I spent the day training our new string polisher. My goodness, but there is a lot to know about strings! After so many years, I have to remind myself how many details there are in making a simple string. No, let me rephrase that; since there is no simple string. I need to remember how many decisions are necessary to make a string. What instrument is it going on? What is the string position? A violin e-1 string needs to be hard and resilient, the a-2 requires more twist and a softer feel, and a d-3 string needs to have quite a tight twist and a very soft feel. What is the finished gauge? What diameter of rough string do you start with for that gauge? If you choose too large, then too much gut has to be polished off, and the string could be weak, not thick enough, and the string will not be smooth. It goes on and on. For each string, there are a dozen questions, answers, and judgments are asked, answered, and made. So, I spent my day trying to convey some of these concepts to the new guy.
The image for today is of a vihuela I finished recently. I was allowed to have fun with the decorations, so I went crazy with mother of pearl and abalone.