I am retired and want to make a violin

Edited: January 19, 2019, 5:12 PM · What a great video to share. Thank you.

(I wonder if it actually helps to graduate a plate, if you have a cat squirming on your lap?)

The "class" or group approach, each member making an instrument, seems a fine way to ensure many of them get to finish their instruments. I embarked on a similar project, about a year ago, largely to accompany a young art/design graduate, who wanted to make the instrument. We haven't progressed far.

January 19, 2019, 6:46 PM · I wanted to make my own violin once, even though I'm not quite retired yet. It's hard to get started; there are so many specialised tools and rigs needed that the intial cost is quite high.
I guess tools wouldn't be such a problem if you took a class, though.

January 19, 2019, 7:30 PM · Yes I believe everything including the wood is included in this though it is quite a lot of hours .

January 19, 2019, 11:48 PM · More power to you. I wish you the very best of luck.

A friend of mine decided to make violins in his 40s when he found that learning to play violin was not going so well. That was about 40 years ago. He recently finished his 101st instrument. Of the instruments he made (86 violins, 12 violas and 3 cellos) only his first and last violins remain in his possession. He has sold the rest and has been the town's go-to luthier (including bow rehairing) for the past 30 years.

January 21, 2019, 3:51 PM · I too have always wanted to make my own violin and F-5 mandolin and already have most of the tools needed, but the huge investment in time to learn this from YouTube videos and violin making books and then thinking that the first few will be poor instruments makes me procrastinate more and stick to just playing music.

January 21, 2019, 4:22 PM · Yes, the first few probably wouldn't be very good, any more than my first few mandolins or guitars would be.

January 21, 2019, 8:13 PM · Have you thought about taking a class...like the one in the youtube? I think there is a link to the website of the luthier who offers them but shouldn't be hard to find otherwise .....it may be your answer...especially if you already have tools etc and could also work on your own.
I am impressed you are even thinking about the 'first few" - I am aspiring to one!!

January 22, 2019, 8:25 AM · I was fortunate enough to be able to retire early so I could concentrate on making violins. I think it's great, although I wouldn't want to be trying to pay the bills with this.

January 22, 2019, 2:36 PM · Here's the danger:
Make your first violin, and then you will quickly realize all your mistakes, and all the things you could have done better. Same with the second and the third violin. It's just like any other addiction, where you will eventually lose your wife, your friends, and all your money. LOL

January 22, 2019, 3:58 PM · Glynn,

Thank you for sharing the video of you and your classmates. I've never had the patience for wood-working but have to admire those who do.

Also, as a fellow feline fancier it must be wonderful to be able to have your work cat-scanned as you proceed.

January 22, 2019, 4:33 PM · George, my impression was that this is something Glynn was thinking of doing, and not anything she has done yet.

Your interpretation suggests that you might be especially susceptible to the fiddle-making addiction, so please be very careful. :-)