Category Archives: viol

Meet the Maker: Jess Wells

1995
AL#43 p.24   BRB4 p.212            
Jonathon Peterson   Jess Wells                                                                                       

▪ Wells specializes in the creation of early stringed instruments. Here he discusses that particular market, his training, and the history of the viola da gamba. With 17 photos.

Museum Collections as Resources for Musical Instrument Makers

1995
AL#42 p.26   BRB4 p.160            
John Koster                                                                                           

▪ Koster explains what you can hope to gain by examining museum instruments, how to approach a museum, and what to do when you get there. With 21 photos.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

Meet the Maker: Donald Warnock

1991
AL#26 p.42   BRB3 p.32            read this article
Cyndy Burton   Donald Warnock                                                                                       

▪ It’s wonderful that this interview is in the same issue as interviews with Larrivee and Warmoth, since they are opposites. The first two are sort of factory moguls, and Warnock is the gentlemanly craftsman/artist. All have forged a successful life on their own terms, and the contrast is delicious.

Looking at Lutherie Schools

1991
AL#25 p.6   BRB3 p.16            
Steve Banchero   David Freeman   Larry Kirmser   David Vincent   Donald Warnock                                                                           

▪ A panel of lutherie teachers talks it over at the 1990 GAL Convention.

Review: The Shrine to Music Museum — A Pictorial Souvenir

1988
AL#15 p.69   BRB2 p.492            
Tim Olsen                                                                                           

▪ The Shrine to Music Museum holds some of the world’s most important collections of musical instruments. This inexpensive volume is not only a great souvenir to those who have visited the museum, but a valuable research resource.

Building the Vihuela and Viola da Mano From Historical Evidence

1987
AL#10 p.10   BRB1 p.362            
John Rollins                                                                                           

▪ Recreating these instruments required deep research into antique literature and a search of centuries-old woodcuts and tapestries. Many such drawings and sketches illustrate this long article, as well as photos of instruments by the author and Raphael Weisman. A transcription of Rollins’ 1986 convention lecture.

Review: The Early History of the Viol by Ian Woodfield

1986
AL#5 p.53   BRB1 p.495            read this article
Christopher Allworth                                                                                           

▪ The reviewer finds the book to be “important and useful” to builders who wish to pursue the early viols.

Review: Lutes, Viols and Temperaments by Mark Lindley

1985
AL#2 p.52   BRB1 p.488            read this article
Edward Kottick                                                                                           

▪ The reviewer calls the book a brilliant overview and analysis of all that can be said about the complex issue of temperament on string instruments between 1520 and 1740.