Clocks and Squirrels!

Squirrels
This week has been quite exciting here at the shop! A while ago a gentleman brought in a cello he had handcrafted for his daughter with a koala bear carved on the scroll. Today he stopped in again, but to purchase a violin case for a violin he had just completed for another daughter.

Upon the unveiling of his new creation, we were all very impressed to see an adorable squirrel and his big tail carved onto the scroll! He had also done some impressive and unique purfle on the back including the letter "A" for the first letter in his daughters name. It is always nice to see modern creations, especially with such the fun carvings!

Aside from this violin and the previously mentioned cello, he has also made two violas and a violin; all of which have uniquely carved scrolls. I think it's safe to say the squirrel violin made everyone's day a little brighter.

Clocks
Earlier this week, the clock on our main floor broke down. We decided it wasn't much fun to look up expecting the time, and seeing something way off. This called for a little bit of creativity. Cassy wasted no time on this one! The following day I came in to grab something from the shop and Cassy had all of the makings of a clock on my desk. A little bit of deliberating about how our new clock should look, and I was out the door! After creating a clock out of an old broken violin, a local calligrapher, Penni Burkum, made the finishing touches with traditional pen and ink. We hung it up the following day and sure enough, not only does it look great, it's keeping time! Everyone here at A. Cavallo Violins, LLC has never been happier to be on schedule!

~Gabriel

Hear It from the Master

Last weekend we were graced by the presence of Stephanie Voss, Certified German Master Violin Maker. She has been crucial to A. Cavallo Violins, LLC over the years for her expertise, wisdom and business experience.

She spent Saturday with us, often helping with the hordes of customers we saw. At one point we had 5 different groups of people looking and trying instruments, a record for the shop. She answered questions about instruments people were looking at, the violin business in general and her personal journey as a violin maker.

That evening, about 30 people convened for the "Hear it from the Master" discussion and wine tasting. There were three segments of discussion, interrupted by three courses of wines, including a German wine, and Italian wine, French wines and American wines in keeping with the diversity and style differences present in "The Art of Sound" exhibition.
Here are some of the questions, answers, and points of discussion that were brought up:

• Q: What is the difference between a "Stradivarius" and "Guarnerius" model violin and what are the reasons for the distinction? A: The biggest visible difference is in the shape of the f-hole and the edge and purfle work. The Guarnerius f-hole is more upright with a teardrop instead of a circle at the top, and is often larger and more open. The Strad corners are often squarer and less rounded, and the c-bouts are more perfectly proportioned, as well as the bee sting from the joining of the purfle always goes to the inside of the c-bouts. Stradivarius model violins tend to be very responsive and have a more silvery clear quality of sound, and Guarnerius violins tend to be darker and more muscular in sound and response.
  

• Q: Was the wood the golden age makers the secret to the great sound? Did it come from a period of mini ice age as many people have suggested? A: The wood in Stradivarius' violins is often not even great (and in his early works not always maple, using a cheaper substitution), and there is great wood available today. One of the neasures is how wide the "winter" grain is, not only the measure of the width of the grain. There is great wood coming from European Alpine, American, Carpathian, and even Chinese enviroments. The distinction of quality is often more about the age and treatment of the wood.

• Q: What about the "Secret of Stradivarius?" Was there such a thing? A:Stradiviarius was an artist! He was just a darn good maker, as good as any, and combined the skills of carving, form, varnish, and inlay to a very high level. His instruments are works of art, and it is not possible to reduce his sucess to a "secret," in fact it does him great injustice!

• Q: Are modern makers inferior to old makers? A: We are in a golden period right now! The level of artistry, worldwide communication, and technical expertise is unrivalled in history. New instruments are very possibly the best investment.

• Q: Are there significant technological innovations in construction changing the violin significantly? A: There have always been experiments historically, but the basic form of the instrument has not changed significantly since the days of Stradivarius. It is overwhelming to think of how such a perfect form was arrived at in 1700!

Everyone left with a good feeeling of violin fellowship, nice wine and gourmet appetizers. They all learned something and incresaed their excitement about the individual creations available from old makers and makers today! -A.

Show Opening

Hello friends! It has been some time since our last post due to preparations for the opening of The Art of Sound: An Exhibition of Today's Master Violin and Viola Makers. Good news is that everything went off without a glitch on Saturday for our opening event. With the show room revamped, the instruments displayed across the shop, a complete catalog of makers and instruments, a price list finalized, and a deep cleaning of the shop we were finally ready. We filled the shop with friends, food, and good performances, accompanied with a wine tasting.

Earlier in the day on Saturday we sold the first violin from the exhibition. Vladimir Logashov's violin finished in 2008 found a home. Throughout the evening we also spoke with a couple of potential buyers. Our point in telling you this?!?! If you're interested in purchasing you best stop in sooner than later because the interest level is high!

Also, if you would like to join us for our event this weekend there are still some seats left, just contact us directly. "Hear from the Mater" will be hosted by Stephanie Voss who is a Certified German Master Violin Maker and will be speaking about styles and methods of violin making.

On top of all this, we were featured in the Sunday Omaha World Herald. To read the story, follow the link.

If that isn't enough to get a violin/viola lover inspired to join us, then I don't know what would be. This is a rare opportunity to see 102 instruments by living makers in the same shop!

Contact us at:
1.877.838.6222
acvsales@gmail.com

Warm regards,
Cassandra

General Manger

2009 Exhibition Opening Event

The Art of Sound:
An Exhibition of Today's Master Violin and Viola Makers

OPENING EVENT:
Wine & Instrument Tasting
Saturday, March 14
7 pm
A. Cavallo Violins, LLC

Come and enjoy an evening filled with music, wine, and appetizers. William Wolcott and other artists will perform on instruments submitted to our exhibition. Three flights of wine will be presented throughout the evening.

Tickets: $28.00 (+ tax)
Tickets must be purchased in advance and seating is limited!

A. Cavallo Violins, LLC
8705 Shamrock Rd.
Omaha, NE 68114
Please contact us with any questions regarding our upcoming instrument exhibition.

402.827.9270
Toll-free: 877.838.6222
acvsales@gmail.com

Upcoming Shop Event

The Art of Sound:

An Exhibition of Today's Master

Violin and Viola Makers

On Friday, March 13, 2009, we will open the The Art of Sound: An Exhibition of Today's Master Violin & Viola Makers. The show will be a rare opportunity to see and hear over 100 fine violins and violas made by some of the best living makers in the world. A. Cavallo Violins, LLC will have instruments from across the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, England, China, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria. All instruments in the show will be available for purchase. We are in a golden period of violin making; the materials, craftsmanship and artistry today are unrivaled in history. Come and experience the art of violin and viola making at its best!

Special events will be featured each weekend. The opening event on Saturday, March 14 at 7 p.m. is a wine and violin tasting with Bob Bolden, wine master and performances by David Neely and William Wolcott on instruments from the exhibition. Tickets are $28.00 per person and must be purchased in advance. Contact us directly for additional information and to reserve your seat, as there are a limited number of tickets.

Dates: March 13 - 28

Times:
Mon. 1 - 5 pm
Tues. - Fri. 11 am - 7 pm
Sat. 11 am - 5 pm
Special Events TBA

Location:
A. Cavallo Violins, LLC
8705 Shamrock Rd.
Omaha, NE 68114

Please contact us with any questions regarding our upcoming instrument exhibition:
402.827.9270
(Toll Free)877.838.6222
acvsales@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely,
The Staff at A. Cavallo Violins, LLC

Shipping Horrors

     If one were to ask me what the most daunting task is here at A. Cavallo, it would definitely be coming in on Monday after the weekend and realizing I have forty new orders to pack and ship. Keep in mind, the mailman comes at 3:30 and I arrive at work at 1:00. Two and a half hours is a cruel time frame to put one under when there are thirty or more orders to fill. Nevertheless, this time frame must be met in order to keep this company of five employees running.

     From my experience and employment here at A. Cavallo so far, I have been given privileged access into the company’s dealings. One thing which stands out to me is how much the Gleasel Ultra Practice Mute is in demand. In the morning, I will usually have twenty orders to fill. It is not surprising to me if half of those orders be Glaesel Practice Mutes. People throughout the United States and around the world have a great desire for these rather ugly pieces of rubber. Individuals in distant countries such as Indonesia will gladly pay a hefty amount in shipping costs in order to have a Glaesel Mute priced at only $3.99. The substantial price increase for international shipment does not seem to deter people from acquiring these popular mutes. The economy may be going downhill, but demand for the Glaesel Mute remains strong.

     Once everything is packed and ready to go, it is then taken down the block to await the mail truck, which is supposed to be there at 3:30. There have been times where the mail truck never comes and one of our employees ends up running the mail to the post office. This is without question a nuisance and a waste of time for the company. However, we know that there is a person somewhere in the world in need of the Glaesel Practice Mute and we will go the extra length to make sure that mute arrives at its destination, wherever that may be.

 -Daniel Jacobsen

The Koala Cello

Occasionally at A. Cavallo Violin Shop we have customers come in who are interested in making/have made their own instruments. Today was one such day. We had a gentleman who came in and wanted to have his daughter's cello appraised. Alex opened up his cello case and was surprised to see a carved koala bear staring out at him.

It turned out that he had hand made this instrument for his daughter who had recently graduated from college. He called this instrument "The Sarah Cello", named for his daughter. This instrument was based upon the 1739 Montagnana cello called "Sleeping Beauty". Along with the uniquely hand-carved koala on the scroll, he had also done some unique detailing with the purfling on the back of the instrument which was in the shape of an "S" for his daughter Sarah.

This instrument is not the first that he has made himself. He has also made two violas and a violin; all of which have uniquely carved scrolls.

-Maddy

Hardanger Fiddle

At A. Cavallo Violins, LLC we have some very interesting instruments that walk through our door. Last Thursday was one of those occasions. A customer brought in a unique Hardanger fiddle. Hardanger fiddles (hardingfele in Norwegian) originated in Norway and are often considered the instrument of that nation. They became very popular in the mid 1700's and were most commonly used in folk music.

These instruments look very much like a violin. They have a similar body shape with four strings with a flatter tailpiece and fingerboard. Another aspect that makes this instrument unique are the four to six sympathetic strings that run underneath the fingerboard and create echoing overtones to the sound. The top strings on this particular instrument are tuned, highest to lowest, to F#, B, E, B and the bottom sympathetic strings are tuned, highest to lowest, to B, G#, F#, E. A good way to remember the pitches of the sympathetic strings is to think of Greig's "Morning". The pitches are all the same and this is probably how Greig came up with his opening. According to our customer, the tuning of Hardanger fiddles is not standardized and depends on the individual instrument.

Hardanger fiddles have become known for the extravagant mother-of-pearl inlay and pen or ink drawings on the instrument. The inlay is found on the body of the instrument, the fingerboard, and the tailpiece. Hardanger fiddles are also known for having ornately carved scrolls, often depicting a maiden or an animal such as a lion. The scroll definitely differs to that of a violin's because it needs to accommodate 8 pegs as opposed to the 4 that are in a violin scroll.

A final note is that according to our customer, each Hardanger fiddle has a female name. The name of his fiddle was "Bjornhild #88". We all found his fiddle and the history behind this unique instrument very interesting.


- Maddy

Fall Rain Adventure

A while back on Monday, September 29, 2008 Alex, Maddy, Matt, and I each walked into the shop enthusiastic for our day. That was until, as Alex initially discovered, the heavy rains from the prior evening proved too much for a section of our roof!

As Alex made his way across the shop to disarm our security system he had to wade through a puddle of water. Directly above the puddle were 3 water-swollen ceiling tiles, appearing ready to give way at any moment. Just inches away from the puddle and leak were 2 cellos and 2 basses.

Upon further inspection, Alex soon realized that the puddle upstairs had a twin downstairs! This puddle had attacked our collection of boxes used for shipping. So, Matt's victory in cleaning and organizing the basement quickly became a frustrating disaster again.

As water continually dripped from the swollen ceiling tiles, our concern grew. With the roof leak fixed and the instruments moved out of the way, Matt was delegated as the brave sole to 'dig in'. Upon tearing into the soggy tiles, he was greeted by water-soaked insulation, which had a tendency to simply fall. Soon our ceiling took on a grave appearance.

By the end of the day, with a phone call into our contractor, we were ready to bolt. We had carried out loads of soggy tiles and insulation, swept most everything up, and our generous window cleaners had mopped our show room floor on their stop by. With this done, we could only gaze at the basement anticipating what the next day would bring, on top of the stress of preparing for my leave to get married.

With no instruments damaged we walked away thankful that this adventure did not take a turn for the worst. Repairs of buildings are manageable, but water damaged instruments could have been disastrous.
Only the best,
Cassandra

General Manager
A. Cavallo Violins, LLC

The Complexities and Challenges of Varnishing

Here at A. Cavallo Violins we have been embarking on a new project the last couple of months. Our manufacturer from China has been sending us white violins which we have been experimenting by graduating the top and varnishing the instrument. Matt was the first to dive into our varnishing adventure.

To begin his varnishing undertaking, Matt selected a violin that Alex had previously graduated and finished the edges. He begins by scraping and sanding the wood to create a smooth surface to prepare it for finishing. After sanding, he placed it in our homemade light booth to tan for 5 or 6 days. This process helps to darken the spruce top of the violin.


Next Matt applied the primer and the sealer to the violin. We are using the Magister products which are the finest available. The primer came in a pre-mixed bottle which Matt applied 2 or 3 coats to the violin with a sponge brush. This step prepares the wood and darkens the overall color. One coat of sealer is applied after the primer has dried which typically takes a few hours. Matt used a brush to thinly coat the instrument with the sealer and whipped the excess off with a cloth. The sealer helps the natural color of the wood come to life. It brings out the flames in the maple and helps the other colors really pop. After a night in the light booth we could really see the flames in the maple!

Matt's next step in the varnishing process is to apply the mineral ground. Matt had to make the mineral ground using pumice and varnish. These ingredients are cloudy when first combined and Matt had to mull them together on a piece of glass for about half an hour until the mixture became clear. This mineral ground was then ladled onto the instrument with a pallet knife and then squeegeed off. After sitting on the instrument for approximately 5 minutes, Matt then rubbed the excess off with pieces of canvas. The violin was placed in the light booth for a couple of days until the mineral ground was completely dry. This process was repeated and a second coat of mineral ground was added.

Finally, Matt arrived to the step of applying the actual varnish to the instrument. Once again, Matt mixed together the ingredients on glass to prepare it for use on the instrument. He mixed a quarter sized amount of varnish with a splash of siccative. In this step, adding a darkening agent is optional depending on the color the person chooses to varnish the instrument. To apply varnish the instrument Matt uses a technique called tamponing which is using a brush to tap the varnish onto the instrument and then using a sponge to tap the varnish to spread it around on the surface of the instrument. The sponge the was used is not just an ordinary sponge. It is foam used in prosthetics ordered specifically for our varnishing project. The technique of tamponing tends to be rather time consuming but it is a conservative way of application as it does not waste a lot of varnish.

Adding patina to the violin is Matt's next step to the varnishing process. Patina is the antiquing process where the maker uses sand paper or other materials to scuff up and scratch the surface of the instrument. Parts of the instrument that come in contact with parts of the body or other surfaces such as tables are sanded. A lot of times the scratches and marks on the instrument are colored with black water color to give it an aged look. Matt chose not add too much patina to his instrument because he believes that it "get's its patina as it goes".

Finally Matt added two very thin layers of clear coat. This clear coat gives the varnish a little depth and fills in and seals the antiquing. He then finished the instrument by rubbing it with a mixture of Italian pumice and linseed oil. This mixture is an important last step because it evens out the varnish and gives the instrument a smooth, satin look.

Matt's violin turned out to be a great success! The final product had a beautiful orange-tinted gold varnish with striking flamed maple on the back. It also had a beautiful, bright, clear tone. It sold the first day it was on our showroom floor! Unfortunately, Matt did not have an opportunity to take it home to show his mom, despite that we were all very excited about this success!