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NoirVelours said
Auction time!
Hmmm, that's what I'm thinkin'.
I might just have to bid on that e-bay auction! 
I'd like a sound sample first though.... lol
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
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No auction, I named her Ruby. And Cat no problem on taking your time.
I have many instruments Dennis and play them all. It's what I do for a living no day job here. You would not believe how many guitars I have but they all have their unique sound so I play them all, all day long. It seems you have something a little against me. When I was giving you some criticism I only meant to help you. You seem like a very talented man and was only meaning you to focus on your intonation more. I was very impressed with how quick you were picking up vibrato. Just saying. It's really hard for me to express myself with text alone but I always have a smile on my face 
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hey, no problem here scott... just wanted to see your playing is all. I've asked nicely several times but you seem to just have lots of helpful hints and critiques and no samples of how it's done. I've even point blank asked for one (video sample of your playing ability) and got nothing, not even a reason why not.
I admire anyone who can make a living playing and I completely understand the different sounds of different guitars.
Just a little hard to take anyone serious if you can't show me what you got.
As far as the violin 'Ruby' goes, just because you named it didn't seem to me to be reason alone to get it... I thought it belonged to Cat and NV suggested an auction... which I agree, if she's headed for a new home, why not to one that will use it.
It ain't mine so I could care less either way. What Cat does with it is their business...and certtainly none of mine. Congratulations, if and when you get it maybe you'll post a video of it being played.
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
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No problems here either Dennis. I'm the one that asked Cat if she would build me a violin and we both agreed on a price and everything for Ruby. I have posted videos of me playing my first couple weeks on this forum then I got in a really bad bike accident that I am still recovering from. Then winter time came and I have to pay the bills so would take every gig I could get (all those people that come to Socal for winter vacation) and even had to have a bucket of ice on the stages to keep my hands from hurting so bad. I'm glad I wore a helmet or I wouldn't even be around to type here. So cheers to you too. I mean well and love the music. I will get more videos posted.
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This is a fascinating thread. I've been thinking of getting an in-the-white violin to work on, since I'd like an acoustic one to go with my electric. I'm not bad at delicate/detail work and figure that even if I don't do it perfect, I could still end up with something playable and reasonably nice looking. I don't think I would do any *worse* than some detail pics I've seen showing the flaws on cheap ebay or amazon type instruments. LOL
I have thought about making a violin for over two decades, ever since I was given a copy of Charles Ford's "Making Musical Instruments". But back then I didn't have the tools or the experience with close tolerance work. Some years working in an electronics plant and also doing some jeweler work helped with that. I've ordered a new copy of that book (since I read my first copy to pieces), and I'm thinking of giving a try to finishing out a violin from in-the-white.
One way or another, I intend to get an acoustic violin/fiddle before too long. Whether I find an old one going cheap that I can repair, get an inexpensive Made-in-China one, finish one out from in-the-white, or make one from scratch. LOL I've wanted to try making on for decades now, but finishing one out from the white seems like a more realistic step in that direction. If that goes well, who knows? It would be worth it even just for the experience and the things learned about the workings and construction of the instrument.
But like a lot of things in life, I don't feel I should put it off for too long. When I passed the 50 yr old mark, I noticed my eyes don't focus on close-up work quite as well as they used to. At present, using magnifiers more than makes up the difference, but I figure if I put it off for too many more decades, I won't be able to do the work. Time to get some of those "someday" projects done. LOL
Cat, this is a great thread, and it is fascinating seeing the progress and how you spotted and attended to various details to make a better instrument. Thank you for putting it up.
"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman
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Yep, The Red Fiddle was always destined for MGN. For the record, there are some videos around here of Scott playing. I promise he's not afraid to show his face. 
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Dennis - you can hear Ruby on page 9 of this thread. She was always destined for Scott's collection, so there will be no auction 
I could probably be persuaded to build another, though...If you're still doing sound analysis, I've got a thread somewhere (catmccall's progress) where I (inexpertly) play both the Six Foot Fiddle and an old Amati copy that I would love to get your opinion about...
Daniel B - International Violin sells a Chinese violin in the white for about $50.00 that I'm curious about. If you decide to get one, do start a thread to let us know what the quality is like!
As I've said before, I encourage anyone who wants to build a fiddle to jump right in and have a go - it's a lot of fun and a great learning experience. See the Six Foot Fiddle thread for info on kits, tools and supplies.
Mary in Springfield, Oregon http://www.thefiddleandbanjopr.....dpress.com
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I know there was a sound sample on pg 9 but the sound sample I would be most interested in is the one from the finished product. We all have heard how varnish and finishing change the sound, it even changes as the finish cures as well. It could sound great now, but in a year after the varnish has set harder it might change.
Good to know it's going to a good home regardless...
When I get back in town I'll dig up those samples and run some charts for you. No problem.
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
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Got the scroll outline painted on. Is it Perfect? No, but it is Pretty Good and I'm happy with it 
I used black water-based paint followed by a coat of shellac. So far, so good.
The inspiration is the "Messiah" by Stradivari -
Varnish to follow as soon as I get a break from work.
Mary in Springfield, Oregon http://www.thefiddleandbanjopr.....dpress.com
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It is just gorgeous. wow!
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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Great job Cat! Ruby looks like she starting to look happy too
Nice work, Cat. Maybe your work on the violin is therapy between your other jobs.
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It's really nice Cat. Now get MGN to purchase similar fittings. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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It looks fantastic!
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OMG look at those pegs! There are a dream!
"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov
Fiddlerman said
It's really nice Cat. Now get MGN to purchase similar fittings.
I second that.
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The weather and my work schedule have finally favorably aligned and Ruby is getting some color. I ordered two 2-ounce bottles of red varnish from International Violin after MGN approved the color on the website (he wants it to match his guitars, for those who don't know the whole story.)
I thought the bottles were brown, to protect the color, right? Nope. Turns out the bottles are clear and the varnish is the color of cough syrup -
I had a major OMG moment as I started brushing it on to the ribs and it was a horrible, sick, bright and awful pink. My heart just sank, I can tell you. I have never seen a color so very, very wrong for varnish in my life. But I held my breath, told myself that the folks at International Violin know what they are doing and I should just stay the course and all will be well. I have to say that I was not hopeful as I hung Ruby up on the sunny porch and walked away. It was just all wrong.
I came back a couple of hours later to see if a miracle had occurred, and indeed something miraculous had happened. Behold the first coat of varnish on the back -
Not pink! Not bad, but not really red, either. The color isn't quite right on my monitor, a bit more orange than IRL, but it's very nice. The front -
The spruce top is not taking the color as evenly as the back, but it's an interesting look. No idea what's going on, but it's only the first coat. Still, look at the texture! I am really happy overall with how things are progressing and hope Scott is, too.
The second coat is on, but I haven't been able to get any pictures that aren't blurry. The finish is quite shiny at this point and when the sun starts to peek out in a couple of hours I will try for more pictures.
Mary in Springfield, Oregon http://www.thefiddleandbanjopr.....dpress.com
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It's really stunning!
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