Experimental Violin Acoustics by George Bissinger
This transcription of a lecture by a professor of physics examines how five variables affect the performance of the violin. The variables are loudness curves and student instruments; free plate tuning and testing; humidity effects on plate modes; bass bar tuning; and coupling between enclosed air and plate vibrations.
Guitar Neck Fractures by William Cumpiano
Cumpiano lists his favorite methods of repairing various sorts of broken necks.
Woodshop-in-a-Can by James Jones
Jones explains how he converted a mobile home into a complete shop.
Ed Arnold, String Tie Kind of Guy by Nicholas Von Robison
Robison interviews Arnold about harvesting wood in Mexico and dealing it in America.
Hardanger Fiddle by E.M. Peters
A brief description of a typical Norwegian fiddle accompanies Peters' plans for the same, along with a photo of two Hardangers and a drawing of useful ornamentations. The plans are a reduced version of our full-scale Instrument Plan #11.
H.L. Wild by Paul Wyszkowski
Wyszkowski describes his visit to H.L. Wild and provides some background information about the legendary tonewood dealer.
Out of the Basement by Richard Bingham
Bingham provides a brief anecdote about making a guitar from a "found" guitar kit from H.L. Wild.
A Scene from Dickens by Steve Curtin
Curtin shares his impressions of his first visit to H.L. Wild.
Premiata Liuteria by Mario Maccaferri from his Symposium '85 lecture
Maccaferri speaks about his life as a musician, luthier, and inventor.
Tacoma Triumph by Tim Olsen
Editor Olsen highlights the events of the GAL's 10th convention, which was held near the Guild's headquarters city oh Tacoma, Washington, in 1986.
Convention Exhibitors/Auction Donors
This is a who's who of the people who starred in the GAL's 10th convention halls.
Flying Caps in T-Town by Bon "Flying Caps" Henderson
Henderson provides an insider's view of convention life outside the halls.
Our Great Spherical Friend, Part II by Fred Lyman
Lyman offers another philosophical look at lutherie and acoustical physics.
Acid Rain Update by Nicholas Von Robison
Things look bleaker for the world's forests.
Repairing the Viola da Gamba by Lawrence D. Brown
Brown gives advice about the special repair needs of very old instruments.
Hot Spatulas for Hide Glue by William Conrad
Conrad gives useful advice about disassembling instruments for repair.
Violin Top Crack Repair by George Manno
This is repair advice from an experienced violin maker. The procedure listed begins after the top has been removed. Top removal was described in American Lutherie #5.
So, You Want To Be My Apprentice! by Ken Cartwright
Cartwright lists the qualities that he expects in an apprentice, and also details what he expects to offer the apprentice in return.
Installing the Floyd Rose Tremolo by Denny Rauen
Rauen's installation procedure is meant to remove as little wood from the guitar body as possible. This is not a procedure for retrofitting the bridge system to guitars using a stock Fender-style bridge, but for dropping it onto a new body, or one with a hardtail bridge.
Violin Bridge Holder by Al Carruth
Carruth describes a fixture he uses to hold a violin bridge while it is being tuned. It will save your fingers, and help prevent cracking the bridge.
More on Bridge Gluing by Robert Doucet
Doucet offers slick tricks for removing dried glue from raw wood, replacing spruce pulled up by the bridge, tracing braces to make clamping cauls, and roughing saddle blanks into shape.
Bridge Regluing Caul by Sam Sherry
Sherry claims his "bridge plate" style caul is a universal tool that makes bridge reglueing easier.
Fret Slot Fix by Fred Campbell
Campbell fixes a chipped fret slot with wood dust and super glue.
More On Epoxy Fretting by Tom Mathias
Mathias adds more tips to the Teeter/Sadowsky fretting method.
More Lore by Tim Olsen
Editor Olsen again describes a number of "Quarterly" back issues, volumes 10 & 11 from 1982 & 1983.
Sanding Table by Steve Andersen
Anderson built a gridded table that uses the vacuum created by a squirrel cage fan to capture sanding dust.
Review: A Catalogue of Pre-Revival Appalachian Dulcimers. Reviewed by Jim Flynn.
The reviewer doubts the book's conclusions and finds it of no value to the serious luthier. He states, however, that dulcimer enthusiasts may find it interesting.
Review: Italian Violin Varnishes by George Fry. Reviewed by George Manno.
The reviewer finds the book to be a worthwhile investment for anyone seriously trying to duplicate antique violin finishes.
Review: Physics And Music by Neville H. Fletcher. Reviewed by Thomas D. Rossing.
The reviewer is enthusiastic about this booklet for the non-scientist, finding it useful and accurate.
Luthier's Hotline by Bill Hultgren
Answer Man Hultgren asks for help from the readership in this column.
This issue is no longer available individually. Its contents are
included in The Big Red Book of American Lutherie, Vol. 1.
