WHY we use SPRUCE for the TOP

[@coldsteelprogressive]

I just found out that the 17th and 18th century string instrument makers in Cremona very highly valued Norway Spruce from the Dolomite region. Things have a funny way of coming full circle with synchronicity sometimes. I live in the far, far North and take long, long walks into the deep forests of Norway Spruce that are all around. Being both a composer and performer, it really feels like the forest is whispering and singing some of the most beautiful melodies and symphonies. I think the lucky tree whose wood is built into a magical instrument would be quite satisfied with its contribution :)

[@MT-fw6zp]

Maestro Edgar - super topic and presentation - thank you !

[@catalinquercinola7553]

Thank you so much, I love ALL of your videos and appreciate all the time and effort you put into educating people on our craft. Great job!

[@EdgarRuss]

Thank you Catalin 😃

[@pandasrtasty]

Your content is always a delight. Where I live we have more of a celtic population and most refer to violins as fiddles. A friend told me that the fiddle community is alot more open about playing with a Douglas fir top mostly bc " it shows pride in being a fiddle." I still see more spruce tops more than anything but wanted to share that little tidbit as it's a window into an interesting culture.

[@EdgarRuss]

Thanks for your comment. All the best from Cremona Edgar

[@stephanebelizaire3627]

Very Instructive, Bravo !

[@Petroschristidis]

very enjoyable presentation ! You are obviously charesmatic not only as a maker but communication wise . Very essential info as well thanks !

[@Blackrocket99]

Wow, what an improvement in quality in terms of sound, light, video production and also visual effects. Great investment, that you attracted Christian into your team, Edgar. This transports the maestro’s excellent content and valuable advice even better. Well done!

[@EdgarRuss]

👌🏼👋🏼 Exactly!

[@patrickstoute4085]

Love your videos 🥰. I guess Olaf from Australia also is looking at your channel. He even visited the museum. 😉. Keep doing your magic my friend 🥰🫶🏼 btw , i pushed the following button 😊

[@Bigmouthmask]

Thanks you very much

[@brucehubbard8404]

Wonderful explanation! Thank you ❤️

[@EdgarRuss]

Thanks

[@liamnevilleviolist1809]

3:27 - that is a particular gorgeous piece of wood for the back and already reflects the style of the Testore family's making! They used what they could and got brilliant results! I've played on two (one Carlo and one Paolo) and they [violins] have a very viola-like sound in the bass, and then a flute-like sound in the treble. I remember both backs were NOT maple. I think one was "certified" as being made of "beechwood" or "beach wood".

[@jamieduke5659]

Do you have an online class available? Or would you consider bringing me to you to learn? Haha 😅 im beyond fascinated in violin making and have started to try my own instruments. No violin yet as i am a little intimidated but ive tried a few plucked instuments and even folk bowed instruments from eastern music but the violin still scares me. I am so eager to try with the right instruction though so do you you have a course?

[@EdgarRuss]

Hello Jamie, Absolutely, I'm thrilled to share that I've meticulously crafted an immersive online course dedicated to the art of violin making. This comprehensive course is thoughtfully structured, guiding you through each integral stage of the process: from shaping the initial instrument "in white" to the intricacies of varnishing, culminating in the crucial setup phase. I understand the passion for the craft, and this course is designed to not only impart the technical expertise but also to nurture a profound understanding and appreciation for the art of violin making. The wealth of knowledge and hands-on techniques shared in the course are aimed at enthusiasts like yourself who are eager to delve deep into the world of violin making. For your convenience, you can explore and enroll in the course through the link I've attached here. Additionally, you'll find quick access in the description section of each of my videos. I'm confident that this course will not only meet but exceed your expectations. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if there's anything specific you'd like to know before embarking on this exciting journey. Looking forward to having you join the community of passionate violin makers! Best regards, Edgar Edgar's Online Violinmaking Academy: edgar-online-violinmaking-academy.com

[@mikester99]

Very cool and very interesting. My son wants to start playing Violin, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Since We don't have much money, I've started him off on cheaper instrument and I'm learning how to set it up myself so it won't sound completely horrible, .

[@EdgarRuss]

You are a great father Mike! Hope to see you one day here in Cremona in my workshop Edgar

[@milkomonaco109]

Wow ! Thanks ...always something new to learn on your videos! The bass viola da gamba I made for myself (as you know well I've always been an amateur...even though trained in Cremona) has got plenty of that "maschiatura" on the spruce of the top! Well, until now I thought it was only a "beauty feature" ! That's why our common friend Marco G. was telling me about that I had been lucky to buy that top! (I bought it in Cremona...20 years ago now 😬) And ...I'm really pleased how it sounds! Ciao

[@EdgarRuss]

I imagine! Stop by next time you visit Cremona! Always a pleasure to know each other Edgar

[@milkomonaco109]

@@EdgarRuss Edgar! But we do know each other! Since Nina and my son Federico were born! When I was living in Cremona...😄

[@mellissadalby1402]

I would love to come visit the shop in Cremona, but that would cost almost enough to buy a violin. I appreciate your detailed explanations, because I want to understand everything. I still have a long way to go on that, but I do continue learning.

[@agustinsida8877]

just started making a cherry wood violin. Can't stop now, hopefully it sounds good.

[@EdgarRuss]

It will sound great! Cherry wood is very good for the sound. It´s just somehow a little boring to look at. But who cares if you just look for the sound!!!!

[@rsixel]

I have a Paulo Lucchesi, beginning of past century Brazilian luthier, made of Brazilian mahogany. Sounds very nice and is light comparing with spruce+maple ones.

[@aljabola]

Great video!! i practice luthierie here in Brasil for a hobby, and have made a cello and one violin, with brazilian woods. Of course i have no intention to make premium instruments, but our cellos with brazilian ceddar ("cedro ou cedrinho") have good sound for a begginer to middle-advanced tecnique students. I am interested in using now other types of woods, and Brasil has lots of them, but here we don't have easy options to "lab-test" the physics of material. At the country's southern region, the state of Parana (that is very cold indeed at the winter) there is a wood species commonly called "Pinho do Parana" (something like "Parana Spruce") that resembles a lot the tradicional spruce, just with little more large veins so to speak. Do you have any advice on how to test those woods outside a lab? Thank you!!!

[@Cattrix999]

I'm never going to be a violin maker, one I'm to old now (if I were 30 years younger I could certainly see myself being interested in being a Luthier ) and my focus is to learn to play the violin, but I wondered why spruce wood is the choice for the top/face of the violin. I like your videos. I've watched a few and now subscribed. Just because it's very interesting. :)

[@EdgarRuss]

Thanks for your subscription and I am happy you like my content. All the best from Cremona Edgar

[@jessewilliams102]

I notice a lot of people casting these spells on themselves because of their preconceived assumptions that it takes a lifetime to get good at a craft. What if you live longer than you think? You might always regret it. These are the things I hear in my own internal dialogue. The excitement of learning is what keeps me young.

[@Osmium-ART2020]

Sehr cool :-) Du bist ein absoluter 150%tiger Perfektionist - ich zieh den Hut - CHAPEAU!

[@EdgarRuss]

Danke, Danke! Bis bald! Edgar

[@charliegrandison1176]

Another great video! Has there been studies on how the wood changes over time as a vibrating instrument? Is there a universal effect on the wood? So many say that it "opens" the wood but is this the right term to use? Thank you for such fun and informative ideos about violin making. 🙏

[@chandramohan502]

மிகவும் பயனுள்ள தகவல்கள்

[@EdgarRuss]

Thanks Chandra!

[@RobinLloyd-w6f]

What do you think of Jack Fry's trampoline theory applied to the violin?

[@brutalieri]

Could you make an in-depth video about the differences in looks/construction and sound between Stradivari, Montagnana, Gofriller and Ruggieri cellos? Grazie mille! 😊

[@Fireman9143]

What are your thoughts on torrefied wood? Would it make violin sound better? Do top and back both need to be torrefied?

[@EdgarRuss]

I don´t use torrefied wood! While working with it I can feel that something got lost.

[@slipkinti]

Edgar what is the name of the tops spruce you comment on the video?

[@EdgarRuss]

???? Haselfichte Val di Fiemme Bachmann I do not know what you mean exactly! Let me know when I name it in the video! Thanks Edgar

[@trujello]

Can you play violins made with different top materials to demonstrate the difference and spruce superiority?

[@RelaxationMusic1611]

Chestnut violins are powerful and they are the best to play American country music :D But I think they need soft strings not to be too powerful and a bow should not be tight as well

[@Hunterk_10]

Edgar, do you have any objection to a wide grained spruce?

[@EdgarRuss]

No not at all! Actually I love it!

[@beladoharszky6729]

Dear Edgar, I make my first violin and would like to ask you is there any difference for the top wood if it came from bachmann or Val di fiemme Forest?

[@EdgarRuss]

Yes there is a difference! Val di Fiemme is superior! But Bachmann does a great job to make it possible to everyone to get easy wood which from a almost nearby area. He just is expensive and I always complain how wrong they are cut by not following the direction of the grain!

[@beladoharszky6729]

Dear Edgar, can you make a video about where you tuning the top and back plate? If IT is not a secret .

[@ericrobles9363]

48000 or 4800?

[@ghlscitel6714]

How much you want for this 4 kg timber package? I have even seen a violin made out of olive wood. Surprisingly the sound is not bad.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

Through a microphone/speaker on your phone or computer. Keep in mind that the tonal complexity may not accurately represent listening to it in person.

[@nicholasgeorge7825]

Sycamore (platanus sp.) in the US.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

There's a violin maker on KZbin that uses a variety of woods for the ribs and back but uses spruce or cedar for the top.

[@slipkinti]

Please. What is his name?

[@pandasrtasty]

Need source plz.

[@patriciajrs46]

I'm from Americ!, so it's a bit difficult to understand you. Forgive me, but did you say you got that trussed up wood from Dubai? Why would you do that when you're in Cremona, the birthplace of excellent violins? Does Italy not have good Spruce anymore? I probably misunderstood. Please forgive me if I did.

[@ryangallagher893]

Michel Collichon in the 1680s used Cedrela for the back, sides, and top on several bass gambas. The sounding result is extremely good, though it is possible he did not know what the wood even was at the time! kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6eVYXmdmq98pc0

[@EdgarRuss]

interesting! Thanks for your contribution Edgar

[@JohnNowlin-x2c]

A violin has strings. A fiddle has strangs. 😂

[@ianwalker5907]

48,000 year old wood?????? Please explain! How could you possibly get wood that old?!

[@EdgarRuss]

Hello Ian, here I explain everything about this super old wood 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6i6pIWugppgd68si=ijPEC4t7Szb8HC81

[@JohnNowlin-x2c]

I don't carve my scrolls, I bend them. Ha, ha, just kidding

[@davidbrandt6925]

Please play me!