Confessions of a luthier
The workshop diaries of Stanley Potts - published in The Strad (October 2005 - March 2007)
Blind Faith
What's in a label? Would a Strad sound as sweet by any other name? Blind tastings, popular in the wine world, offer a method of objective evaluation, but the string world doesn't believe in such tests. Alan Coggins wonders why. (The Strad, February 2007)
Wizards in Oz
Three overseas experts brought sparkle to the second Australian Violin Makers' Conference, each sharing their wisdom with a keen audience. (The Strad, July 2006)
Let it be
To conserve or to restore? That has always been the question. Alan Coggins examines the two different approaches and asks whether they really are mutually exclusive. (The Strad, March 2005)
Making it down under
Alan Coggins and Michael Lea examine the lives and work of two Australian violin making pioneers.
(The Strad, July 2004)
Founding father
The workmanship on this 1938 violin by Arthur Edward Smith confirms his position at the top of the Australian violin making tree.
(The Strad, July 2004)
Freaks of disordered thought
Henley's dictionary is full of praise for the
finest luthiers, but when he came across a bad craftsman, he didn't mince his words.
(The Strad, October 2003)
Casting of Violin Parts Using Silicone Rubber
Transcript
of a presentation given at the First Australian International Violin
Makers' Conference, Guildford, Victoria in March 2003.
If you want a classic craft to succeed, don't fiddle with it
Modern enterprise experts
should mind their own business and let the age-old
industries work in peace. (Sydney Morning Herald, 9 Sept 2002)
What's
in a Label?
The piece of paper stuck inside
your violin, viola or cello may not be a very reliable
guide to the instrument's age, maker or country of origin.
Varnish
Care
How to
look after the varnish on your violin, viola or cello -
and stop others from ruining it! (Talk given at the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA) Conference, Melbourne, July, 1998)
Buzz
Buzz Buzz, I Wonder Why It Does?
If you have a buzz on your violin,
viola or cello read on - but don't expect an easy
solution. (Published in Stringendo, Journal of the Australian Strings Association, Vol.20, No.2, 1998)
Choosing
Your Next Instrument
Looking for your next violin, viola or
cello? Some simple advice can make the search more
productive.
Instrument
Set-up
Some
basic information about violin, viola & cello set-up
for teachers and players - what you can do, what to watch
for and what to leave alone. (Notes from workshop given to AUSTA string teachers, November 2000)