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Looking at Lutherie Schools from the 1990 GAL Convention panel discussion by Steve Banchero, David Freemen, Larry Kirmser, David Vincent and Donald Warnock
Violin making schools have long supplied the trade with fresh talent. It remains to be seen if guitar making schools will have the same impact. This panel of instructors offers opinion about what they have to offer and what their expectations are for graduates.
A Low Cost Bass, Part 2 by Frederick C. Lyman, Jr.
Lyman continues his crusade for a low cost, high performance bass viol.
Starburst Rosette by C.F. "Fret" Casey
This is one way to make a rosette when you are tired of simple circle patterns.
Julian Bream's 1973 Romanillos Guitar from the 1990 Convention lecture by Kevin Aram
Aram offers an anecdotal history of one of the most influential classical guitars of our time.
1973 Romanillos Classic Guitar An Instrument Plan by Kevin Aram
This is a reduced version of our full-scale GAL Instrument Plan # 30.
Doin' That Portland Thing! a visit to the 13th Portland Area Instrument Makers Exhibit by Phillip Lea
Lea offers the low down on an important regional instrument show.
Still a Prime Mover: An Interview with Dan Erlewine by Tim Olsen
Is there any doubt that Erlewine is the world's best known guitar fixer? He's also a heck of a nice guy. Editor Olsen nailed Erlewine's feet to the floor long enough to answer a few questions.
Purfling Veneer Plane by Peter Schaefer
Schaefer's tool will give you control over the skinniest pieces of wood that go into your instrument.
Attic Strads, And Why What's Worth Something Is Worth What It's Worth by Michael Darnton
Why are some fiddles worth so much? Which ones might you find that will provide good investments? Which sleepers should you look for if you want a really good inexpensive violin for playing? Darnton doesn't offer the last word, but his advice is worth heeding.
Meet George Gorodnitski by Jonathon Peterson
A Russian luthier moves to L.A. and shows up in Tacoma. He was trained in violins and moved on to electric guitars. This is what it was like, rockin' in the USSR.
First Impressions of America by George Gorodnitski
Gorodnitski fled Russia for an unknown fate in the US. This article is only one column long, but it's pretty striking. You may never think the same way about the Rose Parade again.
Seth Summerfield, Luthier by Bill Colgan, Jr. and Greg Bernd
Like many of his generation, 80 year old Summerfield led a hard life. He didn't turn to professional instrument making until he reached what many would call old age, but after that he didn't waste any time. There's quite a few Seth Summerfields out there, and their story is always a good one.
Hidden Reinforced Peghead Repair by Jim Merrill and Bill Colgan, Jr.
This repair involves removing part of the fingerboard and sinking support splines from the top of the instrument, rather than from the back.
Bending Sides with Silicon Blankets by Micheal Keller
Silicon heat blankets are good for more than bending sides. Keller touches upon other uses, but his instructions for making forms and putting them to use is the focus here, and it covers about all you need to know. Once you have the blanket, the forms are cheap to make.
It Worked For Me
Make a storage container for bow hair, and a fret file that can't scratch the fingerboard. And switch to sport glasses if your old eye glasses cause you grief in the shop.
Violin Q & A by Michael Darnton
Darnton turns some pictures of a mystery fiddle into a thousand words. Or a few hundred, anyway. Then he moves on to discuss distorted ribs, retouching varnish, and tracking down a mystery buzz. He adds an update about his varnish formula.
Questions edited by Cyndy Burton
Answers are about hardware sources, Gibson scale lengths, a pantograph for routing archtop plates, and a North Carolina repairman offers some repair prices.
Review: How to Make a Violin Bow by Frank V. Henderson. Reviewed by David Riggs.
The reviewer is very enthusiastic about this book. It may be the only such book out there, but it may be all you need. Too bad its out of print, and expensive if you can find it. Everything about violins is expensive.
This issue is no longer available individually. Its contents are
included in The Big Red Book of American Lutherie, Vol. 3.
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