The Cambridge violin

In the summer, I'll be attending a week's course at Cambridge Violin Makers, specifically to learn about baroque violin set-up. I am aiming to have a violin ready to have the bass bar and the neck fitted. I also plan to make the fingerboard and tailpiece from maple, rather than from ebony.

The model I'm using is the 1694 'Benecke' Stradivari, a long-pattern violin. I'm also using that model for a violin which will have a modern set-up. It will be interesting to compare them.

Here are some pictures of progress so far:

Gluing on the C-bout ribs. I like clamping using string as it allows for both ends to be dry-fitted and the piece of rib nicely lined up. Each end is then untied in turn and glued.

A mortise for the linings on the C-bouts, cut into the corner block. I know many makers consider these unnecessary, but I enjoy cutting them with a tiny Japanese chisel.

The ribs, ready of the linings.

The linings being glued in.