Philip (Lipo) Cole
violin maker
The tools used range from ancient to newly invented. The only power tools needed today, are a bandsaw, a small drill press, and a couple electric wheels for sharpening and polishing very limited things. It's great to have the right tools for the job, but good workflow sometimes results from using the same, or similar tools for a variety of tasks. For instance, one could use a chisel instead of a knife in some situations.
A combination of historical, modern, and innovative methods apply today, because the work needs to stand the test of time. On the other hand, a finished violin must exceed the demands of the finest musicians right now. The learning process is ongoing. We must study what is known of the old Cremonese art, and see how violin making has changed through the various cultures and time. How has music changed? Perhaps we should consider also how it will change in the future.
