Violins of Plymouth: Plymouth

Showing posts with label Plymouth. Show all posts

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Secrets of Violin Making-Lesson 3 Varnishing the 1690 Stradivarius viola

Summer in Plymouth, Massachusetts...

Summer on the South Shore of Massachusetts Bay is a slower time. It is a time for beaches, light houses, sailing ships, and violin varnishing!

Jump!

No hurry!

Seals (and friends) this year!

Plymouth beach at dusk

Chatham light.....

Cedar point light...

Preparations for the 400th anniversary...

HMS Bounty visit..

Violin varnish and varnishes for wood surfaces are a very old technology.The varnish I use is linseed oil based, thinned with turpentine. It is applied outside; it drys slowly. I do summer things as it drys!

Flax is cultivated both for its fibers which can be woven into linen and oil which is called linseed oil. Fibers of linen have been dated to 30,000 BCE and, thus, represent the oldest domesticated plant material. see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flax Flax seed oil has a long history as a varnish for wood surfaces. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linseed_oil Turpentine is a common and effective solvent for the thinning of linseed oil. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turpentine

A sable brush is ideal!

Application may take only 30 minutes but drying over two weeks! (each coat...)

The plan is to play this viola in November!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

History of volins and violin making in Plymouth

A short post concerning the history of violins in Plymouth, Massachusetts (home of Violins of Plymouth). There was no history and no violins in Plimoth!

Settlers were interested in the Puritan church and worship. Services included no instrumental music. Not for
a century or more!

They traveled light. And late in the year. Bad weather was typical.

William Bradford was the leader.He is never portrayed as smiling?

Yes, a fort was necessary despite the TG celebration.

Relations with native Americans were occasionally troublesome (King Phillip War).

Living quarters were primitive.

Wives were kept busy.

Some workers were not compensated!

Farming was essential to provide sufficient food. Food was basic!

The intrepid leader encouraged all to work and pray! No violins and no music. No violin making. Back in the home country his Puritan cohort, Oliver Cromwell, was busy assisting the English king Charles Stewart; shame Charles did not pray satisfactorily.