Books › Violins and other stringed instruments : how to make them ; with numerous engravings and diagrams, 1906 › scan 70
Scan 70
Violins and other stringed instruments : how to make them ; with numerous engravings and diagrams, 1906
14 lines. Read by computer on 29 August 2026. Printed page 66. See the scan on archive.org.
1VIOLINS AND STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.
3Although, as has been said, the colour generally is incorporated with the varnish, it is quite possible, if desired, to stain the wood itself before applying the varnish. Water stains may be used without raising the grain if the wood is first wiped over with raw linseed oil, either clear or red.
5A black wavy grain appearance may be imparted by well rubbing with vegetable black and oil previous to applying varnish.
7When oil varnishes are used throughout, the process resembles the second one described above; two coats of the gamboge and turpentine are applied, followed by applications of oil varnish on alternate days.
9A method of obtaining a rich brown colour is to use a solution of 1/2 oz. of permanganate of potash in 1 pt. of water. The work may be oiled first, the stain then applied and well rubbed in by means of a soft piece of rag. By this means the stain and oil will amalgamate and so prevent the grain rising. A slight tinge of red in the varnish will then give that ruddy tone so much desired.
11A few recipes for violin varnishes may conveniently be given here. There is no better spirit varnish for the purpose than that given on p. 64. The preparation of suitable oil varnish requires special apparatus, and is therefore quite beyond the powers of amateurs. Suitable varnish that has been specially prepared for violins can be obtained at or through most large music shops. However, a recipe which has been recommended is:—Dissolve 3 oz. of copal and 1/3 pt. of pale drying oil in 1 gill of turpentine; bismarck brown dissolved in methylated spirit will give a stain of dark orange red colour.
13The term amber varnish suitable for high-grade violins is often misleading. The high degree of finish that is seen on the better class of violins, and known as amber varnish finish, is not always produced by a varnish of which amber forms the basis. Generally the term means that the instruments have been finished a golden or amber colour; and this result may be gained
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