“I took delivery of a violin from Anne a year ago. I had searched the Internet looking at different violin makers. All the makers I researched seemed to make violins, then sell them to people. One buys what is available at the time. They seemed so tied to building on the "mold" method that there was very little difference from one instrument to another.

“Anne is different, and each violin she creates is unique. She loves to have the client involved from the start of the process. One is welcome to be as involved in the process as possible.

“We started with Anne asking me basic questions such as the size of my hands, how I would like my violin to sound and how I would enjoy the instrument's appearance. As Anne loves to explain, "you are creating a violin that will be played for hundreds of years. So, what you like to leave to the world?" I chose the wood for the back and sides from a selection of three choices. Anne discussed the belly wood and selected an excellent piece of spruce.

“Anne supplied me pictures of each stage of the carving and building. It was like watching a family member come to life. Part of the unique process is that Anne likes to design a personal picture inside that in some way reflects her client. In many ways, the violin takes on a persona from this point. So, I encourage you to take advantage of this unique violin maker and her process of creating a specific work of art for you. She welcomes your input in the process and you will be rewarded with something personal and irreplaceable that you will cherish for the rest of your life.”

--Randal Walker

My Way: Violin Construction From Start to Finish

PART X: THE SOUL OF A VIOLIN

After the bridge has been fitted for correct height and ease of fingering, after the nut has been adjusted, the fingerboard and neck polished, after the pegs have been fitted and the strings installed - then the sound post is placed inside the instrument. One poetic writer from my youthful reading termed the sound post the "soul" of the violin. And it certainly is. Without this spruce stick which miraculously co-ordinates all the vibrating parts of a violin, the violin would sound no better than a gourd with a piece of rawhide stretched over it. Forever unnamed, unknown and relegated to the dark matter chapters of history is the genius who placed the first sound post and transformed our beloved instrument from a toad into a prince.

The fitted bridge in place. The tension on the strings will be kept loose until the final step: positioning the sound post.

Hand carved peg and tailpiece being assembled for "stringing up" the viola.

These are a few assorted sound posts for violins, violas and cellos along with the setters which are used in placing the sound post inside the instrument.

The violin would have a small and puny tone without its sound post: a little stick of spruce which some unknown genius first placed inside a violin wedging it gently between the top and back. It looks like an old fashioned child’s tinker toy and is positioned behind the bridge foot and opposite the bass bar. When properly inserted, touching a magical “sweet spot,” the violin blooms with sound.

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