Luthier's Instructional Books
Fred Williams
I am looking for a good book on classical violin making using an inside
mold. I have a course in violin making and I'm about half way through
my first effort. Right now I have a copy of, "Ed. Herron-Allen's book,
"Violin Making: as it was and is", but he describes the process for an
outside mold, and I'm sure a braoder reference library would be to my
advantage.
Can any Luthiers out there recommend a good book or two? If you could
specify an ISBN # and/or publisher, it would help.
--
"One person's Freedom Fighter is another person's Terrorist."
Peace, Syblings,
Fred Williams,
Fr...@acbm.qc.ca
Sean Barry
Fred Williams (Fr...@acbm.qc.ca) wrote:
: I am looking for a good book on classical violin making using an inside
: advantage.
: Can any Luthiers out there recommend a good book or two? If you could
: specify an ISBN # and/or publisher, it would help.
In wide use are Henry Strobel's books (Henry has a website through which
his books can be ordered, or they can be ordered though bookstores or from
certain musical instrument suppliers), and the books by H. Sebastian Wake
("The Technique of Violin Making," "Violin Bow Rehair and Repair," "A
Luthier's Scrapbook")--ditto. The inside mold is pretty standard and is
included in both sets of books. Ed. Herron-Allen's book is a wonderful
historical reference and great fun to read (Allen was a fine writer and
very intelligent, an authority on marine life as well as violin-making),
but it is basically obsolete.
Sean Barry
LUT...@ix.netcom.com
Daby wrote:
I am looking for information on a violin maker - the label inside the violin reads
Joannes Georgius Leeb fecit Pofinii, 18
Reply:
There are four Johann Georg Leeb's I could find listed, as well as some other
Leeb's. Two of them lived into the early 1800's. I am figuring the "18" you see
on the label is a printed 18 where the year is written in normally. the year,
after the 18 has probably faded away. So all you really can tell is that it is in
the 1800's. Now, this could be an original. Or, it could be a copy of a model
made by Leeb in that year. So, the information I am giving is a guide for you.
You should have the instrument looked at by a knowledgeable person (capable of
appraising instruments). Short of finding an appraiser, most reputable music store
dealers should be able to tell you if the instrument appears to be from the period
we are talking about. Find someone you can trust. Here is the info on Leeb family:
Leeb, Andreas Carl, Pressburg, Vienna. 1784. Was still alive in 1837. Son of
Johann Georg Leeb (II) of Pressburg. He followed Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesu and
the Amatis, using a dark brown varnish which sometimes looks almost black today.
His wood is beautiful and his workmanship, including repairs exemplary. The
instruments have a very good tone. On the labels he used to stamp A.L. or A.C.L.
His works are numbered (i.e. Label 331).
Leeb, Anton, Pressburg, born 1725. Probably father of Balthasar Leeb. He followed
Nicolo Amati so meticulously and with such skill that his violins often passed for
genuine specimens of his paragon. The scroll is beautifully carved, the soundholes
handsome, only slightly inclined.
Leeb, Balthasar, Pressburg. 1740 - 1758. He followed Stainer, Stradivari, and in
his later years almost exclusively Nic. Amati, like Anton Leeb, his father. His
varnish is brown or reddish-brown of fine quality.
Leeb, Franz, Pressburg. 1786 DOB. Imitated Nicolas Amati like most other members
of the family. His golden-yellow, brown-yellow or brownish oil varnish is spread
in rather thick coats. His workmanship as well as his material is very good and
the tone agreeable.
Leeb, Johan Georg (I), Presov. born 1788. Probably pupil of one of the Leebs of
Bratislava. Amati pattern, but red varnish. Instruments of average quaqlity, but
not without interest.
Leeb, Johann Georg (II), Pressburg. 1740 - 1810 (This could be your maker).
Perhaps a son of Balthasar Leeb. Worked almost exclusively on the model of Nicolas
Amati, taking slightly higher arching. Very careful work, the tone not
sufficiently strong, but sweet. He used a reddish-brown varnish, but there are
also instruments (cello of 1794) which are golden-yellow. The tone of the cellow
is outstanding. Measures of violins coincide almost exactly with those of Nic.
Amati (which goes for all member of the Leeb family).
Leeb, Johann Georg (III), Pressburg. 1779 - 1817 (Another possibility). He never
became a citizen of the town. Followed Nic. Amati like his father. His violins
have very small corners and roughly finished scrolls. The material is good, the
tone small.
Leeb, Johann Georg, Pressburg. ca 1779 (I am not sure what the "ca" means. It may
mean born in 1779, or as shown below the year he acquired citizenship?). Son and
pupil of Johann Georg Leeb (II) - (You can tell this family liked the name Johann
Georg!) Acquired the right of citizenship in Bratislava on 2/1/1779. He did not
make many instruments, but his workmanship is fine, the wood handsome and his
reddish-brown varnish of good quality.
That is all the Leebs I could find. I noticed you spelled the name"Jonnes Georgius
Leeb." If that is acurate, you are most definitely looking at a copy of a Leeb,
and the copier didn't get the spelling right. As is the case with many old labels,
especially in foreign script, they are very hard to read and letters are printed in
unusual manners.
I took most of the above information from a book called "The Violin Makers of
Bohemia," by Karel Jalovec. There is other information in a book called "German
Violin Makers," by Fridolin Hamma. Some of the information conflicts, especially
concerning birth and death years, even names. There is no ultimate authority,
these books can be used only as a guide. The test is to have an expert look at the
instrument and they should be able to tell in short order if the instrument could
possibly have been made during the time period in question.
Nevertheless, you could have a very fine instrument. One to be proud of.
Good luck with your search.
Allen Wyatt Lut...@Juno.com
----
David Sanders
I have a web site with a catalog of books on the violin, if you are interested.
http://home.earthlink.net/~montagnana/
David Sanders