Inserting a neck into a violin or viola body with Anton Somers - Part 1

In this video I show you step by step how to insert a neck into a body of a violin or viola.
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[@benschindler7634]

Anton great video. So glad the world has decided there are no secrets. Keep up the amazing work.

[@antonsomersviolins9452]

Thanks man! Let’s see if I have the 🥜to show my varnish routine. 😁

[@timcoerver5832]

A very fine demonstration of your process! thank you for sharing and will look forward to the rest of the neck set!

[@FritsvandenMunckhof]

Anton, you are really setting a very high standard with this kind of instruction video. Chapeau! Thanks a lot.

[@antonsomersviolins9452]

Frits van den Munckhof thanks, I’ll keep them coming.

[@Jeff034]

Thanks Anton!

[@bradjensen4902]

This video is exceptional! Very good narrative with great closeups of this very precise and detailed procedure. Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to produce and share this information.

[@nwip628]

Excellent video.

[@ozonee4394]

I'm enjojing the close up video of the marking and chisel cutting.

[@milescouchman345]

This a perfect example of a craftsman passing on their knowledge, you make it look so easy, my mission now is to achieve the same on my project. Brilliant video. Can I ask where did you get your knife from or is it homemade?

[@PetronellaTorin]

Great vidio ♥️ I won't try it at home tho ahaha because my lack of skill 😅😁

[@rossthefiddler5890]

Thank you for a detailed demonstration in this part. You measured precisely all the points etc, but I fear you could have been more accurate marking out the tilt of the centre line of the neck root though as it seemed it ended up with a little more tilt than maybe intended (0.5mm tilt = 2mm shift at the bottom?). I look forward to seeing the rest of your videos as I need to finish off another violin I had started a few decades ago (I continued to work with instruments, setting up & repairs & refitting necks too). I've prepared the ribs on the form, carved the top of the belly & the scroll & peg box but still need to do the back etc, so getting a refresher with technique (& maybe fresh technique ideas) is very welcome. Thank you.

[@garybridgham5432]

Is there any under cut on the sides of the neck into the top block?

[@dieterken8]

How do you prepare the sides of your fingerboard before you glue it to the neck? The sides are angled I suppose? If fingerboard and heel run fluidly one into another? How do you angle them before knowing the angle of your heel? Thanks for sharing

[@antonsomersviolins9452]

Dieter Hillewaere these days I just make it square to the glue service.

[@mykofreder1682]

Wondering how it was done, slowly and it appears a little small, then shave the sides for a tight fit, you can't put wood back

[@rossthefiddler5890]

I understand why you are trying to make your bridge more symmetrical in height, however, the higher the bridge, the smaller (more acute) the angle is of the string passing over the bridge & the greater the force on the belly it would be. Is that considered & factored into your decision to raise the 'treble' side as the A string (on viola) has the highest tension of the four strings? Yes, I know there is a sound post that side taking a lot of the strain under the belly near the bridge whereas the bass side is only supported by the added strength of the bass bar. I see some violins (& violas) where the neck is tilted, being obvious in the tilted angle of the scroll & peg box. To me that is either warping of the neck or careless fitting in the first place.

[@patriciajrs46]

The points are not seen. It seems like more work than others do. You didn't show us how it fit. I wanted to see the fit. It looked like one line was angled and the other was almost straight.

[@antonsomersviolins9452]

Dear Patricia, What points do you mean and what lines? Do you really think my fit was notting less then absolutely perfect? I’m really sorry that this video was not up to your standard or expectations. Maybe try to search for another one out there who tells you more detailed free information! Good luck and cheers.

[@patriciajrs46]

@@antonsomersviolins9452 I am sorry. I feel as I offended you. I am truly sorry. You are far adept at your craft than I am, since I know nothing. I only meant that the scratch lines and pinpoints you made could not be seen. It looked like a straight line on that one side, instead of a diagonal one. Again, I am sorry.