If you are looking at learning to make traditional and non traditional violins/fiddles I offer one on one instruction (in person or remotely) for your training. Whether you are looking to just make one for yourself as a new hobby, or looking for a strong introduction to the trade, this apprenticeship can walk you through these steps.

What is covered in the violin apprenticeship.

The Major Steps/Sequence in the Violin Making Process 

Making and Bending the Ribs 

1. Wood and Tool Selection and Preparation
2. Deciding on the Model (Guarneri, Strad, etc.)
3. Designing/Choosing the Violin Pattern
4. Preparing the Mold
5. Installation of the Corner/End Blocks in Mold
6. Thinning/Bending the Ribs and Installation of the Lining

Making the Plates – Back and Top
7. Joining, Cutting Out, Carving and Graduating the Back
8. Joining, Cutting Out, Carving and Graduating the Top
9. Cut the Channel and Install Purfling – Top and Back
10. Placement of and Cutting Out the Sound Holes (Top)
11. Installation of the Bass Bar – Violin Top
12. Carving the Bass Bar and Tuning the Top 

Assembling the Body of the Instrument 

13. Temporary Assembly of the Body of the Violin – Glue Back & Top to Ribs
14. Refine the Edging and Disassemble Top and Back
15. Cut the Channel and Install Purfling – Top and Back
16. Make and Glue In the Label
17. Final Assembly of the Body of the Violin – Glue Back & Top to Ribs 

Making the Neck Pegbox and Scroll 

17. Neck Design and Cut-Out
18. Carve Out and Construct the Peg Box
19. Cut Out and Carve the Scroll
20. Thin and Carve the Fingerboard
21. Attach Nut and Fingerboard to Neck
22. Cut the Mortise and Attach the Neck and Fingerboard to the Body 

Installation of Fittings and Set Up 

23. Installation of the Saddle and End Pin
24. Final Shaping of the Neck and Fingerboard
25. Drilling and Shaping the Peg Holes
26. Shaping and Installation of the Tuning Pegs
27. Thinning, Carving and Shaping the Bridge
     If not playing in the white we can skip to finishing.
28. Installation of the Bridge Fittings and Strings
29. Playing and Refining the Instrument “In the White” 

Final Prep and Varnishing 

30. Remove Fittings and Fingerboard
31. Final Scraping/Sanding and Refinements – Entire Instrument
32. Sealing, Coloring, Varnishing and Polishing – See Finishing 

Process/Steps 

33. Final Set Up – Install the Sound Post, Tailpiece, Pegs, Bridge, Chin Rest and Strings
34. Finished Instrument