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Some of you have been interested in my violins. Here is the latest. It is a new take on an old design instrument. The Viol de Gamba was the pre-cursor to the violin and I used that type outline with my design dimensions to come up with something new.

The smal white thing at the bridge is a wire that goes to the carpenter jack that will clamp on the side from the amplified bridge. I didn't want to have it on the violin when I took these photos.

What do you think?

BEAUTY!!!
what is the back wood?

Looks like the back is bubinga to me - I have some that looks like that...
Very Very Nice!!!!
I just love that!
Keep up the good work..
Cheers
Charlie

Is that waterfall bubinga in the back?

I have to admit the title: "my latest violin" had me saying "it will look like all the other violins ever made"
Then, POW! What a fantastic looking violin!
Congratulations.

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Just like David, I was waiting to see something quite alike to pretty much every other violin... but you did a real nice job! It's very classical looking in the whole, but there's something really interesting in it, for a guy like me who doesn't know much about violins, that sets it in a different class... The figures in the back wood, the way the top is a lot lighter in color than the back... and 5 strings? Is it common? Because I've never seen or heard of it on a violin...

I like it a lot!!

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Olivier Gauthier
Montreal, QC

Once again, you have proven your excellent craftsmanship. That is really an incredible beauty!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I think it's fabulous. Which pretty much describes all of your work that I've seen. I really like the shape. You don't see many violins that aren't violins.

Steve

Awesome!

Chuck

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Barry, I will frankly admit that I don't know diddly about bowed instruments, but I sure enjoy looking at your beautiful instruments when you post them. Wonderful craftsmanship and styling...and I still love your sound hole design. I think they're oddly brilliant. I can't explain my reaction very well. Let's just say that when I look at them, I chuckle and think to myself: "Darn...I wish I had thought of that." You inspire me, and I'm quite certain you inspire a lot of other readers, too.
Very best wishes,
Patrick

Barry, that really is a beauty.
If the back isn't Bubinga, could it be walnut?

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

That's just humbling.


- Phil

Yet again a great looking violin Barry.

Everyone should have a go at making a violin, they are challenging but very enjoyable to do.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Thanks for all the kind words! The wood is indeed Bubinga. I have had great results with this wood. As many of you know it is extremely difficult to work with. It bends very nicely but carving the back and the scroll is tough! Most of my "creative" ideas come from the fact that I started out as a guitar maker and I am not afraid to try some of the things that the guitar world has done for a long time. The laminated necks are really popular with everyone and the violin folks think I am a creative genius but you guitar guys know that this has been around the guitar scene for a long time. The same thing with the wood. Good tone wood is good tone wood! If Sapele, Bubinga, Walnut will produce great guitars why not great violins?
IMHO it will!

For you guitar makers, try something different, something that after you put some thought into you feel that it might work. If it doesn't work then you will know either how to make it work or how to scrape some nice stock!LOL!!

Thanks again for the kind words.

Barry, i like your pointy Fs, and your whole conception, nice.

Most people dont realise that the bowed instrument world was full of experimentation and unique instruments for a long time. Most historical instruments have been "naturally selected" into little niches in favor of the very succesful, but rigidly defined modern violin, but it looks like you have that old time spirit, i like it. You can tell people that you are ultra traditional.

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Jordan Aceto
Ithaca, NY

Stunning piece of work there Barry!

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Jordan, you are right! I think the violin world is so stuck in the effort to copy the great Stradivari's and Guarnari's that no one will stray for those forms. Don't get me wrong time has proven that these historical instruments were and are GREAT but the development of the instrument has basically stopped.

I have no standing in the classical world but am doing very well with Jazz, Celtic and Bluegrass players. They will play anything you put in their hand if it sounds good. A classical player may not even be allowed, by the conductor or concertmaster to play instruments outside of a set of parameters.

Aside from everything else that is nice about this instrument, I really like the viol shape.

And I'm in your camp about applying other traditions to the craft.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
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