Books › An encyclopedia of the violin, 1925 › scan 115
Scan 115
An encyclopedia of the violin, 1925
20 lines. Read by computer on 26 September 2026. Printed page 91. See the scan on archive.org.
1might believe at first glance that the work of rounding off these edges is not hard, but, nevertheless, meticulous care is needed if the operation is to be successful.
3By means of a small, well-sharpened knife the brim formed by the edges is removed on the side of the ribs, great care being taken not to cut away more wood in one place than in another, and to preserve, above all about the corners, the exact form of the model which has served to outline the back and the sound board; and also remembering not to touch the wood which forms the lateral part of the strings. Care should also be taken to change the direction of the knife whenever it is evident that it is cutting against the grain of the wood. The same process is observed on the side of the edge opposite to the ribs; and it is rounded by means of a sharp-grained file until all the squareness along the edges of the instrument has disappeared. The final smoothing is given by means of glass paper.
5It is preferable to round off the edges on the side of the ribs before glueing back and sound board together, in order not to risk cutting into the ribs during the operation. This precaution is not necessary in the case of the edges opposite the ribs.
7Again we feel it necessary to advise all those who think of taking up violin making as a labor of love, always to have a good violin in sight while they are working, to serve as a guide.
9How to Construct the Neck
11First of all, we must realize exactly what is meant by the neck of the instrument.
13In order to construct this part, a piece of plane wood 278 millimeters (about 10 2/3") long should be taken; it should be trimmed square on all four of its faces, two of which should be 45 millimeters (1 3/4") in breadth, while the two remaining ones, which are to form the sides of the neck, should be 65 millimeters (2 1/2") broad.
15Once this piece of wood has been smoothed and squared, the model of the neck is placed on one of the sides, and its outlines are traced on the wood with a pencil, as shown in Figure 7, Plate 30.
17A transverse line is then drawn with the T-square across the four faces, beginning at the point marked G, which is the place where the peg box is to begin, and from this line which has been drawn one should measure off, at point G, moving toward the opposite end of the neck, a distance of 148 millimeters (5 3/4") and this length, which is the neck, beginning with the peg box up to the end which is to be fitted into the body of the instrument, should be marked off. Once more using the rule, a transverse line is drawn at the point just marked, and this line is repeated on each of the faces of the wood.
19The compasses are then taken, opened to about 28 millimeters (about 1")
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.