Scan 98
Joseph Guarnerius, his work and his master [Andreas Gisalberti], 1906
12 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 56. See the scan on archive.org.
1almost wet as if done yesterday. This is somewhat suggestive that the pupil may have—in the varnish as well as the outline—thus early manifested that spirit of independence and individuality which was to develop and become so marked a characteristic in his after career.
3A few words may be said regarding the interior of the violin.
5At this time the manner of attaching the linings running round from the corner to the end blocks is the same as that of his master, and they are likewise of pine. They are not let into the middle blocks. The upper block having been renewed, nothing can be said about the original except that in all probability it had the one nail driven through to the root of the neck, as usual with Gisalberti, and which his pupil continued as a regular rule to the last.
7This, it may be observed, was in accordance with the practice at the time of affixing the neck before closing up or glueing on the upper table. The upper rib was made from one piece, and continuous—that is, when length of material was at hand—passed round the mould, the ends reaching to the corner blocks, bent to make them fit, and then fixed. The part passing over the end block was, as a matter of course, glued to it. There was thus an even surface along over the course of the upper ribs round from corner to corner. The neck was then fitted on to the centre, not always mathematically true; it may be presumed that a hole was perforated in the block about the centre, and a nail of about an inch and a half in length on the average driven through into the root of the neck, until the flat head of the nail was flush with the curved inner surface of the block.
9This nail, when an instrument has survived the ravages of time, wear and tear and accidents, reaching us in what is known as its original condition, is looked upon by repairers as an abomination, giving much trouble, and worrying both his tools and his temper.
11Now-a-days when once out no nail ever enters again; that is, if the repairer is at all up to date in his methods
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