Steffen Nowak 
Maker of fine Violins, Violas and Cellos in baroque and modern style
75 Sylvia Avenue, Bristol, BS3 5BU, UK  tel +44 (0) 117 9777141

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In the workshop 2007
 

    Strad model Cello
 

November/December: The Strad model Cello is now finished and awaiting varnishing and then setting up. The latest photos are  on the Cello project page.
Meanwhile a new modern Violin is underway - based on the  Guarneri del Gesu ex Joachim 1737, which I previously made as a baroque violin. The 1 piece broadly flamed back  is cut from the same log as the one used for the earlier violin.
 
Oktober/November : Continuing work on the Cello keeps me well occupied - together with an interesting study trip to Berlin to see some exciting contemporary makers work. The Cello is now in its final stages - neck fitting and purfling remains to be done - and then of course the always hugely enjoyable varnishing process.
The Gasparo Viola has already sold - it had some very positive reviews by a number of players and makers who have seen it and maybe it was no surprise that it was purchased almost instantly by a young promising British viola student.
 
August/September :  The Gasparo da Salo Viola is now finished, more details and photos through the link.
After our summer holiday a new Cello after A. Stradivari's' B-form' ( the golden period instruments) is now in progress.
Through the above link - or click on the photo - you will be able to follow the progress of this instrument.
 


 

The forthcoming BVMA annual conference in Dartington Hall, Devon from 14.-16.9. promises to be as exciting as ever. As most years I will have a stall showing some of my violin books and making wood, meeting friends and colleagues, and comparing notes over the instruments on show. Anyone not knowing about the BVMA ( British Violin Makers Association), I urge to have a look at its website and consider becoming a member.
 
                             
 
June 2007: The last 2 Violas after Andrea Guarneri and A.&H. Amati are now completed, fitted up and sounding.
More details & photos on the instruments page or through the above links. Any trial is welcome.
 

Is 2007 going to be the year of the Viola?  Certainly on my bench it appears to be the case!
Latest project - just started -  is a  16. 3/4'' - 424mm Viola - proportionally designed after Gasparo da Salo.
To my knowledge there is no original ( uncut) Viola by that maker of that size - so I decided to fill that gap. The back is of wonderful deep flamed sycamore and the spruce front of the most impressive hazel  figure  I have ever seen.
Watch this space for more info - or email if you are interested to see and try when it becomes ready.

The final inspiration for a Brescian style Viola was the forthcoming exhibition of Brescian makers in June/July 2007.
This promises to be a  unique and worthwhile event - not to be missed.
 

May 2007: In the last few months my time was taken up with 2 new exciting Viola projects:
one after Andreas Guarneri - the Conte Vitale of 1676 and the other after an even earlier Alto model  by the brothers Amati - Antonio and Hieronymus.  These 2 Violas will be available for trial shortly. Please email/ phone to be kept informed.

For the Guarneri I have chosen a spectacular 1 piece slab back of well seasoned English sycamore (actually the real European  maple - acer pseudoplatanus) - not unlike the one found on the ex Primrose Guarneri - only mine with less knots!
The front is of Italian spruce with a very attractive hazel figure (Germ.: Haselfichte; amer. - bearclaw spruce).
The body length is just over 16.1/4'' - 413mm with a string length of 373mm.

                      
                                      2007 A.Guaneri model of 1676                                                               A.Guarneri Vla - ex Primrose

The photos show 'work in progress' - with the ground coat and the 1. colour coat applied.  The 2. and final coat brings the instruments colour to a glowing transparent orange brown, maximizing the visual impact of the woods character. The sound should have the warm resonating  tenor quality expected from this model and its deeply fluted arching.

 

The Brothers Amati Viola is inspired by the ex Danks / Stauffer (now back at home in Cremona) of 1615. It is one of the earliest Alto Violas in existence - and the earlier one of the 2 known by the Brothers Amati.
Its body length is also 16.1/4'' - 413mm with a slightly shortened 'Stop' to bring the string length  to a comfortable  376mm. The outline is of a flowing elegance with typically long Amati style corners ( and the matching long purfling mitres).
It is narrower across its bouts then the Guarneri and promises to have more of an Alto character in sound.
The back is of the most handsome Bosnian Maple, cut on the quarter and one half 'flipped' over to give an continuous appearance of the deep flame - a customary 'trick' by the Amati family.
The front is of dead straight even grained Italian spruce - showing close similarities to the original.
 


Brothers Amati

The photo again  shows 'work in progress' - ground coat and 1 colour coat of my own oil varnish already applied - the final 
2cd. coat to give a warm golden amber colour allowing  maximum clarity and visual depth.

 

March 2007: The latest Viola after Andrea Guarneri  is just completed. An exciting instrument made from a  wood selection to mirror the acoustic properties  of the original. Trials are welcome. Big, warm and even sound with a good projection. Its a great and popular model for those players looking for a 16.1/4 '' Viola with a comfortable string length of 373mm.

January 2007: During the making of the last Baroque violin after del Gesu I took some photos to illustrate the alignment of the nailed neck with the help of a cross structure (utilizing the location pins - an essential part of most classical Italian instruments).

 

Note the 3 nail heads at the top block - a feature in most early violins.

After the neck is aligned the ribs are glued to the back.

Next the neck recess is cut and  the belly is located on the ribs.

Now the f- holes are positioned - in true alignment to the neck projection.

 

Some impressions of the making process:

From an earlier violin project: carving the spruce front...

  ...cutting the blocks   

 cutting the f-holes...  

 ...and gluing the back onto the ribs

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