In the late 90s we acquired most of a flamed maple log locally and convinced the wood dealer to cut it radially. Judging from the structure and bark this appears to be a hybrid of acer rubrum and acer nigrum , definitely a soft maple, which grew remarkably homogenous and clean.
At first a series of 5 violins with the same model but different surface treatments was created in 2005. By and by I get requests for a violin, that is not out of range for a young player or a player with a young experience -yet appreciation for a hand crafted instrument.
While most of my violins are individually conceived, I appreciate the discipline and attraction of staying with consistent parameters: same model and basic measurement, same wood for the body and same ground treatment and varnish. Here I use the templates of a 1848 Joseph Rocca violin, a reliable violin model with good proportions. Apparently Rocca in turn employed the outline of the Harrison Stradivari.
The decisions are made and the craftsmanship unfolds fluently. This is the concept of the RUPPERT WORKSHOP series violin, which is branded inside.
The material for the back, ribs and scroll is the above mentioned log. For the belly I am using Picea Engelmannii from British Columbia. I would like to emphasize that I use both types of wood in my full price violins. The tanning process is shorter than that for my custom violins. The ground separation layer” liquin” is commercially available in art supply shops. Rather than using our oil varnishes here, the proven touching in varnish of equal parts siam shellac, sandarac and mastics makes a silky durable coating with shorter drying times.
This instrument is only available by ordering directly. You are invited to come to the workshop and try the sample violin.You have flexibility with fittings within a budget of $500CAD . Depicted is an all Canadian set up, where I substituted ebony with Hornbeam, the hardest available native wood. The musician will also be able to direct the varnish colour and set up choices such as neck thickness. With a down payment the delivery time is agreed upon in writing .The price is $6,000CAD and retains trade in value of 80% purchasing cost for any Ruppert or Walke instrument.
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