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The Otis Tomas violin |
Otis Tomas lives on Cape Breton Island and has been building instruments for most
of his 55 years. Throughtout his career he has built a variety of instruments, as seen
on his website FiddleTree.com.
In what follows, I will be documenting the course of the construction of a violin at the bench here in my workshop on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. Naturally, it will reflect my own personal approach to this craft. I make no claims to historical accuracy, scientific or technological insight, deep artistry or virtuosic craftsmanship. I have no Stradivarian secrets to reveal and no guarantees as to the success of the outcome. After building instruments for a living for over 25 years, I still find that I learn with every one, and I am still humbled by the mystery of the art and secret voices of these creations. But I like to think that I have learned something over the years, and that my guesses have now at least become more informed and educated than when I began. Experience must count for something. So with this disclaimer in mind, I invite you into my workshop for a glimpse of one person's interpretation of the art of violin making and I hope that in sharing it with you, you will find something in it that you may find useful, informative, or interesting. |