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Destination: Switzerland!

To begin with, last year, a professional violist in Switzerland contacted me, asking about commissioning a 15-3/4″ 5-string viola. With this in mind, we discussed the project at length. We ascertained her specific requirements. Obviously, that is her privilege, since she was ordering a commissioned instrument.

Meanwhile, I had undergone surgery on both eyes. As a result, I could not do any detailed work until my eyes healed. The client was very patient: I chose the wood for her instrument, to her approval (European Spruce and Maple,) and ordered the special material for her fittings.

Choosing Materials

European Spruce Front Plate for 5-string viola handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier, Chet Bishop — European Spruce front plate material

One-Piece Maple back for 5-string viola handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier, Chet Bishop — One-Piece European Maple Back Plate

Sonowood for fittings, for 5-string viola, handmade in Oregon by artisanal luthier Chet Bishop — Sonowood for fittings, as the billets arrived

Out of concern for endangered tropical woods, the request specified that I use a Swiss product, “Sonowood” for the fingerboard and other fittings. In this case, the Sonowood is Spruce. They heated it enough to liquefy the internal lignin. Next, they compressed it to three times its natural density. The resulting product is as hard and wear-resistant as ebony. But Sonowood is not endangered: it is Spruce!

Carving The Fittings

On the other hand, Sonowood is expensive and difficult to work with. It was good that I ordered it early. It took a long time to arrive, and I learned its working properties by carving the fingerboard. Then I made the chinrest, the tailpiece, and the end button. I saved the nut and saddle for last, as I had to fit them to the fingerboard and front plate.

sonowood fingerboard billet for 5-string Viola handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier Chet Bishop — Fingerboard footprint copied from Ebony fingerboard billet.

Carving a Sonowood fingerboard for a 5-string viola handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier, Chet Bishop — Carving the fingerboard

Sonowood fittings for 5-string viola handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier, Chet Bishop — Handmade Chinrest and Tailpiece

Sonowood End Button with Paua Shell dot, for 5-string viola handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier, Chet Bishop — End Button, with Paua Shell dot

Beginning the Rib Garland

While I was waiting to receive the Sonowood billets, I had prepared the ribstock, bent the ribs, and installed them into the mold.

Rbs installed in garland for 5-string viola handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier, Chet Bishop — Ribs installed in Garland

rib garland with linings for 5-string viola handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier, Chet Bishop — Rib Garland with linings installed

Beginning the Plates

Next, I installed the linings, traced the plates and began carving.

back and front plates for a 5-string viola handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier, Chet Bishop — Footprint of front and back plates, ready to carve. Dark streak on back plate is heartwood.

Neck and Scroll

Simultaneously, I also laid out and began carving the neck and scroll.

Beginning the neck for a 5-string viola handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier, Chet Bishop — Beginning the Scroll

Once I had completed all the parts, I assembled them and began finishing.

Beginning Varnishing

To “Cut to the Chase,” as people often say, here is how viola looks, today. I have applied the base coats of yellow varnish , and I will soon begin applying the darker layers of varnish.

Front of 5-string viola with yellow varnish base coat, handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier, Chet Bishop — Front side with Yellow Base Coats

Side view of 5-string Viola with yellow varnish base coat, handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier, Chet Bishop — Side View with Yellow Base Coats

back pplate of 5-string viola with Yellow Varnish base coats, handmade in Oregon by Artisanal Luthier Chet Bishop — Back View with Yellow Base Coats

I will post more, as things progress toward completion.

Thanks for looking!

A Commissioned 5-String Viola For a Swiss Violist