Making a Violin

Step 1- Select a Mold

Blocks of wood, typically made out of Spruce, Poplar, or Willow, are placed in violin molds made of Walnut wood. The molds provide a template for making sure the violin meets very specific dimensions (which are often modeled after famous violins).

Step 2 - Place C Bouts

Ribs for the C bouts are then bent into shape using a special iron.

Step 3 - Attaching C Bouts

C bouts are then attached with glue to the violin mold and clamped into place

Step 4 - Ribbing

After the C bouts are in place, the rest of the ribbing is attached to the blocks with glue.

Step 5 - Lining

A thin wooden lining is placed inside the ribbing to reinforce the violin so it will hold its shape when the mold is removed.

Step 6 - Select the Wood

Wood is then chosen for the top and back (generally Spruce), and scroll (generally Maple) of the violin. The top and back can be made out of one piece of wood or two pieces glued together.  The type of wood chosen for violins is very important to the quality of the instrument.     

Learn more about the wood used for making instruments.

Step 7 - Arching the Wood

The wood is "arched" or carved into the correct shape. Then a channel is cut along the perimeter of the top of the violin for the purfling to be placed into.

Step 8 - Adding Purfling

The purfling is placed into the channel and more arching is done to smooth the shape of the top and bottom of the instrument.

Step 9 - Bass Bar

A bass bar is then added to the underside of the top of the violin.

Step 10 - Body Complete

With the bass bar in place, the top and bottom of the violin are glued together.  The body of the violin is now complete.

Step 11- Sizing the Scroll

The scroll is then carefully sized. An error as small as a millimeter can completely change the feel and sound of a violin.

Step 12 - Attaching the Scroll

The scroll is then carved into the desired shape and attached to the violin.

Step 13 - Fingerboard

The fingerboard, made of ebony, is carefully shaved into shape 

Step 14 - Gluing

Once pieces of the violin are finished, the instrument is carefully glued. Clamps are placed along the instrument until the glue dries. After this step the violin is then varnished and is ready to have pegs and strings added!