Scan 46
Georg Gemünder's Progress In Violin Making 1881, 1881
12 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1The irregular vibrations are most clearly distinguishable in those notes which have no relation with the open strings.
3The veneering such violins [with old wood] demands considerable skill, and in particular some knowledge of chemistry. in order to prepare a glue which may not be affected by the dampness of the atmosphere,* otherwise they will vary in tone as often as the weather changes.
5I must now point out a fault which occurs in the interior of some irregularly constructed violins, which is, that the parts of the belly resting on the end blocks are often thicker than the breast. This construction is particularly detrimental, as it checks the vibration of the belly.
7If an instrument has been injured by oil or any kind of grease getting inside, it must be taken to pieces and thoroughly cleaned, which can be done by chemical means.
9I now proceed to notice the exterior of the violin. The neck is simply glued to the body—not fastened with either a nail or a screw, as in that case it could not be taken off without removing the belly. If the neck is in the right position, the surface of the finger-board must be parallel with it: for, if the finger-board is too thick next to the body of the instrument, the difficulty of playing will be increased, particularly on the shift. The finger-board is best when made of solid ebony; for those which are veneered, and require to be leveled when they are worn down, do not last so long. A diligent player would, perhaps, find this leveling necessary
11* A few drops of creasote in a pot of glue will, it is said, prevent this. A waterproof glue may also be prepared thus:—Immerse glue in cold water, until it has become perfectly soft, though still retaining its original form; after which dissolve it in common raw linseed oil, aided by a gentle heat, until it becomes entirely taken up by the oil, after which it may be applied in the same way as common glue.—Tr.
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