Ed Herron Allen

[needsmorecowbel]

Just got the plans from the Ed Herron Allen violin making book enlarged at a plan printing place and am just trying to check the accuracy of the enlargement. Does anyone have the Lower, Middle and Upper bout measurements handy for the 1734 Guarnerius. I have measured the original page from the book and applied the enlargement by multiplying the bout widths by the percentage of enlargement and am getting within 2-4 mm so it looks sound but double checking never hurts.

[Puff]

http://www.cozio.com/Instrument.aspx?id=411 possibly?

[Mike Thomas]

Ed Heron-Allen is a great read, but absolutely not a bible for violinmakers. I don't think anyone whose opinion you might value, would recommend using the plans from the book ("Violin Making as it was and is", published 1885) . Much better to get one of the Strad magazine posters, most of which have full size colour photos on one side, and full size dimensioned drawings on the other. Most makers, even professionals, don't have ready access to the original instruments, and the Strad posters are accepted as the alternative. They have published quite a few over the years, including several of the Guarneri family violins. I am not sure if they have a 1734 Del Gesu, however. If you go to the Strad website, they have a shop section which lists, amongst other things, the posters that are still in print.

[Mike Thomas]

I had a look at the Strad site, and the posters are listed in the Strad Library http://www.orpheusmusicshop.com
They cost 14.95 pounds each.

[needsmorecowbel]

Cheers fior the steer in the right directon. I had looked at the website but the plans i wanted were out of stock so i chased up a violin maker and went to his shop and he suggested the Herron Allen book as a good place to start and the plan for the mold at the back was one he thought was worthwhile and accurate.

Stu

[Mike Thomas]

Stu, if I remember correctly, you're in Melbourne, so it might be worth visiting Alex Grant's shop in Collingwood. He's on Smith Street near the intersection with Gertrude Street. He is a highly regarded maker/restorer/dealer, and I'm sure he'd be willing to offer some help.
I have a number of Strad posters, so if you let me know which one interest you, I can have a look to see if I have it, and I can send you a copy.

By the way, the best violin making book is by Johnson and Courtnall (the same Courtnall who authored the classical guitar book), and Roy Courtnall sells plans of a generic Strad which, I believe, is used by the students at the Newark violin making school.

[needsmorecowbel]

Yeah i met Alex when i was looking for a supplier of Curly Maple. He was very keen to offer advice but he's been overseas recently so i will have to catch up with him next weekend if i get a chance. That was the other book which was suggested to me by this maker in Preston he used to make violins out at Montsalvat. His name is Warren Fordham. I'll PM you regarding the plans. I just ordered the Guarnerius "Plowden" plans from Strad Mag. Got some Spittle Blackwood for the back and King Billy for the top. And some of that Moon wood Spruce and some of their curly maple.