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Old Work Shop Tour
Materials
Contact Information
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Much has been said and written about the varnishes that
the Cremona makers used. Those who
say the most seem to know the least.
The Cremona makers seemed to have perfected a type of varnish using
spirits, oils and gums that worked in harmony and complimented each
other. They are so beautiful to look
at, yet the varnish remains soft enough to let the wood vibrate freely, which
results in that amazing sound. Today, almost every respected
maker considers the ingredients that go into his varnish a secret. They may divulge some parts, but never the
entire formula or methods of application.
I, too keep the composition of my varnish very secret. It is reported that Strad wrote down his
formula, but we have never been able to find it. The varnish that I use is my
own formulation. It is just as
beautiful to the eye and will remain somewhat soft so that the wood can
continue to vibrate through the years as the one of Cremona did. My varnish will continue to oxidize and
gradually change so that the varnish will become more beautiful each year, as
did the Cremonas. We do not know what
they looked like when they left their shops, but what we see today is much
different than what they originally looked like. Most of them have been touched up with a clear varnish
necessary to preserve the wood over the centuries. I can assure you that my varnish and method of application come
as close as possible to that of the Cremona makers. |
John Sipe Varnish Formulation
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