just grand Colin. Never doubted you had the skill set to pull that off. From what little I know of violins, that one sounds beautiful, and from your wife's ranking its clear you have nailed the sound. How did you do it? Did you use chladni patterns, did you bow the plates and listen to the sound of the unattached plate, tap tune, follow a plan precisely, go with your gut? I've got the neck half carved on mine and would like any hints you can pass along.

Where did you get that finish?


Superb job as usual

John

Outstanding Colin. .... true craftsmenship at its highest level ...

_________________
Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Colin, Colin, Colin!!! Just a fantastic feat and an equally impressive performance by Penny. Thanks so much for posting this. Your skills in building these music boxes with strings are becoming legendary! And your advice and counsel on these matters continues to occupy the highest rung in my book.

Now, just don't get a swollen head my friend! After all, as far as I know you haven't visited the dark side and built an electric guitar yet! Complete one of those and folks might start calling you a Luthier! I'll duck now!

_________________
JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

As so many ahead have found the words that I was also thinking, just amazing, you have done it again Colin. Thanks for sharing such an important and inspiring new level of your skills and your wife’s performance with your latest offspring.
I love the family portrait also!
I look forward to seeing what you come up with next.

Wade

_________________
Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

Thanks again everyone. Building a violin is something I can thoroughly recommend to anyone out in OLF land, the skills that you learn doing this can only help when it comes to making better guitars.

I'll tell Penny that you all think her playing is passable, (look I have to live with her OK) but I have to admit I never tire of listening to her, she often practices in the shop while I'm working. Musically I have to play second fiddle to her, though not actually on a fiddle as when I try it I sound as if someone is strangling a cat. She is also a top notch Northumbrian piper and is pretty good on guitar as well. (Where's a divorce lawyer when you need one?)

Colin

_________________
I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

How about a sound clip of a smallpipes/guitar duet Colin? My favourite bagpipes. I bet most of the people on this forum don't even know what they are.

David, can't find a duet piece, but here's a Northumbrian pipes piece of Penny's. She's an Alnwick girl so they are definitely Northumbrian pipes, but you are right they do have the best sound of the pipes family, not so raucous as the Scottish pipes or as busy as the Irish.

Northumbrian pipes

Colin

_________________
I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

I nearly pulled out my bodhran then...REALLY enjoyed this piece!

Penny's sense of timing is impeccable. Any full set of pipes in the Irish/Scottish/Northumbrian family are INCREDIBLY difficult to play.

Ah the pipes the pipes,
Collin will you tell Penny I have a Billy Pigg LP from the ‘60.
Oh and I “try my hand on the Uillean’s (Irish) they don't sound to busy when I “blow them up”.
Ah the music the music.
yours Geordie

_________________
some tunes on acoustic and guitar synth.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGeordieAdams
http://www.myspace.com/geordieadams

To quote Willie Clancy...

To play the Uilleann Pipes, it's, "7 years learning, 7 years practising and 7 years playing"