Scan 59
Georg Gemünder's Progress In Violin Making 1881, 1881
6 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1As good instruments are constantly becoming more rare, it is necessary to think of some compensation. For some time past, as before remarked, I have been hindered from making violins, through the manufacture of guitars; but now having four sons who follow this business, I am at length enabled to resume my usual occupation. I shall therefore be happy, with the assistance of my sons, to undertake the construction of violins after the Cremonese form, and with a strict observance of their model, a point which is seldom attended to. These instruments, as well as tenors and violoncellos, shall be made, according to the principles of mathematics and acoustics, of sonorous Italian wood, and covered with amber varnish, like [that which] the old makers used; as the wood will not absorb the moisture of aquafortis and spirit; besides, it possesses greater durability than spirit varnish, and is therefore in all respects preferable for violins, &c.
3My instruments may be had on order, either quite new, or perfected by a machine for bringing out the tone, of
5pound of Venetian turpentine into a new earthen pot, add some water to it, and then let it boil for two or three hours over a slow fire. As the turpentine rises to the surface, cold water must be kept ready to pour in whenever it threatens to run over; and, even if no such tendency appears, water must be added from time to time, otherwise the turpentine will be boiled too much and become burnt. The sign that it has boiled sufficiently is, when a drop, which has been allowed to cool on a plate, rubs clear between the fingers, without sticking. When it is so far ready, pour it into cold water, and work it well through the hands, so as to express the water which it has taken up in boiling. When quite cold, break it into little pieces, and, in the summer, let the sun extract the remaining moisture, until it becomes perfectly transparent. In the winter, it must be put into a porcelain vessel in the oven; not so hot as to fry it, but only so warm that the water contained in it may be gently evaporated. In this manner beautiful and clear rosin is obtained."—Tr.
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