| Materials: |
| · 1 or 2 4/4 size violins; older ones are fine IF in good shape with no repairs needed. If you have a violin needing a seam glued, please use another violin that’s in good shape for bridge fitting. Suppliers offer new student violins at good prices. |
| · 3-4 Bridge blanks, 41.5mm and/or 42mm medium grade; Despiau, Aubert, Teller, etc. Many prefer Aubert Mirecourt and some prefer Despiau 1-tree, but it’s your decision. |
| · Strings: decide if you want new strings (whichever make/model you choose), and if so, have them ready |
| · Sound Post setter, gauge, retriever, etc. if the sound post falls and you want to reset it |
| · Peg bushings; available from suppliers (have at least 4 available) |
| · Glue pot, electric hot plate and small “sauce” pan w/ lid for heating hide glue flakes |
| Tools: |
| Violin knives; ¼”, ½”, ¾” sharpened and ready for use! |
| Block plane: many prefer old Stanley 9½, but other manufacturers offer very nice planes (see below) |
| Chisel; 1/8”, ¼”, ½” or wider too |
| Reamer (for peg holes in scroll); preferably a “straight” flute rather than spiral |
| Small, fine-tooth saw for cutting peg bushings (see below) |
| Sound Post setter |
| Sound Post retriever |
| Sound Post inspection mirror |
| Bend-a-light, or similar light to fit into the F-holes of the violin |
| Mousetail file – very small (coarse) |
| Mousetail file – very small (fine) |
| Flat medium coarse file; Grobet makes nice files; Cut 2, 1, 0, 00 but you’ll only need the Cut 1 for this class |
| Nut files (set of 4 or 5) |
| Sandpaper; grits beginning with 80 up to 600 grit |
| Small compass dividers (preferably with metal points on both ends – not a pencil on one end) |
| Towel and/or “cradle” for holding/supporting violin while on bench |
| Digital calipers |
| Flexible 30 cm ruler |
| Rigid 12” ruler; prefer one side with metric, one side standard (U.S.A.) |
| Grease pencil, black (for marking bridge feet) |
| Grease pencil, white for marking placement of bridge; post-its, blue painter’s tape will work too for this |
| Soft 9 B pencil (VERY SOFT LEAD) |
| Alcohol lamp (denatured alcohol) |
| 1mm or 1/16” drill bit (only used for pegs) |
| Power hand drill (used for pegs) |
| Chinrest key |
| Bridge template (comes in a set for Violin, Viola & Cello from bostonfiddle.com) |
| Scraper set (Japanese set is available from Metropolitan Music that is very good) |
| Parchments to protect bridge from “E” string digging in (bostonfiddle.com) |
| Carpenter’s Wood glue – fresh |
| Hide glue (flakes, not liquid) |
| Pallet knife – for opening a seam |
| Water-color brush (not too narrow, not too wide – “Goldilocks” size); used to apply hot hide glue |
| Chop stick – you’ll see J |
| Bridge lifter – optional but great to have |
| Magnifying glasses (Opti-visor, etc.) used for close-up work |
| Peg compound (Hill or other is fine) |
| Pencil |
| Paper towels, soft cotton rags |
| Optional tools/materials: |
| Sharpening stones 0000 Steel Wool |
| Violin polish Spray Shellac (yellow can) |
| Suppliers (& others): |
| Metropolitan Music Woodcraft Tool Supply Stewart McDonald Lee Valley Tools |
| Connolly Music International Violin Violintools.com Lie Nielson Toolworks |
| Hardware stores Howard Core |
| Contact Metropolitan Music for a complete pre-packaged “toolbox” for purchase at a discount. When you call, they can help guide your questions. sales@metmusic.com, (866) 846-5461. Other suppliers may offer similar packages if you ask. |