Violin Varnish and How to Make It/Chapter 1
VIOLIN VARNISH AND HOW TO
MAKE IT.
CHAPTER I.
Introductory Remarks.
Although many valuable and interesting works have been written on the manufacture, repair, adjustment, music and technique of the violin, very few writers have attempted to deal, even in the most elementary fashion, with the important and absorbing subject of varnishing.
Varnish, from the earliest history of the art, has always been an essential element in the manufacture of the violin, and the famous craftsmen of the past whose instruments are to-day so highly valued for the beauty and richness of their tone owed much of their success to the wonderful qualities possessed by the varnish they employed.
The old Cremonese workers, who attained the highest point of perfection in this direction, undoubtedly discovered their secret by a fortunate accident, and it is surprising that, though centuries have passed, no one has since been able to produce a varnish that will in any way compare with that of those great masters of old.
Many attempts have been made to remedy this, and much scientific knowledge has been brought to bear on the subject without much success, and it is with the object of affording to the student a guide and compendium to work upon, that I have ventured to offer this little book to his consideration, and if only a small step in this direction is gained, my desire to assist in the restoration of Violin Varnish to its former perfection will have been amply rewarded.
To obtain an Ideal Varnish, the absolutely correct proportioning of the materials used in its composition must be ascertained.
In the following chapters I have given several recipes for the manufacture of Varnish, and it is possible by altering and improving on these, and by continually experimenting, to chance upon a combination that will lead to the discovery of a Varnish that will equal in every way the beautiful work of the great masters.
The above-mentioned recipes will also be of service to the maker—whether amateur or professional—who experiences any difficulty in procuring a Varnish that completely meets with his requirements.
He will find it far more satisfactory and economical to make it himself, to his own taste, than by purchasing it ready made.