"The Art and Science of Violin Making: Balancing Beauty and Sound"
In violin making, two key aspects define the quality and performance of the instrument: aesthetic considerations and construction for optimal functionality. Crafting a violin is a delicate balance between artistic beauty and precise scientific design. Every detail, from the shape of the body to the thickness of the wood and the positioning of the bass bar, must be thoughtfully considered. The luthier's craftsmanship, experience, and meticulous attention to detail ensure that the instrument is not only visually captivating but also finely tuned for the best possible sound.
il legno
WOOD SELECTION
Edgar Russ personally selects the wood that is used for his Master Instruments and Linea Macchi instruments on frequent trips to the Val die Fiemme in Italy, where even the famous Cremonese Masters took their tonewood from. Out of hundreds of preselected trees, Edgar Russ chooses and splits the best ones, paying attention to the correct direction of the grain. Any wood that is used for creating instruments has been cured for decades outside of Cremona, at his private house.
La Mano e l’occhio del liutaio
Crafting Beauty
The aesthetic appeal, which is deeply rooted in the Italian taste for beauty, craftsmanship, and individuality. Every violin is a unique creation, shaped not only by the hands of the maker but also by a vision of artistic perfection. La Mano e l’Occhio del liutaio—the skill and dexterity of the maker—is crucial in transforming wood into an object that is not only functional but visually stunning. The shape of the body, the varnish, the meticulous carving of the scroll and f-holes: all of these details contribute to the instrument's character and its visual harmony. Each violin is an individual expression of the maker’s artistry, as well as an embodiment of centuries-old traditions of craftsmanship.
La Bombata
The Arching
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Gli Spessori
The thicknes
While beauty matters, the main goal is a rich, resonant sound, which depends on the acoustical properties of the wood. Each part of the violin requires specific attention to ensure the right vibrations and tonal qualities. The thickness of the wood is carefully controlled, and luthiers use scientific methods to measure optimal thickness. However, their experience and intuition are key to balancing structure and sound.
La Catena
The bassbar
a small but significant piece of wood located inside the instrument. Its correct placement and alignment are vital for the violin’s sound production, as it affects the balance and projection of the instrument's tone. The position of the bass bar, in relation to the body and the bridge, has a direct impact on the vibrations of the violin, influencing everything from volume to tonal color.
L'incastro
The neck setting.
he alignment of the neck to the body of the violin must be flawless to ensure that the instrument is comfortable to play and capable of producing the best possible sound. This step requires not only technical skill but also a deep understanding of how each adjustment influences the overall performance of the violin. Every detail is taken into account, and nothing is left to chance.
la mezzeria
alignment and centring
The alignment of the strings is crucial for the instrument’s ability to play freely and produce a rich, resonant sound. Regardless of how asymmetrical the outline or how rough the construction, the central alignment would always be precise. The strings must be perfectly aligned with the center of the instrument—a seemingly simple concept, but achieving this level of precision in such a complex structure is no small feat. The centerline, or mezzeria, serves as a key reference point throughout the building process, ensuring that every component of the instrument comes together symmetrically and accurately.
La vernice
HANDMADE VARNISH
Great care is taken with the varnish in order to respect the perfect harmony of the instruments’ appearance and sound. Edgar Russ mostly uses oil based varnish for his Master violins, violas, cellos and double basses, which is handmade and steadily improved over years. The mixture is very close to what the great old Masters of Cremona worked with in the past. Just like them he also uses a thin protein wood preparation for his instruments. The look of your personal Master violin of Cremona can be individualized – with an antique varnish or an equally applied Cremonese varnish.
La montatura
PERFECT SETUP
Violin making is highly complex and decades of experience are required to finally come closer to a completely perfect instrument. Violin maker Master Edgar Russ spends days and nights setting up your instrument, checking and rechecking a well-balanced thickness, a well-fitted and positioned bass bar to guarantee great response, a neck in its ideal angle to achieve a balanced sound on all four strings, an absolutely accurately fitted sound post – often referred to as the soul of the violin – to help realizing the highest possible expression and a perfectly shaped fingerboard and bridge. All of this aims to obtain the best sound possible for each instrument.personal Master violin of Cremona can be individualized – with an antique varnish or an equally applied Cremonese varnish.
prova acustica
SOUND ADJUSTMENT
Every instrument at our workshop undergoes sound adjustment by Edgar with professional musicians.
The precise placement of the bridge, the ideal relationship between the tailpiece and the bridge, and the inspection of the upper nut and lower nut execution are just some of the many small yet significant details that are carefully checked to ensure the instrument's maximum performance. Great attention is dedicated to adjusting the position of the sound post so that the four strings are properly balanced, ensuring the instrument has a good response while also producing a powerful sound.
personalizzazione
INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMIZATIONS
It is possible to customize your instrument in any way: inlays, engraving, initials, coat of arms, decorations with ebony or mother of pearl, gold leaf, gold, silver or precious stones. Please see the photographs in our instrument galleries for a better idea of the look of the instruments and possibilities for customizations.