Books › An encyclopedia of the violin, 1925 › scan 110
Scan 110
An encyclopedia of the violin, 1925
20 lines. Read by computer on 26 September 2026. Printed page 86. See the scan on archive.org.
1which are found between the square and the edges; the third, finally, the thickness where it rests on the blocks, corners and ribs. The block is introduced between its two buttons, as far as the line which has a thickness of 3 millimeters (1/8''); the compasses are then closed and it is thus given an opening of 3 millimeters (1/8'') which represents the thickness of the square.
3With a scraper the superfluous wood of the sound board is then removed, and care should be taken that the sound board be often measured during the process, so that too much wood is not removed. Thus, little by little, the square is given the exact thickness which it should have.
5This done, the block is once more placed between the dividers of the proportional compasses, and narrowing it down to the second line, they are opened to the extent of 2 millimeters (1/12'').
7One should then commence to take away the wood all about the square, moving from each face of the square towards the edges. This is done in order that the thickness of those portions of the sound board found between the square in question as well as the edges, will have exactly the thickness given at that moment by the compasses. Finally, the block is introduced in the compasses for the last time, it is set on the third line, and the thickness at the edges of the sound board, 1 1/2 millimeters (1/16'') is established.
9As, in the process of establishing the various thicknesses, one cannot help but remove the lead-pencil lines with the scraper, it will be necessary to redraw them whenever it may be needed.
11All the thicknesses indicated must be made somewhat broader than the indications demand, since the scraper and glass paper will still have to be used to smooth the surfaces, and these two small operations will, naturally remove a little of the wood.
13Finally, it will be wise to prepare a second block for measuring the thicknesses of the back which, as has already been said, should correspond in all its proportions to those of the sound board but 1 millimeter (1/25'') thicker.
15The construction of the interior of the violin is completed by the insertion of the bass-bar. This is a small piece of spruce, at the left side of the sound board, which serves, on one hand, to help the instrument support the weight and the tension of the strings, and on the other, gives the two heavy strings the depth of sound which, without it, they would not have.
17The bass-bar is 278 millimeters (about 10 2/3'') long, 5 average millimeters (1/5'') thick, and 9 millimeters (1/3'') high in the middle. It is terminated at its two ends by bevels which stretch out on the sound board to which it is glued.
19The bass-bar is made in the following manner: a piece of spruce about 18 or 19 millimeters (approximately 2/3'') in breadth is taken, and trimmed to 5 millimeters (1/6'') of thickness by means of the plane, care being taken
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