Hi Ron,
I don't know if strad used a mould. I was unaware he even made lutes
until visiting the museum. However, judging from the template of folded
paper, I think it was simply used to trace the pattern onto a belly.
The same folded paper templates can be seen of his violins, guitars,
and other instruments. However many violin moulds of his exist, so the
existence of a template doesn't negate the use of a mould, a least for his
violins.
Michael Thames
www.ThamesClassicalGuitars.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Fletcher" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2005 12:05 PM
Subject: RE: symm/asymm & perfect/imperfect
> Hi Michael,
>
> Going back to your initial posting about lute symmetry. In the
> Stradivari workshop on your recent trip to Italy, you saw a paper
> template for a lute body, folded along the centre-line.
>
> I conjectured that such a template would indicate that the Strad's
> lute-bodies were not made over a mold. The template would be used to
> show whether the inner-profile of the lute body is symmetrical. That
> every rib has the same curve and distance from the centre-line.
>
> Did Stradivari use a mold?
> Were all his lutes symmetrical (equal depth and width from centre-line)?
>
> Surely these points still need to be clarified? The thread seems to
> have gone off on a tangent into symmetry found in nature and quantum
> physics...completely off-topic!
>
> But then again, no-one's perfect!
>
> Best Wishes
>
> Ron (UK)
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Thames [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: 27 May 2005 15:23
> To: Jon Murphy; guy_and_liz Smith; LUTELIST; Manolo Laguillo
> Subject: Re: symm/asymm & perfect/imperfect
>
> A friend of mine who works at Sandia Labs tried to explain Quantum
> Physics
> to me over a couple bottles of wine one evening, unfortunately if I
> can't
> apply it in my daily life, it goes in one ear, and out the other.
> Concerning perfection, I guess it's a state of mind, as Dr. Emoto
> has
> documented, ones thoughts can have an influence on ones environment.
> Although, the Ancients have know this for eons.
> One can perceive a lute as symmetrical, however, after a couple
> bottles
> of wine, or beer in Jon's case, it begins to take on a non symmetrical
> shape, along with everything else. The exception to this rule, is found
> in
> historical lutes, which appear non symmetrical, prior to the
> consumption of
> your favorite intoxicant, then afterwards actually appears perfectly
> symmetrical.
>
> Concerning the lute I was speaking more about the physical shape of
> the
> belly, and not the actual sound it makes.
> You can apply the concept of imperfection ( Wabe Sabe) to many
> things,
> but not the conception of musical instruments. The concept is always
> perfect, but man's execution of it is imperfect.
> Sometimes I think lutes, guitars are like people. The really good
> looking ones (people) are rather shallow sounding, and the not so
> perfect
> ones, are more interesting to listen to.
> This is my second, naturally occurring law as applied to musical
> instruments. The first being the rule of relative perception.
> Michael Thames
> www.ThamesClassicalGuitars.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jon Murphy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "guy_and_liz Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "LUTELIST"
> <[email protected]>; "Manolo Laguillo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
> "Michael Thames" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 4:13 PM
> Subject: Re: symm/asymm & perfect/imperfect
>
>
> > Michael,
> >
> > I thought I'd covered my views on this topic, but I have to add my
> comment.
> >
> > > Is it wrong for humans to try to achieve perfect symmetry? It
> seems
> > nature is trying.
> >
> > Nature is trying, very trying (I hope you know that English trope).
> Can we
> > know perfection? No. Can we aspire to it? Yes. Perfection is a goal,
> even
> in
> > nature. Einstein rejected Bohr's thoughts on Quanta, saying God
> doesn't
> play
> > dice. (the quote may be aprochryphal). Bringing it back to the lute,
> your
> > ear is the best tuning device. Even the paired courses have a diffence
> in
> > tonality. Nothing is perfect, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't
> aspire to
> > perfection.
> >
> > Best, Jon
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
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>
>
>
>
>
>
>
