Project Map
Violin Parts
Click on any part of the violin
Top
Other Names: Belly, Top plate
Function: The top is the main sound emitter of the violin
Usual material: Spruce
Redwood Violin material: Redwood
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Template
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Logo
Violin Parts by Andrew Carruthers 2020
Back
Other Names: Back plate
Function: The back is the structural foundation of the violin. It anchors the neck and supports the top via the soundpost. It is also a significant sound emitter
Usual material : Almost exclusively maple. Occasionally fruitwoods are used
Redwood Violin material: Applewood
Source: Sebastopol Apple orchard
Supplier: Steve Wigfield, Wigfield Woodworking, Petaluma
Story: Material for the back, sides, neck and scroll
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Chinrest
Other Names:
Function: Helps the player hold the violin
Usual material : Ebony, Rosewood, Boxwood
Redwood Violin material: To be decided
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Supplier: Mike Center
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Chinrest bracket
Other Names:
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Usual material : Chromed steel, Titanium. Cork liner
Redwood Violin material: To be decided
Source: Import
Supplier: Machinist needed
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Ribs
Other Names: Sides
Function: The ribs enclose the resonant air space of the body
Usual material : Almost exclusively maple. Occasionally fruitwoods are used
Redwood Violin material: Applewood
Source: Sebastopol Apple orchard
Supplier: Steve Wigfield, Wigfield Woodworking, Petaluma
Story: Material for the back, sides, neck and scroll
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Neck and head
Other Names:
Function: The neck gives access for fingering the strings. The head houses the tuning pegs
Usual material : Almost exclusively maple. Occasionally fruitwoods are used
Redwood Violin material: Applewood
Source: Sebastopol Apple orchard
Supplier: Steve Wigfield, Wigfield Woodworking, Petaluma
Story: Material for the back, sides, neck and scroll
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Tailpiece
Other Names:
Function: Anchors the strings
Usual material : Ebony, rosewood, boxwood. Sometimes metal or plastic
Redwood Violin material: Not decided
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Bass Bar
Other Names:
Function: Supports the top and helps control the top vibrations.
Usual material : Spruce
Redwood Violin material: Redwood
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Fingerboard
Other Names:
Function: Provides a platform for changing the pitch of the strings
Usual material : Ebony
Redwood Violin material: Manzanita
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Supplier: Mike Center
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Top nut
Other Names: Top nut
Function: Spreads the strings and holds them in place
Usual material : Ebony
Redwood Violin material: Manzanita
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Supplier: Mike Center
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Pegs
Other Names: Tuning pegs
Function: To tension and tune the strings
Usual material : Ebony, rosewood, boxwood
Redwood Violin material: Manzanita
Source: Mike Center
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Purfling
Other Names:
Function: Visual enhancement. Prevent end grain cracks
Usual material : Often dyed pear wood blacks, with poplar center, but many materials are used including ebony, whalebone, resin impregnated paper
Redwood Violin material: Ornamental pear wood
Source: Santa Rosa
Supplier: John McFarland
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Bridge
Other Names: Bridge
Function: Positions strings at the correct place above the top. Transmits the vibrations of the strings to the top of the violin for amplification
Usual material : Maple
Redwood Violin material: Undecided
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Endpin
Other Names: End button
Function: Anchors the tailpiece
Usual material : Ebony, rosewood, boxwood
Redwood Violin material: Manzanita
Source: Santa Rosa
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Saddle
Other Names:
Function: Prevents the tail gut from cutting into the soft top
Usual material : Ebony
Redwood Violin material: Manzanita
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Blocks
Other Names: Top, bottom & corner blocks
Function: Joining points for the six pieces of the ribs. Anchor points for the neck and endpin
Usual material : Willow, poplar or spruce
Redwood Violin material: Undecided
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Linings
Other Names:
Function: Increases the gluing area of the ribs, for attaching the top and back
Usual material : Willow, poplar, or spruce
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Tail gut
Other Names:
Function: Attach the tailpiece to the endpin
Usual material : Plastic. Used to be gut
Redwood Violin material: Gut?
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Soundpost
Other Names: In Italian: L'Anime "the soul" . The name reflects the importance of this little piece
Function: Supports the top. Controls some resonant frequencies of the body, allowing tone adjustment
Usual material : Spruce
Redwood Violin material: Redwood
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F-hole
Other Names:
Function: Some sound emission. Allows freer vibration of the center of the violin
Usual material : No material, It's just a hole!
Redwood Violin material: Negative redwood
Source: Universally available
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Chinrest bracket
Other Names:
Function: Clamps chinrest to violin
Usual material : Nickle plated steel. Titanium. Cork liner
Redwood Violin material:
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Supplier: Machinist needed
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