New Shop, New Builds

So at the tail end of August of moved back up to Red Wing MN for another year of school consisting of violin construction and repair, and with seeing as how I was here last year and was able to setup some "ins" I was able to land an apartment this year that included a pretty solid space for a shop setup.

I've created this blog to track the progress of both my Violin and Cello build as like a build journal, but also I'll be including anything that I happen to do at home in my spare time, for example any guitar projects I start building.

I've got plenty of pictures to kick of this first post seeing as how far behind I started off. I was off to a late start seeing as how I didn't own a digital camera. Thanks to the local pawn shop I got hooked up for 35 bucks on some young bucks old Cannon Powershot.

Anyhow, here's some pictures:

First off I'd like to kick it off with a couple pictures of my shop setup which has graciously been included in my rent for my apartment, and I couldn't be happier with the setup. I brought all of my tools up in my van, along with a humidifier and dehumidifier to control the climate for my wood and projects.





So initially coming up here for this Violin program this year, I had tried to email my instructor ahead of time to see if I could attempt to build a cello, instead of a violin. Despite my many emails and attempts to sway his decision, I was shot down, but came to an agreement where I'd build a cello in my spare time and try to keep up to speed with the violin outside of class, and he'd take a look at progress so I could capitalize on his expertise when needed. I borrowed the cello form from a buddy of mine who attending the Chicago school of violin making about 10 years ago, and I bought the materials to make a spruce/poplar cello.

Anyhow, one thing led to another and I ended up signing up for another class to have time to build my cello in the schools shop along with building my violin on different days. So for now I work on violin Monday and Wednesday nights, and I work on the cello Tuesday and Thursday nights. As soon as I start to fall far behind the violin progress, I'll be bringing the cello home to get caught of to speed over the weeks, or at least attempt to keep up to speed.

So, here's pictures of materials for both instruments:



There's the poplar back, and the spruce top. The block I resawed the ribs out of I do not have a photo of, but soon enough there will be pictures of the poplar ribs on here.



And this is as obvious as it looks, the top again, along with the form that I'm borrowing with the template included. It's a 3rd generation Gofriller cello.



So I was lucky enough to have 3rd pick on some beautiful batch of curly maple violin back, ribs, and neck block, and I also ordered a pretty decent AAA spruce top. Here's an overview of basically all of the materials in scratch form of what will build the violin. Notice the top came in a billet that still has to be sawn in half.



Closeup on the flame of the back.

Until next time--