Books › An encyclopedia of the violin, 1925 › scan 97
Scan 97
An encyclopedia of the violin, 1925
18 lines. Read by computer on 26 September 2026. Printed page 73. See the scan on archive.org.
1Finally, the eight screw holes seen in Figure 8, Plate 31 (the two at the top and bottom, some 35 millimeters, 1 1/3 inches distant from the inside of the mortise A; the four others 28 millimeters, 1 1/10 inches distant from the inside of the mortise B; and the two center screw holes, one inch distant from the most indented part of the sides) should be made. The mold is then completed.
3We now come to the eight counterparts or sections with which the mold should be provided in order to perform the service expected of it.
5Casting our eyes on Figure 10, Plate 31, we notice that the eight counter sections surround the mold. These counter sections are made of the same wood of which the mold itself is composed; they are exactly as high as the ribs, and like the mold itself have been traced by means of the counter mold, in order that they will fit exactly in each of those portions of the mold corresponding to them.
7We will return to the counter sections shortly after we have shown the manner in which the blocks and corners of the mold should be set up.
9Figure 11, Plate 31, represents the mold fitted out or mounted with its blocks and its corners.
11The pieces of spruce which may be seen glued in the mortises A and B are intended to establish the form and to furnish the blocks and corners of the violin. Nothing could be simpler than the preparation of these six pieces which represent the foundation of the entire instrument. By means of the jointer one faces a piece of spruce whose fibers are perfectly straight and gives it the dimensions necessary to fill exactly the notches or mortises. This piece of wood is cut to the height of 35 millimeters (1 1/3"), and, letting no more than one drop of glue fall into the notches, some glue is spread on each of the two pieces in the notches, taking care that they project out on the same side of the mold, and nearly touch the other side of the mold; that is to say, make sure that they jut out about an inch.
13The same thing is done with the corners, and the glue is then allowed to dry.
15When the glue has dried, the blocks will be found fixed in the mold as well as the corners. Then, using the knife and, after it, the file, these six pieces are made level with the surface of the mold on the side which is meant to receive the sound board. A rule will suffice to make clear whether the pieces have been set up parallel with the mold. It must not be forgotten that the spruce fibers of which the blocks and the corners have been made, should be placed crosswise to the notched rims of the mold, since, without this precaution, the violin would lose all its solidity. Incidentally, the spruce wood of these very pieces may be found in the body of the instrument.
17When the above things have been done, the counter mold is taken and placed upon the mold, which last itself is put upon the workbench. Great care should be taken that the rounded portions of the mold and the counter
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.