Installing the Saddle

To install the saddle, a mortise is cut into the bottom of the top plate, 33mm wide, up to the outer edge of the purfling, and a bit more than half deep into the edge:

The roughed out ebony saddle is then glued into the mortise and clamped - note that the saddle has a ledge that sits on top of the purfling:

When the glue has dried, the clamp is removed, and the saddle is shaped with a chisel, file, and scraper:

At this point, the saddle is still a bit rough -- final shaping and polishing will be completed after varnishing is complete.

Soundpost Veneer Patch

To protect the inside of the top plate from wear and damage due to the pressure of the soundpost, a very thin veneer of maple is glued to the inside of the top plate:

Bags of sand are used on both sides of the plate when clamping the veneer:

Here is the veneer with the clamps removed:

Ole Bull F-Hole Demonstration

Just a quick update -- Gregg has been commissioned to copy the del Gesu Ole Bull violin, and I will be covering certain aspects of his commission on the blog in addition to covering the completion of my first violin, and maybe attempting the Ole Bull violin myself as violin number two.

As an introduction, Gregg has posted a video on You Tube demonstrating how to cut the Ole Bull's long f-holes -- with a twist...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DPSVf6eaJw

VSA Convention - Day Two

Here are some pictures from day two of the VSA convention:

VSA Convention - Day One

Here are some photos that I took of day one of the VSA convention in Atlantic City -- it has been both a fun and educational time thus far, and I have enjoyed meeting several followers of this blog in person.

VSA Convention

I am excited to be attending the annual convention of the Violin Society of America (VSA) in Atlantic City tomorrow through Friday, and I look forward to meeting followers of this blog who are also attending the convention. So, if you see me there, please stop me and say hello!

For those who aren't able to attend, I will post some pictures, etc. from the convention. For more information about the convention, visit http://www.vsa.to