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VIDEOS and SOCIAL

#basketry #fiddle #violin #whatsonyourbench #offbeat

#basketry #fiddle #violin #whatsonyourbench #offbeat

#basketry

Rolling off nice thick shavings for purfling. #whatsonyourbench #violin #violinmaking

Rolling off nice thick shavings for purfling. #whatsonyourbench #violin #violinmaking

Just spent a happy and instructive two weeks in Nashville initiating @theviolinshop into the deeper voodoo of Violin making. Thanks to you all for a fun time.

Just spent a happy and instructive two weeks in Nashville initiating @theviolinshop into the deeper...

I had this idea when fitting X-Bracing to a bent-top guitar. It goes quickly and...

Cherry wood scroll for the latest Five-string Fiddle. #fiddle #violin #fiddler #fivestring #woodcarving

@mrfiddler1 brought @darolangerfiddler and @caseydriessen to my shop for a Five string session.
5x5s=25 strings,...

A week ago I couldn’t have imagined my Off-Beats playing at a monumental public event. Thanks to @colorofnoize for embracing a last minute suggestion, and to @miapixley for your boundless creativity.

A week ago I couldn’t have imagined my Off-Beats playing at a monumental public event....

Super excited about the Super Bowl!

All-Black women’s octet, Color of Noise, will be backing...

It’s done! On my last day at @theviolinshop.
Fred Carpenter takes my Silakowski Five String...

Just dropped off the latest 5-String with @mrfiddler1 in San Francisco. The back is some...

Anyone know where this violin was made?

Anyone know where this violin was made?

Fluted cello with dark varnish. #fiddle #violin #sculpture #texture #whatsonyourbench #fiddler #fluting #cellos #cellistoftheworld

Fluted cello with dark varnish. #fiddle #violin #sculpture #texture #whatsonyourbench #fiddler #fluting #cellos #cellistoftheworld

The Silver Leaf Fiddle is done! The final stage was to “age” the finish. Wearing and burnishing the high spots and applying dirt to the low areas created a sfumato effect, taking the edge off of the raw silver-leaf patina. The bright shiny colors are still there, you just have to look a little closer to see them. It’s become a story that unfolds more slowly and can be savored longer. The fiddle sounds good too.... at least in the hands of an awesome player! Thanks to @jeee_kim_working for taking it for a test drive, and to the cello class at @sfconservmusic for a fun afternoon #fiddle #violin #violinist #sculpture #texture #whatsonyourbench #patina #fluting #silverleaf

The Silver Leaf Fiddle is done!

The final stage was to “age” the finish. Wearing...

Patina. The second of three stages in finishing this fiddle. I’ve been looking for violin finishes that have a random element, where you don’t know exactly what the end result will be. Shaman @davidmarkswoodworking has been teaching silver patina for over 20 years. David knows more about this art than most mortals should. He initiated me into the way of argenteus and brimstone. Next stage: Ageing #fiddle #violin #violinist #sculpture #texture #whatsonyourbench #patina

Patina. The second of three stages in finishing this fiddle. I’ve been looking for violin...

Making a silver-patina fiddle with patina maestro @davidmarkswoodworking #fiddle #violin #violinist #sculpture #texture #whatsonyourbench #patina

Making a silver-patina fiddle with patina maestro @davidmarkswoodworking #fiddle #violin #violinist #sculpture #texture #whatsonyourbench #patina...

#Ripple #vortex

A new collaborative fiddle with metal foil and patina finish master @davidmarkswoodworking #patina #texture #whatsonyourbench...

The latest "regular" fiddle: a Guadagnini model cello. The finish has no deliberate scratches or craqueleur, just "wear" and "patina" and plenty of tool marks and tear-outs for texture. I'm always amazed at how hard it is to leave tool marks and not smooth them over, a few swipes with a scraper and they're gone. I set out to to make a completely normal cello but when it came to the head and scroll I fell off the wagon. It just seemed bland without a little extra gouge work #cello #cellist #violin #violinist #fiddle #fiddler #sculpture #woodcarving #texture #guadagninicello

The latest "regular" fiddle: a Guadagnini model cello.

The finish has no deliberate scratches or...

The Unicursal Fiddle! Each surface contains a labyrinth, a single channel that wanders the entire plane before returning to its origin. These patterns were computer generated by telescope scientist @christy_lee_reynolds , carved with a CNC machine by Ben Pearse, @outlierworkshop, in a year long callaboration. The finish is my latest attempt to come up with a treatment for violins that has the visual richness of an old, worn violin without resorting to detailed copying or “antiquing”. A mixture of inks and pigments were applied in one session and left to flow over the surface. As they dried the colors and textures morphed into delicate, intricate and infinately varied patterns. Thanks @miapixley for the music! #violin #offbeatviolins #fiddle #fiddler #violinist #whatsonyourbench #sculpture #woodcarving #texture #labirynth

The Unicursal Fiddle! Each surface contains a labyrinth, a single channel that wanders the entire...

CNC wizard to the violin trade, Ben Pearce @outlierworkshop, mills the parts for the Unicursal fiddle. The course finishes seen here are not typical of Ben’s normally refined work, but may add some interesting textures to the finished violin. #offbeatviolins #wood #sculpture #woodcarving #violin #violinist #fiddle #fiddler #whatsonyourbench

CNC wizard to the violin trade, Ben Pearce @outlierworkshop, mills the parts for the Unicursal...

The Unicursal fiddle.
A single, “Unicursal” line covers the entire surface of this violin back....

Got tool marks? 15.75” viola in poplar with textured finish. #viola #violist #violin #violinist #fiddle #fiddling #texture #woodcarving #sculpting #whatsonyourbench #offbeatviolins

Got tool marks?
15.75” viola in poplar with textured finish. #viola #violist #violin #violinist #fiddle...

Latest 5-String for @mrfiddler1 and @theviolinshop. See it, play it next week @wintergrassmusicfestival, Bellingham, Washington....

Latest guitar. I wanted something with the feel of an electric, but without the amp....

I’ve been distracted by other projects, but the Turing Fiddle is finally done! #turing #violin #fiddler #whatsonyourbench #luthier

I’ve been distracted by other projects, but the Turing Fiddle is finally done! #turing #violin...

I always like getting the first coat of varnish on. Suddenly you can see shadows AND reflected highlights, and the form and texture of the instrument become more apparent. Now I think the extra day and a half I spent chamfering the rays was worth the effort. (Can anyone tell me where to get straight-cut back wood?, I’m sick of this!) #sunrays☀️ #turing #woodcarving #violin #fiddle #whatsonyourbench #luthier #luthiery

I always like getting the first coat of varnish on. Suddenly you can see shadows...

Chamfering those rays!…… It seems like years since I started this……. But it’s alright….. here...

Doing a little bark beetle work on the sides. #barkbeetle #turingpattern #turing #woodworm #woodcarving #fiddle #violin #sculpture #generativeart

Doing a little bark beetle work on the sides. #barkbeetle #turingpattern #turing #woodworm #woodcarving #fiddle...

The Turing fiddle....It's hot!
#turing #violin #fiddle

Carving at last! #turingpattern #woodcarving #violin #fiddle

Carving at last! #turingpattern #woodcarving #violin #fiddle

There’s a great feature on @miapixley and her Ripple cello in this months Strings Magazine. This project was so much fun…..and it’s still making waves! #cello #offbeat #cellist

There’s a great feature on @miapixley and her Ripple cello in this months Strings Magazine....

I designed this Turing patterned fiddle, in collaboration with @kerimdundar_ of Yakaza.org. Kerim uses Reaction-Diffusion...

Stradivari’s Blue Jeans Did Strad know that his varnish would wear off quick and look awesome…. or was it a fortunate mistake? What makes an antiqued finish the most enduring and acceptable form of violin decoration? Is “Antiquing” a violin the equivalent of stone washing jeans? Could there be a violin finish that has similar attractive qualities to an antiqued finish…. but that isn’t pretending to be something it isn’t? …. …..I think there could be. What do you think? Read my rambling musings on this topic. https://www.andrewcarruthers.com/controlled-randomness-and-the-search-for-a-good-honest-violin-finish/ #violinvarnish #blueviolin #fiddle #lutherie #violiinmaking

Stradivari’s Blue Jeans

Did Strad know that his varnish would wear off quick and look...

The most fundamental essence of music is transferring energy by waves and vibrations form player...

Imagine you could see waves and vibrations passing through an object, the way that we can see waves and ripples on water. #violin #fiddle #sculpture #waves #ripples #violinmaking

Imagine you could see waves and vibrations passing through an object, the way that we...

Conventional cello decoration. Nothing weird about it.

@michellelambertmusic rockin my O-Fiddle. All I can say is “O, I didn’t know it could...

The varnish is on. I’m about to start texturing and antiquing the Tabolin. #texture #offbeatfiddles #experimentalviolin

The varnish is on. I’m about to start texturing and antiquing the Tabolin.
#texture #offbeatfiddles...

Technical problems. The vellum is an amazing material, super strong and it self tensions as...

Decorating the Tabolin plates. Its another cell pattern, this one has a sea urchin and lobster look, with some reptile overtones. #experimentalviolin #fiddle #sculpture #woodcarvingart #woodcarving

Decorating the Tabolin plates. Its another cell pattern, this one has a sea urchin and...

Knocking out the panels for the Tabolin. It already has a different tap tone!
I...

Here’s my latest Curious Violin project: the Tabolin, a fiddle that is half violin, half...

Coming soon: A violin like nothing you’ve ever seen before.........It might even sound different too!...

Great to see Brandon Godman @thefiddlemercantile coming out of hibernation and waking up the X-fiddle...

The Redwood Violin is out and about.
We met these two local fiddlers, @theredfiddler and...

Very happy to have the Redwood Violin covered by Strings. Thanks to everyone who has been involved in the project! #madelocal #farmtotablefiddle

Very happy to have the Redwood Violin covered by Strings.

Thanks to everyone who has...

Players and Instruments

Brandon Godman plays his Carruthers Five String Fiddle
1:37

Brandon Godman plays his Carruthers Five String Fiddle

Brandon Godman plays the first fiddle made for the Silakowski Five String Fiddle Project. Contempo...

Darol Anger and Casey Driessen romp two Carruthers Five Strings
2:57

Darol Anger and Casey Driessen romp two Carruthers...

Darol Anger and Casey Driessen visited my shop for a five string session. Along with Darol's iconi...

Bent top parlor guitar
0:51

Bent top parlor guitar

I wanted a guitar that played like an electric but didn't need plugging in. I designed this guitar ...

The Turing Violin
3:52

The Turing Violin

The Turing Violin is one of a series of instruments that explore the craft of violinmaking in the Di...

Henry Miller performing Sibelius on the Violin in a Box
2:14

Henry Miller performing Sibelius on the Violin in...

The Violin in a box is an international project where 10 violin makers arounfd the world made one vi...

The Ripple cello
0:17

The Ripple cello

This cello was designed by Andrew Carruthers in collaboration with Cellist Mia Pixley to extend the ...

Mia Pixley and Alisa Rose play "Ripple"
6:10

Mia Pixley and Alisa Rose play "Ripple"

This original composition played on the Ripple Cello and Ripple Violin by Andrew Carruthers, 2002 Ce...

Andrew Carruthers 2014 cello / Robert deMaine / at the Metzler Violin Shop
2:08

Andrew Carruthers 2014 cello / Robert deMaine /...

As part of the 5th Annual Contemporary American Violin & Bow Maker Exhibition & Sale, Los An...

Tabolin Sound Test
7:14

Tabolin Sound Test

The Tabolin is an experimental violin, part of a series of Off-Beat Fiddles https://www.andrewcarrut...

Michelle Lambert and The Turtle Fiddle
0:36

Michelle Lambert and The Turtle Fiddle

Michelle takes the Turtle out for a walk. Here's the hook from her hit single "Come to me". https://...

Edwin Huizinga and William Coulter play Vivaldi's "Summer".
11:12

Edwin Huizinga and William Coulter play Vivaldi's "Summer".

The Redwood violin appeared as part of Edwin and Bill's "Fire and Grace " show at a house concert i...

Tabolin rhythm
0:24

Tabolin rhythm

Tonal possibilities of the Tabolin's resonant panels

Mads Tolling shreds Led Zepplin's Black Dog on the Redwood Violin
6:10

Mads Tolling shreds Led Zepplin's Black Dog on...

At house concert near Forestville, Sonoma County. The Redwood violin had a pick-up fitted and Mads ...

Mads Tolling plays the Dimpled Viola
1:04

Mads Tolling plays the Dimpled Viola

Mads Tolling, https://madstolling.com/ @MadsTollingViolinist Plays the Dimpled viola. https://w...

The Tabolin, part violin, part tabla drum
1:34

The Tabolin, part violin, part tabla drum

Here’s my latest Experimental Violin project: the Tabolin, a fiddle that is part violin, part tabla ...

Experimental Fiddles, sound test
4:14

Experimental Fiddles, sound test

This is a sound test of three experimental violins and one straight violin . They are all built on ...

Carruthers 2015 viola
2:03

Carruthers 2015 viola

Richard O'Neill plays a 2015 viola at the Metzler Violin Shop exhibition in Glendale CA on April 8, ...

Carruthers del Gesu violin
1:49

Carruthers del Gesu violin

https://www.andrewcarruthers.com/violin/del-gesu-violin-2016/ Martin Chalifour plays a del Gesu at t...

Erik Anderson, Bach, Carruthers cello
4:20

Erik Anderson, Bach, Carruthers cello

Just to remember the the moment: Erik Anderson plays Bach, after his Musica Marin concert.

Jung-Hsuan Ko 柯容軒 Bach cello suite no.6 prelude
4:57

Jung-Hsuan Ko 柯容軒 Bach cello suite no.6 prelude

Cello by Andrew Carruthers

Carruthers, poplar Ruggieri model cello, 2016
1:39

Carruthers, poplar Ruggieri model cello, 2016

Carruthers 2016 Poplar Ruggieri cello demonstrated by Marek Szpakiewicz at Tom Metzler's "American ...

Violinshop: Tools, Tips & Tricks

VIolin locating pins
1:47

VIolin locating pins

A method for fitting violin plate locating pins, using a kiri drill.

Various

Making a violin, start to finish. Hear what a violinmaker hears.
9:54

Making a violin, start to finish. Hear what...

Sights and sounds of a violin being built. Thanks to Justin Liddell and his crew at Definition Fil...

Off Beat Violins
0:54

Off Beat Violins

More about them here https://www.andrewcarruthers.com/off-beat-violins/

The Flipper
4:01

The Flipper

Violinmaking Business in the Corona Days: What we can learn from The Old Masters. https://AndrewCar...

Violin Making: One Man's Journey
11:05

Violin Making: One Man's Journey

In this film, we enter the shop of Andrew Carruthers to experience the craft and art of violin makin...

Violin varnish drying
0:26

Violin varnish drying

The world's biggest cello mobile
1:08

The world's biggest cello mobile

What to do with those extra cello tops