# 152 - Violin Making Q&A - No.20

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[@mjf1036]

and...very exciting for you with the folk music radio show. that should be fun. Cheers.

[@mjf1036]

Thank you Graham for your further explanation of your expectations around finish appearance. I for one agree. No pursuit of perfection but rather strive for excellence and beauty, and build what you enjoy most.

[@grahamvincentviolins]

Exactly that!!

[@andrewparish437]

A day without learning is a day wasted. Thank you for the base bar caulk hack wow didn't think of that 🙂

[@grahamvincentviolins]

The reason I can use such simple (and weak) clamps is that the bass bar is a really good fit due to using the chalk method. It's also pretty quick as you can see!

[@montylatham739]

I really enjoyed this session. Like the song. "A little less talk and a lot more action. Not that I don't enjoy the talk but I love to watch the technique. I'm impressed with the giant clothespins!

[@grahamvincentviolins]

Those have to be the cheapest clamps ever. 3 bits of wood and a rubber band. Truth is, well made joints and hide glue shouldn't require much force. That bass bar sat in contact along its entire length before I added a single clamp.

[@montylatham739]

@@grahamvincentviolins I like to think of myself as an inventor of some sort but you have robbed me of that. Always a clever solution.

[@diydarkmatter]

well done Graham buddy looks like new . i dont think i have any new Questions for you this time . ive kinda run out of things to ask as my last question kinda shows . but hey ill still watch cause i watch for more then answers to my silly questions . but if i run across a new question ill be sure to ask . god bless my friend and happy easter Sunday .

[@grahamvincentviolins]

Your input is always greatly appreciated, I hope to hear from you again soon!

[@apexploring]

Thanks for the reply on the 5 string question. There are quite a few people in the US playing them for Bluegrass music. I really want to make one but at the moment I’m working on a mandolin.

[@Jeff034]

Hi Graham - could you do a vid on cutting templates on your laser cutter please. I’d like to use this to create more permanent profiles. Thanks.

[@grahamvincentviolins]

Of course!

[@heleng2274]

Thanks, it was really interesting to see that process. It looks amazing at the end! Do you have the link to a recording of your show, I missed the first hour, it was in the calendar! 😂

[@grahamvincentviolins]

Folk Fiddle Show on Mixcloud for 30 days following the show www.mixcloud.com/FolkFriday/the-folk-fiddle-show-with-graham-vincent-1

[@heleng2274]

fab thanks, I shall put it on while I paint today@@grahamvincentviolins I missed folk Friday, it was in my calendar too!

[@Fireman9143]

Since you mention you designed by eye, would you be willing to share the measurements and ratios when you're done? For example, violin scales tend to be 92% of the body, but violas seem to range 90 to 92%. Neck to body stop ratios usually 2:3 on violin, but viola could be 2:3 or 2.3:3 (or whatever makes the neck comfortably playable). Rib height is 4/5 - 5/6 of 1/9 the body length. It doesn't seem like the old makers used anything near the same ratios for any sizes of violas, and I'm curious to hear and see your results.

[@grahamvincentviolins]

Sure will do!

[@V-oe9zr]

Thank you for the last QA. Good answer👍🏻 Wondering what is it you are using to remove old varnish from the various parts? I’ve tried several options with little success and some varnish is bullet proof and almost impossible to remove on the old cheaper instruments

[@grahamvincentviolins]

That was acetone and alcohol (used seperately). This had a fairly traditional varnish. I agree, some of the modern lacquers are a different matter!!

[@V-oe9zr]

@@grahamvincentviolins Thanks 👍🏻

[@wmcrash]

So when you make to front or back of a violin, you plane flat what will become the inside, profile the outside, then profile the inside. On the inside, you leave a small flat ledge for the ribs to sit on. What happens if that flat ledge is now out of flat caused by wood relaxing and moving as a result of all the wood removal? Do you address it? Or is a fully carved top or bottom flexible enough to conform to the rib garland, so just glue and clamp it?

[@grahamvincentviolins]

This doesn't tend to happen to a sufficiently large extent to cause an issue. However, the edge thickness needs to be constant and accurate, so you wouldn't be able to plane much off the flat.

[@brennan985]

Thinking about that 8 string gamba Helen shared in the Facebook group, could you make an 8 string violin that works the way a 12 string guitar works? 2 g strings very close, 2 d strings, etc or would the strings bump into each other?

[@masonmp1889]

i have a question for your next q and a what types of wood do you think should work for the top plate of a violin. i am asking this because i currently have some pieces of what i think might be basswood which i bought because it said it was spruce but i might want to just see if it can work