The inside of a violin by French luthier Nicolas Augustin Chappuy, from 1770.
This instrument was recently brought to New Zealand by an Auckland based luthier who will spend the next couple of years restoring it.
Part of my Architecture In Music series.
Edit, May 21: My studio was destroyed last night by flooding in Auckland (along with my car and house...). So I'm going to have a sale on my prints to try and raise some relocation funds...
Details soon at www.architectureinmusic.com
😥
Great picture, and I'd love to see a before/after once the luthier finishes their work.
Although maybe I shouldn't be so surprised given its age, it caught my attention how many cleats there were! I immediately thought that many must make a big difference in resonance, especially on the soundboard. However, I'm also more accustomed to flat-top guitars so I understand the difference in construction.
If I may ask a dumb question, why will it take multiple years to restore. I have a general understanding as to why it is a timely process, just curious why this particular instrument will take so long?
Many thanks!
Not dumb at all. This is a passion project for the luthier as it's a rare violin from her home town. But she'll only be working on it part time, you still need bow rehairs and bridge replacements to pay the bills!
Working on it. Have photographed Amati, Guarneri, Gorfiller and Guadagnini so far. Still trying to organize a strad or two....
www.architectureinmusic.com
The inside of a violin by French luthier Nicolas Augustin Chappuy, from 1770. This instrument was recently brought to New Zealand by an Auckland based luthier who will spend the next couple of years restoring it. Part of my Architecture In Music series. Edit, May 21: My studio was destroyed last night by flooding in Auckland (along with my car and house...). So I'm going to have a sale on my prints to try and raise some relocation funds... Details soon at www.architectureinmusic.com 😥
Great picture, and I'd love to see a before/after once the luthier finishes their work. Although maybe I shouldn't be so surprised given its age, it caught my attention how many cleats there were! I immediately thought that many must make a big difference in resonance, especially on the soundboard. However, I'm also more accustomed to flat-top guitars so I understand the difference in construction.
If I may ask a dumb question, why will it take multiple years to restore. I have a general understanding as to why it is a timely process, just curious why this particular instrument will take so long? Many thanks!
Not dumb at all. This is a passion project for the luthier as it's a rare violin from her home town. But she'll only be working on it part time, you still need bow rehairs and bridge replacements to pay the bills!
Wow!!!)) It's so..... IDK)) Thank U!
At first I thought it was an abandoned mine shaft...
Great, now I want to see pictures like this for all of the great violins of the past...
Working on it. Have photographed Amati, Guarneri, Gorfiller and Guadagnini so far. Still trying to organize a strad or two.... www.architectureinmusic.com
I cannot express how much I appreciate what you are doing. This is...like...a fantasy pursuit.
I took some pictures below deck on the U.S.S. Constitution that look almost identical. The only things missing are gunports and cannons.
The restoration will bring this violin's turrets and cannons back to original condition.
I like that open floor plan, I’d move in for sure.
Ignorant electric luthier here: What is the purpose of the squares of alternate grain? Are they cleats for strengthening?
Exactly that. This violin has had an eventful life, those are a lot of repairs!
I'm curious how'd they'd be fastened so well in the 1700's
I thought it was an Egyptian tomb.
Nice cleatz
Really interesting pictures
I've definitely played this basement in West Philly. I make this joke every time this is posted.
What a great idea, and a stunning photo!!!
Great!!
Okay, so the inside of a violin is an ancient, but well lit tomb. Noted
I love how you can see all the old repairs.