Violin Making

Antiqued Strad model

Based on a "Golden Period" instrument made in 1715

"Cannone" del Gesu model

Based on the instrument owned by Paganini, considered by many experts to be one of the best violins ever made

Strad model viola

A 16-inch viola, the length preferred by many players

Transitional ("classical") Stradivari model

A violin commissioned to be played with the owner's transitional Francois Tourte bow

Baroque Brothers Amati model

Amati violins are among the most elegant of the antique instruments and are also considered among the most effective in a modern context

Baroque Brothers Amati model (detail)

Detail of the head of the same instrument

Making a viola

A step-by-step photo-essay, possibly the most extensive photo set of the violin making process on the web

Corners and edgework

An article about the subtle shaping of corners and edge scoop

Graduation punch

A tool based on one of Stradivari's tools seen in a Cremona museum. If you're not careful with this tool you can leave dents on the outside, just as Stradivari himself did on this cello.

a diagram for the placement of f-holes on a Cremonese violin model

Purfling machine

The tool I designed and built for cutting purfling grooves

Laser-scans of arching (movie)

Fun with lasers! View the information extracted from scanning for the top and back. The black lines on the still photos are curtate cycloid curves generated with free CCycloid software. The later version gives a WYSIWYG preview, but freezes on some computers.

The "Messiah" Stradivari violin

An example of Cremonese varnish texture, courtesy of Claudio Rampini

An Andrea Guarneri viola

Another example of Cremonese varnish texture

3rd Annual Southern California Violin Making Workshop

Three weeks of violin making and setup workshops in June 2008 in Claremont, California, taught by Michael Darnton and sponsored by Jim Brown of J Brown Violin Maker.

Maestronet Pegbox Forum

The most visited violin forum on the internet

Violin Forum

Another valuable source of violin making information

Sheila's Violin Corner

An enjoyable and informative site for players

Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins

My new retail enterprise in partnership with Stefan and Julian Hersh. View photographs of our new space, including one of the workshop.

Midwest String Rentals, Ltd.

Instruments of exceptional quality for rent or purchase at an affordable price

Eric Swanson

Chicago's best bow rehairer